DSO leaders are often faced with multiple challenges while leading networks of various sizes.
Barry Lyon, DDS, is a chief dental officer for the division of orthodontics and pediatric dentistry at Sarasota, Fla.-based DSO Dental Care Alliance. He recently spoke with Becker's about the stressor that keeps him up at night.
Editor's note: This Q&A is part of a weekly series featuring Dr. Lyon focused on topics in the dental industry and DSO field. This response was lightly edited for clarity and length.
Question: What keeps you up at night as a DSO exec?
Dr. Barry Lyon: I generally sleep pretty well knowing I work for a great DSO and with wonderful co-workers. But, if there was anything keeping me up at night, it would be wondering if we’ll be able to continue meeting the strong patient demand we’re fortunate to have while dealing with critical shortages of employees. A lack of an adequate number of dental assistants and front desk personnel stresses the entire office when patients are upset because it takes longer for their calls to be answered, longer to have their appointments scheduled, longer sitting in the waiting room and longer to check-out because there are fewer people at the front desk. It’s great having happy patients who seek care at your office, but the effects of the shortage of dental staff ripples throughout the office. Being able to hire more office workers means a better night’s sleep.