# Management services agreement (MSA)

**Management services agreement (MSA):** A management services agreement (MSA) is the contract under which a DSO or MSO provides non-clinical services to a dentist-owned practice entity in exchange for a fee.

A management services agreement (MSA) is the contract under which a DSO or MSO provides non-clinical services to a dentist-owned practice entity in exchange for a fee.

MSAs are how DSOs operate where state law limits ownership of dental practices by non-dentists. They are private contracts and are rarely filed publicly, so public records can undercount DSO affiliation.

Source: DDSIntel glossary, https://ddsintel.com/glossary/management-services-agreement

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