Ziegler Practice Transitions is an industry-leading practice transition firm with a totally unique approach to the transition process. Having been involved in thousands of practice transitions since 1995, we bring a unique perspective to your individual situation.
We realize that the practice transition process may be a one-time experience for you, but it was what we do all day, every day. We stress cooperation between Buyer and Seller, and as such, we prefer to act as mediators / consultants / educators whose purpose is to make the practice transition progress as smoothly and easily as possible. You will find that our level of devotion to the education of our clients and our guidance throughout the transition process are unparalleled and essential to meeting our clients’ transition goals.
Our overall approach to practice transitions are founded upon the principals of fairness to both parties and we strive to keep the overall transition plan as even as possible. We look at the process from the perspective of three (3) orthodontists sitting down to discuss how the Buyer and Seller see the transition taking place. Then, from that perspective, we help design a transition plan that will work given the financial realities of the practice, while simultaneously achieving the Buyer’s and Seller’s goals.
Thomas F. Ziegler, DDS, MS, JD
Thomas F. Ziegler, DDS, MS, JD received his Dental Degree from The Ohio State University in 1965. He then served as a General Dentist in the United States Army (stationed in Munich, Germany) for three (3) years before returning to The Ohio State University for his orthodontic training. He received his Master of Science degree and orthodontic certificate in 1970 and then returned to Cincinnati, Ohio where he maintained a very successful orthodontic practice until his retirement in 2000. In 1978, Dr. Ziegler became a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics.
In his thirty (30) years of orthodontic practice, Dr. Ziegler has operated as a sole-proprietor, an LLC, a C-Corporation and an S-Corporation. He has been an Associate, a Partner, a sole-practitioner and has both bought and sold practices. There is not a scenario in private practice that he has not personally experienced.
In 1995, Dr. Ziegler graduated from Northern Kentucky University’s Salmon P. Chase College of Law and then founded Ziegler Practice Transitions, Ltd. Since 1995, Ziegler Practice Transitions, Ltd. has been involved in thousands of orthodontic practice transitions in all 50 states. Dr. Ziegler has given lectures for the American Association of Orthodontists, as well as several state and local component societies of the AAO and other state and local study groups. Dr. Ziegler was the principal practice transition speaker for 3M Unitek’s Bottom Line University Program (for orthodontic residents) from 1997 until 2012 when the program ended.
Note: Whether you are consulting with Tom or Steve at any point during your transition does not matter. We communicate with each other on every aspect of every transition in order to continue to deliver consistent and superior service to all of our clients.
Steven M. Ziegler
In 2002, Steven M. Ziegler joined Ziegler Practice Transitions, Ltd. and currently serves as the company’s President
Steve coordinates all client information and communication, and is responsible for Practice Appraisals, assists in transition negotiations, maintains the website, handles all marketing efforts and trade show participation, coordinates all webinar scheduling and development and manages our Practice Matching Program.
Steve delivered the lecture to first-year residents for 3M Unitek’s Bottom Line University Program and continues to develop new educational materials for our webinar series and our Learning Center so orthodontists can learn more about the practice transition process.
Note: Whether you are consulting with Tom or Steve at any point during your transition does not matter. We communicate with each other on every aspect of every transition in order to continue to deliver consistent and superior service to all of our clients.
At Ziegler Practice Transitions, we believe a successful practice transition requires a plan that is fair to both parties. A practice is a Seller’s asset and the price and terms of the transition must be agreeable to the Seller, otherwise he/she wouldn’t sell the practice. However, dental practice transitions are not a one-way street. If a deal is so one-sided that it is detrimental to a Buyer, then no Buyers will be interested in acquiring the practice. A transition plan that makes sense for both Buyer and Seller is essential to a successful practice transition.
The traditional approach to practice transitions is for both parties to acquire separate representation and then to have those representatives handle nearly all aspects of the negotiations. The Buyer and Seller are only minimally involved in the process. This is a fundamentally flawed approach for two major (2) reasons:
- The Buyer and Seller need to fully understand what it is that they are agreeing to and that understanding requires active involvement in the negotiations; and
- From the moment negotiations begin, the interests of the Buyer and Seller are placed in direct opposition to one another, yet they are to complete the process with a mutually agreeable plan.
Our approach is entirely different and completely unique. We prefer to work with both the Buyer and Seller together in a fair and neutral manner to quickly and amicably accomplish mutual goals. Transitions are successful when the Buyer and Seller are on the same team. Our clients are actively involved in the negotiations throughout the entire process.
Our job is to listen to what the Buyer and Seller want to accomplish, look at the financial realities of the practice (the Appraisal), suggest a neutral starting point and then guide the Buyer and Seller through their discussions with one another, while advising each side as to the effects and consequences of each suggested alteration. The result is a faster process and a more cost-effective, fair transition plan that both Buyer and Seller agree to and fully understand.
American Association of Orthodontists
Each year we participate as vendors at the American Association of Orthodontists Annual Session.
Dr. Ziegler has presented the all-day Practice Transitions program for the 2007 AAO Annual Session in Seattle and has participated in the Practice Transitions Panel for the 2001 AAO Annual Session in Toronto, the 2008 AAO Annual Session in Denver and the 2012 AAO Annual Session in Honolulu. He has also given lectures on Practice Transitions at the 2003 AAO Annual Session in Honolulu and the 2004 AAO Annual Session in Orlando and to several state and local component societies of the AAO, as well as several state and local study groups.
Since 2015, Ziegler Practice Transitions has been the sole sponsor of the AAO Practice Transition Reception held the Friday before the start of the AAO Annual Session.
American Association of Orthodontists Foundation
Since 2007, Ziegler Practice Transitions, Ltd. has been a Regent Level Corporate Partner of the American Association of Orthodontists Foundation (AAOF).
Learn more about the American Association of Orthodontists Foundation
Graduate Orthodontic Residents’ Program
Each year we participate in the Graduate Orthodontic Residents’ Program (GORP). We set up a vendor table where residents can come learn about our services.
We also co-sponsor the Dale B. Wade Memorial Golf Tournament.
Learn more about the Graduate Orthodontic Residents’ Program