In DSO + DPMs

5 key DSO trends to know — Organic vs. acquisition growth

In an April 5 webinar hosted by Becker's Dental + DSO Review, Pacific Dental Services Senior Vice President of Professional Partnerships Joe Feldsien and Dental Practice Solutions CEO Debbie Seidel-Bittke discussed the growth and future trends of dental service organizations.

Here are five key trends.

1. Today more than ever dentists are choosing to join DSOs. Mr. Feldsien and Ms. Seidel-Bittke estimate there are 1,000 DSOs or approximately 20 percent of the marketplace.

2. DSOs, including Dental Practice Solutions, are focusing their efforts on improving and teaching dentists how to enhance communication between staff and patients. As patients become more insurance based, dentists are learning how to communicate different treatment plans and what a patient's plan covers.

3. While many assume dental office revenues are accumulated through dental restoration and implants, having a strong hygiene department allows dental offices to boost revenues, Ms. Seidel-Bittke said.

Additionally, Mr. Feldsien stressed the importance of comprehensive practices where patients and families can visit a single practice for various procedures and services. This also includes having on-site orthodontics.

4. In the past DSOs grew organically at a tremendous rate. DSOs will continue to grow organically; however, now more are entering acquisition space as another way to expand. Pacific Dental Services also drives growth through de novo practices.

5. When DSOs were first introduced to the market, there were certain states that did not allow the groups to flourish. However, in today's market there is a consensus about the benefits and opportunities DSOs bring to states and communities.

Now, instead of worrying about where to open and DSO and what states to expand to, DSO executives and individual dentists' biggest threat is having patients return to the practice. People are less often visiting and are not as loyal to their dentists as in the past.

To view a video of the webinar, click here.

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