There are a number of characteristics that can impact dentists affiliating with DSOs, including specialty, career stage and gender, according to data from the American Dental Association.
In 2024, 16.1% of dentists in the U.S. were affiliated with a DSO, but that percentage changes based on certain aspects.
Some dental specialties, including orthodontics and oral surgery, have a significantly higher rate of DSO affiliation than periodontics and prosthodontics.
Younger dentists are more likely to be affiliated with a DSO, as more than a quarter of dentists who are up to 10 years out of dental school are affiliated with a DSO, compared to less than 10% of dentists who are more than 25 years out of school.
Female dentists are slightly more likely to be DSO-affiliated, but only by a few percentage points.
Here is the percentage of dentists who are affiliated with a DSO, broken down by speciality, career stage and gender, according to the ADA’s Health Policy Institute.
By specialty
Orthodontics: 23%
Oral and maxillofacial surgery: 22%
Endodontics: 21%
General dentistry: 15%
Pediatric dentistry: 15%
Periodontics: 14%
Prosthodontics: 11%
Other: 11%
By career stage
Up to 10 years out of dental school: 27%
Between 11 and 25 years out of dental school: 14%
More than 25 years out of dental school: 9%
By gender
Female dentists: 18%
Male dentists: 15%
