The average annual salary of dental hygienists in the states where dental hygienists earn the most has increased by nearly $10,000 over the past five years, a similar increase to the U.S. average for the profession.

The Biden Administration said July 18 it plans to forgive $1.2 billion in student debt for 35,000 people.

As a newly minted dentist, transitioning from being in school to working at a practice can be intimidating. In addition to the clinical challenges of caring for patients with a variety of dental needs, you’re also navigating the ins and outs of a real office. You may have had leadership experiences in dental school, but those don’t necessarily translate to a busy office.

Here are six dentists who have opened or started plans to open offices across the U.S. since March: 

Here are seven DSOs and dental groups that have expanded their networks through practice additions, affiliations, acquisitions and partnerships in the South, as reported by Becker's since June 24:

From a data breach to a lawsuit appeal, here are six updates on the California dental industry that Becker's has reported on since June 12:

The average practice expense per dentist for owner dentists in private practice was more than $530,000 in 2023, according to data from the American Dental Association's Health Policy Institute. 

Private equity firms have a significant impact on the DSO industry. 

Becker's has reported on more than a dozen practice closures so far in 2024, several of which have been the result of financial constraints facing owners. 

Richard Dresser, DDS, has continued to help improve patients' dental health despite retiring last year, the Owatonna People's Press reported July 17.

New Jersey Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery was recently hit with a data breach involving patient information.

An employee was accused of stealing nearly $35,000 from a dental office in Gettysburg, Pa., CBS affiliate WHP reported July 18. 

Several trends and events that have taken place recently could have a positive effect on the DSO field this year.  

Mergers and acquisitions were a huge part of the dental and DSO space in 2023, but changing economic conditions have raised uncertainty in the industry. 

A truck crashed into a dental practice in Albertville, Ala., causing damages to the building, according to a July 17 report by Sand Mountain Reporter.

Mansfield, Pa.-based Laurel Health Centers is set to take over a dental practice in Pennsylvania after David Redding, DDS, retires from practicing, according to a July 17 report by The Daily Review.

Sarasota, Fla.-based Dental Care Alliance is the first large-scale DSO to launch guided biofilm therapy to its network. 

Here are seven federal updates dental leaders should know:

The Fairfax County Police Department is investigating a burglary that took place at a dental office in Annandale, Va.

Two DSOs that added new leaders and two other dental leadership moves that have taken place since July 2: