Insurance, M&A and clinical training are just a few of the areas that need to be reformed in the dental industry, according to three leaders.
Three dental leaders recently spoke with Becker’s to discuss the changes they’d like to see in dentistry.
Note: Responses were lightly edited for clarity and length.
Corey Anderson, DDS. Affordable Dentures & Implants (Bridgeport, W.V.): Medical loss ratios for dental insurance nationwide will make everyone’s life better. The AI claim processing for insurers and the AI claim appeal processes for dentists is mostly a standstill for claims payment and improper denials.
James Jones. CEO of Cal Dental USA (Los Angeles): One of the biggest areas in need of reform is how dentists acquire practices. The process today can be fragmented and opaque, with information concentrated in a relatively small network. As a result, opportunities can be harder to find, which raises costs and makes ownership less accessible for younger or more diverse dentists. We need more transparency, better access to information and technology to modernize this space — essentially moving from the Blockbuster era to the Netflix era.
I’d like to see the creation of a transparent, tech-driven marketplace — a “Zillow for dental offices” — where every practice for sale or affiliation is listed with standardized metrics like production, patient demographics, equipment and lease terms. This would level the playing field, encourage brokers to compete on service instead of access, and make practice ownership more accessible. I’d also like to see more investment in workforce development — such as paid training for assistants and hygienists — and stronger incentives for digital labs and AI diagnostics. Together, these changes would improve access, affordability and innovation across the industry.
Francesca Pregano. COO of Smile Makers Dental Center (Tyson’s Corner, Va.):
1. Clinical standardization across providers
In my nearly 20 years in the dental industry, I’ve worked with many general dentists and have often seen differing diagnoses and treatment plans for the same patient. Frequently, these differences stem from the diagnostic data available and the scope of services each dentist feels comfortable providing. At Smile Makers Dental Center, we proactively mentor our associates to use technology to support comprehensive diagnoses and to refine our referral protocols between providers and specialists with the skill sets needed to deliver quality services.
However, standardization is lacking industry-wide. Without it, patients often lose trust in providers and base decisions on subjective impressions rather than objective data. The reality is that oral health is directly tied to systemic health, and advancements in technology now allow us to detect issues earlier, aiding in the prevention of serious complications such as infections and improving long-term outcomes. Ideally, all dental providers should have access to and be trained in modern technology like 3D scans, CBCT, and AI-driven diagnostics. Unfortunately, this is not the case today.
2. Patient education about dental insurance reimbursement structures
The value of dental insurance to patients is often limited. Annual maximums of around $1,500 have remained unchanged for decades and rarely cover the full scope of treatment patients truly need. As a result, many patients delay necessary care until their “benefits” renew, approaching dental care with the mindset that they must stay within this artificial budget.
Compounding the issue, coverage is unpredictable due to downgrades, frequency limitations and exclusions. While dental teams work hard to educate patients on these nuances, patients often interpret denials as a judgment on the necessity of treatment: “If my insurance doesn’t cover it, it must not be needed.” This reveals a significant gap in patient education about the true purpose and limitations of insurance.
I have recently witnessed contracted insurance companies go so far as to suggest that patients seek another provider when dissatisfaction arises over claim processing. This is a troubling indication of where priorities lie.
As an industry, we must do more to help patients understand both the shortcomings of dental insurance and the critical importance of timely, comprehensive care that prioritizes their health over policy restrictions.
