DSOs have continued to gain traction and experience major growth in the last few years, providing a new way for dental practices to operate and increasing competition in the dental industry.
Here are 47 DSOs to know this year.
This list is 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.
Affinity Dental Management (Holyoke, Mass.). Beginning as a single-office practice in 1999, Affinity Dental Management was founded in 2017 as a comprehensive practice management and administrative support services for practices in the northeast region of the country. The dentist-run organization consists of 47 dental practices and is committed to offering quality patient care as well as physician and practice support. For more than three years, Affinity Dental Management has been recognized on the annual Inc. 5000 list as one of the nation's fastest-growing private companies.
Allied OMS (Southlake, Texas). Allied OMS has 65 doctors and more than 50 locations across 12 states. Since its founding in 2020, the DSO has grown from two initial practices to 32. The company focuses on practices in the oral and maxillofacial surgery space.
apZme (Hollywood, Fla.). Oral appliance therapy, a nonsurgical alternative treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, is the focus of apZme. The organization has five practice locations with three in development. With current locations in Texas, Georgia and Florida, the company hopes to expand nationwide to 150 offices in key locations over the next five years.
Bedi Dental Group (Sterling, Mass.). Bedi Dental Group was founded and is owned by Abhay Bedi, DMD, a practicing prosthodontist. The group operates eight Boston-area practices and one in Vermont. Bedi Dental Group is committed to cultivating a collaborative spirit and dedication to the highest quality patient care. The organization's values include education, personal growth and the well-being of its partners and each other.
Benevis (Atlanta). Founded in 2002, Benevis supports 120 dental and orthodontic practices across 13 states and Washington, D.C. More than 80 percent of patients at Benevis-supported practices are on Medicaid or CHIP plans, and Benevis has provided care to more than 5 million patients in underserved communities. The DSO has held a "Sharing Smiles Day" for the past eight years, providing free dental services to uninsured and underserved children and their families.
brush365 Dental (Frisco, Texas). Led by Sarah Mahmood, DDS, brush365 was founded in 2017 and comprises three dental practices in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The organization aims to redefine clinical care and deliver exceptional customer service. These values extend to complex dentistry, with two of their practices including implant replacements and smile makeovers. Committed to increasing access to quality dental care, brush365 is set to expand its reach with plans to acquire a fourth location in 2024.
Beacon Oral Specialists (Dallas). Established in 2020, Beacon Oral Specialists has rapidly grown to become a national network of oral and maxillofacial surgery practices, boasting 91 locations and a team of more than 110 surgeons. Beacon is one of the largest OMS-focused management service organizations in the U.S.
Compass Dental Services (Overland Park, Kan.). Compass Dental Services is dedicated to delivering exceptional dental care at affordable prices. Founded in 2016, the company's primary focus is building successful practices that prioritize patient care and promote a healthy work-life balance for employees. Compass Dental Services' leadership has more than 50 years of combined experience in dental management, supporting seven practices in Missouri.
DecisionOne Dental Partners (Schaumburg, Ill.). DecisionOne Dental Partners was founded in 2012 by brothers Mike Acierno, DDS, and A.J. Acierno, DDS. The DSO supports 50 practices throughout the Midwest. The company partners with Irvine, Calif.-based Smile Brands to provide resources such as human resources, payroll, accounting, marketing, insurance and IT to its affiliated practices. Smile Brands became a strategic investor in DecisionOne in 2019 to accelerate its growth.
Dental Care Alliance (Sarasota, Fla.). With more than 30 years of experience, Dental Care Alliance has grown to become one of the largest DSOs in the U.S. The company has a network of more than 400 practices spanning all dental specialties and more than 900 dentists in 22 states. Each specialty division is supported by industry experts who collaborate to ensure that practices continually advance the field of dentistry. DCA has been recognized as one of "America's Greatest Workplaces for Diversity" by Newsweek, showcasing the organization's dedication to creating an inclusive and supportive work environment.
Dentive (Provo, Utah). Dentive is a shared services model DSO, founded in 2019 and comprising 74 dental practices. The organization values its partners' clinical autonomy and strives to deliver high-level support for management responsibilities. Dentive serves the Mountain West region of the country.
EKOS Dental Group (Boynton Beach, Fla.). EKOS Dental Group was founded in 2022 and has 13 practices in its network. In addition to supporting its practices with nonclinical operations, the dentist-owned organization launched an EBITDA accelerator program and partnership program that provides dentists with financial growth opportunities.
Family Dental Health (Greer, S.C.). Founded in 2006, Family Dental Health is dedicated to providing patient-first care and improving community health. The company includes 35 dental practices across South Carolina. Recently, the company added services such as digital forms, online scheduling and an improved website for patients.
Five Point Dental Specialists (Fort Worth, Texas). Five Point Dental Specialists provides support and administrative services to more than 60 practices in Texas, Oklahoma, California, Arizona, Illinois, Florida and Ontario, Canada. Over the past three years, FPDS has experienced a 213 percent increase in its network. Founded in 2018, the company focuses on orthodontics, oral surgery and pediatric dentistry.
Flagship Specialty Partners (Charlotte, N.C.): Flagship Specialty Partners supports 10 practices providing oral and facial surgery, implants and prosthodontics in South Carolina and North Carolina. The DSO focuses on helping practices increase year-over-year revenue, strengthen referral networks and build high-performing teams. Each of the DSO's practices are also accredited by the Accreditation Association of Ambulatory Health Care.
Forge Specialty Partners (Charleston, S.C.). Founded in 2022, the eight-practice Forge Specialty Partners is a clinician-owned organization free from private equity investment. Its focus is centered on building superior relationship-based care, fostering collaboration, incorporating best practices and achieving cost efficiencies through partnerships. To allow clinical leaders to continue maintaining their identity and leadership while also receiving benefits and support, Forge Specialty Partners created its own flexible partnership model.
Gen4 Dental Partners (Tempe, Ariz.). Gen4 Dental Partners was created in 2021 by private equity firm Thurston Group and has expanded its network to include 79 practices in 14 states. The DSO aims to go beyond traditional dental consolidation models by preserving the identities of its partners and establishing a collaborative environment that encourages growth and innovation.
Guardian Dentistry Partners (Miami). Guardian Dentistry Partners was founded in 2018 and now supports approximately 185 practices across 11 states. The DSO has doubled in size each year since its inception and reached the 100 practice milestone in 2022.
Heartland Dental (Effingham, Ill.). As the largest DSO in the U.S., Heartland Dental serves 2,600 dentists and more than 1,650 dental offices across 38 states. The organization was founded in 1997 by Rick Workman, DMD, who continues with the company as executive chair. Patrick Bauer is Heartland's president and CEO.
Heritage Dental Group (Dallas). Founded in 2022, Heritage Dental Group currently supports two offices, with plans to expand to five in the near future. The company's CEO is Heather Foster, one of Heartland Dental's first employees. The DSO is backed by global alternative investment firm Sora Capital.
Higginbotham Family Dental (Jonesboro, Ark.). Higginbotham Family Dental was founded in 2006 by Todd Higginbotham, DDS, who opened his first practice in Blytheville, Ark. Since then, Higginbotham Family Dental has expanded to 10 total locations in Arkansas, Tennessee and Missouri. The company values innovation and technology: The practices feature digital radiography, intraoral cameras, advanced cavity detection, and conscious sedation allowing for anxiety-free dentistry. Complete smile makeovers and all general dental care services are offered.
Kokua Smiles (Honolulu). Kokua Smiles operates four multi-doctor offices across the island of Oahu, Hawaii. The practice is driven by a strong belief in serving people better, which has earned them a significant market share and positioned them as a trusted provider in the island community. Services offered include general and cosmetic dentistry, orthodontics, and oral surgery. The practice is led by founder Cedric Lewis, DMD, who is also an instructor in the general practice residency program at Kokua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services. Dr. Lewis has been a speaker at dental industry events and authored the book "Failing to the Top: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Growing a Dental Practice" in 2021.
Marquee Dental Partners (Brentwood, Tenn.). Founded in 2015, Marquee Dental Partners comprises 74 offices throughout Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Alabama and Florida. The organization is committed to exceptional patient experience and elevating the health of patients and communities. Expert operation support and clinical autonomy are Marquee Dental Partners' core priorities when it comes to growing market share.
Massoumi Dental Corporation (San Diego). Founded in 2012, Massoumi Dental Corporation supports six Children's Primary Dental Group practices in California. The organization provides full business support to its practices, allowing pediatric dentists to have complete clinical autonomy and the opportunity for independent ownership.
Max Surgical Specialty Management (Hackensack, N.J.). Max Surgical Specialty Management started out as Riverside Oral Surgery in 2007 and was founded by Jason Auerbach, DDS. The organization became MSSM in 2022 after receiving a private equity investment and has grown to include 16 locations under three brands.
MB2 Dental (Carrollton, Texas). Founded in 2007 by CEO Chris Steven Villanueva, DMD, MB2 has 575 practices and more than 1,100 physicians in its network. The company is on track to reach 600 offices this year. The company ranked No. 114 out of 250 on Inc. 5000's fastest-growing Texas-based private companies in 2021.
Mortenson Dental Partners (Louisville, Ky.). Founded in 1979, Mortenson Dental Partners supports 137 dental practices across nine states. The DSO is owned entirely by its dentists and employees through an employee stock ownership plan. The company has been named one of the region's fastest growing companies for several years in a row.
Oakpoint (Raleigh, N.C.). Founded in 2019, Oakpoint supports 40 practices in the Southeast U.S., providing nonclinical services. The DSO aims to reach $130 million in revenue from affiliated practices and add at least 10 more offices in 2023.
Pacific Dental Services (Irvine, Calif.). With over 930 dental practices nationwide, Pacific Dental Services empowers clinicians to deliver comprehensive patient care while ensuring supported autonomy. With a commitment to high-quality care, the organization offers administrative and business operations support, advanced technologies, and continuous training to over 4,100 clinicians across 25 states. Pacific Dental was the first DSO to implement the Epic EHR across all its supported dental practices. Additionally, they have established a partnership with a regional healthcare system in Southern California, resulting in the opening of more than 25 co-located dental and medical practices using shared Epic health records. Pacific Dental Services has been nationally recognized with the inaugural Service Award from the Association of Dental Support Organizations in 2023 and 14 features on the Inc. 5000 list.
Peak Dental Services (Colorado Springs, Colo.). Peak Dental Services was founded by Minnesota dentist Douglas Peak, DDS, and his son A.J. Peak in 2008. The organization, which comprises 60 dental practices, is committed to cultivating a diverse workforce of experts in a wide range of disciplines who possess a deep understanding of recruitment, marketing, finance, customer service and training. Peak Dental Services has created a customized professional development program with over 125 hours of continuing education for every team member in a dental office, allowing them to deliver an exemplary customer experience.
PepperPointe Partnerships (Lexington, Ky.). PepperPointe Partnerships supports 82 dental practices and more than 150 dentists across Kentucky, New York and Virginia. Through its 135 total office locations, PepperPointe has provided care to more than 300,000 patients. The company is also a founding DSO group member of Women in DSO.
Prime Dentistry (Birmingham, Mich.). Prime Dentistry, which was founded in 2011 by Ali Saad, DMD, and Mohamed Saad, DDS, has eight practices throughout the metro Detroit area. The DSO has doubled in size over the past three years.
Rock Dental Brands (Little Rock, Ark.). Rock Dental Brands supports 100 practices and 800 team members across the U.S. The company's portfolio covers general dentistry, orthodontics and oral surgery. Rock Dental Brands has seen 246 percent clinical growth since its founding in 2016. In September, the company landed $45 million in debt financing from Twin Brook Capital Partners to fuel further growth.
Select Dental Management (Florham Park, N.J.). Founded in 2018, Select Dental Management is partnered with 38 practices across eight states and Washington, D.C. The DSO supports more than 100 dentists and provides care to more than 110,000 patients each year. The company was ranked No. 4 on a list of the fastest growing companies in New Jersey.
SGA Dental Partners (Richmond Hill, Ga.). SGA Dental Partners is a Thurston Group portfolio DSO serving general and specialty practitioners across the Southeast. The organization has partnered with 41 practices since its founding in December 2021. SGA Dental Partners focuses on the optimization of dentists' time while maintaining clinical autonomy. Patient care, practice and organizational growth, recognition of economic and community impact, and improved clinical outcomes and patient experience are also at the core of SGA's mission.
Shared Practices Group (Scottsdale, Ariz.). Founded in 2021, Shared Practices Group supports 23 practices and plans to have more than 30 by the end of 2023. Expanding mainly through de novo denture and implant locations, the DSO is 100 percent dentist-owned. The company reports $3 million in monthly revenue, with the average practice bringing in $140,000 per month.
Singing River Dental Partners (Tuscumbia, Ala.). Singing River Dental Partners started as one practice 1992 and purchased its first practice in 2014. The DSO has nine locations across its two brands — Treehouse Children's Dentistry and Singing River Dentistry. Since 2018, the company has grown 84 percent.
Smile Brands (Irvine, Calif.). Smile Brands is one of the largest DSOs in the U.S., supporting nearly 700 affiliated dental offices. The company has won several awards in recent years, including being named a best place to work by Glassdoor. The DSO is led by CEO Steve Bilt, who was also named a best CEO in 2023 by Comparably.
Smile Partners USA (Troy, Mich.). Founded in 2017, Smile Partners USA is a network of affiliated offices sharing a common commitment to patient care and enhancing the patient experience. Having more than doubled the size over the past three years, the organization comprises 100 total dental practices.
Sonrava Health (Coppell, Texas). Sonrava Health is a multispecialty health and wellness company that owns several dental companies, including Western Dental, Western Dental Kids, Brident Dental & Orthodontics, Vital Smiles, Mid-Atlantic Dental Partners, DentalWorks and Perfect Teeth. Through its affiliated dental brands, Sonrava Health has nearly 600 offices across 21 states.
Specialized Dental (Nasvhville, Tenn.). Formerly US Endo Partners, Specialized Dental has 122 practices across the 33 states. The organization partners with endodontic, periodontic, and oral and maxillofacial surgery practices, along with groundbreaking integrated oral health care groups, providing operational support services. In the last three years, the DSO has grown 313 percent.
StoneCreek Dental Care (Birmingham, Ala.). StoneCreek Dental Care is a dentist-owned and -operated organization serving the Southeast region. Since launching in 2012, StoneCreek Dental Care has expanded to more than 20 locations in Tennessee and Alabama. The practice offers a wide range of services, including preventive care, cosmetic dentistry and restorative treatments.
Straine Dental Management (Sacramento, Calif.). Straine Dental Management was formed in 2022 by joining Straine Dental Consulting with more than 30 independent practices in 11 states. It now supports 40 practices in 12 states. The company combines clinical autonomy with operational support to drive maximum levels of performance and productivity.
The Aspen Group (Chicago). With 1,037 practices, The Aspen Group is one of the largest DSOs in the U.S. The company has two dental brands – Aspen Dental and ClearChoice Dental Implant Centers, as well as other consumer healthcare brands including WellNow Urgent Care, Chapter Aesthetic Studio and AZPetVet. In March 2023, founder and CEO Bob Fontana was inducted into The Association of Dental Support Organizations Hall of Fame.
The Smilist Dental (Great Neck, N.Y.). The Smilist operates nearly 60 practices in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Delaware. Founded in 2014, the company aims to become the largest multispecialty dental health system in the Northeast. In March, the company was included on Inc. 5000's fastest-growing companies list for 2023.
Underbite Dental Management (New York City). Underbite Dental Management provides its partners with opportunities for personal and professional development. Since its establishment in 2011, the company has partnered with 12 dental practices in New York, Maryland and Connecticut.
Valley Endodontics & Oral Surgery (Scottsdale, Ariz.). Valley Endodontics and Oral Surgery is a specialty DSO that integrates endodontic and oral surgery practices. Founded in 1997, the organization currently supports 11 practices.
Willis & Associates Family Dentistry (Charlottesville, Va.). Willis & Associates offers comprehensive dental care for patients of all ages. With a focus on attracting top talent and staying at the forefront of dental technology, Willis & Associates excels in Invisalign treatment with Platinum Plus certification. They provide preventive care, patient education and build trusting relationships in a warm and welcoming environment. The company has been recognized on Virginia Living's list of Best Dentists for more than five years.