Perceptions of DSOs haven’t always kept up with how the model is practiced today. Many of the concerns I hear from colleagues are based on assumptions that don’t fully reflect what the day-to-day experience actually looks like. As dentistry continues to change, it’s worth taking a closer look at what it means to practice in a supported environment.
Dentistry has always been rooted in autonomy and an entrepreneurial mindset. So it’s natural that one of the first questions people ask is whether joining a DSO means giving that up. In my experience, it hasn’t. In an Aspen Dental-supported practice, I still make the clinical decisions for my patients. What’s different is that I’m not also trying to manage every operational detail at the same time. That support allows me to be more present in the operatory and more focused on the patient in front of me.
Another concern I hear often is that scale comes at the expense of patient care. What I’ve seen is that it can actually be the opposite, depending on how it’s used. Being part of a larger network makes it possible to invest in technology that might be harder to implement in a smaller setting. Tools like AI-assisted imaging and fully digital workflows help bring more clarity and consistency to diagnosis and treatment planning. They don’t replace clinical judgment, but they do support it in a meaningful way.
The same is true for training and development. Having access to ongoing education through The Aspen Group University has been an important part of my own growth, not just clinically, but as a leader. It creates a space where you can continue learning, collaborate with peers and stay current in a way that’s harder to do in isolation.
There’s also a perception that joining a DSO limits your long-term options, especially when it comes to ownership. My experience has been very different. I recently opened my second practice within the Aspen Dental network, and that experience reinforced for me how structured and supported the path to ownership can be. You’re able to grow into that role while focusing on building your team and your clinical skills, rather than trying to figure everything out on your own from day one.
At the end of the day, this isn’t about choosing between autonomy and support or between efficiency and quality — it’s about how those pieces come together. When the model is set up thoughtfully, they can reinforce each other.
As the profession continues to evolve, it’s important to revisit some of these assumptions. The way we practice is changing, and for many dentists, supported models offer a way to grow while staying grounded in what matters most: delivering high-quality care to our patients.
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