Do Your Homework

Dental support organizations (DSOs) have been around for decades, but until more recently, there were never so many different models available for dentists to consider. Whether you're fresh out of dental school, ready to retire and sell your existing practice, or anywhere in between, the sheer number of DSOs out there and their wide variation regarding practice models and how the arrangements can be structured has made the decision to partner with one much more nuanced. In our January cover story, Inside Dentistry examines the many ways that DSOs have evolved to meet the needs of the profession and the impact that they've had on it.

It's one thing if you're just starting out and find the benefits of DSOs appealing, but if you're already in practice and set in your ways, it really comes down to autonomy. I used to say that if you aren't ready to give up control, no amount of money will be worth joining a DSO, but as you'll learn in the article, today's DSOs offer levels of autonomy that range from very little to almost full, depending on the model. Therefore, if you want to find the best DSO for your needs, it's essential for you to do your homework. If you're interested in selling your practice to a DSO, ask yourself the tough questions about how much longer you really want to work. If profit is your main concern, seek out an arrangement with more money up front so less of it is tied to future production. If you want to keep working longer, find one that will better reward your ongoing effort. There are even models in which you can receive equity in the partnership running the DSO. In some scenarios, if the DSO is sold, dentists are seeing returns of two to six times their investment. Just remember that it's not only about the money. As the article notes, the most important thing is for the DSO's structure and culture to be a good fit for you.