How the DSO Dental Model Impacts Dentistry
Dental Support Organizations, also known as Dental Service Organizations (DSOs), provide dental practices with critical business management and support, including non-clinical administrative services. The DSO business model enables dentists to provide the best possible and advanced care to their patients without worrying about the operations and management of their practice.
The dental service organization structure is designed to provide oversight and accountability to a dental practice's overall operations. Compared to solo practitioners, dentists affiliated with DSOs can achieve a better work-life balance while still delivering excellent care to their patients. The American Dental Association, Health Policy Institute, reveals 7.4% of US dentists are affiliated with DSOs.
Whether you are an experienced and proficient dentist facing human resources challenges while trying to stay focused on patient care or dental school with the burden of default, DSOs provide relief and support to run your dental practice effectively.
How Does the DSO Business Model Work?
A solo dental practice requires dentists to see patients and provide exceptional care for their oral problems as well as handle the business management operations including updating and maintaining equipment, hiring and retaining employees, billing and payroll work, and ensuring the cleanliness of the practice for the safety of patients and employees. By separating non-clinical business operations and administrative tasks, DSOs allow dentists to focus on their clinical practice solely.
The DSO model provides substantial advantages, including:
- Allowing dentists to upgrade equipment and related services without incurring operational expenses
- Administrative advantages such as team recruitment and training, HR, billing, marketing, and payroll
- Providing better coverage options for your patients, as DSOs have access to more insurance providers
- Delivering salary growth incentives, consistent pay, and a signing bonus in some instances
- Providing dentists with increased access to specialists, colleagues, and CE (continuing education)
The Oral Health Workforce Research Center (OHWRC) conducted a survey and produced extensive data that reveals the different ways DSOs define their function:
- 90% of survey respondents disclosed that between 61% and 100% of dentists in the organization were general dentists.
- 100% of DSOs provided exceptional business and management services
Dentists affiliated with DSOs were designated as owners (66.7%), employees (53.7%), and associates (66.7%)
Your affiliation with the dental service organization ensures you stay focused on dental care while the management and functions of your practice are uninterrupted.
The Impact of DSO Dental Model in Dentistry
For every dentist, handling both clinical and non-clinical operations of their practice can be difficult and time-consuming. So dentists collaborate with DSOs to maximize the productivity and success of their practice with the support of professionals. With DSOs taking care of all non-clinical aspects of a dental practice, dentists can focus on taking care of their patients
DSOs create a significant impact on the dental industry in several ways, including:
- Managing the business side of the practice and allowing dentists to focus on their career, thereby improving the patient experience
- Offering new career opportunities for young dentists
- Ensuring access to the latest dental technology and quality care in rural areas
- Creating more efficient and legally compliant dental practice
To enjoy and experience these productive and valuable benefits, affiliate your dental practice with DSOs. It will help you efficiently manage the day-to-day routines and balanced patient acquisition and care.
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