DSOs have significantly influenced the way the dental industry and practices operate, especially when it comes to improving technology, efficiency and patient outcomes, according to leaders throughout dentistry.
The leaders featured in this article are all speaking at Becker's 2024 dental conferences. This includes our Spring Future of Dentistry Roundtable, which is set for June 19-21 at the Swissotel in Chicago, and the Fall Future of Dentistry Roundtable, which is set for Oct. 30 to Nov. 1 at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago.
If you work at a DSO or dental practice and would like to be considered as a speaker, please contact Randi Haseman at rhaseman@beckershealthcare.com.
Note: Responses were lightly edited for clarity and length.
Question: What impact have DSOs had on the dental industry, and how will they affect the dental space going forward?
Bradley Dykstra, DDS. Founder, CEO and Clinical Director of MI Smiles Dental Group (Hudsonville, Mich.): DSOs have made and will continue to make major impacts on the dental world. Some of the top effects include higher regulatory compliance in OHSA, HIPAA and labor laws; and consolidation, which brings efficiencies with more task specialization and systemization. Consolidation also leads to lower supply and lab costs because of increased volume. In some cases, DSO involvement leads to higher reimbursement from insurance carriers; avenues for professional growth and development in the same company – in both administrative and clinical venues; and standardization of systems, which delivers a more consistent outcome. The implementation of the newest technologies often is easier on a larger scale.
Emily Letran, DDS. CEO of Sea Breeze Dental (Huntington Beach, Calif.): For me, DSOs are a business model that has been around for a long time, the model of group practice. The main difference, and one of the reasons this model has risen up, is centralized management and a very practical approach that is metrics driven. The DSO model has grown significantly because it is a working model. Going forward, I expect more group practices to form to cater to the patients' needs of efficiency and availability, such as group practices offering longer hours of operation.
Joe Malzone. COO of Select Dental Management (Florham Park, N.J.): We find that many dentists that are looking to sell their practice are truly just looking for a collaborative partner to help grow their practice to the next level while allowing them to focus on treating patients, and that’s where we feel a strong DSO like Select Dental Management can provide additional value. SDM views our role as a DSO as integral to continuing the advancement of high-quality, comprehensive and accessible local dental care. We provide tools and training and embrace new technology to support our partners in delivering comprehensive and efficient patient care. We’ve also found it important to invest in our teams; we foster professional development and career advancement. As we move forward, our strategies are tailored to support and empower our partners, ensuring that our collaborative efforts translate into exceptional care at the local level.
Rebekah Mathews. Vice President of Health Transformation at CareQuest Institute for Oral Health (Boston): Health information technology is expanding in response to the economies of scale that DSOs create and the business intelligence support they need as a result. This, in addition to employer, payer and consumer demands for quality, value and convenience, has led traditional technology vendors, as well as new and emerging ones, to offer an array of solutions for revenue cycle management, decision support, teledentistry and patient activation and satisfaction. The growth of DSOs is not only making the delivery system more competitive, it also has a ripple effect in expanding demand for new business tools across practice settings.
Mike Panahi, DMD. Operating Partner of Roligo Capital (Closter, N.J.): DSOs have enabled standardization of delivery of care that patients have come to trust and rely on! Historically a major patient concern is trusting the treatment plan presented, DSOs enable the doctors to present cases without hidden incentives as there are multiple oversights in place. DSOs have the capital to explore and invest in technologies such as AI across all their offices to improve treatment planning as well as delivery of care for the patients as well as value creation for the doctors. Last but not least, as the new incoming dental graduates are looking to have an alternative lifestyle and schedule, DSOs offer more flexibility that match their needs.
Dipesh Patel, DMD. CEO of Blueprint Smiles Dental Group (Atlanta): DSOs have markedly influenced the dental industry by enabling clinical standardization and ensuring consistent, high-quality care across various practices. Their infrastructure supports rapid integration of advanced technologies, which enhances treatment options and patient experiences, while also streamlining administrative tasks for dental teams. This integration facilitates compliance with healthcare regulations, promoting patient safety and improving outcomes. As DSOs evolve, they will likely continue to drive technological advancements, standardize clinical practices and elevate compliance, further benefiting both patients and dental teams by creating a more efficient, effective and patient-centered dental industry.
Wayne Silverman, DDS. Chief Dental Officer of Collective Care Dental (Moorestown, N.J.): The DSO industry has provided opportunities for dentists to perform what they were educated to do, which is to provide quality dental care for their patients. Partnering with people who are experienced in the business of healthcare results in better patient outcomes.
David Sopp. Senior Vice President of Corporate Development at First Choice Dental (Madison, Wis.): DSOs have had numerous positive impacts on the dental industry, but perhaps the most important are improving patients' experiences and outcomes and ensuring their continued access to care. DSOs have the financial and intellectual capital to develop and implement best operating practices and invest in people, processes and technology, all while providing the back office support that enables doctors and staff to focus on their passion- providing exceptional patient care. More than 20% of U.S. doctors and practices are affiliated with DSOs today, and that percentage will continue to grow as DSOs increasingly are viewed as being the preferred partners.