Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Imagen Dental Partners uses a different value proposition to fuel its growth compared to traditional DSOs.

This month, several dental industry leaders spoke with Becker's about cost-effective strategies to support staff, private equity's impact on dentistry and new technologies.

The environment owners create at their dental practices has become just as important as pay for employees.

The passion of dentists, new standards of care and pushback against dental insurers are three aspects of the dental industry that dentists are optimistic about moving forward.

As the dental industry deals with inflation and other economic challenges, many dentists are looking for new ways to improve patient care and enhance practice operations while saving money.

Evaluating company culture, the amount of clinical autonomy and compensation structures are just three of the factors to consider when thinking about joining a dental service organization.

For dental leaders, finding the best ways to support their employees isn't just about offering perks; it's about fostering an environment where staff can thrive and feel valued.

1. Introduction—The Crisis in Oral Health Equity

Venture capital firms have made significant investments into the oral health industry over the past decade, with more than $400 million in funds in 2024 alone.

The dental industry has had to adjust to the effects of inflation and staffing shortages over the last couple of years, leading to less productivity and revenue.

The introduction of private equity into dentistry has had a significant effect on the industry, driving growth while raising some concerns.

Private equity has provided the dental industry with an influx of capital, leading to new practices, dental equipment and technology. 

There are several tips for DSO leaders to pivot their operations and prepare for an economic downturn or other negative event that could impact their practices.

Private equity has become a big player in dentistry, but there is no consensus on whether it has been beneficial to the industry. 

AI is here to stay in the dental industry, but how it could impact dentistry in the future is still up for debate. 

While DSO leaders may look for ways to save costs in a tough economy, certain cuts could have a negative impact on their company's growth in the long run. 

As the dental industry comes out of a tough couple of years for the economy, executives are looking for ways to protect their financial stability in case of a potential downturn.

Two dental leaders learned to pivot their operations to adapt to the challenging economic environment from the last couple of years.

Many dentists are hesitant to participate in Medicaid or Medicare programs because of low reimbursements and administrative hassles. 

Although the COVID-19 pandemic had long-lasting effects on dentistry, the lessons learned from this period could help the industry handle other future crises.