Dental Support Organizations (DSOs) have their roots in the mid-1970s, and just as fashions have evolved since that time, so too have DSOs. In trying to navigate the changing landscape of DSOs, if you are a dentist or group practice owner looking to partner with a DSO, there are dynamics and differences to be aware of as you consider your specific needs and goals. Like any great partnership, a DSO can be a great partner if you have great clarity on the type of relationship you want.
What is a DSO?
Dental support organizations, like Dental Care Alliance (DCA), partner with dentists to improve the experiences of their patients by offering business management support, training and education opportunities, access to advanced technology, and more.
It is important to know that not all DSOs are the same. While one DSO may work for your colleague, it may not be the right fit for you. Look for an organization that will add value to your practice, help you achieve your professional goals, and provide the resources, knowledge, HR support and expertise from which you and your practice will most benefit. When searching for a dental support organization to affiliate with, look for these seven qualities:
1 A Mission, a Vision, and Values that Align with Yours
Do you have a mission and vision statement, or a set of values tells the story of your business? These will incorporate your principles and objectives surrounding patient care and the types of services you offer, financial and growth goals, as well as how and with whom you have or seek to have relationships.
Spend time asking yourself questions and defining your own mission, vision, and values, as well as those of the DSOs you are interviewing. Make sure you choose one that has the same values as you, so you do not run into issues after you partner.
2 Offers Tailored Support
A general dental practice has different needs than a specialty practice. For example, relationships with referring doctors are what drive a specialty practice, while general dentistry practices are driven by direct-to-consumer marketing. Additionally, specialty services require unique treatments and technologies that may not be considered in general dentistry practices. A great dental support organization recognizes and embraces these differences.
Ask the DSO you are interested in if they have customized support based on the type of practice you have, your specific needs, and your goals.
3 Does Not Dictate Clinical Treatment
Clinical autonomy should be a high priority for the DSO you choose. As a successful dental professional, you do not need someone to tell you how to do your job, and that is not the role of a DSO. Instead, the DSO should present an opportunity to maximize the successful practice you have already built, and offer business support, training, and guidance, where needed, to enable you to maintain, develop, or grow your practice.
4 DSO Support Teams Work to Help You Maximize Practice Performance
A confluence of support expertise and resources can benefit a dental practice tremendously. Discuss how DSO Support Teams operate and work with those in the field. Ask how they will work together with you, to help you maximize practice performance.
For example, business analytics is one way that the support teams can work with you to help you drive the performance of the practice. When these teams work together with you, you will have better intelligence on practice performance and delivering best-in-class care to your patients.
5 Case Studies that Prove Success
Organizations should have empirical proof that they benefit supported practices by unlocking opportunities or addressing challenges. Reviewing these case studies can establish trust between you and the DSO, ensuring the contract is not just a transaction, but a successful partnership with clear and aligned expectations.
6 Provides Opportunities to Explore New Technologies
The experience of how patients receive care is important. Dental lasers for periodontal disease treatment, for example, provide patients with a non-invasive, comfortable treatment compared to traditional methods.
DSOs parse through all technologies brought to them and present the best and most exciting innovative technologies for their supported clinicians to evaluate. They also provide the mentoring and training opportunities that doctors need to effectively use the tools in their practices.
7 Begin Your Search Today
When you affiliate with a DSO, you are not the only one who experiences the benefits. Your patients will benefit by having more face-to-face time with you (their trusted dentist), access to the best dental care available, and access to more affordable dental care. In addition, your staff will have elevated support and unmatched continuing educational opportunities to gain experience and unleash their potential.
If you need advanced support for your general dentistry or specialty practice, contact Dental Care Alliance to learn more about how we can help you love your career again, achieve your goals, and maximize your practice’s potential.