Let’s face it—there are more types of dental practice models today than ways to floss (and you know patients will still do both wrong if you don’t guide them).
Solo? Group? DSO? FFS? Membership?
It’s not just alphabet soup. The model you choose will determine whether your practice is a revenue rocket or a financial dumpster fire.
But here’s the dirty secret:
Most dentists pick a practice model based on what their old boss did—or what some “consultant” recommends on a golf course.
Want to actually win in 2025 and beyond? You need the facts, the trends, and—yep—a little recurring revenue magic.
STORY
Meet Dr. Alexa.
When she graduated, she had no idea which path to take. Corporate DSO recruiters called daily. Her uncle said “open your own shop.” Instagram was pushing “dentalpreneur” vibes hard.
She started as an associate in a group practice—good people, meh profits, less freedom. She tried a DSO next: decent pay, zero control, and endless meetings.
Finally, she launched her own membership-based fee-for-service (FFS) practice, using BoomCloud™.
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Her income tripled
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She worked less
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Patient loyalty was off the charts
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MRR and ARR replaced insurance headaches
Now, Dr. Alexa teaches other dentists how to pick the right model for their personality and goals (and avoid soul-sucking burnout).
Here’s your golden epiphany:
The best dental practice model is the one that fits your values, profit goals, and lifestyle—AND leverages recurring revenue through memberships.
Why? Because the old way (chase PPOs, pray for referrals, hustle for one-time treatments) is officially dead.
Modern practice winners focus on loyalty, recurring revenue, and maximizing revenue per patient—no matter the model.
Ready to pick your model (and maximize profit)? Let’s break it down.
THE BIG PLAYERS: TYPES OF DENTAL PRACTICE MODELS (AND WHO WINS)
1. Solo Private Practice
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You’re the boss (and the janitor, HR, and IT support…)
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Full control, unlimited upside, high risk
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Median net income: $218,000 (ADA, 2024)
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Pro tip: Pair with a membership plan for stability and 2–4X higher revenue per patient
2. Group Practice
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Share overhead, grow faster, get more support
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More time off, potential for in-house specialties
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Median net income: $275,000
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Membership plans help smooth revenue between docs and maximize per-patient value
3. DSO (Dental Service Organization)
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Corporate-owned, big resources, less autonomy
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Guaranteed salary, but you’re a cog in a big machine
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Median associate pay: $167,000
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Some DSOs now offer in-house membership plans to drive MRR/ARR
4. Associate Dentist
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Paycheck, minimal business risk, zero control
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Best for new grads or those avoiding business headaches
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Median associate pay: $142,000
5. Specialty Practice (Ortho, Perio, Pedo, etc.)
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Narrow focus, often higher margins, more referral-dependent
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Membership plans = game-changer for uninsured, cash-flow stability
6. Membership-Based (Subscription) Model
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Fee-for-service, but recurring revenue rules
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Predictable cash flow, less insurance drama, higher patient retention
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MRR average for mature practices: $10,000–$25,000+ per month (BoomCloud™ data)
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Patients spend 2–4X more; practice valuations skyrocket
WHY MEMBERSHIP PLANS SUPERCHARGE ANY PRACTICE MODEL
Let’s break it down with stats:
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Membership patients spend 2–4X more per year than non-members
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ARR (Annual Recurring Revenue) makes practices 32% more valuable at sale (Dental Economics)
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Patient retention jumps to 85%+ with well-run membership plans (BoomCloud™ analytics)
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Dr. Alexa saw her per-member revenue go from $590/year to $1,925/year after integrating memberships
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Memberships = predictable MRR, less team stress, and way more freedom
CASE STUDY: How Dr. Alexa Made the Switch (and Won Big) with BoomCloud™
Dr. Alexa was stuck in the group vs. DSO hamster wheel—nice people, nice pay, zero fulfillment.
She launched a solo, membership-driven FFS practice with BoomCloud™:
Year 1:
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370 active members paying $39/mo (plus upsells)
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MRR: $14,430
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ARR: $173,160
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Per-member spend: 3.2X higher than non-member patients
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No insurance drama, predictable cash flow, and patients who actually show up
Her advice? “Choose your model, but ALWAYS add a membership plan. It’s the only way to future-proof your practice in the 2020s.”
QUICK BULLET LIST: PROS & CONS OF POPULAR DENTAL PRACTICE MODELS
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Solo Practice
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✅ Full control, flexible schedule
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❌ High risk, solo stress
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Memberships = financial safety net
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Group Practice
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✅ Shared risk/resources, growth potential
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❌ More personalities, profit split
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Memberships = team-wide recurring revenue
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DSO
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✅ Resources, steady paycheck
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❌ Less autonomy, cookie-cutter care
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Memberships = bonus profit centers (some DSOs)
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Associate
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✅ Low risk, learn business
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❌ No equity, limited growth
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Perfect way to learn the ropes before launching a membership practice
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Specialty
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✅ High margin, referral-rich
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❌ Niche dependence, referral feast-or-famine
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Memberships = more predictable revenue, cross-referrals
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Membership-Based FFS
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✅ Ultimate control, recurring revenue
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❌ Must market harder, need a clear offer
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Most future-proof, highest per-patient value
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SEO/ENGAGEMENT CHECKLIST FOR “TYPES OF DENTAL PRACTICE MODELS”
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Keyword in Title, Meta, H1, intro/conclusion, subheads, image ALT (target 1–1.5% density)
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1200+ words, up-to-date data, stories, real-world examples, bullet lists
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External links: BoomCloud™, ADA, Dental Economics
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Internal links: “Best Dental Membership Plans,” “How to Increase Patient Loyalty”
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CTA + comment prompt: “What’s your practice model and why? Drop your wins (or fails) below!”
THE TAKEAWAY
The best dental practice model?
It’s the one that fits your life, lets you serve patients your way, and makes your bank account smile (not just your patients).
But if you want profit, loyalty, and freedom, bolt on a membership plan—no matter what model you pick.
Solo doc? Group? DSO? FFS?
Add a membership engine and watch your MRR, ARR, and patient satisfaction soar.
Stop playing defense. Build a business that works for you.
CALL TO ACTION & RESOURCES
Ready to maximize profit (no matter your model)?
References:
Author: Jordon Comstock (in spirit, always irreverent)
Practice Model Nerd, Membership Revenue Fanatic, Dental Industry Disruptor
