Andrew Smith on What’s in Store for DSOs in 2026

Episode notes

Have you ever thought about how DSOs have fundamentally shifted and redefined the dental market as a whole? In the latest episode of The Dental Economist Show, host Mike Huffaker sits down with Andrew Smith, CEO of the Association of Dental Support Organizations (ADSO), to explore the evolution of DSOs. What You’ll Learn: How to position your DSO for the next growth phase The operational systems that separate thriving DSOs from struggling ones Why licensing portability and dental insurance reform are critical regulatory wins How to defend DSO reputation amid private equity scrutiny The coming affordability conversation in public policy Why AI regulation for dental is 24-36 months away Tune in for a conversation that traces all that’s happened and all that’s coming our way. Episode Highlights: 06:06 The Evolution of the DSO: Disruptive Underdogs to Mainstream Practice Model Andrew explains that when he joined ADSO in 2021, DSOs still carried the "new kid on the block" mentality despite representing a significant market force, but this perception has fundamentally shifted as DSOs now comprise 30% of the dental marketplace with 40%+ of new dental graduates entering the space.