GoKawiilStudy finds private equity dental ownership tied to higher prices, fewer dentists per office
A Health Services Research analysis led by Marko Vujicic examined dental practices acquired by private equity firms, finding PE investment in dentistry has grown sharply since 2013, totaling about $4.4 billion between 2004 and 2021. The study found PE-owned offices tend to employ younger dentists, operate in less rural areas, and differ from non-PE practices in submitted charges and staffing patterns before and after acquisition.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The rising share of multisite and PE-backed practices, alongside a drop in dentist practice ownership from 85% to 73% since 2005, suggests a structural shift in how dental care is delivered and financed in the US. Because PE firms typically target small, fragmented practices for consolidation, researchers' findings on pricing and staffing differences could inform ongoing debates about whether this ownership model affects patient costs and care quality.
- PE investment in dentistry reached roughly $4.4 billion between 2004 and 2021.
- Dentist practice ownership fell from 85% in 2005 to 73% in 2023.
- PE-acquired offices show distinct demographic and operational patterns compared to non-PE practices.
Source: dentaleconomics.com — Sarah Butkovic, 2026-10-14
Published there as: “Private equity ownership affects dental practices”
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