Brentwood dental practice chooses Tailwater in values-first transition

By AI, Created 2:36 PM UTC, May 29, 2026, /AGP/ – Cool Springs Laser Dentistry, a 40-year Brentwood practice known for laser dentistry, sleep health and TMJ care, has partnered with Tailwater Dental Partners in a deal advised by Dental Pitch Advisory & Brokerage. The transaction highlights growing demand for specialty practices and the importance of cultural fit over headline price in dental rollups.

Why it matters: - The deal shows how specialty dental practices can use DSO partnerships to preserve clinical identity while gaining operational support and growth resources. - The transaction also underscores a wider trend in dental M&A: practices built around sleep, TMJ and laser services are drawing more buyer interest. - For practice owners, the takeaway is clear. Alignment with a partner can outweigh a higher offer.

What happened: - Dr. Kellye Rice chose Tailwater Dental Partners as the partner for Cool Springs Laser Dentistry. - Dental Pitch Advisory & Brokerage advised the transaction, with Managing Director Jason Brown representing Dr. Rice. - Cool Springs Laser Dentistry is based in Brentwood, Tennessee, and has served Middle Tennessee for 38 years. - The practice was founded in 1986.

The details: - Dr. Rice is one of about 250 dentists in the United States trained in NightLase®, a non-surgical laser therapy that reduces snoring without anesthesia or downtime. - Cool Springs Laser Dentistry also focuses on TMJ therapy and advanced laser dentistry. - The practice sits at the intersection of sleep health and comprehensive dental care. - Tailwater Dental Partners is headquartered in Nashville. - Tailwater Dental Partners is a people-first DSO that offers operational support and growth resources while preserving clinical autonomy and practice identity. - Dr. Rice said Dental Pitch Advisory & Brokerage and Jason Brown’s team “will navigate every step, keeping your best interest at heart.” - Jason Brown said the decision was about finding the right partner, one that respected the practice’s legacy, clinical philosophy, team and long-standing patient relationships.

Between the lines: - The transaction suggests DSOs are competing on culture and continuity, not just valuation. - Specialty practices with a technology-driven care model can command premium patient demand, which makes them attractive partnership targets. - The deal reflects a market where patients want broader care options and buyers want practices that already deliver them.

What’s next: - Tailwater Dental Partners is expected to support the practice operationally while leaving clinical decisions in Dr. Rice’s hands. - The deal may serve as a template for other dentists weighing succession options and looking for a buyer-partner relationship instead of a full exit. - Dental Pitch Advisory & Brokerage is likely to continue positioning itself around seller advocacy and values-based transitions.

The bottom line: - Cool Springs Laser Dentistry did not just sell. It chose a partner designed to protect the practice’s legacy, team and patient experience.