The Rise of Group Dental Practices: Why the Solo Model Is Fading
- spiro26
- Apr 25
- 2 min read
The dental profession is undergoing one of its most significant shifts in decades.
Where solo practices once dominated the landscape, today’s market is increasingly moving toward group practices—from dentist-led partnerships to multi-location operations and DSO-backed networks. This isn’t a temporary trend; it’s a structural transformation in how dentistry is practiced, managed, and monetized.
Here’s what’s driving it—and why it’s poised to accelerate.
What’s Behind the Group Practice Boom?
1. Administrative Overload
Dentists face rising pressure from insurance complexity, HR, compliance, and tech demands. Group practices allow providers to focus on patient care while centralized teams handle back-office functions.
2. Economies of Scale
Larger practices benefit from purchasing power, shared technology, and integrated systems—reducing costs and increasing margins.
3. Generational Shift
Younger dentists are prioritizing work-life balance, mentorship, and income stability over solo ownership. Group models offer all three.
4. Patient Expectations
Patients increasingly expect a modern experience—online booking, extended hours, and multi-specialty services under one roof. Group practices deliver that efficiency and convenience.
The Role of DSOs: Driver or Disruptor?
Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) are a key force accelerating the shift. They bring:
Capital for growth and acquisition
Operational infrastructure
Exit options for aging practice owners
Yet not all dentists are ready to give up autonomy. Many are forming independent group practices as a strategic alternative—seeking the benefits of scale without DSO control.
In reality, the lines are blurring.
Mid-size groups increasingly mirror DSOs operationally—and many eventually partner with or sell to them.
Is This Model Sustainable?
All signs point to yes.
According to the ADA Health Policy Institute, DSO and group practice affiliation is rising sharply—especially among dentists under age 35. As older solo owners retire, group practices are poised to become the new norm.
What’s more, group models are aligned with broader healthcare trends:
Consolidation
Technology integration
Value-based care delivery
What Should Solo Practitioners Do?
While solo practices won’t vanish overnight, standing still isn’t an option. Viable paths forward include:
Joining or forming group partnerships
Affiliating with a DSO
Transitioning to a boutique/niche model
Either way, adaptation is key. The next generation of dental care will be built on scale, collaboration, and operational sophistication.
Final Thoughts
Group dentistry isn’t just a trend—it’s a strategic response to economic realities, generational change, and evolving patient needs.
Whether you’re a practice owner, associate, or advisor, understanding this shift is essential to staying competitive in a rapidly evolving profession.
Are you seeing this shift in your market? How are you or your clients responding?
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