A successful sale and acquisition with Dental Elite

Buying and selling dental practices can come with challenges and barriers, which each party needs to negotiate effectively for a successful outcome. Dental Elite recently supported Word of Mouth Dental Care, Ilford, through both a successful sale and acquisition process, with both parties very happy with their experience.

A successful sale

Each practice sale is different, which is why support from a team of experienced professionals is essential. Led by Julie and the Dental Elite team, the practice was brought to market and attracted strong interest, with both buyer and seller working collaboratively to keep the transaction on track.

Julie shared her perspective:

“It was important for us to fully understand the vendor’s objectives prior to launching the sale, as we knew the practice would attract significant interest and be very well received within the market. A key priority for the vendor was remaining within the practice post-completion, so it was essential that any buyer aligned closely with his values, ethos, and long-term vision for the practice and patient care. The challenge for us was therefore not simply achieving a successful sale but ensuring that the eventual buyer was the right cultural and operational fit for both the vendor and the team moving forward.”

The deal progressed efficiently, completing shortly after Heads of Terms were agreed – a great example of how alignment between buyer, seller and advisors can make a real difference to the overall journey. The experience was reflected in the vendor’s feedback, Ruby Paul, Principal Dentist at Word of Mouth Dental Care, commented:

“If you need or want to sell your dental practice and are looking for an honest, no-pressure sales approach, then look no further than Julie at Dental Elite. Her expert guidance will make you feel that she has your best interests at heart, so much so that I have now gone on to recommend her personally to some of my best friends who are just starting their own practice sale journey.”

Financing for acquisition

The Dental Elite team had the pleasure of seeing through the acquisition of Word of Mouth Dental Care too, assisting the buyer in securing the funding required to become a practice owner.

Having first connected with Luke Shelton from the Dental Elite Finance team at BDIA Dental Showcase 2025, the buyer, Kopi, embarked on a journey that led to practice ownership within just 12 months!

Lottie McBean, Sales Progression Manager, described the relationship between Dental Elite, the seller, and the buyer in this case:

“The seller and buyer established a strong rapport from the outset, which proved beneficial in progressing matters collaboratively outside of the usual legal constraints. This positive working relationship helped facilitate a smoother and more efficient transaction process.

“The valuation was returned in line with our own expectations, which provided the necessary support for the banking process to proceed without issue. As a result, funding progressed smoothly and without significant delay. Completion was achieved in accordance with the agreed Heads of Terms, as there were very few issues requiring resolution throughout the transaction.”

Throughout the process, Luke worked closely with the buyer to provide clear guidance, structure the funding appropriately, and ensure everything progressed smoothly behind the scenes.

The experience was reflected in Kopi’s feedback:

“I had the pleasure of meeting Luke Shelton from the Dental Elite finance team at BDIA 2025, and within 12 months I successfully became a practice owner – a journey that Luke played a key role in.

“Throughout the entire process, Luke was consistently supportive, approachable, and reliable. He was always within reach, took the time to offer clear and sound advice, and made me feel confident at every stage. Nothing ever felt like too much trouble, and he always made sure I was well looked after.

“What really stood out was his commitment behind the scenes. Luke coordinated extensively to ensure everything progressed smoothly and ultimately helped get the deal over the line. I genuinely appreciate his dedication and would highly recommend him to anyone looking for expert financial guidance in the dental sector.

“I am so glad that I met you last year and it is amazing what one year can do. Thank you for everything and making my dream come true!”