Conquering Multi-Practice Management with One Platform

In today’s ever-evolving dental landscape, the growing trend toward multi-practice groups is reshaping the industry and the way management is done. Dental support organizations (DSOs) are on the rise as more dentists opt to join these group practices. According to the American Dental Association’s (ADA’s) Health Policy Institute (HPI), DSO affiliation climbed to 13% in 2022, up from 8.8% in 2017.

However, with this growth come challenges, from coordinating operations across multiple locations to supporting patients and staff with modern digital solutions. So, why are so many dentists choosing to work with a DSO in the first place, and how are they overcoming these difficulties?

What Are the Benefits of a Multi-Practice Partnership?

With their rise in popularity, DSOs have become a bit of a hot-button topic in the dental industry. Some find they make operations much easier, while others see these organizations as taking away control over their practice. To fully understand the power of a multi-practice management solution, it’s important to take a step back and look at the unique benefits and challenges of DSOs.

For many dentists, the decision to join a DSO comes down to three primary advantages:

• Dentists could have access to new more patients: When a brick-and-mortar location receives too many patients, the dentist can expand to treat more people.
• It’s typically a safe, lucrative investment: Dental practice consolidation has been a lucrative and safe investment for some for over three decades, according to Dental Economics.
• DSOs provide additional practice support: From new software to state-of-the-art hardware technology, DSOs often support dental practices with solutions, capital and equipment.

Despite these undeniable benefits, multi-practice organizations face the same difficulties as any dental office. By examining both the opportunities and obstacles they encounter, we can identify solutions that empower DSO practitioners to fully align and streamline their operations across their different locations.

Top Three Challenges of Managing Multiple Practices

Here are the top three challenges multi-practice organizations are currently facing. But don’t be discouraged, we’ll follow up with a simple solution for addressing all of these problems.

1. Siloed Data and Disparate Software Systems

Managing multiple locations across a DSO can present complications when it comes to connecting each office. Whether it’s software that requires complex, expensive custom integrations or siloed data systems that cause inefficiencies like swivel chair activities, the downstream impacts of this fragmentation can significantly reduce visibility and control. Moreover, trying to work between these systems often involves tedious, time-consuming manual tasks that leave room for error. The results are long wait times for patients, frustrated staff and overall confusion. Instead, DSOs need a way to centralize their data and workflows across all their locations.

2. Rising Patient Expectations

Patient demands are on the rise, with more people wanting to incorporate modern technology into their health care experiences. For instance, an Accenture study found that 60% of patients want to use tech like two-way messaging to improve communication and manage their treatment plans. In addition to communicating with their health care provider, patients also prefer to use digital tools for:

• Online appointment booking
• Appointment reminders and traffic notifications
• Virtual waiting rooms
• Insurance verification and billing

Providing these options not only creates a seamless, personalized experience for patients, it can also streamline administrative operations for DSOs.

3. Evolving Cloud-Based Technology

The third major challenge multi-practice organizations face is keeping up with the rapidly advancing world of technology. Many practices still use on-premise software solutions that limit data accessibility and often incur high licensing fees. Legacy systems also tend to be inflexible and difficult to integrate with new technologies. The resulting need for customizations can add complexity and costs on top of the existing IT resources dedicated to upkeep and updates. In contrast, cloud solutions expand accessibility while maintaining security—and the automatic cloud updates allow the software to scale with your dental organization.

Defying Difficulties with Dental Practice Management Software

Now that we understand the unique position multi-practice organizations are in (both in terms of their advantages and challenges), it’s time to see how they can manage it all successfully.

Cloud-based dental practice management software (DPMS) is an innovative digital solution designed to optimize every aspect of a dental organization, from clinical operations to business intelligence. With a modern cloud DPMS system, multi-practice locations can enjoy a suite of robust features and capabilities that:

Centralize Access and Control

Implementing a comprehensive DPMS solution across office locations can streamline multi-practice management by safely storing DSO data while providing unified access, visibility and control. With easy, secure, HIPAA-compliant access to patient records and financial information anytime and anywhere, dentists can also optimize their schedules and maintain a healthy work-life balance. At the same time, they can use the software to schedule daily workflows across locations and specialties.

Accelerate Dental Workflows

With this centralized DPMS solution, DSOs can further transform their dental practice workflows through streamlining and automation tools. Online appointment scheduling and revenue cycle management free up staff time, allowing them to focus on high-value tasks while offering patients a convenient self-service experience. Meanwhile, features like two-way texting and appointment reminders minimize late and canceled appointments, keeping patients satisfied and your schedule on track.

Scale With Multi-practice Growth

Finally, these DPMS solutions offer a host of cloud-based features that make them a game-changer for multi-practice organizations. With no additional IT infrastructure required, DSOs can optimize IT resource utilization and minimize up-front costs. At the same time, automatic updates without the need for IT support further streamline software upkeep while scaling with your dental organization.

Manage Multiple Practices on a Single Platform with Sensei Cloud

Sensei Cloud is the ultimate modern DPMS solution for multi-practice organizations. Built by and for dental professionals, our software boasts unparalleled versatility across locations and specialties. With its user-friendly interface and real-time dashboards, you can easily streamline daily workflows, access patient records and monitor business performance for all of your practice locations.

Take your multi-practice dental management to the next level with Sensei Cloud.