This month, dental professionals spoke with Becker's about technology, medical-dental integration, DSO growth and more.

Although the U.S. may rank below other countries when comparing workforce numbers, it could be ahead in other areas.

A lack of universal healthcare, accessibility barriers and several other factors are leading to poor oral health in the U.S., according to Steven Edwards, DDS.

Dental technology innovation will bring more efficiency and accuracy to practices, according to Barry Lyon, DDS. 

Dallas-based Smile Doctors, an orthodontics-focused DSO, is one of the largest dental organizations in the U.S., entering 2024 with more than 415 practices. 

Dallas-based Smile Doctors, an orthodontics-focused DSO, introduced a joint venture partnership model for its partner doctors in October that allows for partners to hold ownership of practices at the local level and also join in the success of the DSO on the network level.

DSOs will have to take additional factors into consideration when recruiting in an increasingly competitive market, according to Barry Lyon, DDS. 

Increased adoption of more technologies like virtual reality digital workflows is one thing that dental professionals would like to see done differently in the industry.

Increasing the transparency of costs and expenses, breaking the pricing power of insurance companies and getting rid of gimmick advertising are three things that dental professionals would like to see done differently in the industry.

Education of both dental professionals and patients should be revisited to improve the industry, according to six leaders. 

Creating additional overlap and collaboration between the medical and dental professions is something that seven dental professionals would like to see done more in the industry.

The dream of owning a private practice is becoming less of a reality for many young dentists who are not able to handle the everyday management responsibilities while dealing with financial burdens, according to Joseph Oleske III, DMD.

DSOs may have to slow down their growth or reorganize their business as macroeconomic challenges continue into 2024, according to Josh Davis, Imagen Dental Partners' new chief development officer.

A lack of finances and business skills are keeping younger dentists from owning their own practices, according to Robert Trager, DDS. 

Over the course of my professional career, mentorship has consistently served as a cornerstone, being a pivotal role in my personal and professional development. I live for the satisfaction of developing individuals, assisting them in discerning their skill sets and nurturing their professional advancement. Witnessing the tangible growth of individuals within their roles is, without a doubt, the most gratifying aspect of my professional achievements. 

Financial instability and workforce challenges are partially keeping dentists away from owning practices, according to Avinash Bidra, BDS.

Many DSOs next year will choose to prioritize basic measures that have led to success in the past, according to Barry Lyon, DDS. 

Artificial intelligence is expanding across many healthcare fields, including dentistry and oral surgery. 

Akeyla Brown, DDS, is an oral surgeon and was recently named the first clinical director for diversity, equity and inclusion and community engagement for Hackensack, N.J.-based Max Surgical Specialty Management.

Becker's has spoken with several dental and DSO execs this year about the technology they are paying close attention to and how technology is affecting dentistry.