2nd half of 2023 shows shift in top 10 largest DSOs

Like DrBicuspid.com’s list of the top 10 largest dental service organizations (DSOs) in the U.S. from the first half of 2023, Heartland Dental, TAG - The Aspen Group, and Pacific Dental Services (PDS) held on as the top three spots. But others inched up the ranks.

While PDS has reached milestones, including opening its first location that offers dental and medical services, health and wellness company Sonrava Health, which includes DSO Western Dental, and DSOs MB2 Dental and Smile Doctors affiliated with more practices in the second half of 2023.

MB2 Dental saw the most growth, gaining a whopping 100 new practices since June. Meanwhile, Sonrava Health and Smile Doctors each added more than two dozen affiliates. All three organizations made our list of the top 5 fastest-growing DSOs in June. Sonrava Health position on this list fell one place due to MB2 Dental’s additions.

Top 10 DSOs

Organizations are ordered by the number of affiliated practices. All company websites were last accessed on December 19, 2023.

1. Heartland Dental

Number of affiliated/supported practices/offices: 1,700+
Brands: Individualized
Locations: 38 states
Note: In December, Heartland integrated AI software from VideaHealth into its practices.

Source: Press release dated December 5.

2. TAG – The Aspen Group

Number of affiliated/supported practices/offices: 1,100
Brands: Aspen Dental, ClearChoice Dental Implant Centers
Locations: 45 states
Note: TAG - The Aspen Group has launched TAG University, which offers continuing education and professional development courses to its members, including those affiliated with dental service organization Aspen Dental.
Source: Press release dated August 31.

3. Pacific Dental Services

Number of affiliated/supported practices/offices: Nearly 1,000
Brands: Individualized
Locations: 24 states
Note: In December, Pacific Dental Services opened its first co-located dental-medical practice, Culver Smiles Dentistry.
Source: Press release dated December 5.

4. Smile Brands

Number of affiliated/supported practices/offices: Nearly 700
Brands: Bright Now! Dental, Castle Dental, Merit Dental, Midwest Dental, Monarch Dental, Mondavi Dental, A+ Dental Care, Decision One Private Practice Group, and Johnson Family Dental
Locations: 30 states
Note: Smile Brands has not added any new practices in 2023.
Source: Company website

5. MB2 Dental

Number of affiliated/supported practices/offices: 650+
Brands: Individualized
Locations: 39 states
Note: In November, MB2 Dental announced that it anticipated adding more than 10 new affiliated practices monthly and has rolled out an intranet and app platform called Cerebro.
Source: Company website

6. Sonrava Health

Number of affiliated/supported practices/offices: 588
Brands: Western Dental, Mid-Atlantic Dental Partners, Brident Dental & Orthodontics, and Vital Smiles Dental & Orthodontics
Locations: 21 states
Note: In June, Sonrava Health, which includes DSO Western Dental, affiliated with 24 general dentistry and orthodontic offices in Arizona, Florida, and Pennsylvania.
Source: Company website

7. Affordable Care

Number of affiliated/supported practices/offices: 425+
Brands: Affordable Care Dentures & Implants, DDS Dentures + Implant Solutions, Advanced Dental Implant Center
Locations: 43 states
Note: On December 4, Affordable Care announced the grand opening of Affordable Dentures & Implants in West Nashville, TN.
Source: Company website

8. Smile Doctors

Number of affiliated/supported practices/offices: 415+
Brands: Individualized
Locations: 28 states
Note: In June, Smile Doctors raised $550 million in funding to continue company growth in 2023 and added five new affiliated practices.
Source: Press release dated October 11.

9. Dental Care Alliance

Number of affiliated/supported practices/offices: 400+
Brands: Individualized
Locations: 23 states
Note: In December, Dental Care Alliance announced that Victoria Garcia was named as its chief financial officer.
Source: Company website

10. Freedom Dental

Number of affiliated/supported practices/offices: 350+
Brands: Individualized
Locations: 42 states
Note: In July, Freedom Dental finalized the acquisition of the dntl bar in New York City.
Source: Press release dated July 14.

Honorable mention

Great Expressions Dental Centers

Number of affiliated/supported practices/offices: 349
Brands: Great Expressions, Ascent Dental Care
Locations: 10 states

Note: In May, Great Expressions announced that it was hit by a cybersecurity incident that disrupted some of its information technology operations and breached some sensitive personal data.
Source: Company website

The list of the largest DSOs is based on DrBicuspid.com's research of readily available public information. The information presented is not meant to be definitive but rather to provide a snapshot of the available data on the largest DSOs. In each instance, the information has been gathered through an organization’s website, press releases, previously published material, or other sources.

Some companies and information are not on this list because the information could not be confirmed by press time. If you are aware of missing information or an organization that should be on the list, please contact us.