The number of solo dentists could continue to decline as the pressures that come with owning a practice grow, according to Frank Clayton, DDS.
A recent report from the Association of DSOs found that the majority of dentists now work in a group practice, with only 36% of dentists working at a solo practice. Thirteen percent of dentists are now affiliated with a DSO.
Dr. Clayton is the owner of Clayton Dental at Village Grove in Suwanee, Ga. He recently spoke with Becker's about what is driving the decline in solo practice.
Editor's note: This response was lightly edited for clarity and length.
Question: What factors are contributing to the decline in solo dentistry?
Dr. Frank Clayton: I have been a solo dentist for the last 25 years and my mode of practice is declining. Similar to other practitioners in medicine, optometry and pharmacy, dentistry is consolidating. The amount of stress, both financial and physical, becomes overbearing on a solo practitioner over time. I, and others, choose dentistry for the autonomy and ability to own their own practice, but that desire is also fading. Coupled with high dental school debt, I've seen that the majority of the next generation of dentists prefer the flexibility of non-ownership. Those who own know that the clinical aspect of dentistry is just the beginning, ownership is all consuming. These factors are the major drivers in the trend toward group practice, whether it's with DSO affiliation or not.
Low insurance reimbursement and increased overhead are two large factors that push toward a group model. Increased production to fill these expenses on a solo provider is taxing over time. Through consolidation and scale, groups can help mitigate erosion on profit margins. These are just a few, but major, factors that will continue the decline of the solo practitioner.