Hot Recruitment topics in 2024 included crafting better job descriptions, when and how to hire executives, tips for recruiters and candidates, helping dentists transition to a fulfilling retirement through eldership, addressing all of a DSO’s audiences with integrated marketing, developing executive doctor leaders, how to find candidates for any role, sourcing and vetting executive talent, the importance of mentorship, and connecting traveling specialists with DSOs.

Adriana Pustizzi
DSO Account Manager, Cloud Dentistry 

DSOs continue to expand rapidly, driven by ongoing consolidation and the demand for streamlined, scalable dental practice management. In 2024, we saw increased acquisition activity as private practice owners sought financial returns and relief from administrative burdens. DSOs are now focusing on cost optimization, operational efficiency, and access to scalable staffing solutions as key growth levers.

One significant trend was the adoption of cloud-based technologies that optimize operations and staffing. Cloud Dentistry is playing a pivotal role by offering DSOs tools designed to reduce staffing costs by up to 20% while improving overall efficiency. Our platform provides designated account managers, comprehensive finance and activity reports, and access to more than 42,000 verified dental professionals—including hygienists, dental assistants, front office staff, and dentists. DSOs can tap into this pool without being tied to traditional buyout fees when transitioning temps to full-time roles. Additionally, our productivity-focused internal float pool system allows practices to prioritize their own staff before seeking external temps, further enhancing efficiency.

As we look ahead to 2025, the DSO industry is poised for even greater integration of technology and workforce flexibility. We anticipate further consolidation, but with a stronger emphasis on maximizing profitability through data-driven decision-making and dynamic staffing models. Cloud-based staffing solutions will continue to be a key differentiator, allowing DSOs to adapt quickly to patient demands and minimize operational disruptions. The emphasis will likely be on achieving sustainable growth by leveraging technology to address staffing shortages, reduce turnover, and support clinical productivity. Cloud Dentistry remains committed to supporting these shifts, ensuring DSOs can focus on patient care while maintaining strong financial performance.

Wittney Greanleaf
Recruitment Lead, Squire Dental

The increasing demand for dental professionals has made retention just as critical as recruitment. While competitive pay is important, DSOs must take a holistic approach to keep top talent engaged.

Prioritizing a work-life balance by providing predictable and stable schedules, along with reasonable flexibility, reduces burnout. This benefit alone can set an office apart.

Offering mentorship, continuing education, and defined career paths fosters long-term commitment.

A strong, supportive team environment, leadership engagement, and recognition programs improve retention.

DSOs that invest in these areas will reduce turnover, strengthen their teams, and create workplaces where providers want to stay; so, poaching is no threat to your team members!

Abe Kasbo
Founder and CEO, Verasoni

The DSO industry is dynamic, yet it lives within our larger economic ecosystem and there is impacted by macro events, economic and social. While there are industry trends that can inform global management decisions, each store is a local business and paying attention to the dynamics of the local market delivers value and is an imperative.

A tight labor market challenges the industry, pushing DSOs to focus on branding, customer experience, and team retention. Integrated marketing targeting patients, teams, and doctors will drive growth and brand-equity, which is an asset to sellers. Brand integrity and technology adoption, like AI diagnostics and 3D printing, will be key in 2025, requiring seamless integration into marketing strategies. Brand equity is a key area of focus, it’s a valuable asset for buyers and sellers.

We have been providing managed marketing services for DSOs for 15 years or so. In 2025, we are launching DSO/CMO, which provides a complete marketing team for DSOs. From strategy, branding, web, social, CRM, marketing-tech stack, analytics and more, DSOs will have an entire marketing team working in real-time helping them move faster and more efficiently and effectively. And because of the prevalence of digital advertising fraud, we are also launching a subscription service to audit marketing for DSOs.

We are watching several exciting companies in the marketing/operations space who are using AI and other algorithms to help streamline decision making. We are secondary adopters of these technologies simply because we want our clients to implement market-ready solutions. But watching these companies is a real privilege from our view because it gives us a glimpse into the future.

• PCDM/Dental365 Announces New Experiential Learning Platform to Support Clinical Excellence
• USOSM President/CEO Richard Hall Named to SCALE’s Most Influential Healthcare Leaders List
• Dental Group Launches First of its Kind Education Program