Dental salary in 2025: Comparing DSO vs dental practices
In 2025, dentistry continues to be the highest paid profession in the United States. However, with the rising cost of dental schooling, it is becoming more and more important to look at the difference in compensation between DSO and dental practices, and lifestyle in those settings.
According to the latest data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for dentists is approximately $179,210 as of May 2024. In fact, the average income for general dentists was approximately $218,710 (based on 2023 data). However, this measure reveals significant differences, based on the identity of the practice. Practice owners earn about $228,220 on average, compared to $177,110 for general dentists who are employed at the same time.
These statistics emphasize that dental practices – either as an owner or as an employee (often employed by DSO) -Can have a significant impact on income.
DSO VS. PREVICTION PRICACT PLAN: Who Earns More?
One of the most important considerations for dentists is the comparison between working for dental organizations (DSOs) vs private dental practices managed by dentists. A DSO is an organization that owns or manages dental practices and employs dental professionals directly. Data consistently shows that dental practice owners tend to earn more than friends or dentists who are employed by dentists. For example, a survey by the American Dental Association reported that dentists averaged $260,000 vs $184,000 for dentists employed in all types. Focusing on general dentistry in particular, fraudulent owners ~ $228,000 vs. ~$177,000 for owners. That’s a $50,000+ gap in annual income.
Why do private practice owners often get more? As owners, dentists open themselves up to additional sources of income, including the practice’s profit (after expenses) in addition to paying themselves a health worker’s salary. In a DSO or employee model, a significant portion of the money you produce goes to the organization, and you usually get a small percentage of the production. Owners can also build equity by increasing the number of shares in the practice, adding to their tenure compensation if they can sell their share of equity to build their initial capital. Some dentists are often surprised to appreciate the balance when they see a good payday.
Therefore, from a salary to a pure salary list and financial position, a dental practice offers the highest. For dentists, this ownership can be like holding equity in a business, while a DSO position is like receiving a fixed salary. The data clearly supports the financial benefits of general dentistry ownership by 2025.
More details here:
Dental work is back – I thought I was going to be rich but I found wealth in another way
Are the teeth right? Comparing being a pediatrician, editor, and podiatrist
Compensation structures and benefits: Key Differences
It’s not just a question of how dentists get it but how they get it (and what benefits come with the job) that differ between DSO and private practices. There are several notable differences that I have noticed. A few of the most important shares:
Paid Structure
In private practice, dentists (especially owners) are more likely to pay a flat salary or a fixed deductible. On the contrary, dentists of organizations / DSO are usually paid by percentage of production or collections. More than 60% of corporate dentists – both DSO middle owners and employee-reported employees – reported being compensated based on their performance (productivity) rather than their salary. Private acts also use production-based payment (especially friends).
But interestingly, 56% of independent business owners took an annual salary (they paid a set amount), while 70% of practicing partners had a percentage payment. This means that a new dentist joining a private office can receive a commission-style payment, while the owner deducts the salary from the profits. Organizational settings, on the other hand, often set compensation formats or “bands” tied to output among their employees.
Benefits Packages
DSOS usually offer much greater benefits than small private offices. About 60% of corporate dental offices offer retirement plans and 60% offer health insurance, compared to 50% of private practices that offer retirement and only 40% offer health insurance. In fact, an employee dentist in a struggling organization is twice as likely to receive health benefits and retire as a private practice associate.
Large organizations can reduce economies of scale by providing benefits such as 401(k), insurance, paid time off, and continuing education for a solo owner – something a solo owner can struggle to match. Therefore, while the raw salary is less than the DSO, the total compensation (salary benefits +) reports that he sought the security of those seeking US School degrees with $292,169 in student loans for dental school).
Workplace safety and support
Corporate employers often offer many contractual guarantees (eg, a minimum wage or guaranteed patient mobility). Many new graduates are attracted to DSOs for their perceived durability and low risk. With DSO, for example, there is no need to invest or manage the business upfront. DSOS also provides extensive operational support: everything from sales, HR, and billing to procurement is managed. This can translate to peace of mind and a more thoughtful visual diet. Ambitious freelancers, in contrast, grapple with these business responsibilities quickly, and can no longer outshine new dentists fresh out of school. However, with that responsibility comes independence and the ability to have a direct impact on their leadership potential.
Based on this research, it is clear that the compensation in Dentistry varies greatly by type – in fact, in fact, new resources are emerging to follow. For example, SalaryDr (dentist and stysician database) apparently allows users to filter by practice because of DSO health salaries, as well as education. Differences in the structure and benefits of benefits are a big part of why this difference in Pay exists.
Lifestyle Insights for general dentists
Compensation is only one part of any job processing. If we look at this compensation, we can see the difference in the lifestyles of these dentists. Data in SALARYDR reveals that general dentists enjoy structured careers with meaningful flexibility. Most respondents reported 3-4 clinic days per week, totaling 30 to 315 hours without weekends or call. The holiday was widely varied, but many took 4-6 weeks a year, facing a long break it is possible to make colleagues where colleagues cover. Participants in group settings or DSOs often benefit from predictable schedules, formal PTO packages and benefits, and reduced administrative burden – which creates a strong rhythm of health work and downtime. Several noted that dentistry itself feels relatively straightforward compared to the challenge of managing staff and insurance, emphasizing why some choose staff roles for convenience. To take a closer look at these lifestyles, salarydr maintains a growing database of dental salaries and lifestyle referrals, providing a real world understanding of these types of headaches.
Owners and partners, in contrast, emphasize independence within their schedules, some work as few days a week or set short hours every day. However, they also pointed out to the vendors: Once they are gone, the practice stops being productive, and the responsibilities of payment, compliance, and staff management follow outside of clinic hours. For new owners, especially in the first years after acquisition, workloads can register six or seven days a week before they become solid. However, in the long run, ownership can translate into better friends for distance hire, review programs, and weekend retreats.
In short, participants will be trading higher profits and less regulatory predictability, while owners will be trading longer-term volatility and lifestyle if their practices are mature.
More details here:
Why I sold my private equity practice, and why we should too
Why more dentists are going ‘out of network’ – and why that’s actually good news
Bottom line
The choice between hiring a DSO and private practice comes down to your priorities, and ultimately it will be a personal choice based on many factors, including lifestyle and family circumstances. However, if one values quick turnaround, teaching, and fewer headaches, a DSO or related role can be a good move. If, instead, your goal is to increase your income, equity, and independence and you are willing to put in the effort, aiming for ownership is a clear path to a great financial path.
Many dental professionals eventually combine these methods: Starting with a DSO or in a group to gain experience and pay off a loan, then transition to buying or starting a practice when it’s ready. By understanding salary and lifestyle data realistically in 2025, dentists can make informed career decisions that fit their financial goals and desired quality of life.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? Would you like to work for a DSO and possibly make less money or own a practice and have the potential to earn a higher salary? What is ownership worth?
