Is a group practice better than a single practice?

Neither model is fundamentally better. An owner-operated single practice usually offers the highest personal continuity, while a group practice bundles several specialties and often has longer opening hours. Both can work very carefully or less carefully. What matters is the individual practice and your needs, not the model alone.

Will the same person always treat me in a group practice?

That depends on the organisation. In smaller community practices a main practitioner is usually responsible throughout. In large chains the treating person can change depending on appointment and shift. When you register, ask directly how continuity is handled.

Are the hygiene standards the same in both models?

The formal requirements are the same. Both models must meet the SSO recommendations and the cantonal requirements. How carefully these standards are implemented day to day depends on the individual practice and cannot be pinned to the model in a blanket way.

Is treatment in a group practice more expensive?

There is no systematic cost difference between the models. The Swiss tariff order (SSO tariff) is standardised. The tax point value varies slightly between practices and can influence the end price by a few percent. For larger treatments you receive a written cost estimate in any reputable model.

What should I consider when moving from one practice to another?

Have your treatment documents handed over, such as X-ray images, treatment plan and implant documentation. The previous practice is obliged to release these on request. Clarify any warranty entitlements from earlier treatments. The new practice prepares a current assessment at the start as a starting point.

Group practice or owner-operated practice. Which model for which patient.

Two models, both legitimate

In Switzerland two main models of the dental practice have established themselves: the classic owner-operated single practice with one or two dentists, and the group practice (often also community practice or practice network), in which multiple practitioners work under one roof.

Both models are legitimate and serve different needs. This article shows the differences factually and helps with the question of which model fits which treatment situation and personal preference.

What an owner-operated single practice is

The classic single practice is run by a single dentist, possibly in partnership with a second person. The treatment team is small; all patients know each other in the practice team.

Properties:

Personal treatment continuity: the same person treats over years.
Direct responsibility: owner decides everything themselves and is personally reachable.
Limited specialization depth: a dentist cannot be a specialist in all disciplines. Complex procedures are often referred to specialists.
Limited opening hours: typically weekdays 8 to 18, closed on weekends.
Limited emergency availability: only during consultation hours, outside via emergency service.

What a group practice is

Group practice is a collective term for practice models with multiple practitioners. Variations range from smaller community practices (three to five persons) to large practice chains with centralized management and many locations.

Properties:

Multiple specializations under one roof: implantology, orthodontics, endodontics, sedation can be combinedly available.
Longer opening hours through shift operation or multiple practitioners.
Treatment continuity varies: with smaller group practices usually well preserved, with large chains the treating dentist can change.
Higher emergency availability through broader personnel capacity.
Standardized processes: treatment courses and hygiene standards are often systematized.
Higher investments in infrastructure: devices like 3D imaging, OR rooms, digital workflows are more often available.

Comparison by criteria

Personal relationship to the practitioner

Single practice: highest continuity, the same person treats over years.

Small group practice: high continuity, a main practitioner who is continuously responsible.

Large practice chain: variable, change of treating person depending on appointment and shift possible.

Specialization

Single practice: usually a general dentist with possibly a focus specialization. Complex procedures are referred to external specialists.

Group practice: often multiple specialties internally available. Implantology, endodontics, orthodontics, anesthesia can be coordinated in the same practice.

Opening hours and availability

Single practice: standard weekdays 8 to 18, often with lunch break.

Group practice: often extended opening hours, in some cases also on weekends or evenings.

Emergency availability

Single practice: via emergency service, often organized with other practices.

Group practice: often directly in own house, with better acute availability.

Hygiene and quality standards

Both models meet the SSO recommendations and cantonal requirements. The formal standards are equal. The implementation depends on the individual practice and can be very high or less careful in both models.

Treatment recommendation and sales pressure

Both models can work reputably or less reputably. Blanket statements are not possible.

In single practices the treatment recommendation is tied to the person of the owner, which can have pros and cons.

In large practice chains there are partly performance allocations or treatment quotas, which theoretically can lead to higher treatment pressure. In reputable group practices that is not the case.

Costs

The Swiss tariff order (SSO tariff) is standardized. The tax point value varies slightly between practices, which can influence the end price by a few percent. A fundamental cost difference between single practice and group practice is not systematic.

More on tariff logic in the article Health insurance at the dentist.

Which model for which needs

Patient with preference for maximum personal relationship

Recommendation: owner-operated single practice or smaller community practice with constant main practitioner.

Patient with complex treatment need (multiple specialties)

Recommendation: group practice with multiple internal specialties. Advantage: all specialists under one roof, coordinated treatment plan, short paths.

Patient with irregular working hours

Recommendation: practice with extended opening hours, often available in larger group practices.

Patient with emergency affinity

Recommendation: practice with own emergency service and weekend opening, independent of the model.

Patient in a smaller location

Recommendation: local single practice, because group practices in smaller locations are rarer. Personal relationship and familiar environment.

Patient with preference for modern infrastructure

Recommendation: often larger group practice, because investments in 3D imaging, digital workflows and operation rooms are more often made there. There are, however, also very well-equipped single practices.

Patient with preference for treatment under anesthesia or sedation

Recommendation: practice with internal anesthesia availability, often larger group practices or specialized practices. More in the article Anesthesia at the dentist.

What to consider when changing practices

Those who change from one model to another should clarify some points:

Handover of treatment documents: X-ray images, treatment plan, implant documentation. The old practice is obligated to release the documents on request.
Clarification of warranty services: if treatments with warranty promises exist, the handover to a new practice must be considered.
Recall appointments: coordinated dental hygiene sessions and check-ups are newly organized in the new practice.
Initial assessment: the new practice prepares a current assessment with possibly X-ray images as starting point for further care.

More on handover and assessment in the article on the cost estimate.

How Resident is organized

Resident is a practice group with six locations. We combine properties of both models:

Owner-operated locations: each Resident location is led by a leading dentist who is present on site and bears personal responsibility.
Specialists in multiple disciplines: Dr. Dejan Dragisic for oral surgery and implantology, Dr. Toloudis for orthodontics, trained anesthesiologists in Winterthur. Specialists rotate between locations so that the specialties are area-wide available.
Extended opening hours: several locations are open seven days, with emergency intake.
Common standards: hygiene, materials and treatment protocols are standardized across locations.
Personal treatment continuity: we choose for each patient a main practitioner who takes over the care over years.

Arrange an appointment for an initial consultation at one of our locations. We discuss your situation and the suitable treatment person for your needs.