Increased competition from DSOs has led dentists to rethink their approach to private practice to optimize success, including taking advantage of opportunities to enhance patient care and reduce operational inefficiencies.
Dentists are facing compounding challenges that have led some to rethink the prospect of operating a sustainable practice, pushing many toward DSO affiliation. Roughly 16% of dentists in the U.S. were affiliated with a DSO in 2024, an 8.9-percentage point increase from 7.2% in 2015, according to data from the American Dental Association’s Health Policy Institute.
Despite the shift, many dentists still believe private practice dentistry offers unique benefits that cannot be offered at DSOs, including clinical autonomy and the ability to build their practice culture and team the way they desire. While private practice may remain the end goal for many dentists, the path to ownership has evolved to require more strategic planning.
For new dentists who don’t want to open or purchase their own office immediately after graduating, alternative options include buying into an existing practice to build equity over time or starting out with a DSO before transitioning into practice ownership.
“The old model of a solo dentist trying to manage every aspect of the business alone is becoming increasingly difficult to sustain. The future of private practice will likely look more collaborative and operationally sophisticated, with dentist-owned groups leveraging centralized systems, technology, shared resources and economies of scale while still maintaining clinical autonomy and a strong patient-centered culture,” Viren Patel, DMD, CEO of Smile Obsession told Becker’s. “The dentists who will thrive in the future are the ones willing to think beyond dentistry itself, learning leadership, operations, technology and business strategy alongside clinical care. Private practice is still attainable, but it is no longer something that happens by default. It requires intentionality, adaptability and the willingness to evolve with the profession.”
Many dentists also recommend opting out of insurance networks, partnering with consultants and mentoring with more experienced practice owners to learn best practices for running a business. Additionally, artificial intelligence has become a bright spot for private practices looking to gain a competitive edge.
Jeff Dorsey, a sales agent at Transworld Systems, recently told Becker’s that AI can help private practice dentists offset challenges like staffing shortages, rising costs and administrative burdens. These dentists can continue to reap the benefits as this technology evolves.
“Practices will be able to automate more tasks and need less people to run a practice. This is going to reduce waste and unnecessary costs, help them be more efficient and see more patients, and improve bottom line profits,” Mr. Dorsey said. “AI is also enhancing dentistry by acting as a supportive “helper” tool, rather than a replacement for clinicians. Key impacts include real-time, AI-powered image analysis for detecting cavities and decay, remote monitoring and increased precision in orthodontic and implant procedures.”
Brion Long, DMD, of Smileworks Children’s Dentistry and Orthodontics in Tallahassee, Fla., said AI is becoming a differentiating factor for successful practices.
“The two largest pain points in running a practice — administrative burden and staffing dependency — are exactly what AI is poised to ease. Treatment coordination, insurance verification, patient follow-up and scheduling are increasingly being handled by AI tools at a fraction of what those roles used to cost,” he told Becker’s. “For a new owner, that’s a meaningful equalizer against scale. The dentists who learn to leverage these tools early will have a real advantage over both slow-moving DSOs and peers who don’t adopt.”
Ultimately, many dentists agree that private practice ownership today requires a different mindset.
“Ownership still offers something uniquely valuable: autonomy in clinical decision-making, the ability to shape patient care philosophies and long-term financial independence. These are not obsolete ideals; they remain central to why many choose the profession in the first place,” Benjamin Falk, DDS, of Florence (Mass.) Dental Care, told Becker’s. “Financial literacy, contract awareness, mentorship and long-term planning are no longer optional — they are essential. Private practice is not out of reach, but it no longer happens by hanging a shingle outside your door. It happens by design.”
At the Becker's 5th Annual Future of Dentistry Roundtable, taking place September 14-15 in Chicago, dental leaders and executives will gain insights into emerging technologies, practice growth strategies and the evolving landscape of dental care delivery, with a focus on innovation, patient experience and operational excellence. Apply for complimentary registration now.
