DSO Movement | Dental Practice Evolution

As the dental profession continues to evolve, it appears as though the majority of the market is moving to a Dental Support Organization structure. There simply is not enough time in the day to take care of patients 4-5 days a week, and keep up with all of the other responsibilities that go into running a business. Because of the macro environment that most dentists are fighting through right now (inflation, labor market, supply chain, and raising interest rates just to name a few) it is driving massive acceleration in the DSO space.

Like anything, there are good DSO's and there are bad DSO's. The dental support organizations that get it right, are going to have massive run ways these next 5-10 years and beyond. The DSO is only as good as their providers are, so it is a very imperative to understand this relationship and make it a win-win scenario.

We believe that well run DSO will actually allow for our providers to make more compensation with us than they would out on their own. Based on economies of scale, insurance negotiating leverage, and synergizes, we truly believe that we can be hyper competitive in terms of compensation, while at the same time being able to offer a better work/life balance.

Currently there is a ton of disruption in the dental profession and because of these confusing times, we have seen a massive increase in the amount of dental offices that are for sale. It is going to be interesting to see how this increase in the supply of dental offices affects the overall demand for them in the coming years, but there is certainly no denying that the DSO segment is the fastest growing sector of the dental industry.

Check out our video below on the topic and please comment below what you guys are interested in learning more about!

Comments

Sedation Dentistry | Adult Sedation Dentistry | Sedation Dentistry in McCordsville

Sedation Dentistry in McCordsville, Indiana Nearly half of all North Americans don’t go to the dentist every year. The number one reason, according to the American Dental Association, is fear. But fear isn’t the only reason. People have busy lives and little time for repeated visits to the dentist. Some don't see the importance of keeping their teeth. And there are a host of other reasons as well. Whatever your reason, or the reasons for someone close to you, know this – you are not alone! Sedation Dentistry is here to help you, as it has so many other patients, safely and effectively get the care you need in a safe and comfortable environment for the best dental experience you’ve ever had. This isn’t a One Size Fits All Each patient is unique. That means that whatever medications you may be taking, dental treatments needed, or the years away from the dentist – there is a safe and effective way to get the smi...

2026 Dental Office Data | Struggling Performance Continues

Over the past decade, the dental industry experienced an unprecedented wave of consolidation. Private equity capital flowed into the profession, Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) expanded rapidly, and large multi-location platforms became a major force in the market. Recently, however, two major organizations— Dental Care Alliance and Affordable Care —have reportedly been taken over by their lenders following financial restructuring challenges. For many in the profession, this raises an important question: What does this mean for the future of dentistry ? The answer is nuanced, but it may signal a turning point for how dental organizations are built and financed going forward. The End of the “Growth at Any Cost” Era For many DSOs, the growth strategy of the past decade was simple: acquire as many practices as possible as quickly as possible. Low interest rates and strong investor appetite made this strategy viable. Debt financing allowed organizations to purchase pract...

Affordable Care Restructure | 2026 Dental Industry Impacts

The convergence of Affordable Care’s restructuring and broader financial strain across large DSOs is more than an isolated credit event — it’s a signal of structural pressure in the dental industry. Below is a strategic, operator-level view of the impacts likely to unfold. 1) Capital structure stress → Slower DSO expansion & recap cycles Affordable Care’s restructuring is largely debt-driven: The company is working with turnaround advisers after a $2.7B leveraged buyout left it with expensive floating-rate debt. Rising interest rates materially increased debt service costs. This dynamic is industry-wide: Many DSOs and small groups financed growth with variable debt that has jumped from ~4% to 10%+ interest costs. Some platforms have been unable to recapitalize amid economic uncertainty. Impacts Fewer aggressive roll-ups and de novo expansions Lower EBITDA multiples on acquisitions More minority recap deals vs. full exits Delayed liquidity e...

Ladd Dental Group

Search This Blog