Dykema 2025: Navigating M&A, Staffing Challenges, and AI Integration

The Dykema DSO Conference is one of the largest gatherings in the dental industry. This year, more than 2,500 professionals met in Denver for three full days of sessions, networking, and candid hallway conversations.

What Technology Trends Came Up Over and Over Again?

Jessica: AI was a big one, especially for revenue cycle management. People are looking for ways to streamline the whole process — from when a patient schedules an appointment, to what happens in the front office, to whatever clinical work is being done like X-rays or treatment, and then all the way through billing and insurance. The goal is to take as much of that off staff as possible.

Moderator: So, basically end to end?

Jessica: Exactly. The goal is to take as much of that off staff as possible.

Chris: Back-end processes through RCM automation were a huge focus, especially with AI. And it ties into one of the big slides we saw, “The Anatomy of a Successful DSO.” One of the first points was right-sized overhead that leverages technology. AI fits right into that.

Jessica: That slide also called out things like understanding the business of dentistry, getting along with affiliated dentists, and using technology to address staffing shortages and expense reduction. Those were all topics we heard in conversations too.

“AI in RCM is about more than efficiency; it’s about freeing providers from the paperwork business.” – Jessica Welcher

What Pain Points Are Top of Mind for DSOs?

Chris: Staffing challenges. Specialty practices in particular have more work than there are providers. Finding good ones is always tough.

Jessica: Onboarding after M&A is another big one. Some DSOs try to keep every practice the same with the same PMS, IT company, and vendors. Others just let each dentist do their own thing. The problem is that if you wing it too long, you grow too big, nothing is organized, and then you have to backtrack.

"Staffing and M&A integration are where DSOs can win or lose momentum." — Jessica Welcher

Moderator: So mergers and consolidation tie into that?

Jessica: Yes. And the 2025 DSO Mission Statement they showed on screen really connects here. It talked about providing the highest quality patient care while using selective M&A strategies, leveraging technology to streamline operations, and creating same-store growth. Those are the exact conversations we were having in the hallways.

Which Sessions or Keynotes Stood Out?

Jessica: The standardization debate I mentioned. Two CEOs with totally different approaches. One wanted everything standardized. The other believed too much standardization risks losing provider engagement.

Chris: I liked the “Anatomy of a Successful DSO” session. It captured so many of the operational and cultural pieces that make DSOs thrive, like maintaining a positive culture and integrating specialty services. I also thought the Planet DDS announcement was interesting. They are integrating X-Chart for vitals capture, which is a big win for oral surgery practices.

Jessica: And I loved the keynote about the Disney method. Ten points on how they wow guests and cast members — things like empowering the team, creating memorable moments, gathering feedback regularly, and personalizing the experience. All of that translates directly to patient experience in dentistry.

Were There Any Surprises at Dykema 2025?

Chris: The speed of AI adoption. And the compliance risks that come with it. We heard about a large DSO that had to pay a big settlement because they ran audio recordings through AI in a way that was not HIPAA-compliant. They could record under state law, but they could not process the recordings the way they did.

Jessica: I missed that one. That’s a big deal.

What IT-Specific Needs Came Up Most?

Jessica: Field services. Even with remote support, DSOs want boots on the ground. They want to know someone can be there physically when needed.

Chris: IT due diligence during acquisitions was another recurring theme. Smaller groups especially need someone to evaluate systems before they sign a deal. That’s where vCIO-level consulting makes a difference.

“Skipping IT due diligence in M&A is like buying a building without inspecting the wiring.” – Chris Gibson

Any Competitor or Partnership Insights?

Jessica: Black Talon was very visible. They focus only on cybersecurity but market themselves extremely well. We should figure out a way to partner with them.

Chris: I met an MSP that invests a full month in training new techs before they ever work on client systems. Then they spend another month shadowing. It is impressive. We do not do that today, but it is something I would like us to get to.

"Partnerships are the throughline. With clients, vendors, and even other MSPs."— Chris Gibson

Final Thoughts from Dykema 2025

Jessica: It was jam-packed with information and conversations. You hear from the largest DSOs and their leaders, and you see different perspectives on what is working and what is not. AI is big. Security is big. And everyone wants partners they can rely on.

Chris: Partnerships are the throughline. With clients, vendors, and even other MSPs. The industry is moving fast, and staying plugged in is how we stay ahead.

Whether you were in Denver or catching updates from home, the big themes from Dykema 2025 were clear. AI is moving into everyday operations, DSOs are looking hard at how they handle M&A and standardization, and partnerships are front and center. The conversations were energetic, honest, and focused on what it will take to grow in the year ahead. We are ready to help DSOs turn those ideas into action.

Want to see how these trends could shape your DSO’s IT strategy? Let’s talk.