There is a disconnect between the large DSOs and smaller dental practices, leading to dentistry being fragmented, according to one CEO.
The difference in mentalities from the two distinct groups also makes it difficult for the dental industry to work toward the same goals, according to Geith Kallas, DDS.
Dr. Kallas, who is the CEO and dental officer of Smile Makers Dental Center in Tyson’s Corner, Va., recently joined the Becker’s Dental + DSO Review podcast to discuss the fragmentation in the industry.
Note: Responses were lightly edited for clarity and length.
Question: What aspects of the dental industry are making you nervous?
Dr. Geith Kallas: There are a couple of things I am nervous about. Our industry is very fragmented. We don’t have that structure of everyone working toward one goal. You have that difference between a one practice mentality to those big DSOs, and that’s a huge difference between the two. The small practice is limited in their research and development, their acquisition of recent technologies, their levels of treatment they can provide and their ability to negotiate with insurers. The DSOs, they have all the resources, but sometimes are limited in getting the small office feel. So between those two, there’s a huge gap.
