Top row left to right: Dr. Samson Liu, Emma Cifuentes, and Steve Bilt. Bottom row left to right: Dr. Yahya Mansour, Dale Hockel, and Mick Janness.
Amid staffing challenges and rapid technological changes, dental service organization (DSO) leaders are doubling down on smart, sustainable growth strategies to carry them through the final months of 2025.
From provider retention and tech optimization to expanding clinical access and building sustainable infrastructure, six executives at Dykema’s 12th Annual DSO Conference shared their top priorities for the rest of the year, and their insights offer a clear look at where the industry is heading.
Dr. Samson Liu, CEO of SOHDental
"The first priority is growth. We’re rolling out Curodont, a remineralizing dental gel. We’re expanding multiple facilities and hiring more providers to increase access to care. We’re also ramping up our affiliation pipeline to continue expanding our geographical footprint.
"We’re also prioritizing support. We’re investing in technologies that can simplify the electronic claims processing and revenue cycle. This will reduce human error, reduce the administrative burden on practices, and increase efficiency and accuracy. We are also focused on education and training for the new providers we’ve hired."
Emma Cifuentes, chief operating officer of Progressive Dental Management
"Our key priorities include building out centralized systems, advancing provider enrichment programs, and launching two prototype practices -- one general dentistry and one pediatric-led specialty office -- that will serve as scalable models for future expansion.
"We’re also doubling down on doctor leadership development and team retention to ensure we’re building a sustainable and resilient foundation for the long term."
Steve Bilt, CEO of Smile Brands
"Smile Brands will continue to focus on expanding provider days and access to care while expanding the procedure base by offering an ever-widening array of continuing education opportunities and program expansion to providers interested in jumping in. We will continue to streamline our technology and process backbone to enable more efficient support to each of our practices. Finally, we continue to look at like-minded groups to extend our reach over time."
Dr. Yahya Mansour, co-founder and chief dental officer of Rodeo Dental & Orthodontics
"Our top priorities are strengthening doctor retention, streamlining clinical operations, and expanding leadership capacity at the office level. As demand continues to grow, we must build durable systems that support scale without sacrificing quality. By investing in our providers, anchoring teams with strong local leadership, and enhancing same-day care protocols, we’re positioning ourselves to grow smart and sustainably through the back half of the year."
Dale Hockel, CEO of Great Expressions Dental Centers
"In the second half of 2025, our priorities are focused on expanding access, enhancing patient care and engagement, and continuing to invest in our clinical teams and leadership. We’ve built a high-caliber and industry-leading executive team, with the recent promotions of Dr. Jessica Buehler as chief commercial officer and president, Nathan Smith as senior vice president of Care Delivery, and we've added a critical role and industry veteran, Theresa Neuhauser, as chief growth officer. The teams are focused on streamlining the patient journey by leveraging digital tools and optimizing front-office processes.
"Recruitment and retention of providers remain a critical priority, and we are advancing efforts to create supportive, high-performance environments where operators and clinicians can thrive. We also plan to deepen our use of AI and analytics to personalize care delivery and improve clinical outcomes. These initiatives reflect our belief that sustainable growth comes from continuously improving the experiences of both patients and providers."
Mick Janness, CEO of Oakpoint
"Our priorities are focused on talent retention, technology optimization, and disciplined growth. We are working to expand our human resources reach in helping practices better recruit, engage, and retain team members.
"We're accelerating AI-powered analytics and automation to streamline workflows, improve patient journey tracking, and enhance back-office operations. Finally, we continue to invest CapEx dollars to expand our existing footprints, with an emphasis on specialty care, where we see a significant runway for growth and differentiation in underserved markets."
Common thread ties priorities together
While each dental group brings a unique approach to growth, they are all focused on building scalable systems that support both providers and patients. Whether through AI adoption, talent development, or expanding access to care, these DSO leaders are preparing for a future in which innovation, efficiency, and clinical excellence will define the most successful dental practices.
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.
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