Whether to join a DSO or MSO is one of the most important decisions dentists will be faced with during their career, especially as consolidation increases in the industry.
Natalie Schafer, DDS, is the owner of Wheat Ridge (Colo.) Oral Surgery, which recently affiliated with oral surgery-focused MSO U.S. Oral Surgery Management.
Dr. Schafer recently spoke with Becker's to discuss her decision to affiliate her practice with USOSM.
Editor's note: These responses were lightly edited for clarity and length.
Question: What made you want to join USOSM?
Dr. Natalie Schafer: At Wheat Ridge Oral Surgery, we always strive to do what’s best for our patients, and I believe partnering with USOSM is the best possible thing we could do for our patients. So many details go into running a practice efficiently, from keeping up to date on all the latest regulatory legislation, to managing accounts payable and receivable, to marketing and so much more. There’s always something to do, and it all needs to be done right. Those tasks are important, but I prefer to focus my energies on what I am most passionate about and what I do best: caring for my patients. As an expert in managing the business side of OMS practices, USOSM can focus on the administrative details, and I can spend more time on patient care.
Q: What kind of factors did you take into consideration when deciding whether to affiliate with USOSM or another MSO?
NS: For me, the biggest factor was personal experience from other surgeons, who have partnered with MSOs. I personally reached out to several surgeons who have already partnered with USOSM, and they all had incredibly positive things to say about the transition and their experience with USOSM. I have other colleagues who affiliated with other MSOs and their reviews were mixed.
Q: Is there anything you are looking to gain from your partnership with USOSM?
NS: USOSM is comprised of the OMS specialty’s best surgeons. They represent some of our specialty’s brightest minds and are well known for their dedication to clinical excellence. I look forward to networking with, learning from and working alongside them. Eventually, I hope to recruit a new associate for my practice. Partnering with USOSM should give me the resources needed to secure the best associate for Wheat Ridge Oral Surgery.
Q: What advice do you have for other practice owners who are considering affiliating with an MSO or DSO?
NS: First, carefully consider the pros and cons of a partnership/affiliation versus small business ownership. Then, ask yourself if you want a partnership model or an affiliation, because those are two vastly different things. With USOSM, there is an atmosphere of partnership, where all who are involved are interested in your practice’s success, encouraging growth. At the same time, I don’t have to worry about many managerial or administrative duties, which enables me and my team to focus more time on patient care.
However, this is not always the case with MSOs/DSOs. If you’re considering a partnership/affiliation, do your research. Ask other surgeons who have already made that change what they like and don’t like. Find out how involved they are with the decision-making process at their practices. Do they have the authority to make clinical decisions or are those decisions made by the MSO/DSO? Is there a camaraderie between the surgeons within the group? If you’re considering a partnership/affiliation, think about what’s most important to you and what you want to achieve with your practice, and ask yourself if the MSO/DSO checks off all your boxes.
Q: What challenges are facing OMS practices today?
NS: As a specialty practice, our concerns may be somewhat different from other healthcare practices, but a lot of the challenges are similar in nature. For example, we face ever-increasing regulatory complexities, like any other healthcare provider. We also face increased competition and the need to differentiate ourselves in the marketplace, as well as staffing challenges, such as finding enough qualified surgical assistants.
Q: What trends are you following right now as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon?
NS: Some of the biggest trends are also our biggest challenges: ever-increasing regulatory complexities, increased competition and the need to differentiate ourselves, staffing challenges, etc.