Private Equity Is Coming for Your Teeth – Jacobin

Private equity firms have infiltrated many key sectors of the American economy, but few realize how deeply they are reshaping the dental industry. From small-town clinics to regional practices, corporate dentistry backed by private equity is transforming dental care — often with alarming consequences for patients and providers alike.

Introduction: The Quiet Revolution in Dental Care

For decades, dental care in the United States was provided mostly by independent dentists owning their own clinics. But recent years have witnessed a seismic shift: private equity (PE) firms are acquiring dental practices at a rapid pace, consolidating them into large corporate chains. This trend, widely documented by news outlets such as Jacobin, is raising important questions about the future of dental health services.

In this article, we will explore how private equity is coming for your teeth, what that means for patients, dentists, and the broader healthcare ecosystem, and what you can do to navigate this new corporate-dominated dental landscape.

What Is Private Equity, and How Does It Relate to Dentistry?

Private equity refers to investment funds that acquire companies, often with borrowed money, aiming to increase their value over a short period and sell them for a profit. In dentistry, PE firms purchase individual dental offices or regional groups, then streamline operations, increase patient volume, and standardize services to maximize earnings.

Here’s a quick overview of how PE works in dentistry:

• Acquisition: Buying individual or group dental clinics.
• Consolidation: Combining multiple clinics under a single corporate brand.
• Optimization: Applying business strategies focused on profit, such as upselling procedures and reducing costs.
• Exit: Selling the consolidated group in a few years for a significant return.

The Effects of Private Equity on Dental Care

The entrance of private equity into the dental market has triggered profound changes. While it has brought some operational efficiencies, it also raises several concerns.

Positive Impacts

• Access to Capital: PE firms provide dentists with capital that can enable modernization of equipment and expansion of services.
• Streamlined Operations: Corporate practices often use advanced management systems to reduce administrative burdens on dentists.
• Standardized Care: Uniform service protocols can guarantee a basic standard of care.

Downsides and Risks

• Profit Over Patients: The drive for high returns can lead clinics to prioritize profitable procedures like crowns and implants over necessary but less lucrative care.
• Reduced Quality of Care: Increased patient quotas and pressure to upsell may compromise the dentist-patient relationship and treatment quality.
• Job Pressures on Dentists: Dentists employed by PE-backed firms may face restrictions on clinical autonomy and increased burnout.
• Cost Increases: Despite operational streamlining, some corporate chains pass costs on to patients, leading to higher out-of-pocket expenses.
• Market Consolidation: Less competition can reduce options for patients and small dentists alike.

Case Studies: Private Equity & Dentistry in Action

To better understand how PE impacts dental care, consider these examples:

First-Hand Experiences: What Dentists and Patients Are Saying

Many dentists working under private equity-owned groups share mixed experiences. While some enjoy stable income and less business stress, others lament the loss of professional independence and increased pressure to meet financial targets.

Patients often notice consistent branding and convenient locations, but some report feeling rushed, pressured into expensive procedures, or confused by billing practices. These firsthand accounts underscore the complex trade-offs involved.

Practical Tips: Protecting Your Dental Health in a Corporate Era

If you’re concerned about the encroachment of private equity in your dental care, here are some practical steps to advocate for yourself and your family safety and wellbeing:

• Research Your Provider: Check if your dental clinic is owned by a private equity firm or a corporate chain.
• Ask Questions: Don’t hesitate to inquire about the necessity and cost of recommended procedures.
• Seek Patient Reviews: Look for unbiased reviews to understand others’ experiences with a particular practice.
• Consider Independent Dentists: Whenever possible, support privately owned clinics where dentists may have more clinical freedom.
• Stay Informed: Follow news and articles on trends in dental care and healthcare privatization (like those from Jacobin) to understand broader industry shifts.

Conclusion: Navigating the New Dental Marketplace

The influx of private equity into dentistry is more than a business story — it’s a shift that affects the quality, affordability, and accessibility of dental health care in the U.S. While PE firms bring resources and efficiencies, their profit-first approach can clash with the foundational values of patient-centered care.

As patients and community members, staying informed and vigilant is key. Supporting practices that put patient welfare over profits helps ensure a future where your smile remains in caring, capable hands — not just the hands of capital investors.

For further reading, consult Jacobin’s coverage on private equity and dental care.