There’s a quiet takeover taking place in dentistry—and it’s already impacting how sufferers are handled and the way dentists observe.
At this time’s e-newsletter breaks down why extra dental workplaces are being purchased by non-public fairness companies, how that modifications the form of care you get, and what you are able to do to guard your self and your well being.
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Throughout the nation, dental workplaces that seem like owned by particular person practitioners are more and more being purchased out—quietly—by giant company entities known as DSOs (Dental Service Organizations), usually funded by non-public fairness.
From the surface, nothing seems totally different. The signal out entrance nonetheless says “Household Dentistry.”
The identical hygienist nonetheless greets you by identify. However behind the scenes, a seismic shift has taken place—and it’s one which has profound implications to your care, your pockets, and the soul of dentistry itself.
DSOs promise effectivity, scale, and “improved affected person outcomes.” However the actuality can generally be the other. These organizations will not be run by dentists. They’re owned by buyers—and buyers need returns.
And returns in dentistry come from extra procedures, increased turnover, and fewer time per affected person.
All of the sudden, your hygiene appointment is over in 10 minutes, and also you’re being pushed to crown a tooth with a tiny crack. Not as a result of it’s finest for you—however as a result of the system rewards extra procedures, not higher care.
Traditionally, dentistry was a relationship-based observe. You trusted your dentist. They knew your loved ones. Training about prevention was a part of each go to—this was a part of the dentist’s function, not simply tooth carpentry.
However within the early 2000s, non-public fairness noticed a gap. As dentists started to retire and pupil debt for brand new grads skyrocketed, company consumers stepped in.
Why construct a observe when you possibly can lock in a assured wage and keep away from a half-million in debt?
This mindset has contributed to the speedy progress of Dental Assist Organizations (DSOs).
In accordance with the American Dental Affiliation’s Well being Coverage Institute, 13% of dentists nationwide had been affiliated with a DSO in 2022, up from 10.4% in 2019 and eight.8% in 2017.
This development is especially pronounced amongst early-career dentists; 27% of those that graduated throughout the previous 5 years and 18% of those that graduated six to 10 years in the past are affiliated with DSOs.
This mannequin usually results in:
- Overtreatment: Pointless crowns, extractions, and root canals
- Burned-out clinicians: Dentists beneath productiveness quotas, unable to push again
- Decreased belief: Sufferers handled like line objects, not individuals
- Widening inequality: Susceptible communities exploited for income
Dentists who converse up? They’re usually pressured, punished, or pushed out.
What do you have to do about this?
If you happen to’re studying this, you’re doubtless already considering critically about your well being. You perceive that methods—particularly these pushed by cash—don’t all the time have your finest curiosity at coronary heart.
DSOs are a symptom of a a lot bigger downside in healthcare: when revenue turns into the tenet, affected person care turns into compromised. Preventive care retains you more healthy—and saves you cash. However the DSO mannequin doesn’t revenue from prevention. It earnings from procedures. Meaning your pursuits and theirs are sometimes not aligned.
And whereas I’m not saying each DSO is evil, I’m saying this:
You have got a proper to know who’s making selections about your mouth.
Find out how to Shield Your self
- Ask your dentist straight: “Are you affiliated with a DSO or company group?” A very good one gained’t thoughts.
- Search for pink flags: Frequent workers turnover, pushy therapy plans, minimal appointment time.
- Prioritize relationships: Useful, prevention-first care takes time and belief.
- Assist impartial practices: Particularly ones targeted on root-cause well being, not insurance coverage cycles. I preserve a listing of Useful Dentists on my web site HERE.
This subject is about greater than dental workplaces. It’s a couple of system that resists transparency, punishes dissent, and favors short-term good points over long-term wellness.
Whether or not it’s fluoride in your water, mouthwash in your toilet, or a root canal you didn’t want—we’ve been advised to belief authority at the price of our personal important considering.
It’s time we push again.
As a result of knowledgeable sufferers don’t simply make higher selections—they assist reshape the system.
P.S. If you happen to’ve had an expertise—good or dangerous—with a DSO or felt pressured into therapy, I’d love to listen to about it. Hit reply and let me know.
