What is a DSO?

June 11, 2024

In the dental world acronyms are the name of the game. There are so many that it can be a lot to keep up with. FMX, PMV, DOS…and so on. One that can be confusing is DSO. What does it stand for and what does it mean? Here, we will offer a brief explanation of what is a DSO. 

What does DSO mean?

DSO stands for Dental Support Organization, or, occasionally, Dental Service Organization.  Essentially, it is an entity that manages the support side of a dental office. A dental practice owner will usually contract with it so that they will manage the administrative, marketing, accounting, maintenance, and other business-related aspects of the office. 

Are dental offices owned by DSO’s?

It depends, some own the dental offices they support and others only contract with dental office owners for their support services. 

Can only new dentists join? 

No. Many new dentists join DSOs due to the administrative support they provide, but new and established dentists can contract with them. 

Do they provide clinical services? 

No, the licensed professionals in the dental office provide all clinical services. DSOs help with any or all non-clinical services. 

Do DSOs provide dental billing and other revenue cycle manager services? 

They do provide RCM services to dental offices. Some have in-house dental billers while others partner with services, such as eAssist, to obtain their RCM needs. 

Does eAssist work with DSOs? 

At eAssist, we are happy to support them with their revenue cycle management needs. We offer them customized solutions to help them collect all that is due them from dental insurance companies. 

While the definition of a DSO is fairly simple, they are complex organizations that can be divisive in the dental industry. Many resources delve into their specifics, such as this piece from DentalTown. Whether you work with a DSO or are a private practice, eAssist is available for all your revenue cycle management needs. To learn more, schedule a free consultation here.