Your Tech Stack, Unstacked
Chief Technology Officer, Henry Schein One
In my conversations with DSOs, I’m consistently struck by how many still rely on a patchwork of third-party vendors to run their operations. Think about the sheer number of systems involved in a single day—imaging, revenue cycle management, scheduling, analytics—each handled by a different tool. How much time is being wasted manually entering data, fumbling to find patient information, and clicking between tools?
In today’s rapidly evolving dental landscape, scaling successfully means investing in a tech ecosystem (tech stack) that doesn’t just support growth, but actively drives it.
To run your DSO effectively now and in the future, you need a tech stack that adapts easily, improves your team’s efficiency, and enhances every step of the patient’s experience.
What Your Tech Stack Should Do for You
When I talk about tech stacks, I’m referring to the tools and technologies you use to run your organization. Think of it this way: You don’t carry a phone, camera, voice recorder, and Walkman anymore. You carry a smartphone that gives you access to everything. A tech stack functions the same way.
Your tech stack is the heartbeat of your operation, and it should do more than just function. It needs to bring clarity and confidence at every stage. And when it provides the four things below, your DSO’s growth can finally be unlocked.
01
It Should Simplify Workflows and Amplify Results
Your tech stack should eliminate redundancies and manual tasks, dramatically reduce administrative workload, and—most importantly—help create a better patient experience.
A truly connected platform should create automated synergies between common workflows. I’m excited by the work our team has done to address this, streamlining the entire patient intake process, from booking to check-in to payment.
• Revenue cycles run themselves.
• Capacity planning is proactive.
• Patient experiences feel seamless, every time.
• Your data tells you what to do next—before you even ask.
A patient finds your practice on Google, books an appointment, and completes their forms—scanning their ID and insurance card right from their phone. That information flows directly into the patient record—no manual entry, no errors.
Insurance eligibility is verified automatically ahead of the visit—without front office staff spending time calling payors or digging through portals. Your patient walks in and your team is already prepared with their information and benefits confirmed.
During the appointment, imaging is annotated with AI and tied to the treatment plan with transparent cost visibility—giving patients the confidence to move forward. CDT codes are applied instantly. Claims go out clean. Denials drop. Cash flow improves. This is smarter care in action—where technology works quietly in the background, and your team gets back to focusing on patients.
I’ve seen large DSOs produce some significant results with a more connected platform. For example, Areo Dental, based in Chicago, has seen 20% growth thanks to connected cloud-based technology, revenue management automation, and real-time data analytics. 42 North Dental, based in Massachusetts, has seen the benefits of standardizing operations, and can now manage data collection, among other things, for all 96 of its practices.
02
It Should Protect Your Data
I firmly believe that credible technology companies have a responsibility to protect your patient and practice data, and the security measures they implement should be just as important as any other software feature.
You shouldn’t have to worry whether your practice management system is secure. Those controls should be in one place, managed by your vendor’s team of experts who handle security concerns like edge protection, secure coding practices, and cyber incidents.
Let’s bring back our friends at 42 North Dental: Security played a huge role in their decision to move to the cloud. Centralizing data management in a secure cloud environment provides a far more robust disaster recovery strategy than managing disparate, on-site servers.
One of the things I always say is, “It’s not a matter of if a breach happens, but when.” Data security is nonnegotiable. We were pioneers in this area with Dentrix Ascend as the first cloud-based practice management system to meet SOC 2 Type II compliance standards, which helps us protect against data breaches and offers a secure audit trail for prescriptions, treatments, and records.
Security is at the root of your tech stack, so the first question you’ll want to ask any potential software provider is “Do you have SOC 2 Type II certification?”
03
It Should Give You the Freedom to Connect—Anywhere
Being untethered from a physical workstation empowers real-time decision-making and the flexibility to pivot instantly as situations evolve. This mobility benefits more than just your team—it transforms clinical operations as well.
I often hear from DSOs how essential the cloud is to their operations. Doctors are able to seamlessly move between locations while maintaining access to all essential patient information. Scheduling and communication don’t need to be done at a desktop.
These DSOs are able to access key practice data and workflows from any internet-connected device, enhancing communication, collaboration, and overall efficiency across their team. For instance, FlossTime, a Boston-based mobile dentistry practice, depends on cloud-based Dentrix Ascend to access patient files, send texts for appointment reminders, and manage online bookings from anywhere.
I also hear how using the cloud helps you be you. For example, sending in a prescription after hours for a patient while you’re at your daughter’s soccer game or quickly checking a report in your car before taking your dog to an appointment—the cloud provides that secure, trusted connection when you need it, wherever you need it.
04
It Should Be Customizable to Meet Your Unique Needs
As part of my role as Chief Technology Officer, I’m constantly considering how technology can empower DSOs. With our API exchange, DSOs can effortlessly connect trusted third-party applications or build their own. This ability to build custom integrations has allowed DSOs like Kare Mobile to address very specific operational needs.
For instance, Kare Mobile developed DentaFlo, their own scheduling system that automates appointment booking. By connecting DentaFlo with Dentrix Ascend through our API, they’ve automated scheduling for over 1,500 appointments, resulting in significant time savings. This integration has also maintained or even improved productivity and no-show rates in various locations.
Fuel Your Growth
The smartest DSOs understand that the right tech stack doesn’t just accommodate growth—it fuels it. I hear the same message consistently: Centralized operations are not just beneficial—they’re essential. This centralization provides the clarity and consistency needed to make informed decisions, streamline processes, and ultimately drive scalable, sustainable growth across their entire DSO.
And the data bears that out. Our latest benchmarking report highlights top-performing DSOs, and the difference between the leaders who prioritize scalable, flexible tech ecosystems and the industry average is striking. Among other things, these leaders achieved:
This is the future we’re building: One where doctors are free to focus more on their patients and passion, not their systems, and DSOs can truly flourish. The momentum is real, the impact is growing, and we’re excited to be a part of it. Join us.
henryscheinone.com
833-210-7614
Alan Rencher is a technology executive at Henry Schein One, an innovative technology company that provides industry-leading practice management, market, and patient engagement solutions. Previously, Alan worked in executive technology leadership roles at MasterControl, Target, Melaleuca, and various other technology companies. Alan enjoys solving complex problems with incredible tech and even better people. Alan holds various engineering and computer science degrees. Alan resides in Highland, Utah, with his wife and four children.
