As the industry recovers from last year's shutdown, dental service organizations continue to grow, merge and proliferate.
Below is a list of 55 DSOs industry leaders should be aware of this year.
This list is arranged in alphabetical order and is not exhaustive. Organizations included submitted nominations or have previously been highlighted by Becker's. Dental service organizations cannot pay for inclusion on this list.
42 North Dental (Waltham, Mass.). 42 North Dental supports more than two dozen dental brands at 84 locations across Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and New York. The organization was founded in 1980 by Ronald Weissman, DDS, and Samuel Shames, DDS, as Gentle Dental Partners in Boston. The DSO was formed in 2007, and the organization's first out-of-state location was opened in 2012 in Nashua, N.H.
7 to 7 Dental & Orthodontics (San Antonio). Founded more than a decade ago at a single dental practice, 7 to 7 Dental & Orthodontics consists of locally owned and operated dental practices throughout San Antonio. The DSO now has more than 200 team members across seven locations.
Affinity Dental Management (Holyoke, Mass.). This regional DSO was founded as a single practice in 1999 and now supports 38 locations under 11 brands throughout the Northeast. The DSO provides management and administrative support services to general dentists, cosmetic dentists, orthodontists, periodontists, endodontists, oral surgeons and specialty dentists.
Affordable Care (Morrisville, N.C.). Founded in 1975, Affordable Care supports more than 360 practices in 41 states nationwide. The DSO's main dental brands include Affordable Dentures & Implants and DDS Dentures + Implant Solutions. Each practice includes on-site laboratories to offer patients same-day care. In March, former Walmart executive Marybeth Hays joined the organization's board of directors.
Aspen Dental Management (Chicago). Aspen Dental Management supports more than 900 offices in 43 states. Services offered at their offices include dental care, urgent care and medical aesthetics. Each practice is owned and operated by independent owners and dentists who retain clinical autonomy. Aspen recently launched its own line of clear aligners available exclusively at its locations.
Beacon Dental Health (Boston). This DSO provides comprehensive business support services to high-potential dental practices in New England. The company supports more than 200 employees across 15 locations and is expanding rapidly.
Bright Direction Dental (Chicago). This dentist-led organization has practices in Illinois, Indiana and Michigan and is focused on advancing oral healthcare and continuously improving the patient experience. The DSO supports its practices with recruiting, marketing, human resources, finance, risk management, IT support, and labs and materials procurement.
Capitol Dental Care (Salem, Ore.). Capitol Dental Care is committed to preventing dental disease and improving the health of children and low-income patients. The organization partners with seven of Oregon's Coordinated Care Organizations to provide dental care to members of the Oregon Health Plan. Its network includes general dentists, specialists and hygienists, who have provided care for 850,000 patients since 2010.
CollectiveCare Dental (Moorestown, N.J.). Focused on the mid-Atlantic market, CCD operates 10 locations in Delaware and Pennsylvania with more than 100 team members. Their practices offer a variety of specialties, including cosmetic dentistry, restorative dentistry, dental implants, orthodontics, general dentistry and oral surgery. The DSO is led by COO Scott Becker and CEO John Button.
Cordental Group (Cincinnati). This DSO supports more than 40 locations across Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin. Cordental offers management and administrative services to its partnering practices, including capital resources, human resource support, IT support, marketing and advertising, accounting, recruitment, and facilities maintenance. The organization was founded by Dana Soper and Steven Jones, who continue to serve as CEOs.
Cornerstone Group (Irvine, Calif.). Founded as a single privately-owned dental practice more than two decades ago, Cornerstone Dental Specialties is one of largest endodontic DSOs in North America, with hundreds of locations across 13 states. CDS provides its services through a 100 percent mobile platform and consists of more than 20 endodontists and dentists. Hamid Abedi, DDS, is the founder and CEO of the organization.
Dental365 (New Hyde Park, N.Y.). Dental365 was founded in 2014 and is affiliated with 61 locations across New York, Connecticut and New Jersey. The DSO has been the official dental partner of the New York Yankees since 2019, providing preventive care, cosmetic dentistry and oral surgical procedures to team members. The organization recently partnered with Pearl, a Los Angeles-based dental AI and computer vision solutions company, to streamline clinical care.
Digital Denture + Implants (Los Angeles). Founded in 2021, Digital Denture + Implants specializes in supporting dentists who provide dentures and implants using digital 3D technology. The organization currently has five locations in California and Michigan.
D4C Dental Brands (Atlanta). Specializing in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics, this DSO currently supports 40 practices across Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, Texas, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland. Michael Lindley is the organization's CEO.
DecisionOne Dental Partners (Schaumburg, Ill.). Founded by brothers Mike Acierno, DDS, and AJ Acierno, DDS, in 2011, this organization supports 33 locations in Illinois and Wisconsin. The DSO has partnered with Smile Brands since 2018 to provide resources such as human resources, payroll, accounting, marketing, insurance and IT to its affiliated practices. In 2019, Smile Brands became a strategic investor in DecisionOne Dental Partners to help the group grow throughout the Chicagoland area and in neighboring states.
Dental Associates (Milwaukee). Beginning as a one-chair Milwaukee clinic in 1974, Dental Associates has grown to support 14 clinics with over 800 team members throughout Wisconsin. Services provided include general and pediatric care, braces and orthodontics, oral surgery, dental implants and more.
Dental Care Alliance (Sarasota, Fla.). Founded in 1991, Dental Care Alliance has more than 330 affiliated practices and a network of more than 750 dentists spanning 20 states. The organization sees more than 3 million patient visits each year. In January, DCA announced a partnership with Biolase to expand laser technology and training programs nationwide.
Elite Dental Partners (Chicago). Founded in 2014 with a single dentist office in Illinois, this DSO now supports more than 100 dental practices in 12 states. Its network includes more than 200 dentists and nearly 300 hygienists.
Endo1 Partners (Houston). Endo1 Partners is the original and fastest-growing endodontic partnership organization that provides business and operational support services to 66 endodontic practices and 105 endodontists in 15 states. The company partners with best-in-class endodontists across the U.S. to streamline and improve their practices so partner endodontists can focus on providing high-quality patient care.
Foundation Dental Partners (Alpharetta, Ga.). Founded in 2019, Foundation Dental Partners currently operates practices in Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee. The DSO recently acquired its 11th practice. The organization, which is backed by Keystone Capital, is led by CEO Adam Ditto.
Great Expressions Dental Centers (Southfield, Mich.). This DSO has 300 locations in Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Texas. Its network consists of more than 900 dentists and dental hygienists who are trained and overseen by the group's 11-person National Doctor Panel.
Heartland Dental (Effingham, Ill.). Founded in 1997, Heartland Dental serves 2,300 dentists and supports 1,150 dental offices across 38 states. The organization was founded by Rick Workman, who continues with the company as executive chairman. Patrick Bauer is Heartland's president and CEO.
Higginbotham Dental Group (Jonesboro, Ark.). This DSO has 10 locations owned by Todd Higginbotham, DDS. Practices are located in Arkansas, Tennessee and Missouri, staffed by 10 other dentists providing care to patients. HDG practices offer a variety of services, including cosmetic dentistry, oral surgery, dental implants and teledentistry, among others.
Hero Practice Services (Colorado Springs, Colo.). Hero Practice Services was founded in 2006 to provide dental, vision and orthodontic services to underserved children. The company expanded outside of Colorado Springs in 2007 with the openings of two locations in Greeley, Colo., and Wichita, Kansas.The organization now has locations on the East Coast and six other locations in Colorado and Kansas. In 2015, the DSO was acquired by private equity firm Silver Oak Services Partners.
Lollipop Dental Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics (Placentia, Calif.). Consisting of three specialist-only practices, this organization is made up of eight board-certified doctors serving children of all ages. In August 2020, the DSO made Inc. 5000's fastest growing company list after growing 141 percent between 2016 and 2019.
MB2 Dental (Carrollton, Texas). Founded in 2007 by CEO Chris Steven Villanueva, DMD, MB2 has more than 300 practices in more than 30 states and a network of more than 600 dentists.
Mid-Atlantic Dental Partners (Plymouth Meeting, Penn.). This DSO supports more than 230 dental practices in 18 states. The organization supports its practices with various services, including marketing, education, technology and finance, among others. Leigh Feenburg has led the company as CEO since March.
Mortenson Dental Partners (Louisville, Ky.). Beginning as a single practice in 1979, Mortenson Dental Partners operates 140 offices across nine states and employs nearly 1,800 team members. The DSO sees nearly 1 million patient visits each year, providing services such as general dentistry, pediatric dentistry, orthodontics and oral surgery. The organization recently appointed Britt Bostick, DDS, as its chief dental officer.
NAK Dental Group (Tallahassee, Fla.). Founded in 2018 by Nathan Kupperman, DMD, NAK Dental currently supports five dental locations in northwest Florida. The DSO supports its practices with management, succession planning, education, finances, consulting and recruiting services.
New England Dental Partners (Bourne, Mass.). This growing DSO includes 14 dental brands located throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire. CEO Nicholas Papapetros, DMD, has led the organization since 2019.
North American Dental Group (Pittsburgh). Founded in 2008, CEO Ken Cooper oversees the administrative side of the organization, while co-founder, Andrew Matta, DMD, focuses on building partners' clinical strength. This co-leading model has been a pillar of the group's success, as both areas foster a better patient experience. The DSO is affiliated with more than 250 practices and nearly 500 full-time dentists across 15 states.
Onsite Dental (Aliso Viejo, Calif.). Onsite Dental aims to make high quality dental care more accessible by bringing care to the workplace. Founded in 1997, Onsite Dental has multiple customizable delivery models, from traditional fixed-site practices to mobile practices.
Oakpoint (Raleigh, N.C.). Oakpoint formed to provide a differentiated platform to practice groups in North Carolina and South Carolina. The DSO was founded on the beliefs that clinical autonomy is paramount and that not all dental practices are alike. Oakpoint's model is designed with flexibility and appropriate areas of support, meaning it is not a "one-size fits all" model. The DSO supports more than 22 practices.
OrthoDent (Bee Cave, Texas). Founded by two dentists in 2012, OrthoDent aims to make dental care more accessible for underserved communities. The organization allows each practice to maintain its own identity and has a comprehensive acquisition and transition process for dentists wanting to affiliate with the DSO.
Pacific Dental Services (Irvine, Calif.). Founded in 1994, Pacific Dental Services grew to a network of nearly 20 supported practices by 1997. The DSO continues to grow and currently supports more than 800 dental practices. PDS has earned a spot on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest growing private companies in the U.S. 14 times.
Peak Dental Services (Colorado Springs, Colo.). Started in 2008, Peak Dental Services owns or operates at least 35 practices with 65 dentists and 400 employees. In January 2021, Los Angeles-based Varsity Healthcare Partners invested in the DSO. The investment is expected to finance acquisitions and new practices for five years or more, said CEO A.J. Peak.
PepperPointe Partnerships (Lexington, Ky.). Founded in 2017, PepperPointe has more than tripled in size over the last two years. All practices supported by the DSO are owned entirely by doctors. With more than 90 office locations — including pediatric dentistry, orthodontics and general dentistry — PepperPointe has 85 doctor partners and more than 700 team members.
ProHealth Dental (New Hyde Park, N.Y.). ProHealth Dental was founded in 2016 and has grown to include 13 offices across New York and New Jersey. It also has partnerships with leading medical groups and health systems. The DSO is a member of the Harvard School of Dental Medicine Initiative to Integrate Oral Health and Medicine, which aims to develop pathways to unite oral health and primary care. ProHealth Dental aims to add one office per month over the next five years.
ProSmile (Toms River, N.J.). A new DSO formed by the recent merger of Allied Dental and PG Dental Management, ProSmile is made up of 1,200 general dentists, specialists, hygienists and healthcare professionals at more than 80 locations throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland. ProSmile is led by CEO Bharat Rana and Chief Dental Officer Dr. Amish Patel, DMD, who established the organization in December 2020 in partnership with private equity firm TriSpan.
Riccobene Associates Family Dentistry (Raleigh, N.C.). Riccobene Associates Family Dentistry has served patients for more than 20 years and has more than 30 practices across North Carolina. The organization's team of more than 80 dentists and specialists believes in patient-focused care using state-of-the-art technology and treatments.
Rock Dental Brands (Little Rock, Ark.). Rock Dental Brands was founded in 2016 and provides practice management services to four affiliated dental groups. The DSO is a geographically dense, multispecialty organization that supports more than 75 practices throughout Arkansas and Missouri. Rock Dental Brands tapped its COO, Kristi Crum, as its new CEO, effective July 1. Ms. Crum is succeeding co-founder Merritt Dake, who will continue as a board member and strategic adviser.
Select Dental Management (Florham Park, N.J.). Founded in 2018, the DSO is affiliated with 14 practices and provides care to more than 50,000 patients each year. The organization centers around collaboration, growth and positive energy.
Signature Dental Partners (Phoenix). Established in 2017, the DSO is affiliated with practices across Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington. In addition to providing dentists with the necessary administrative tools to successfully run their practices, the DSO helps them recruit employees. Its online careers portal allows dentists to post jobs they need to fill at their practice.
Signet Dental (Kokomo, Ind. and Nashville, Tenn.). This organization supports multisite family dental practices and laboratories. Signet's goal is to become a significant DSO in the Midwest over the next five to 10 years. It is financially partnered with Nashville-based Lead Capital Partners.
Smile Brands (Irvine, Calif.). Founded in 1998, Smile Brands completed its acquisition of Mondovi, Wis.-based Midwest Dental on Dec. 2, 2020. Midwest Dental included more than 230 offices located primarily in the upper Midwest and New England regions, operating in 17 states through four brands: Midwest Dental, Mondovi Dental, Merit Dental and Mountain Dental. Currently, 8,200 Smile Brands team members work at more than 700 affiliated dental offices across 30 states.
Southern Dental Alliance (Kennesaw, Ga.). Southern Dental Alliance supports more than 40 practices. The DSO provides information technology support, Spanish translation and facility support. In spring 2021, the DSO prioritized revenue increases to cover the COVID-19-related rise in costs, CEO Mark Lakis told Becker's.
Simply Dental Management (Hopkinton, Mass.). Established in 2005, this DSO has acquired or launched more than 30 dental, orthodontic or multispecialty practices across Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Hampshire. All Simply Dental Management practices operate under five core values: "We care; do what's right; integrity and respect; encourage individual growth and development; and bring your smile."
Swish Dental (Austin, Texas). Swish focuses on elevating the patient experience through a comfort-centric approach. With 10 locations, each office embodies the unique characteristics of the neighborhood it serves.
United Dental Partners (Chicago). In 2014, Scott Goldman, DDS, and Louis Whitesman, DDS, merged their four combined practices to form WhiteGold Dental Partners. The DSO later became United Dental Partners and now includes more than 25 practices across Illinois and Indiana.
Underbite Dental Brands (New York City). This DSO focuses on healthcare technology and the psychology of patients and employees. Underbite Dental Brands has offices across three states.
US Dental Surgery Network (Nashville, Tenn.) This DSO specializes in the development and expansion of oral surgery services to large DSOs. The organization recently acquired clinical practice groups in Tennessee, Ohio, Kentucky, Virginia and Maryland. USDSN has partnered with OMS Logistics in five states to provide clinical services to 39 large multidoctor practices.
Vesper Alliance (Cincinnati, Ohio). Vesper Alliance is the DSO arm of Advance Dentistry, an anesthesia-driven practice specializing in care for specific patient populations. The organization focuses on unlocking dentistry for patients, particularly those whose fear, anxiety, physical limitations and/or medical conditions have created a barrier to effective treatment.
Vista Verde Dental Partners (Carmel, Ind.) The multiplatform DSO supports two unique brands: Britely Dentures & Implants and Same Day Dental. Britely is a DPO where doctors have equity in the economic upside in the practice and with practices solely focused on denture and implant procedures. Same Day Dental is a more traditional DSO model, supporting a multilocation practice.
Western Dental (Orange, Calif.). With more than 333 locations, this DSO operates in California, Nevada, Arizona, Texas and Alabama. Overall, 235 of its offices are in California, making Western Dental the state's largest oral healthcare provider. This spring, the DSO partnered with dental implant maker Straumann Group, which will provide implants, abutments and crowns for Western Dental-affiliated offices.
Zak Dental (Downey, Calif.). The 12-office DSO is a multispecialty group in Southern California. The organization accepts all dental insurance plans and union plans.