Ready to grow? Building your own DSO structure could be the smartest move for your dental practice

As dental practices expand beyond a single location, owners often find that what worked early on (informal management, personal oversight, and ad-hoc systems) starts to strain under the demands of growth. Managing multiple offices, teams, and patient expectations isn’t just about working harder, it’s about working smarter. That's where a DSO structure can be helpful.

DSO (Dental Support Organization) structures are a powerful, but often misunderstood, tool for sustainable growth. When many hear “DSO,” they think of corporate chains, private equity groups, and lost clinical autonomy.

But a DSO is not inherently about "selling out" or sacrificing quality. It’s simply an organizational model. And when designed intentionally, it can be one of the best strategies for independent owners to scale, strengthen leadership, and protect clinical excellence.

What is a DSO structure, really?

At its core, a DSO model separates clinical operations (which remain in the hands of licensed providers) from non-clinical management (billing, HR, IT, marketing, compliance). In a provider-driven DSO structure:

• Each practice location typically operates as its own legal entity

• High-performing associates may have the opportunity to buy into their individual practice locations

• A centralized management company (the DSO) handles non-clinical operations across the organization

• Ownership and profit-sharing at the management company level can include clinical and non-clinical leaders

The result? You keep control over patient care while building an efficient, growth-ready platform.

Why build a DSO structure even if you don’t plan to sell?

Many owners assume DSOs only matter if they plan to sell to private equity. That’s a myth.

Building your own DSO structure offers real advantages. Here are a few.

• Scalability: Manage multiple locations without operational chaos

• Leadership Development: Retain top associates by offering clear pathways to ownership and leadership

• Financial Efficiency: Centralize non-clinical operations to maximize profitability

• Optionality: Keep your practice attractive to future strategic buyers— or simply run a more valuable, resilient business on your terms

Whether you dream of scaling to 5+ locations, creating a legacy practice, or simply making your business easier to run, a DSO structure helps future-proof your success.

Next Steps: Is it time to build your growth platform?

If you have two or more locations (or plan to expand) it may be time to think about your practice structure differently.

Creating a provider-driven DSO isn’t just for corporate groups. It’s a smart, flexible, owner-first strategy that positions your practice for long-term health, leadership strength, and financial growth.

Thinking about scaling your dental practice?

Our team specializes in helping practice owners design customized growth structures built for independence, leadership, and success. Reach out to our team to learn more.