CHICAGO, July 2, 2025 — The ¸£Àû¼§ÊÓƵ (ADA) is aware of the acquisition of a chain of dental practices known as Cherry Tree Dental by Delta Dental of Wisconsin, an insurance company. The ADA, along with the Wisconsin Dental Association, believes this development raises deep concerns and important questions about the impact to dental professionals and patients, particularly if these types of acquisitions increase nationwide.
The ¸£Àû¼§ÊÓƵis actively reaching out to Delta Dental of Wisconsin to gain a clearer understanding of the nature and scope of this transaction. In parallel, we are assessing any potential legal and regulatory implications that may arise from this acquisition.
When an insurance company becomes both health care provider and insurance payer, questions arise regarding potential conflict of interest. From a business standpoint, dental insurance companies seek to minimize cost and maximize profit. As a result, patients may find their treatment options limited to what is most cost-effective for the insurer, not necessarily what is most effective for their oral health. The ¸£Àû¼§ÊÓƵbelieves that the health interests of patients are best protected when dental practices and other private facilities for the delivery of dental care are owned and controlled by a dentist licensed in the jurisdiction where the practice is located.
As always, the ¸£Àû¼§ÊÓƵremains committed to advocating for a fair environment in which all dentists, whether employed or practice owner, can thrive. The ADA’s priority is to ensure that dentists can continue to practice with autonomy and integrity, and that the patients they serve receive the highest standard of care.
We will provide updates on this matter as more information becomes available.
Current ¸£Àû¼§ÊÓƵPolicies
The following ¸£Àû¼§ÊÓƵpolicies were adopted by the ¸£Àû¼§ÊÓƵHouse of Delegates and are current as of press date.
Ownership of Dental Practices (Trans.2000:462)
Resolved, that the Association supports the conviction long held by society that the health interests of patients are best protected when dental practices and other private facilities for the delivery of dental care are owned and controlled by a dentist licensed in the jurisdiction where the practice is located.
Regulating Non-Dentist Owners of Dental Practices (Trans.2011:491; 2019:255)
Resolved, that in order to protect the oral health and safety of patients, and to ensure their continuity of care, the ADA, urge and assist constituent societies to advocate for the regulation of entities that provide dental services but are owned or controlled by non-dentists, non-dentist corporations, or dentists not licensed in that state, and be it further
Resolved, that licensing and state authorities be urged to establish regulations which hold entities providing dental services that are owned by non-dentists, non-dentist corporations, or dentists not licensed in that state to the same ethical and legal standards as those that are owned by state licensed dentists, and be it further
Resolved, that any entity providing dental services should be required to register with their state dental licensing board and obtain a business license from the appropriate state agency as required by law.