Henry Schein One released its fifth annual Catalyst Index, which analyzed tens of thousands of dental service organizations (DSOs) and private practices to identify what distinguishes high-growth practices in a slowing economy.
The report found that clinical execution -- not organizational scale -- is the primary growth driver, challenging the assumption that larger dental organizations automatically outperform smaller independent practices.
Top-performing practices achieved a 75% case acceptance rate compared to the 45% industry average. Overall patient retention declined from 72% to 64% year over year, a trend the report flags as a significant concern across the industry.
The findings suggest that practices investing in chairside communication and patient trust are better positioned for growth than those focused primarily on expansion.
