The dental profession is undergoing a significant transformation. More than ever, dentists are affiliating with Dental Support Organizations (DSOs) and supported practices for assistance with non-clinical administrative support and enhancing their professional lives. While the opportunity for financial stability and operational support is often cited, the driving forces behind this trend are more nuanced and strategic.
DSOs offer access to a unique blend of resources, education, and infrastructure that enable dentists to focus more on clinical care and less on the administrative burdens of practice ownership. Dentists should determine what level of support is most important to them. Understanding their needs is critical to organizational alignment.
A major advantage of affiliating with a DSO and a supported practice is the access to structured and ongoing clinical education for both dentists and their teams. The most effective DSOs view education not as an optional benefit, but as a foundational pillar of success.
“Education is the cornerstone of long-term clinical excellence for dentists,” shared Dr. Anna Sing, Heartland Dental’s education leader. “At Heartland Dental, we believe that when dentists and their teams are continually growing, the dentists’ quality of care naturally follows. We provide affiliated doctors with access to a robust curriculum of clinical education, leadership development, and team training. It’s not just about staying compliant; it’s about staying ahead .”
When considering a DSO and a supported practice, dentists should prioritize organizations that invest in continuing education across clinical disciplines and support fostering leadership skills throughout the practice team.
Running a dental practice requires attention to a wide range of non-clinical functions including billing, HR, compliance, and marketing. DSOs help relieve much of this burden through operational support.
“With a DSO, you’re not in it alone,” Scott Wiedman, Heartland Dental Affiliations Director, explains. “Centralization of services means your front office isn’t scrambling with billing issues or insurance headaches. It creates consistency across the board, and that translates into a better experience for the patient.”
This level of support can significantly enhance practice efficiency, reduce stress for the clinical team, and improve the overall patient experience.
Preferred Vendor Relationships That Offer More Than Discounts
Many DSOs help supported practices negotiate favorable pricing with vendors, but the most strategic partnerships offer much more than cost savings. Strong DSOs cultivate vendor relationships that also include training, support, and collaborative growth.
This perspective is echoed by Chuck DiNardo, CEO of DDS Lab, a market-leading preferred lab partner in the DSO space.
“When a DSO provides clear communication, supports strong leadership, and shared values, it makes a huge difference for us as a laboratory partner,” said DiNardo. “We’re not just fulfilling orders, we’re working together to ensure each restoration supports the doctor’s clinical intent. That collaboration is what elevates outcomes.”
DiNardo also emphasized how thoughtful leadership within DSOs enhances the value of lab partnerships.
“Strong DSO leadership helps align goals between the lab and the clinicians. They help us understand their expectations, streamline logistics, and this ultimately leads to better clinical results for the dentist. It’s not just about volume but also quality, consistency, and mutual trust.”
From the laboratory's point of view, this autonomy of DSO supported dentists is key to successful collaboration.
“Dentists know their patients and clinical preferences better than anyone,” DiNardo explains. “Our role as a lab is to support their decision-making, not to override it. Respecting and preserving the clinical autonomy of affiliated doctors translates into better communication with labs like ours.”
Dentists evaluating a DSO should understand and be in alignment with the control they will maintain over clinical decisions, material selection, and treatment planning.
Affiliating with a DSO and a supported practice also creates access to a wider community of peers and mentors. This can be especially valuable for newer dentists or those looking to grow within a collaborative environment.
Large DSOs, an example being Heartland Dental, have built strong mentorship programs and opportunities for peer connection, but this is a quality that should be sought across the board when considering affiliating with a DSO and a supported practice.
A robust professional network of supported offices not only fosters clinical growth but also builds long-term career satisfaction.
The increasing affiliation with DSOs and a supported practice reflects more than just a shift in business models. It underscores the growing desire among dentists to find balance, support, and empowerment in their careers.
The most successful affiliations with DSOs go beyond administrative support and scale. They prioritize providing opportunities for clinical education, operational simplicity, trusted vendor relationships—all while retaining the clinical autonomy and expertise of clinicians.
“When DSOs empower dentists and foster true support across the ecosystem—clinicians, labs, vendors—everyone wins. The patients, most of all. Our model works and that's why we are constantly looking for opportunities to affiliate with additional dental offices,” concluded Wiedman.
Whether you are a new graduate looking to establish your foundation or an experienced dentist exploring new efficiencies, choosing the right DSO is one of the most important decisions you can make. Look for one that aligns with your values, supports your goals, and enables you to practice dentistry on your terms.
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