DSOs that continue to invest in their teams will break out as the top performers as challenges continue to mount for the dental industry, according to Curtis Swogger, the CEO of North Pittsburgh Oral Surgery.
Mr. Swogger recently joined the Becker’s Dental + DSO Review Podcast to discuss the biggest growth opportunity for DSOs this year.
Editor’s note: Responses have been lightly edited for clarity and length.
Question: What will make or break DSO success within the next two to three years?
Curtis Swogger: My big thing is the culture. Culture is what people do when no one’s watching. Really it’s your team, that culture in place, that is the stability through all things, both internal and external stresses. I suspect in the next year or year and a half, you’re going to see a merge between a couple large groups. It’s kind of the next evolution. I don’t think the private equity multiples are there the way they were five, eight years ago. What it’s going to come down to is getting back to basics and making sure you have that team in place. I learned many years ago, and even experiencing it here, as you retain your top talent, as you continue to develop and invest in them and they season in their role — if you don’t add any providers and you don’t expand hours, you’re still going to see an improvement, just because the execution improves. Getting back to basics, investing in your team — I think we’re going to see more of that. I think one of the large groups announced this year that they were going back to basics and it was people first. For me, it’s always been about the people. It’s the team inside the four walls that makes the difference, and we’re going to see more of that over the next year or year and a half. It won’t even be a three-year time frame. It’s going to be pretty quick.
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.
