Increased use of artificial intelligence and patient education could lead to a greater focus on preventive care in the dental industry this year, according to Steven Edwards, DDS.

Staffing, the high cost of capital and changes in Medicaid enrollment are some of the biggest challenges DSOs and dental company executives expect to face in 2024.

Staffing and scheduling challenges have led hygiene services to be less profitable for dental practices, according to Edward Feins, DMD. 

Several dentists predict that the industry will see increased adoption of technology, more DSO consolidation and enhanced training for staff.

Executives from eight dental companies recently connected with Becker's to illustrate how they plan to expand their presence and networks in 2024:

The pediatric dentistry and orthodontics fields could see a surge in demand as a result of a larger child population and expansions in state reimbursement programs, according to Barry Lyon, DDS.

CEOs of four DSOs recently connected with Becker's to share their plans to navigate economic challenges and how they expect the economic and financial landscape to impact the dental industry heading into 2024:

In dental school, we learn how to do things the textbook way. However, once we’re practicing dentists in a clinic, we realize working with patients in the real world is incredibly different.

Dentistry could lead the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare as the industry continues to innovate with the technology, according to VideaHealth Founder and CEO Florian Hillen.

DSOs may need to make some changes to their growth strategies in a more competitive market for specialty services next year, according to Barry Lyon, DDS.

Several DSO leaders spoke with Becker's this year about topics such as economic challenges, recruitment, patient care and technology. 

Atlanta-based Benevis plans to continue its mission of increasing dental care accessibility in 2024, according to CEO Bryan Carey. 

Dental students choosing to go directly to DSOs after graduating dental school could increase consolidation in the dental industry. 

Dallas-based MB2 Dental is one of the largest DSOs in the U.S. and is coming off another year of high growth and expansion, with the company supporting more than 600 practices and more than 1,300 dentists.

Dallas-based Beacon Oral Specialists supports more than 30 practices and 90 locations across 11 states, making it one of the largest specialty MSOs in the U.S.

Effingham, Ill.-based Heartland Dental plans to add more than 130 practices to its network through de novo offices and affiliations. 

The training of new dentists, the upward impact of DSOs and the rise of medical-dental integration are three trends that leaders in the dental industry are following.

The advancement and integration of AI into the dental industry is something that many throughout the space are keeping tabs on.

Shifting DSO acquisition strategy, evolving supplier strategy and employees leaving the industry are three trends that one CEO has seen in 2023 and expects to spill over into next year.

Lexington, Ky.-based PepperPointe Partnerships has affiliated dental practices throughout Kentucky, New York and Virginia.