This month, dental professionals spoke with Becker’s about private practice challenges, insurance and DSO growth strategies.
Here is what five dental professionals told us in May:
What’s fueling optimism for dentistry’s future
Sherry Hassler. COO and EOS Integrator of Today’s Dental Nebraska (Omaha): The most exciting opportunity in dentistry right now is AI’s ability to shift DSOs from reactive to predictive. For too long, we’ve been managing our practices by looking in the rearview mirror — analyzing historical data and course-correcting after the fact. AI changes that equation. When deployed thoughtfully across locations, it surfaces forward-facing metrics that let you see around corners — anticipating patient demand, staffing needs and production gaps before they become problems. The DSO world has gotten very good at scale. AI is now making us good at foresight. That’s a fundamentally different way to lead.
How 4 dental professionals would fix insurance
Hussam Asker, DDS. Owner of Apolonia Smiles (Pflugerville, Texas): Clarity is the most significant factor in reimagining dental insurance. Currently, patient benefits are often not fully transparent, requiring staff to spend hours on the phone verifying information. My proposed solution is the implementation of a standardized “Dental Insurance Benefits Form,” similar to the [American Dental Association] claim form.
This form would be used by every insurance carrier to communicate policy details, including percentages, limitations, alternative benefits, maximums and deductibles, all on a single, standardized sheet. Just as the ADA form streamlined claim submissions, a universal verification form would ensure 100% standardization across all policies. This standardization would make it easier for insurance companies to communicate data and for dental staff to accurately understand each patient’s coverage.
How the top DSOs are pulling ahead of the pack
Thomas von Sydow. CEO of Cornerstone Dental Specialties (Irvine, Calif.): From an operational standpoint, the DSOs that have solid systems in place will win. Not everything has to be standardized, and this does not apply to clinical decision-making. However, it is a myth that you cannot implement global IT, EMRs, HR and operational standards. I see a lot of DSOs trying to appease everyone and use layered systems to aggregate information. It’s not scalable nor sustainable. From a strategic perspective, I think most smaller, general practice-based DSOs have no real specialty strategy. Heartland prefers their GPs do as much as possible and they deploy that culture. PDS Health prefers using only specialists and they deploy that culture. There is no right strategy on specialty, but pick one. However, if you are referring out at one location, having GPs do it in another and some offices hiring independent contractors that cannot scale, you are leaving tons of revenue on the table.
Barry Lyon, DDS. Director of Provider Recruiting and Onboarding at Dental Care Alliance (Sarasota, Fla.): Multi-state DSOs are acquiring smaller regional groups, often paying 5x-9x EBITDA for profitable practices. Pediatric dental practices remain particularly attractive due to predictable patient flow and strong reimbursement margins. DSOs are placing emphasis on integration, retaining dentists, streamlining operations and standardizing clinical processes to ensure growth doesn’t compromise care quality. From pediatrics to orthodontics, DSOs are aggressively expanding their footprints, backed by private equity and strategic investors.
What the shifting private practice landscape means for new dentists
James Lipton, DDS, PhD. Adjunct Professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine (Philadelphia): I believe that traditional private practice will diminish over the coming years for most new dentists. Healthcare is experiencing an exciting period of change as a result of scientific discoveries, technological advances and the translation of this knowledge to oral care. This will make practice rewarding for most new dentists, especially those who are curious and creative clinicians and keep current with developing innovations and breakthroughs. I believe the future structure of dental practice may become more group-oriented with an interprofessional emphasis that includes medicine, nursing, pharmacy, physical therapy and other health professions. Perhaps these will be known as MDSOs. This structure will stimulate many new dentists to strive for success and overcome potential financial issues. Most dentists will no longer desire to establish a traditional solo private practice.
At the Becker's 5th Annual Future of Dentistry Roundtable, taking place September 14-15 in Chicago, dental leaders and executives will gain insights into emerging technologies, practice growth strategies and the evolving landscape of dental care delivery, with a focus on innovation, patient experience and operational excellence. Apply for complimentary registration now.