When is a dental office considered part of corporate dentistry?

Corporate dentistry, also known as “dental service organizations” (DSOs) or “managed dental care,” refers to dental offices or networks owned and operated by a corporation rather than by individual dentists. These organizations often own multiple dental practices, providing administrative and business support to them. Here are key characteristics that constitute a dental office being part of corporate dentistry:

1. Ownership Structure: Unlike traditional dental practices owned and operated by individual dentists, corporate dental offices are owned by a company or a group of investors. The dentists working there are typically employees or contractors of the corporation.
2. Centralized Administration: Corporate dental offices often have centralized administrative services such as marketing, billing, human resources, and purchasing. This centralization can lead to standardized operational procedures across all offices within the organization.
3. Multiple Locations: Corporate dentistry usually involves a network of dental offices. These can be locally concentrated or spread across different regions or even nationwide.
4. Focus on Efficiency and Profitability: Corporate dental practices often emphasize operational efficiency and profitability due to their business-oriented model. This approach might influence the range of services offered, focusing on those that are more financially rewarding.
5. Standardized Practices and Protocols: To maintain consistency across multiple locations, corporate dental offices might implement standardized treatment protocols and practice guidelines.
6. Marketing and Branding: Corporate dental organizations often have significant resources dedicated to marketing and branding efforts. They might use national advertising campaigns and sophisticated online marketing strategies to attract patients.
7. Investment in Technology: Corporate dental practices may have more capital to invest in the latest dental technology and equipment, potentially offering advanced treatment options.
8. Scale of Operations: The scale and scope of services offered by corporate dental offices can be larger than those of a typical private practice due to the backing of a larger organization with more resources.
9. Insurance and Payment Policies: Corporate dental offices often have standardized insurance and payment policies, and they may be more likely to accept a wide range of dental insurance plans.

It’s important to note that while corporate dentistry offers certain advantages like standardized procedures and potentially lower costs due to economies of scale, some critics argue that it can lead to a less personalized approach to patient care. Patients choosing a dental provider should consider not only the type of practice but also the quality of care, the dentist’s expertise, and their comfort level with the practice’s approach to patient care. Corporate dentistry may also lead to higher costs for patients in the dental implant field due to the multiple investors that need to receive a return on their investment.