CDPA Certification: The Industry's Only Credential for Dental Practice Advisory
A structured methodology and professional designation for CPAs, attorneys, brokers, and consultants serving dental entrepreneurs from first acquisition through final transition.
See How CDPA Certification Works
Watch this 90-second overview of the Certified Dental Practice Advisor program
Get Early Access
Join our waitlist for exclusive early access to the CDPA certification program and special founding member pricing.
The Challenge You Face
Dental practice transitions are complex, high-stakes events. Without specialized expertise, you're at a disadvantage.
Dentists want advisors who speak their language: valuation, DSO structures, transition timing. Your generalist credentials don't differentiate.
Without a framework, you're reactive. Dentists sense it. They want someone who's mapped the path.
The CPA, attorney, broker, and lender are all in the deal—but nobody's quarterbacking. Your client becomes the translator.
What CDPA Certification Provides
A complete system for advising dental entrepreneurs through their most important financial transition.
An 8-module framework for guiding practice owners from acquisition through exit. Tested with $5M+ practices.
The only credential built specifically for advisors serving dental practice owners. Display it with confidence.
Connect with CPAs, attorneys, brokers, and consultants. Collaborate on deals. Build your practice.
Your Path to Becoming a Certified Advisor
Getting certified is straightforward. Here's how it works:
Learn the Exit Architecture
Master the methodology for guiding dentists from acquisition through exit. The same system used with $5M+ practices.
Master the Dental Language
Gain the vocabulary that positions you as a specialist. Coordinate the entire team.
Join the Network
Connect with CDPA professionals for referrals, collaboration, and ongoing education.
Master 8 Modules Across the Advisory Journey
Master the five stages: Acquisition → Growth → Pre-Exit → Exit → Post-Exit
Coordinate CPAs, attorneys, brokers, and specialists seamlessly
Go beyond EBITDA to structure deals that keep more in the dentist's pocket
Manage the identity shift dentists face when exiting their practice
Plus 4 more modules covering wealth protection, tax mitigation, legacy design, and more.
Certified Dental Practice Advisor (CDPA)
The only credential built for professionals advising dentists across the full practice lifecycle
Practice Lifecycle Mapping
Acquisition → Growth → Pre-Exit → Exit → Post-Exit
Coordination Model
Integrating with CPAs, attorneys, practice brokers, and lenders
Valuation Drivers
What actually moves practice value (and what doesn't)
Transition Psychology
Navigating identity shift for exiting practitioners
Wealth Integration
Connecting practice liquidity to long-term family wealth
Dental Practice Value Acceleration
The framework at the heart of CDPA certification—guiding dentists from startup through successful transition with integrated wealth strategy.
Industry-Specific
Built for dental practices, not adapted from general business models
Full Lifecycle
Relevant from day one of ownership through final transition
Cross-Disciplinary
Common language for CPAs, attorneys, coaches, and consultants
EBITDA optimization, overhead management, and profitability analysis
Systems optimization, staff retention, and patient experience strategies
Associate integration, expansion planning, and market positioning
Compliance, succession planning, and liability protection
Valuation drivers, buyer appeal, and deal structure optimization
Tax planning, estate planning, and retirement readiness
Click your discipline above to see how CDPA certification applies to your practice.
Built for Professionals Who Serve Dentists
Our CDPA certification is designed for advisors across disciplines who want to provide comprehensive, lifecycle guidance to dental practice owners
- ✓ Entity structure & tax timing
- ✓ Transaction planning expertise
- ✓ Practice-specific deal structures
- ✓ Transition timeline mastery
- ✓ Wealth quarterback positioning
- ✓ Team coordination framework
- ✓ Exit architecture expertise
- ✓ Deeper client relationships
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about becoming a certified dental transition advisor
Still have questions?
Contact us at [email protected]What Professionals Are Saying
Hear from credentialed advisors who have transformed their practice with CDPA certification
Meet the Founder
Tim McNeely
CFP®, CIMA®, CEPA®, CPFA
Founder & CEO, The LifeStone Companies
Tim McNeely, CFP®, CIMA®, CEPA®, CPFA® has spent over two decades serving dental entrepreneurs through practice transitions, exit planning, and multi-generational wealth strategy. He operates a Virtual Family Office exclusively for dental practice owners with $5M+ in production and hosts the Dental Wealth Nation podcast. The CDPA methodology is built from real client engagements, not theory.
20+ Years Experience
High-Value Exit Specialist
Best-Selling Author
Podcast Host
Join the Founding Cohort
Limited to 50 advisors. Become a Certified Dental Practice Advisor and join the network of professionals transforming how dentists plan their exits.
