by The ADSO’s ongoing journey.
By Andrew Smith, Chief Executive Officer, ADSO
In June, the Association of Dental Support Organizations (ADSO) brought together an array of experts and pioneers across the dental industry, showcasing thought leadership and innovation at the 2024 ADSO Summit. Featuring keynote addresses, insightful panels, and collaborative breakout sessions, the Summit celebrated our Association’s collective progress and outlined our future direction.
During the Summit – named “Dentistry’s Main Event” – I had the privilege of presenting the “State of the DSO Industry” report, highlighting how far the ADSO has come from our humble beginnings. This gathering underscored the pivotal role that the ADSO plays not only in supporting dental professionals, but in also helping to ensure access to high-quality dental care to communities nationwide.
Over the past two decades, the dental support organization (DSO) industry has transformed from a nascent concept and into a key player in modern dentistry. When ADSO was first established, it began as a small study club for a handful of entrepreneurs with a novel idea about how to revolutionize the dental industry. Today, the ADSO is a respected thought leader within our industry.
The ADSO’s growth is a reflection of what can be accomplished through innovation, strong partnerships, and collaboration. Today, we have grown from a small group and into an association consisting of over 80 members, representing 8,500 practice locations, and supporting 15,000 dentists across the nation. But our expansion is not just about numbers and figures. It is about the meaningful impact we are making both on the dental industry and the communities we serve.
Since our founding, the ADSO has proudly championed forward-thinking policies and initiatives, from supporting important state legislation to providing resources for the next generation of dental care providers, as demonstrated by our innovative DSO Difference tool. Through our collaboration with policy experts and industry professionals, for example, the ADSO has been instrumental in devising innovative solutions to the ongoing dental workforce shortage, successfully advocating for license portability laws. Today, thanks to efforts between our Association and our partners across the dental industry, nine states have joined the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact.
Our commitment to being part of the solution to the challenges faced by modern dentistry extends beyond ensuring we have enough dental professionals to care for our growing population. In 2022, the ADSO supported a historic ballot measure in Massachusetts, establishing a dental medical loss ratio (MLR) standard. This policy ensures that patients’ premium dollars are being used to provide them with high-quality dental care. More, this landmark reform also creates greater transparency and accountability in dental insurance, creating a model for other states to follow.
The ADSO’s work is far from over. As demonstrated at the 2024 ADSO Summit, we are forging long-lasting partnerships with movers and shakers across the dental industry. These relationships, highlighted through the thought leaders featured on our panels and discussions, are crucial to our success and continued leadership in modern dentistry.
The evolution of ADSO from a small study club to an industry leader is a testament to the vision and dedication of our members and partners. We are proud of our accomplishments and excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.v
