Standalone dental practice building in Georgia
Dr. Brian Tanz, DDS

Georgia's dental market has grown steadily over the last five years, and 2026 brings a unique combination of strong demand, favorable valuations and expanded opportunities. According to a market report from DDS Match, dental practices in Georgia sold for about 72 % of their annual collections in recent years, with practices in metro Atlanta often commanding 75 - 80 % due to population growth and competition. At the same time, the American Dental Association's Economic Outlook & Emerging Issues in Dentistry survey found that 13 % of dentists plan to sell or close their practice in 2026 and another 12.5 % intend to retire. This combination of favorable valuations and increased supply makes now a compelling time to enter the market. Below we discuss why Georgia offers exciting opportunities, the challenges to consider, and the steps involved in purchasing a practice.

Georgia's Economic and Dental Market Advantages

  • Resilient state economy. Georgia's economy is projected to grow around 1.5 % in 2026 despite slowing national growth. The Georgia Chamber of Commerce reports that the state announced more than 400 facility expansions and new projects worth $26.3 billion in FY2025, creating 23,200 private-sector jobs. The state ranks among the top for GDP growth and maintains a low tax burden. Robust exports of more than $53 billion in 2024, and major corporate investments in Atlanta create a diversified economic base that supports patient spending.
  • Strong demand for dental services. A 2025 analysis of patient traffic found that Georgia dental offices experienced a 4.4 % increase in foot traffic during September-October 2025, driven by back-to-school checkups, end-of-year insurance use and a robust job market with unemployment around 3.1 %. Georgia has more than 4,000 dental practices and its population grew 1.2 % year over year. National dental service organizations also expanded in the state. Heartland Dental saw a 6.2 % increase in traffic due to new offices and AI-driven scheduling.
  • Favorable valuations and growing supply. Practices in affluent Atlanta suburbs such as Alpharetta and Johns Creek often sell for 70 - 85 % of annual collections, and the average statewide multiple remains around 72 %. With many dentists planning to retire or exit, buyers can negotiate attractive terms and choose from more opportunities.
  • Business-friendly environment. Georgia consistently ranks as the “No. 1 state for business.” The Port of Savannah supports more than 609,000 jobs and generates $171 billion in sales, while major corporations continue to invest in Atlanta. Though the City of Atlanta plans to increase its business license fee from $75 to $191 in 2026, overall tax rates and operating costs remain competitive compared with other states.

Why Focus on East Point and Atlanta?

East Point: Small-city charm with metro-Atlanta access

East Point is an ethnically diverse city of about 38,270 residents with a median household income of $58,983 and a median age of 35.4. The city sits just south of downtown Atlanta and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, covering around 13.8 square miles. Its Economic Development Department assists businesses with site selection, job-tax credits and financing, partnering with federal and state agencies to provide incentives. The city promotes a live-work-play environment; it is home to Downtown's shops and restaurants, the Virginia Avenue corridor and Camp Creek Marketplace, which boasts over 1 million square feet of commercial space. East Point also offers programs such as “8 @ 8” business breakfasts, grand-opening assistance and newsletters that feature downtown businesses. For dental practice owners, this means:

  • Prime location. East Point lies inside the I-285 perimeter with easy access to Interstate 75/85 and the airport, attracting commuters and travelers. Practices benefit from visibility along busy thoroughfares and proximity to major employers.
  • Community support. The city actively markets local businesses and offers resources for site selection and financing. Redevelopment of nearby Fort McPherson is creating mixed-use housing and commercial projects, drawing new residents.
  • Diverse patient base. With a relatively young median age and increasing income levels, East Point supports a broad mix of fee-for-service and PPO patients. Its proximity to Atlanta expands the catchment area.

Atlanta: A metropolitan powerhouse

Atlanta proper had a population of about 527,048 in 2025 with a median household income of $81,938 and median age 34. The greater metro area continues to grow. Macro Trends estimates the Atlanta metropolitan population reached 6.345 million in 2026, up 1.16 % from the year before. Atlanta is a global hub for logistics, finance, technology and health care. For dental buyers, Atlanta offers:

  • Large, diverse patient population. High median household income and a growing metro population mean strong demand for routine and specialty dental services.
  • Access to talent and partners. The region hosts multiple dental schools and hygiene programs, plus a network of specialists and labs. However, competition is intense; within the I-285 perimeter the dentist-to-population ratio is around 1:1,600. Buyers should invest in marketing and differentiate through technology or services.
  • Economic resilience. Major companies continue to expand or relocate to Atlanta, bolstering employment and consumer spending. The state's business-friendly environment and investment in infrastructure (e.g., the Port of Savannah and data centers) help cushion economic downturns.

Challenges and Regulatory Considerations

Buying a dental practice in Georgia also involves navigating certain challenges:

  • Competition and staffing. The Atlanta area, especially within the I-285 corridor, has high density of dentists. Staffing shortages for dental hygienists and assistants persist, mirroring national trends. Georgia recently added periodontal maintenance to the procedures hygienists can perform under general supervision, which may help practices increase hygiene productivity, but finding and retaining qualified staff will remain critical.
  • Regulatory requirements. Dentists who administer moderate sedation must obtain a permit and meet training and facility requirements. The Georgia Board of Dentistry requires dentists to complete at least 40 hours of continuing education every two years, with mandates for infection control, opioid prescribing and ethics. Practice owners must also stay current on scope-of-practice rules and potential changes, such as pending amendments regarding laser therapy.
  • Rising costs. While Georgia's overall tax burden is low, the City of Atlanta will increase its business license fee to $191 in 2026. Competitive wages, higher equipment costs and inflation can pressure profit margins. Buyers should carefully analyze overhead and payer mix; practices with strong cash flow and desirable PPO/fee-for-service mix command premium prices.
  • Rural disparities. At least 21 Georgia counties have no active dentist, creating opportunities in underserved areas but also posing recruitment and community-outreach challenges.

Steps to Buying a Dental Practice

The process of purchasing a practice involves several stages. Working with experienced brokers and advisors like US Dental ensures a smooth transaction.

  1. Define your criteria and search. Determine preferred location, size, revenues and patient mix. Use our Georgia practice search to explore listings. Our new East Point listing (GA8180) offers nine operatories in a 3,100-square-foot standalone building with digital X-rays, CBCT and annual collections around $1.7 million.Our Atlanta storefront listing (GA5432) features nine operatories in a 3,300-square-foot space with collections near $1.92 million.
  2. Secure financing. Practice buyers typically choose among SBA loans, conventional bank loans or seller financing. SBA loans provide long repayment terms (often 10 years) and can finance goodwill, equipment and real estate. Conventional loans may have shorter terms and require higher down payments. Seller financing reduces initial borrowing and shows seller commitment. Prepare by improving your credit, saving for a down payment, organizing financial records and obtaining pre-qualification.
  3. Perform due diligence. After identifying a target practice, review at least three years of financial statements and tax returns, production and collection reports, patient base demographics, fee schedules and insurance participation, staffing and payroll, lease or real-estate terms, equipment and technology, and compliance with licensure and HIPAA regulations. Evaluate the hygiene program and recall system, as well as the potential for growth.
  4. Negotiate and sign a letter of intent (LOI). An LOI outlines the purchase price, payment structure, assets versus stock purchase, real estate arrangements, employment or transition terms for the seller, due-diligence period, confidentiality and exclusivity clauses, and a target closing date. Although generally non-binding, the LOI demonstrates serious intent and helps both parties proceed efficiently. After the LOI, attorneys prepare final purchase agreements, lenders finalize financing and leases are negotiated.
  5. Close and transition. Once financing and legal documents are complete, schedule closing. Plan for a smooth transition of staff and patients. In many sales the seller stays on temporarily as an associate; for example, the owner of our East Point practice (GA8180) intends to remain as an associate after the sale, which can help maintain patient relationships.

Conclusion

In 2026 Georgia offers a rare combination of economic resilience, strong demand for dental services and an expanding inventory of practices as many owners plan to retire or sell. East Point and Atlanta provide distinct advantages from East Point's community support and prime location to Atlanta's large, affluent population and thriving business climate. While buyers must navigate competition, staffing and regulatory requirements, careful due diligence and strategic financing can lead to a successful acquisition. Explore available opportunities on US Dental Practices' Georgia listings and consider these compelling factors when deciding to invest in a dental practice in the Peach State.