DSOs that take the time to invest in new technology and enhance their operations will be the companies that experience the most growth in 2025, according to one executive.
Jill Nesbitt, the founder of Optimize Dental Consulting, recently connected with Becker’s to discuss how technology is pushing the DSO field forward.
Note: This response was lightly edited for clarity and length.
Jill Nesbitt. Founder of Optimize Dental Consulting: I’m feeling really optimistic about the dental industry this year, especially for group practices that are using this time to get sharper on operations and technology. The smartest DSOs I see are listening to their teams, identifying inefficiencies and frustrations and putting a plan in place to not just fix problems but standardize solutions. They’re investing in their tech stack, cleaning up systems and creating thoughtful workflows. They are putting in the work now so they can scale both quickly and smoothly.
It’s also exciting to see how DSOs are using technology to address specific business challenges. The software we have today can make a real impact when it’s implemented thoughtfully and actually adopted. We’re seeing measurable gains in efficiency, improved data integrity, a better patient experience and actual improvements to EBITDA.
Private equity firms are fully on board, too. PMS standardization has moved from “nice to have” to “non-negotiable.” On a recent call with a DSO and their [private equity] partner, we were talking through their tech strategy, and the PE [vice president] said standardizing their tech stack was critical to driving success and required if they ever wanted to transact. Total mic drop moment.
In my view, the groups that will come out ahead this year will be the ones that use this window to optimize. Now is the time to align your tech, your workflows and your team so you’re ready to scale smoothly when the next big opportunity hits.
