Q3 2026 DSO Expansion: 70+ Affiliations, Where Platforms Are Building

Bypaulgruensfelder October 16, 2026

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Becker’s Dental Review September 28, 2026

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AI-Generated Summary

DSOs acquired, opened or affiliated with more than 70 dental offices in the third quarter of 2026, with activity concentrated in Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Texas and Tennessee. Becker’s Dental’s state-by-state tally, which it notes is not exhaustive, shows Florida leading partly because Dentalcorp entered the market through its acquisition of 21-practice Northstar Dental Partners. Heartland Dental, Aspen Dental, Lone Peak Dental Group, PDS Health, Specialized Dental Partners and Imagen Dental Partners were among the most active platforms, mixing de novo openings with partnership additions.

Why It Matters

The state map shows where platforms are competing for the same markets and whether they are growing by de novo or by affiliation. Multi-site dental leaders can use it to benchmark expansion pace and spot saturating regions.

DSO expansion dental affiliations de novo strategy Q3 2026 dental M&A multi-site dental market entry

While we aim to share useful and relevant resources, we do not guarantee the accuracy of content on this site or any external links. Views and opinions expressed in referenced content do not necessarily reflect those of Healthcare Growth Strategies.

Frequently asked questions

How many dental offices did DSOs add in Q3 2026?

DSOs acquired, opened or affiliated with more than 70 dental offices in Q3 2026, according to Becker’s Dental’s non-exhaustive tally. The list covers DSOs, dental partnership organizations and management services organizations.

Which states saw the most DSO activity in Q3 2026?

Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Texas and Tennessee had the most activity. Florida’s share was boosted by Dentalcorp’s entry through its acquisition of Northstar Dental Partners, a 21-practice DSO.

Which DSO platforms were most active in Q3 2026?

Heartland Dental, Aspen Dental, Lone Peak Dental Group, PDS Health, Specialized Dental Partners and Imagen Dental Partners appeared most often. Their moves combined de novo openings with partnerships and acquisitions across multiple states.

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