From Bench to Boardroom: The DSO Shift Reshaping Dental Labs

As DSOs continue reshaping the dental landscape, lab owners and industry leaders are facing a new reality: procurement is more sophisticated, expectations are higher, and supply chain decisions are increasingly driven by data, scale, and operational efficiency. In this session, Blake Hibray delivers a candid look at what DSO consolidation means for dental labs — and what it takes to stay competitive in the next era of growth.

Drawing from his unconventional journey from science labs to dental supply chain leadership, Blake shares firsthand insight into how some of the country’s largest DSOs evaluate lab partners, manage external lab spend, and think about long-term strategic partnerships.

Attendees will explore the macroeconomic and operational pressures impacting the industry, the rapid rise of DSOs and the “flight to scale” driving 16–18% CAGR growth through 2030, and the procurement, transparency, and KPI expectations modern DSOs increasingly require from their vendors.

The session will also provide a practical market snapshot of the $198B global dental industry, unpack the forces shaping growth through the next decade, and help lab owners better understand where the market is heading and where to invest accordingly.

Key takeaways include:

•Understanding the economic and operational pressures reshaping dental labs

•Why DSO consolidation is accelerating and what it means for pricing power and partnerships

•What DSOs are actively looking for in lab vendors today

•How supply chain leaders evaluate risk, performance, and scalability

•Practical strategies labs can use to position themselves for long-term growth and relevance

Part industry forecast, part procurement masterclass, and part operator-to-operator conversation, this session offers a rare inside look at the evolving relationship between DSOs and dental lab partners.