'Expanding access to care has always been our primary mission'
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Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) are an increasingly popular practice model in dentistry. With more than 1,000 practices, Aspen Dental is a big name in the DSO space. Sundeep Rawal, DMD, is Aspen Dental's senior vice president of implant support services. Hundreds of dentists have trained in implant therapy under his leadership. In addition to his clinical expertise, Dr. Rawal educates dentists on the business side of practicing. He spoke to Dental Bite about some of the trends Aspen Dental is watching, how the DSO keeps its dentists competitive and the practice model options available in today's dental landscape.
What do you think are some of the biggest trends shaping the DSO space this year?
There are a few things that come to mind immediately, early adoption being the first. Technologies evolve quickly, and I think we are going to see changes in the next few years in the way we leverage artificial intelligence, data, diagnostics and more. For example, we’ve already seen how AI improves the way clinicians diagnose but there’s even more that we can apply within the organization and throughout the industry in the near future. As the rate of change continues to increase, so do the expectations of patients.
How is Aspen Dental responding to those trends?
I’m most excited about the trajectory of implant therapy and how it will have a positive impact in the way clinicians supported by Aspen Dental deliver care to their patients. For decades, dentures have been the solution for those with tooth loss that are constrained by life situations, finances, etc. Today, with the help of technology, the doctors supported by Aspen Dental can provide affordable dental implants paired with premium prosthetic solutions that look and function the most similarly to natural dentition.
One direct way we are responding to the growth and expansion of technology within dental implants is through the TAG Oral Care Center of Excellence (OCC). The OCC formally opened in 2022, and to date, we’ve trained hundreds of doctors in implant therapy while donating more than $17 million in free dental care to residents in and around Chicago.
Given how competitive the dental market is today, how does Aspen work with its practice owners to create competitive differentiation?
The network of Aspen Dental-supported independently owned offices has responded very positively to not only the training we’ve provided, but also the affordability they’re able to offer their patients. Expanding access to care has always been our primary mission of the organization, and the developments being made within implant therapy continue to fuel that mission.
Through technology and innovation, we can make certain processes easier, take less time and make implant therapy more affordable. The work we’re doing at Aspen Dental focuses on breaking down those challenges by providing a simple, reliable and more accessible offering.
What advice do you have for new dentists considering the variety of different practice model options?
A huge advantage of today’s dental industry landscape is the number of ways modern clinicians can practice dentistry. My advice to new, or even more experienced dentists, considering a change is to evaluate what their top priorities and non-negotiables are in the way they want to practice. For example, how important is ongoing mentorship and career development to you? What are your core values, and do those values match the organization or practice you are considering? What kinds of procedures do you want to be doing every day? The answers to these questions will give you a much clearer picture of which models are the best fit for you as a clinician.
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