{"id":7383,"date":"2022-03-28T10:34:52","date_gmt":"2022-03-28T16:34:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.planetdds.com\/?p=7383"},"modified":"2024-08-16T14:00:52","modified_gmt":"2024-08-16T21:00:52","slug":"what-is-the-dso-model-in-the-dental-industry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.planetdds.com\/blog\/what-is-the-dso-model-in-the-dental-industry\/","title":{"rendered":"What is the DSO Model in the Dental Industry?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Dentistry is an ever-evolving field. If you looked at a dental office from 100 years ago, it would look considerably different than practices today. The business side of dentistry is also constantly changing. Some dentists may want a better work\/life balance while others prefer to have the business side of dentistry managed by someone else. Others may prefer to clock-in and clock-out or they may not have the capital to immediately open up their own practice. Whatever the reason, let\u2019s dive into some facts about DSOs to see why the dental industry is consolidating into DSOs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p aria-level=\"2\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">What are DSOs?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:600,&quot;335559739&quot;:120,&quot;335559740&quot;:300}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Dental Service Organizations (DSO) equip dentists with crucial business management and support within the practice, allowing dentists to focus on their patients instead of complex business operations.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p aria-level=\"2\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">How are DSOs Impacting the Dental Industry?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:360,&quot;335559739&quot;:80,&quot;335559740&quot;:300}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">There are many reasons why people become dentists but one of the primary reasons is to help patients. For years, private dental practices have dominated the industry, which require dentists to take on much more responsibility than just treating patients. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">There are constant business responsibilities that demand a significant amount of time and energy.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:300,&quot;335559739&quot;:300,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">That\u2019s where DSOs come in. They provide essential business and management support for practices. Their supportive culture allows you to stay in a practice leadership role without sacrificing your standards of care.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:300,&quot;335559739&quot;:300,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">DSOs provide support for dental practices in a number of ways:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"Arial\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">New and emerging dental technology<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559740&quot;:240,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"Arial\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Insurance reimbursement support<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"Arial\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Reducing the professional overhead burden for dentists<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"Arial\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Incentives for joining and the elimination of dental education debt<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"Arial\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"5\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Skill training and collaboration with colleagues<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"Arial\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"5\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">More flexible scheduling\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"Arial\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"5\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Taking on administrative tasks<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p aria-level=\"2\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">How Many Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) Are There?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:360,&quot;335559739&quot;:80,&quot;335559740&quot;:300}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">According to the American De<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">n<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">tal Association, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ada.org\/publications\/new-dentist-news\/2021\/december\/hpi-shifting-practice-patterns\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">10%<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> of dentists in the US were affiliated with a DSO in 2019. The ADA notes that <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">this is a conservative estimate, and the percentage is likely to be higher, especially in 2022. Furthermore, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ada.org\/publications\/new-dentist-news\/2021\/december\/hpi-shifting-practice-patterns\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">1 in 5<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\"> dentists under the age of 35 is part of a DSO.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:60,&quot;335559739&quot;:280,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">While the exact number of DSOs is difficult to calculate, the top DSOs in the U.S. represent nearly <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theadso.org\/about-the-adso\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">6,000<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\"> locations with over <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theadso.org\/about-the-adso\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">11,000<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\"> dentists.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:60,&quot;335559739&quot;:280,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Affiliation data is proof that the DSO model works for some, but not all. While you might want to join the trend of dentists desiring a more part-time business role in exchange for more full-time patient care, many dentists still prefer the private practice business model.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:60,&quot;335559739&quot;:280,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p aria-level=\"2\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Why fuels DSO growth and consolidation? <\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:360,&quot;335559739&quot;:80,&quot;335559740&quot;:300}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">The American dental industry provides your dental practice with various business models. Many of those models require a high investment of not only time and training, but financing as well.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:60,&quot;335559739&quot;:280,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">If you\u2019re a private practice dentist you might be initially drawn to the DSO\u2019s low-risk financial backing, typical of private equity firms. Independent practices and group practices throughout the United States have improved their financial future through affiliation with a DSO.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:60,&quot;335559739&quot;:280,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Being financially secure, debt-free, and off-loading the tasks associated with the business of dentistry are dominant trends with DSOs.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:60,&quot;335559739&quot;:280,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p aria-level=\"2\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">What\u2019s Drawing Dental Practices to DSOs?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:360,&quot;335559739&quot;:80,&quot;335559740&quot;:300}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Your desire to focus on patients can be disrupted by many tasks including non-clinical operations and challenges associated with human resources. Allowing you, as a dentist, to focus on dental care is a huge draw among others to the DSO model.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:60,&quot;335559739&quot;:280,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Dentists who are just entering the field especially find DSOs attractive. The average dental school graduate has<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nerdwallet.com\/article\/loans\/student-loans\/average-dental-school-debt\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">over $300,000<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\"> in student loans and starting a new business isn\u2019t cheap. DSOs allow dentists to get into the field right after graduation, without the added stress of opening and running their own business. As an added bonus, many DSOs help new dentists pay down their loans.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:60,&quot;335559739&quot;:280,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">DSOs also tend to attract dentists close to retirement. They allow them to pass off the business responsibilities and transition to a more part-time schedule, where they can focus on their patients.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:60,&quot;335559739&quot;:280,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">As you\u2019re processing the trends and your own attraction to the DSO model it might help to consider the common advantages and disadvantages of DSOs.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:60,&quot;335559739&quot;:280,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p aria-level=\"2\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Weighing the Pros and Cons of DSOs<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:360,&quot;335559739&quot;:80,&quot;335559740&quot;:300}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Here are a few advantages to consider:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:60,&quot;335559739&quot;:280,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Technology advances<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:400,&quot;335559739&quot;:400,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Dental technology is advancing as we speak. However, the financial and implementation challenges can be daunting to many dentists.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:60,&quot;335559739&quot;:280,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">DSOs provide the research, cost negotiation, the necessary implementation, training, and ongoing tech support required by emerging technologies.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:60,&quot;335559739&quot;:280,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Compliance monitoring and <\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">security<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:400,&quot;335559739&quot;:400,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Dental industry regulations are an ongoing concern among dental practice owners. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.planetdds.com\/blog\/hipaa-security-rule-compliance-and-the-high-stakes-for-dentists\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">HIPAA<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\"> and OSHA violations can put your practice at risk. And with cyberattacks in healthcare organizations on the rise, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.planetdds.com\/blog\/hipaa-security-rule-compliance-and-the-high-stakes-for-dentists\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">dental practices need to stay vigilant<\/span><\/a> <span data-contrast=\"none\">as they house and send larger amounts of sensitive information.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:300,&quot;335559739&quot;:300,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">DSOs monitor compliance trends, including patient communication and the new regulatory laws impacting dentistry. Their assistance can save you time and put your mind at ease knowing you\u2019re compliant. DSOs can also implement various safeguards across the organization to protect practice data.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:300,&quot;335559739&quot;:300,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Career growth and peer collaboration<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:400,&quot;335559739&quot;:400,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Keeping your skills and leadership sharp requires time. No matter how much training you have under your belt, problems can arise that exceed your level of expertise.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:60,&quot;335559739&quot;:280,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">DSOs have a built-in community of peer support, training, and problem-solving collaboration that many independent dentists don\u2019t have access to. Their specialist relationships provide you with hands-on access to professional growth and expanded services.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:60,&quot;335559739&quot;:280,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Insurance assistance<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:400,&quot;335559739&quot;:400,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Issues with claims acceptance and reimbursements, and policy changes are headaches that require time and energy. Production can suffer when your front desk team is forced to solve various insurance problems daily.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:60,&quot;335559739&quot;:280,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">DSOs can negotiate better rates with a broader network of insurance providers. Their insurance divisions are equipped to assist you with answering most of the questions your patients have about claim filing and reimbursement.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:60,&quot;335559739&quot;:280,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Healthy work-life balance<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:400,&quot;335559739&quot;:400,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Work overwhelm is a leading cause of stress outside of the office. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.planetdds.com\/blog\/how-to-manage-stress-as-a-dentist\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Achieving a healthy work-life balance can be tricky<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\"> when treating patients and managing a business.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:60,&quot;335559739&quot;:280,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">DSOs take the majority of the management tasks off your plate. Giving you more freedom to focus on patients, maintain a life outside of the practice, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.planetdds.com\/blog\/building-a-resilient-practice\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">avoid career burnout<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:60,&quot;335559739&quot;:280,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p aria-level=\"2\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">What Does the Future of DSOs Look Like?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:360,&quot;335559739&quot;:80,&quot;335559740&quot;:300}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">It\u2019s not likely that DSOs will decrease in popularity, more and more dentists have been transitioning to DSOs. The changes alone within the dental industry will prompt many \u2013 perhaps you \u2013 to consider joining one in the future. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:60,&quot;335559739&quot;:280,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">At Planet DDS, we are proud partners with many dental groups and organizations alike. Get an inside look at how Denticon Practice Management Software helps one DSO standardize, centralize, and grow <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.planetdds.com\/client-stories\/denticon-american-dental-companies\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">here<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:60,&quot;335559739&quot;:280,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dentistry is an ever-evolving field. If you looked at a dental office from 100 years ago, it would look considerably different than practices today. The business side of dentistry is&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":7384,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1416],"tags":[50,314,127,66,687,13,43,169,181,418,20,964,174],"class_list":["post-7383","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-growth","tag-benefits","tag-compliance","tag-consolidation","tag-dental","tag-dental-service-organization","tag-dentistry","tag-dso","tag-growth","tag-management","tag-private-practice","tag-security","tag-what-is","tag-work-life-balance"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.planetdds.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7383","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.planetdds.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.planetdds.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.planetdds.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.planetdds.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7383"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.planetdds.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7383\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.planetdds.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7384"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.planetdds.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7383"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.planetdds.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7383"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.planetdds.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7383"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}