As DSOs sharpen their focus on which specialties are worth building around, one keeps rising to the top of the list: pediatric dentistry.
Barry Lyon, DDS, recently joined the “Becker’s Dental + DSO Review Podcast” to discuss why pediatric practices have become such an attractive target for DSOs — and why a growing share of new dental graduates are choosing the specialty in the first place.
Note: Responses were lightly edited for clarity and length.
Question: What dental specialty is getting the most attention from DSO leaders right now, and why?
Dr. Barry Lyon: I think it’s pediatric dentistry for a lot of different reasons. From the DSO perspective, pediatric dental practices are attractive. The cost of operating a pediatric practice is less than a general practice, with much lower lab costs, less expensive technology and a less expensive selection of various restorative materials. If there’s an orthodontist in the office, which there really should be, then lab costs are going to increase, but they’re going to be offset by ortho production. A strong hygiene program is the heartbeat of a pediatric practice, and it’s a consistent and predictable source of revenue. A busy and culturally sound pediatric practice builds the foundation of multigenerational patient relationships, which eventually finds its way into a DSO’s general practice. Combining pediatric dentistry, orthodontics and oral surgery creates a firm foundation for a continuing revenue stream.
One of the biggest reasons new dental graduates are gravitating toward pediatric dentistry is that it offers personal fulfillment — a unique combination of purpose, opportunity and career stability. Many dental students discover during dental school that they generally enjoy working with children … Building long-term relationships with families is really a hallmark of being a pediatric dentist. Pediatric dentistry is also highly preventive. It allows dentists to make a lasting impact on a child’s oral health from an early age. This specialty [also] continues to experience strong demand. There are many communities facing shortages of pediatric dentists. That translates into excellent job security, competitive compensation and a wide range of career options, whether it’s in private practice, a hospital, academic settings or with a dental support organization.
Today’s graduates also place a greater value on mentorship, work-life balance and practicing in environments where they can focus on patient care rather than running a business. Pediatric dentistry in a DSO checks many of those boxes. Residencies provide advanced training in behavior management, sedation, trauma care and treating children with special healthcare needs. This gives new specialists a high level of confidence when they enter practice. At the same time, pediatric-focused DSOs and multispecialty organizations have expanded significantly, offering structured mentorship, modern technology and reduced administrative responsibilities for pediatric dentists. For new dentists, pediatric dentistry represents a chance to really build a meaningful, financially rewarding career while making a positive difference in children’s lives. There aren’t that many careers out there where you really have the opportunity to make an impact on the life of a child, like medicine, teaching, that sort of thing. You have to include pediatric dentistry in that.
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