Staffing, meanwhile, is in flux. Before the pandemic, dental hygienists earned about $45 to $50 per hour. Today, the average salary has jumped to $75 per hour—but finding a hygienist remains a challenge. The hope is that more graduating hygienists will help address the shortage.

Another pressing issue is insurance reimbursement. While practice overhead has risen from 62% in the early 2000s to 65% today, insurance reimbursements continue to decline. This financial strain has driven DSOs to acquire more practices, leveraging their size for better negotiation with insurance companies. At the same time, many independent practices are choosing to drop PPOs entirely.

Change is inevitable, but it also brings opportunities for innovation and growth. Whether you’re considering selling your practice, pursuing ownership, or addressing staffing and reimbursement challenges, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Omni-PG is here to help you make informed decisions and take the best path for your practice. Reach out to us at info@omni-pg.com—we’re ready to guide you.