Although there are continued opportunities for growth among DSOs, challenges around staffing and finances will be persistent obstacles for success.
Barry Lyon, DDS, dental director for Main Street Children’s Dentistry and Orthodontics and chief clinical auditor for Dental Care Alliance, recently spoke with Becker’s to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing DSOs.
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. The views expressed are those of Dr. Lyon and do not necessarily reflect those of Main Street Children’s Dentistry and Orthodontics or Dental Care Alliance.
Note: This response was lightly edited for clarity and length.
Dr. Barry Lyon:
According to Towards Healthcare, the global DSO market was valued at $163.9 billion in 2024 and grew to $192.8 billion in 2025. It is projected to reach $835.8 billion by 2034. The market will expand at a compound annual growth rate of 17.65% between 2025 and 2034.
Accounting for this growth are refined contracts with payers and suppliers, improved dental patient experiences, an aging population and increased demand for cosmetic dental enhancements. The ability for DSOs to refine revenue cycle management and strengthen compliance protocols is also adding to growth.
While the outlook for DSOs is bright, there are areas of concern. There is a projected 2% increase in supply costs between mid-2025 and mid-2026, influenced greatly by the tariffs on Chinese imports, according to Healthcare Dive. Further, federal funding cuts, student loan concerns and staffing shortages may take some of the gleam off of current optimism.
