Striking a deal that benefits all parties involved is the main objective of Cal Dental USA's operational model.

The upcoming presidential election, focusing on mental health and the DSO consolidation market are three of the most important issues and trends that these nine dental leaders are facing heading into the second half of 2024. 

Workforce shortages and hiring challenges continue to be one of the biggest threats to the dental industry, according to Barry Lyon, DDS. 

Chicago-based Aspen Dental opened a practice in Annapolis, Md., June 20 to increase accessibility for patients in the state.

Despite experiencing a less active first half of the year than planned, U.S. Oral Surgery Management has big plans to expand its network later this year, including entering new states and recruiting more surgeons.

Oral surgery is seeing an increase in female providers entering the field, and one MSO is capitalizing on the trend. 

The DSO field is preparing for a more active second half of the year as executives look to a potentially more optimistic economy, according to Henry Moomaw, CFO at Irving, Texas-based U.S. Oral Surgery Management.

More dentists are shifting their perspectives and becoming more open to adopting artificial intelligence technology at their practices, according to VideaHealth CEO Florian Hillen. 

This month, several dental industry leaders spoke with Becker's about the most pressing issues and trends in the field, including DSO consolidation, cybersecurity threats and medical-dental integration. 

There are a multitude of factors that go into a DSO's decision to add a new practice, whether it be an existing practice acquisition or the opening of a new de novo location.

There are a few best practices dental practice owners should employ to best support the newest generation of dental professionals, according to Barry Lyon, DDS. 

Dental AI companies and developers have become more prominent in the industry in the past months, changing the way that dental practices can operate.

Boca Raton, Fla.-based Sage Dental has started to widen its reach, recently announcing plans to open its first practices in Tennessee, driven by a regional expansion strategy.

General dentists may not be prepared for a cybersecurity incident as the possibility of these attacks grows, according to Huzefa Kapadia, DDS.

Dental practice sales, including those to individual dentists and larger groups and DSOs, are shaped by market patterns and shifts, including the type of practice, location, interest rates.

Medical-dental integration is increasingly picking up steam, as the understanding between overall health and oral health continues to grow. 

A key component of Smilebliss Orthodontics' operational model is something not commonly seen in the dental industry. 

There are several actions a dentist can take that could increase stress during their work day, according to Barry Lyon, DDS. 

Throughout my nearly 20 years in the dental industry, I’ve been committed to excellent patient care. For me, the desire to provide that care doesn’t stop at my office doors; I’m deeply invested in serving beyond my familiar environment. Recently, I was selected to participate in a dental mission trip to the Philippines, where I and a team of eleven other dental professionals provided care to nearly 130 children.

Some of the top priorities for dentists during the second half of 2024 include physician and mental health, time management and office culture.