Providing a positive customer experience has become crucial for a successful orthodontic practice, according to Barry Lyon, DDS.

Consolidation in dentistry, attracting private equity funding and cybersecurity issues are among the top challenges that DSOs are facing going into the fourth quarter of 2024. 

The Aspen Group is celebrating its first completed year of TAG University, its educational arm aimed at providing clinical, business and leadership training to providers.

Obtaining private equity recapitalization has become an increasingly challenging feat for many DSOs, according to Freedom Dental Partners Founder and CEO Avi Weisfogel.

Freedom Dental Partners has positioned itself as a stand-out competitor in the DSO field by providing unique options for dentists looking to join an organization.

Brian Lawson recently joined Max Surgical Specialty Management as its new vice president of business development to help support the organization with its continued growth, placing a special emphasis on supporting oral surgeons.

While there are a few signs pointing to more positive economic conditions to support DSO growth, interest rates are keeping one executive from getting too excited. 

DSOs that put too much emphasis on expanding their network without providing enough support to their existing practices could be putting themselves at risk of slowing their growth, according to one executive. 

Interfaith Dental, a nonprofit organization in Tennessee, is making strides in expanding oral healthcare for older adults in the state through a recently launched program.

When DSOs are looking to expand their network of dental practices, they typically have two main options: partnering with an existing dentist and practice, or constructing a de novo location. 

We know that access to dental care is crucial not only for oral health, but also overall well-being. Unfortunately, for the over 60 million Americans who live in dental deserts where there are fewer than one dentist per 5,000 people, access to dental care is an unattainable luxury.

Revenue cycle management is an important aspect of running a dental practice or DSO when it comes to efficient payment collection, as well as creating a positive experience for the patient. 

There are several factors dentists should consider when deciding which DSO to affiliate with, according to Barry Lyon, DDS. 

This month, several dental industry leaders spoke with Becker's about how DSO consolidation will evolve, opportunities to advance oral healthcare under the next White House administration and how millennials and Gen Zers are changing dentistry.

The current gap in the dental workforce, the large amount of student debt dental school graduates have and the reduced access to dental care are three of the biggest concerns that leaders in dentistry have about the industry. 

Several dental industry leaders want the next White House administration to invest more in public oral health education initiatives and expand medical and dental benefits for patients. 

Misinformation about dental care and treatments has increased in the industry, leading to negative repercussions for patients and providers, according to one DSO exec. 

The Aspen Group is making significant investments to keep up with how patients' needs and expectations are transforming the dental industry. 

One of the biggest challenges facing DSOs is overcoming the negative reputation that comes with being a large entity, according to Ash ElDifrawi, chief commercial and brand officer at The Aspen Group.

The DSO field could be looking ahead to an interesting future as companies work through current economic challenges, one industry leader says.