ABOUT US

Lori Kester, DDSmatch

HELPING DENTISTS TRANSITION IN OKLAHOMA AND ARKANSAS

With more than 30 years of experience helping dental practices grow, operate efficiently, and prepare for successful transitions, Lori Kester is the DDSmatch Practice Transitions Advisor in Oklahoma and Arkansas.

Her background spans both the clinical and business sides of dentistry including roles as a hygienist, manager, Patterson Dental Technology Advisor, and strategic practice growth coach and consultant. Throughout her career, she has worked closely with practices to improve operations, strengthen performance, and increase overall practice value.

Today, Lori serves as both a strategic advisor and advocate for her clients, focusing on guiding dentists through the practice transition process from start to finish. Her ability to “speak dentist and due diligence” allows her to bridge the gap between day-to-day practice operations and the complexities of a successful transaction, helping doctors understand their options, prepare for the market, and navigate each stage of the sale with clarity and confidence. 

In addition to leading transitions, Lori brings a unique ability to coach and optimize practices prior to sale—helping owners identify opportunities to enhance value and avoid common roadblocks that can delay or derail a deal.

Based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Lori serves dentists across Oklahoma and Arkansas, combining local insight with the national resources of DDSmatch to help clients transition on their terms and move confidently into what’s next.

Lori, her husband Rick, and their two Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs, Captain and Cali Rae,  love traveling to new and exciting places, connecting with friends and family, and are always up for a visit to the ocean.

Q & A with Lori

DDSmatch is a dental practice transition company that connects a dentist’s present with their future, helping practice owners across Oklahoma and Arkansas navigate one of the most important decisions of their careers.

Whether you’re ready to sell now or just starting to think about what’s next, the process begins with a conversation. We take time to understand your goals, your practice, and what you want your transition to look like.

From there, my role is to guide you through every stage of the transition from preparation and positioning to finding the right buyer and managing the details of the sale. With a structured, proven process and deep industry experience, DDSmatch ensures you’re supported every step of the way and positioned for a successful outcome.

DDSmatch serves as your advisor and advocate throughout the entire transition process, helping you move forward on your terms, not someone else’s timeline.

Dentists are masters of their craft and experts in patient care, but the business side of a transition brings a different set of complexities. From valuations and deal structure to partnerships, real estate, and negotiations, there are a lot of moving parts. Getting them right matters.

My role is to guide you through those decisions, simplify the process, and manage the details so you can stay focused on your practice and your patients. Along the way, I coordinate with a trusted network of professionals, including attorneys, accountants, valuation experts, and real estate specialists, to ensure every aspect of your transition is handled with clarity and care.

Dentists choose DDSmatch because they want a structured, thoughtful approach to their transition – one that prioritizes their goals, protects their value, and supports them from start to finish.

Our Trusted Transition Process™ provides a clear roadmap, guiding you through each phase of the sale with intention and expertise. As a dental-specific firm, we understand the nuances of your practice, your team, and your patients, and we keep the focus where it belongs: on you as the seller.

Clients also value the combination of local expertise with national reach. Here in Oklahoma and Arkansas, you have a dedicated advisor who understands your market, backed by a nationwide DDSmatch network active in all 50 states.

For those planning ahead, the Practice Optimizer Experience offers a proactive path to increase value and prepare for a stronger transition down the road.

And, when it comes to valuation, we believe clarity matters. That’s why DDSmatch utilizes independent, third-party valuations performed by CPAs and Certified Valuation Analysts. You gain a fair, substantiated understanding of what your practice is truly worth.

I serve as your advisor, coordinator, and advocate throughout the entire transition, making sure every step aligns with your goals and stays on track.

It starts with understanding what matters most to you. From there, I identify and connect you with qualified buyers, leveraging local relationships, our DDSmatch platform, and a nationwide network to find the right fit, not just any fit.

Throughout the process, I manage the details, facilitate communication, and guide key decisions so you always feel informed and in control. As we move toward closing, I coordinate the many moving parts of the transition timeline, working closely with all parties involved to ensure nothing is missed and everything comes together smoothly.

The goal is simple: a well-structured, well-executed transition that allows you to move forward with confidence.

At DDSmatch, it’s the combination of experience, process, and genuine care that sets us apart.

With a background that spans clinical care, practice management, and business development, I bring a well-rounded perspective to every transition. That means understanding not just the numbers, but how a practice actually operates, and what matters most to the dentist behind it.

Equally important is how we approach the process. This is a transition, not just a transaction. Every decision is made with your long-term goals in mind, not just the outcome of the sale.

Through DDSmatch’s proven systems, nationwide network, and technology, we’re able to deliver a structured, high-touch experience, ensuring every practice, regardless of size, receives the attention, strategy, and support it deserves.

Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with dentists in so many different seasons of their careers – from building and growing their practices to starting to think about what comes next. And one thing has always stood out: when it’s time to transition, it’s rarely just a business decision. It’s personal.

That’s what motivates me.

Being able to walk alongside someone during that moment, helping them sort through their options, think strategically, and ultimately move forward with confidence is incredibly meaningful work. I enjoy the collaboration, the problem-solving, and the strategy, but even more than that, I value being a steady, trusted presence throughout the process.

My goal is always to help dentists feel prepared, not just in their practice, but personally, so when the time comes, they can transition on their terms and step into what’s next with clarity and peace of mind.