Emerging Dental Groups: Insights from Yankee Dental 2025
The Yankee Dental Congress Multi-Site Summit in Boston brought together leaders in the emerging dental group space, offering key insights into the challenges and opportunities of scaling a dental organization. Panelists shared firsthand experiences on organic growth, financial strategies, technology adoption, and patient experience.
Their discussions highlighted the need for strategic decision-making, operational efficiency, and strong leadership to manage the complexities of expansion while maintaining high-quality patient care. Here are some powerful lessons learned in this informative session.
Scaling Challenges and Solutions
One of the primary lessons shared by the panelists was that scaling a dental group requires more than just adding locations:
“We focus on organic growth from creating convenience, expanding access to services, and creating patient consumer evangelists,” said Adam Richichi, CEO of Archway Dental Partners. Their group adds additional lines of services including specialty care to foster growth.
Mark Doherty, DMD, CEO of D4 Practice Solutions (partner in Southeast Endodontics), and owner of Commonwealth Mobile Oral Health Services, highlighted the importance of strong operating procedures and standardized systems to facilitate communication across different settings.
Abhishek Nagaraj, DDS, and Anushka Gaglani, DDS, CEOs of Areo Dental Group, agreed. They shared how they’ve put systems in place around everything from answering the phones to scheduling to creating a formulary for their privately owned group with seven affiliated locations in Chicago.
Dr. Nagaraj also highlighted the success of membership plans, which increased both patient volume and revenue per visit at Areo Dental.
Financial Strategies: Understanding the Numbers
Financial discipline emerged as a recurring theme. Adam Richichi stressed the importance of having doctors understand the profit and loss reports (P&L). He advocated for a backward financial model, where a group starts with a vision—such as expanding to four practices—and builds a budget accordingly, factoring in both expenses and revenue to mitigate risks.
Dr. Nagaraj reinforced the importance of capital strategy, advising groups to monitor revenue per chair and patient capacity before expanding. His group proactively shares business reviews with lenders, strengthening financial partnerships.
Dr. Doherty took a different approach, opting for self-funding and lean operations. Given rising dental inflation, his group reassessed expenses, eventually eliminating their headquarters to transition to a fully remote model.
Leadership, Culture, and Future Trends
Leadership development was a focal point. Richichi acknowledged that building a strong leadership team early is critical, as overburdening key personnel can slow growth. Dr. Gaglani noted that defining core values is essential, as it ensures team alignment and commitment to the company’s mission.
Dr. Doherty stressed the need to lead by example, avoid micromanagement, and create an environment where staff feel valued. Listening to team input and giving credit where due fosters a positive workplace culture.
As for the future of emerging dental groups, the panelists predicted:
- Increased consolidation within the industry
- Widespread AI adoption, with groups unable to integrate AI likely being left behind
- More sophisticated financial strategies guiding sustainable expansion
Final Advice for Aspiring Group Owners
Panelists shared key takeaways for those looking to start their own dental groups:
- Adam Richichi: Leverage industry knowledge, avoid costly mistakes by learning from others, and use available technology to streamline operations.
- Dr. Abhishek Nagaraj: “Revenue is vanity, but cash flow is king.” Profitability, not practice count, should be the focus.
- Dr. Mark Doherty: Standardize processes to create predictable success across locations.
- Dr. Anushka Gaglani: Define your “why” before expanding. Growth for growth’s sake is unsustainable.
The session emphasized that scaling a dental group requires a blend of strong leadership, financial acumen, technological foresight, and a deep commitment to patient care. By focusing on these elements, emerging groups can position themselves for future success.
Strengthen Your Dental Group for Success
The insights shared at Yankee Dental 2025 highlight the critical factors for successfully scaling an emerging dental group—firm leadership, financial discipline, technology adoption, and a commitment to patient care. As consolidation and AI integration continue to shape the industry, staying ahead requires a strategic approach to operations and growth.
Planet DDS provides practice management cloud-based solutions designed to help dental groups and DSOs optimize financial performance and enhance patient experiences. Contact us to learn how our DentalOS™ technology can support your organization’s growth.
