How Joining a DSO Changed My Career and Perspective
If you’d asked me a few years ago what I thought about Dental Support Organizations (DSOs), my answer would have been far from positive.
Like many in the private practice world, I had this idea that DSOs were all about profit, with little regard for patient care. After all, how could a big, corporate-run organization possibly match the level of personal care you find in a private office?
I was convinced they were bad for dentistry—and bad for patients.
But as time went on, I found myself wanting more from my career. I’d been in the private practice environment long enough to see the limits of what it could offer me. I wanted to grow, to learn, to challenge myself in new ways. So, despite my initial reservations, I decided to take a leap and join a DSO.
And let me tell you—it completely changed the way I look at dentistry, business, and my career.
Learning the Business of Dentistry
The first thing I realized when I started working for a DSO was just how much I didn’t know about the business side of dentistry. I thought I had a pretty solid grasp of things after managing multiple private practices, but the scale and complexity of a DSO were on a whole different level.
Suddenly, I was learning about things like profit and loss statements (P&L), financial metrics, multi-practice/specialty management, marketing strategies, project management, affiliations, and HR policies—things I’d barely scratched the surface of before while being in private practice.
It was a little overwhelming at first, but also incredibly exciting. I started to see how everything fit together, how a well-run business could actually enhance patient care by giving providers the support and resources they need to focus on what they do best.
That’s not to say every DSO operates this way. Just like there are great private practices and not-so-great ones, the same goes for DSOs. Not every organization is going to be the right fit, and that’s okay. But when you find one that aligns with your values and priorities, the opportunities for growth—both personal and professional—are unmatched.
Navigating a New Kind of Politics
One of the biggest adjustments I had to make was learning how to navigate the dynamics of a large organization. In private practice, most of the decision-making rests with one or two doctors, which can feel personal and straightforward (for better or worse).
But in a DSO, you’re working with an entire network of stakeholders—regional managers, corporate teams, HR, marketing, you name it. Decisions are made collectively, which means there’s a lot of input from a lot of people.
At first, it felt a little chaotic. But once I got the hang of it, I realized how much thought and strategy goes into every decision. Sure, there are politics involved—there always are when you’re dealing with a large group of people—but it’s different. It’s less about personal preferences or favoritism and more about figuring out what’s best for the organization, the team, and ultimately, the patients.
This was a huge shift for me, but it taught me so much about communication, collaboration, and how to work within a larger system.
A Fresh Perspective on Patient Care
Ironically, the thing I was most worried about—patient care—turned out to be one of the biggest strengths of the DSO I joined. When the business side is well-organized, the clinical teams can focus entirely on what they’re trained to do: take care of patients.
I’ve seen firsthand how this structure allows for better resource allocation, improved access to care, and more support for providers.
Again, not every DSO is the same, but in the right environment, patient care doesn’t just survive—it thrives.
An Unpopular Opinion
I know my views on DSOs might not sit well with everyone in the private practice world. There’s still a lot of skepticism out there, and I get it—I used to feel the same way. But what I’ve come to realize is that DSOs aren’t inherently bad or good. They’re just different.
At the end of the day, it’s about finding the right fit for you. Just like working for a great doctor in private practice can be life-changing, working for a DSO with strong values and a commitment to care can open up doors you never knew existed.
The Bottom Line
Joining a DSO was one of the best decisions I’ve made in my career. It challenged everything I thought I knew about the business of dentistry and gave me a whole new perspective on what’s possible. While the politics and structure are different, they’ve helped me grow in ways I never expected.
For anyone considering a leap into the DSO world, I’d say this: keep an open mind. It might not be for everyone, but if you find the right fit, it can change your career—and your life—for the better.
About the Author
Chavelle Galton-Rice, MAADOM
Chevelle Galton-Rice has been in the dental field for over 22 years, holding various roles within the industry, such as dental assistant, manager, educator, and Director of Operations. As a manager, Chevelle supports and empowers others to grow and succeed, creating a positive and collaborative culture.
Chavelle has been a member of AADOM since 2015 and received her AADOM Fellowship in 2020 and Mastership in 2024. She enjoys spending time with her husband and their three kids in her free time while crocheting and drawing.
