American Dental Hygienists’ Association Supports the Elimination of a Patient Procedure-Based Single Encounter Clinical Licensure Examination

Newswise | American Dental Hyngiensts’ Association | 6/27/18

The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) House of Delegates announced its support for the elimination of the patient procedure-based, single encounter clinical examination for candidates who are graduates of Commission on Dental Accreditation accredited dental hygiene programs and who are eligible to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination.

Read more here.

Private Equity is Pouring Money Into a Dental Empire

Bloomberg | Will Mathis and Tom Metcalf | 6/28/18

One of the richest dentists in the U.S. hasn’t seen a patient for more than two decades.

Richard Workman, 63, stopped practicing in 1996 to build his company, Heartland Dental, into a kind of Walgreens for the dentistry business. He scooped up one dentist office after another, and today Heartland has more than 800 in 36 states, making it the largest dental management company in the country.

Read more here.

Dental distribution and supply trends: An interview with DC Dental’s David Charnowitz

June 26, 2018 By Zachary Kulsrud, Chief Editor, Apex360
What do you think about your dental supplier? If you’re like most dentists and office managers, you’re demanding technology efficiencies, product expertise, and lower prices. That’s a tall order, but it’s why companies like DC Dental are rising to the top of the dental distribution game. DC Dental understands that to keep up in the age of Amazon Prime, you have to invest in your product. That’s why the company recently put $2 million into automation improvements at its Baltimore, Maryland, distribution center. What does that kind of money buy you? To find out, we talked to Dan Charnowitz, CEO of DC Dental. Charnowitz also identified key trends that he sees shaping the dental market. Read our exclusive interview to learn more.
Read more here.

The Disappearing Solo Practice Model in Dentistry

June 26, 2018 by Marc Cooper, DDS

A model disappears when it becomes obsolete. A model becomes obsolete when it reaches the end of its life cycle. I assert that the life cycle of solo practice in dentistry is ending. (1,2)

The definition of obsolete is “no longer in use or no longer useful; of a kind or style no longer current.” (3) According to this definition, solo practices are becoming obsolete. Many of those in solo practice won’t believe this. They will deny, disclaim, and strongly resist the idea that they are the last of their kind. But solo are like pen and paper, hard drives, car keys, checkbooks, landlines, passwords, desktop computers, cabs, portable music players, and retail stores—all things that are are becoming obsolete.

When you examine the obsolescence phenomenon, there are many clear indicators that it’s happening in dentistry. One sign of impending obsolescence is bad forecasting. (4,5) Solo practitioners are, of course, forecasting their longevity. Why is this? One reason is that many in solo practice don’t see the tremendous shift in consumer demands.

Read more here.

Smile Brands CEO Steven C. Bilt Named a Glassdoor Top CEO in 2018

IRVINE, CALIF. (PRWEB) JUNE 20, 2018

CEO of Smile Brands Inc. Steven C. Bilt has won a Glassdoor Employees’ Choice Award honoring the Top CEOs in 2018. Glassdoor, one of the world’s largest job and recruiting sites, released its annual report recognizing the Top CEOs, which highlights top leaders employees love working for in countries throughout North America and parts of Europe.

Read more here.

Sharing A Love of Service: A Young Dentist Reflects On Life As A Pacific Dental Services Supported Dentist

Group Dentistry Now | 6/19/18

Group Dentistry Now & Join DSO talk to Dr. Marisol King after her recent service trip to Guatemala. She is the owner of Cottonwood Smiles Dentistry & Orthodontics and a Pacific Dental Services®-supported dentist.

Read more here

Massachusetts Considers Licensing Dental Therapists

Heartland | Ashley Bateman | 6/14/18

A proposed law in Massachusetts would license dental therapist in the state who would provide oral healthcare services such as cleanings and some nonsurgical care under the supervision of a licensed dentist, particularly to low-income residents. The Massachusetts Legislature is considering expanding dental care access in the state, particularly for low-income patients, by licensing midlevel dental care providers known as dental therapists.

Read more here.

The Cons and Pros of DSO’s

Dental Town | Gordon J. Christensen, DDS, MSD | 6/13/18
In recent years, the concept of dental support organizations (DSOs) has continued to evolve and enlarge in the United States despite controversy. It is estimated that there are at least 1,000 DSOs, emerging DSOs and large-group practices in the USA with many others planning to start. The largest three DSOs are Aspen, Heartland and Pacific…This article includes an overall view of the apparent advantages and limitations of DSOs, and the reasons why some practitioners find DSO growth to be objectionable while others promote them.

Read more here.

Changing Demographics And Economics Are Leading To A Seismic Shift In How Dental Practices Operate, As Fewer Dentists Run Their Own Business

Reasons for the change: Younger dentists are leaving dental school more deeply in debt than in the past, sometimes shouldering half a million dollars in student loans before they start working. Dentists entering the field, including growing numbers of women, often want a work-life balance that business ownership doesn’t provide. And large group practices are expanding, sometimes with the backing of private equity money, dentists and other experts said.

Read more here.

Rock Dental Brands & Apex Dental Join Forces

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (News release) – Rock Dental Brands and Apex Dental, both of Little Rock, announced Thursday that they would be combining operations. Apex Dental’s six multi-specialty dental clinics and corporate support staff, led by Dr. Todd Stewart, will join the Rock Dental Brands team.

Read more here.