"Resilient" seems to be the word of the year for dental leaders.
Persistent concerns with staffing challenges, insurance reimbursement compression, severe weather, and consumer confidence all led the top trends that dental service organization (DSO) executives shared for the first half of 2025.
In this second article of a two-part series (You can read Part 1 here.), leaders from Rodeo Dental and Orthodontics, Aspen Dental, SOHDental, and Great Expressions share the challenges they've seen so far in 2025 and the solutions they've implemented.
Dr. Yahya Mansour, co-founder and chief dental officer of Rodeo Dental & Orthodontics
Rodeo Dental & Orthodontics supports 50 affiliated practices in Arizona, Colorado, and Texas.
Dr. Yahya Mansour.
"In the first half of 2025, we saw strong momentum in patient volume and demand for comprehensive care, especially in pediatric and specialty service -- a positive sign of growing community and patient trust.
"On the flip side, staffing volatility and rising overhead costs created pressure points that required rapid operational pivots. Strategic investments in AI diagnostics and workflow optimization helped offset inefficiencies and protected margins. Overall, performance remained resilient, but agility was key."
Dr. Arwinder Judge, chief clinical officer of Aspen Dental
Aspen Dental supports more than 1,100 affiliated practices across the U.S.
Dr. Arwinder Judge.
"In the first half of 2025, we saw continued growth in patient demand for comprehensive care -- from preventive to cosmetic services -- which speaks to how much oral health is being prioritized. Patients are more informed, and they are looking for long-term solutions, which aligns well with Aspen Dental’s mission to deliver personalized, high-quality care.
"On the other hand, workforce dynamics remain a challenge across the dental industry as a whole. Recruiting and retaining dental professionals requires ongoing investment in development and support. Which is why we’ve doubled down on our commitment to support clinician development through TAG University, maintain and grow relationships with the best industry partners, and provide the tools and technologies that clinicians need so they can focus on what they do best: providing care.
"We also saw a rapid adoption of digital technologies, including AI, intraoral scanning, and 3D printing, which has improved diagnostics and operational efficiency across the network. All of these factors have helped Aspen stay resilient and drive strong clinical and business performance."
Dr. Samson Liu, CEO of SOHDental
SOHDental supports more than 45 affiliated practices in 10 states.
Dr. Samson Liu.
"In the first half of 2025, we noticed there were more unusual weather patterns, including tornadoes and ice storms, which contributed to a higher number of unplanned closures in multiple offices within our national geographical footprint. This significantly reduced the number of working days as compared with the same period in 2024, and hence a corresponding decrease in productivity and revenue.
"In addition, economic uncertainty was, and to a degree still is, another significant trend affecting consumer spending. During the first half of 2025, the ongoing inconsistency in political messaging affected consumer confidence, contributed to decreased patient spending, and lowered case acceptance in discretionary dental services and larger treatment plans, such as cosmetic services, implants, and full mouth cases."
Dale Hockel, CEO of Great Expressions Dental Centers (GEDC)
Dale Hockel.
"Despite macroeconomic pressures, including inflation and ongoing reimbursement compression, GEDC delivered strong performance in same-store production, reflecting our steadfast focus on patient-centered care.
"Labor market pressures have persisted, placing additional strain on margins. However, the first half of 2025 brought promising trends too. Patient demand remained resilient and digital engagement continued to rise, reinforcing the importance of convenience and access. GEDC leaned into these opportunities by accelerating investments in AI-powered diagnostics, workflow automation, and infrastructure enhancements to support scalable growth.
“Our commitment to improving both patient and provider experiences -- through clinical quality initiatives and operational efficiency -- has positioned us to navigate short-term pressures while building long-term value. Integration of new technologies at scale remains a challenge, but we are making steady progress in aligning innovation with the expectations of today’s dental consumer."
Setting priorities for the remainder of 2025
DSO executives are focused on expanding access to care, enhancing patient care and engagement, and continuing to invest in their clinical team and leadership as they head into the second half of the year.
They are evaluating and implementing advanced technology, especially AI-enabled technology and automated workflows. The goal is to stay resilient and drive strong clinical and business performance.
Beth Gaddis is the editor in chief at Planet DDS, a dental technology company specializing in cloud-based practice management systems, digital imaging, and dental marketing services. Previously, Gaddis was the marketing director for two large dental service organizations. Prior to entering the dental industry, Gaddis was a journalist for 16 years in a variety of roles, including as a TV news producer at the CBS affiliate in Boston. You can connect with Gaddis on LinkedIn.
The comments and observations expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the opinions of DrBicuspid.com, nor should they be construed as an endorsement or admonishment of any particular idea, vendor, or organization.
