The dental industry is currently entering 2025, dealing with problems that can be only solved by strategic thinking and innovation. Decrease of the medical staff, higher operational costs, and change of client demand are some of the aspects which require immediate attention. This blog lists out seven big challenges that your dental practice has to tackle. Let us also give you some tips on how to deal with them.
Top 7 Challenges DSOs Face in 2025
To resolve these issues below, DSOs have started with various strategies. They are attracting and retaining staff by offering them more attractive welfare packages, training, and part-time working opportunities. In this blog, we will scrutinize these issues deeply as well as the innovative ways that DSOs are finding to get them solved.
1. Severe Staffing Shortages
A severe shortage of dental staff that is well qualified is currently one of the most difficult situations faced by dental practices. Dentists are facing challenges in hiring and retaining dental hygienists as well as assistants, with the result affecting the standard of patient care and the operation’s effectiveness. For example, a whopping number of almost 95% of dentists admit that finding hygienists is a slight hardship for them.
How DSOs Are Overcoming It
– Focus on Employee Retention
– Use Temporary or Contract Workers
– Offer Flexible Work Options
2. Rising Operational Costs
Rising operational costs are another major challenge for dental practices. The inflation rates and the increased wages that need to be provided to the employees are the main reasons for the increase in costs. Almost seven out of ten dental practices mentioned the expense due to rising overheads and barely half experienced a 10% or more increase.
While just 11% had lowered their expenses, controlling these costs requires careful financial planning and resource allocation. Philosophically, dental practices should be able to utilize the latest technologies and keep their patients in the best conditions. At the same time, they are also controlling their expenses.
How DSOs Are Overcoming It
– Bulk-buying supplies to get discounts.
– Automating administrative tasks to reduce labor costs.
– Using cloud-based software to cut IT expenses.
3. Stagnant Insurance Reimbursements
While operational costs are on a constant rise, insurance reimbursements have mostly remained stable. Hence, dental practices meet a vigorous financial challenge. The wide difference between actual cost and payment. Insurance companies are the main element in the financial challenge to the practices that are profitable and remain in business.
This, in turn, pushes some dentists to uncontrolled essence from insurance coverage networks, thereby reducing patients’ access. While few more are exploring alternative finances, such as diversifying services or changing their fee schedules to reduce the effect of the lesser reimbursements.
How DSOs Are Overcoming It
– Review and Negotiate Contracts
– Improve Coding and Documentation
– Follow Up on Denied Claims
4. Rapid Technological Changes
The fast pace of technological advancement provides a lot of rewarding as well as challenging opportunities. New innovative capabilities can introduce us to the digital age of the future. The different applications of AI technologies, 3D printing, and digital workflows have facilitated the healthcare sector transformation.
The dental equipment market is close to reaching $11.91 billion by the year 2025, as to the matter of new and the time-saving digital technologies’ widespread recognition. First and foremost, we must deploy new technologies strategically to avoid office disruption and staff frustration. Good planning would also be crucial to ensure a smooth transition to the use of the new technologies.
How DSOs Are Overcoming It
– Stay Updated with Industry Trends
– Embrace Lifelong Learning
– Develop Adaptability Skills
5. Integrating New Technologies
The problem with integrating new technologies into the existing practice systems is quite complicated since you need first to make sure that they are compatible with the patient’s records and the current software. One of the major pressing issues can be the data breaches in the medical sector. Since, all the time, we have been observing the continuous expansion of these involved cases.
The performance risks regarding systems that are engaged in an upgrade or transitioning process need also to be taken note of. One possible way is to plan everything to the minutest detail to avoid any unnecessary interruptions in patient care. Besides, regular technical support and system maintenance are necessary to be provided, so systems can keep on running smoothly and detect and correct any issues that may appear.
How DSOs Are Overcoming It
Gradually adopting new technology to spread out costs.
Training staff on how to use new tools effectively.
Partnering with dental tech companies for cost-effective solutions.
6. Shifting Patient Expectations
There is a changed attitude of the patients toward the treatment. Such as the need for convenience, the personalization of services, which would include e-health-readiness for the digital engagement of healthcare. It has been observed that most of the patients would go to those hospitals and doctors who facilitate electronic mail, telephone, and other electronic mobile means of communication.
The wish for virtual medical visits and the thirst for health information online are symptoms of the patient-directed healthcare trend. One of the strategies could be to involve electronic communication in the different steps of the clinic, so that the process could be more convenient. Patient education on insurance, patient billing, and treatment options through easy online access can also be part of the measures and, also, a solution for the higher patient satisfaction.
How DSOs Are Overcoming It
– Build Trust and Transparency
– Adopt New Technology
– Enhance Convenience and Accessibility
7. Increased Wait Times
The staff shortages, along with operational obstacles, are leading to the delay of patient consultations, which harms the quality of healthcare. The weight of the patients frustrates them because they don’t think they have been served well. When appointments are delayed, people tend to look for care elsewhere, which may eventually hit your reputation and income directly. To counter these problems, the clinics need the optimization of the scheduling systems as well as the application of flexible staffing that will use temporary personnel.
How DSOs Are Overcoming It
– Identify the Cause of Delays
– Use Technology to Speed Up Service
– Improve Communication with Customers
Conclusion
Although the DSOs in the dynamic dental industry must pass many obstacles in order to succeed. These challenges in themselves are a possibility for new growth and innovation.
Despite the numerous battles that await the DSOs in 2025, they are also becoming smart by adapting. They are making sure that the patients still get quality dental care by using their technology, security enhancement, and better staff benefits. The main thing is to stay flexible and innovate.
FAQs
What will be the future function of DSOs?
The function of the DSOs is not just a passive one anymore. The DSOs are likely to enjoy their power within the grid infrastructure, the platform the whole system depends on.
What are the different ways for dentists to sell to DSO?
There are different ways in which a DSO can come into the picture; it can either help to manage an existing dental practice, launch a new practice under their corporate umbrella, or become a resource where dental professionals and staff can find work. To focus solely on patient care, professional dentists can opt to sell their current practice to a DSO.
Managing a dental support organization (DSO) in 2025 comes with significant challenges, from staffing shortages to rising operational costs. Want to learn how top DSOs are tackling workforce issues and optimizing operations through technology? Discover expert insights and strategic DSO recruitment tips to help your organization thrive in 2025 and beyond!
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