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Showing posts from February, 2026

ADA 2024 Dental Data | Dental Owner vs Dental Associate

 When owner dentists make $60,000 more per year than associates but have to work on average  an extra 260 hours per year to earn it, it says a lot about margins, risk, and the changing value proposition of ownership in dentistry. Let’s break it down. The Math $5,000 more per month for owners = $60,000 more per year 260 additional hours worked per year = about 5 extra hours per week $60,000 ÷ 260 hours = ~$230 per extra hour What This Means for the Dental Industry 1. The Ownership Premium Is Shrinking Historically, ownership meant: Significant income upside Equity growth Wealth creation If the income gap narrows to $60,000 annually — and requires significantly more time and stress — the financial incentive to own becomes less compelling, especially for younger dentists graduating with heavy debt. This partly explains why: More dentists are choosing associate roles Large DSOs are able to recruit talent more easily Fewer dentists are pu...

Co-Marketing with Industry Leaders: Elevating Patient Care in 2026

 As we look ahead to 2026, one of our biggest strategic priorities is simple—but powerful: intentional co-marketing with best-in-class dental partners . Dentistry is evolving rapidly. Technology, patient financing, digital workflows, and clinical innovation are moving faster than ever before. We believe the best way to keep delivering exceptional care is by collaborating closely with organizations that share our commitment to growth, service, and innovation. That’s why we’re proud to be deepening relationships and launching co-marketing initiatives with outstanding partners like Dandy , AirPay , Patterson Dental , and Denticon —with even more collaborations on the horizon. Why Co-Marketing Matters More Than Ever Co-marketing is about more than shared logos or joint announcements. At its best, it creates aligned value for patients, team members, and the broader dental community . Through strategic collaboration, we’re able to: Introduce patients to innovative treatment so...

Peoplr Partnership | Investing in our People

 At LADD Dental Group , we have always believed that our people are the heartbeat of our organization. The care we provide to our patients begins with the care, support, and investment we pour into our team members. That’s why we are incredibly excited to announce our new partnership with Peoplr — a collaboration that represents a major step forward in enhancing our workplace culture and team experience. Investing in Our Greatest Asset — Our People As we continue to grow across our communities, maintaining a strong, people-first culture is essential. Partnering with Peoplr allows us to be intentional and strategic in how we support, develop, and empower every team member across LADD Dental Group . Peoplr brings deep expertise in human resources, talent development, and organizational culture. Their partnership will help us ensure that our systems, communication, and leadership development pathways continue to evolve alongside our growth. What This Partnership Means for Our Team ...

Our Dental Community | Establishing Patient Trust

 At LADD Dental Group , community isn’t just a buzzword — it’s a foundational pillar of who we are and how we serve. Dentistry , at its core, is a people-first profession. Every smile we care for belongs to a neighbor, a family member, a co-worker, or a friend. That perspective shapes every decision we make, from how we design our patient experience to how we communicate outside the walls of our offices. We believe that when a dental practice is deeply rooted in its community, patients feel it. They see it in the way they’re greeted, in the transparency of conversations about treatment, and in the consistency of care over time. Trust isn’t built in a single appointment — it’s developed through relationships, education, and authentic connection. Community Means Showing Up — Even Outside the Office For us, community involvement extends far beyond clinical dentistry . Whether we’re supporting local schools, sponsoring events, partnering with charities, or investing in outreach initia...

Grateful for our Dental Community | 4,000 YouTube Subscribers

 At LADD Dental Group , community and gratitude are more than just words — they are two of our core values that guide everything we do. That’s why reaching 4,000 YouTube subscribers is such a meaningful milestone for our team. We are incredibly grateful for every single person who has chosen to follow along with us, engage with our content, and support what we’re building. Our goal with YouTube has never simply been to grow a channel. It has always been to create a space where patients, families, and community members can feel connected, informed, and empowered when it comes to their dental health and the profession at large. Whether we’re sharing patient education, behind-the-scenes moments, team highlights, community events, dental industry news or new technology we’re excited about — we hope our passion for dentistry and for people shines through in every video. Dentistry is, at its heart, a people business. The trust our patients place in us means everything, and platforms...

Dandy Clear Aligners | Clear Braces Near Me

  Clear aligner therapy has transformed orthodontics by making treatment more comfortable, discreet, and lifestyle-friendly compared to traditional braces. 1) Nearly Invisible Appearance Clear aligners are made of transparent medical-grade plastic, making them very difficult to notice. Ideal for working professionals, teens, and adults No metal brackets or wires in photos or meetings Popular systems like Dandy and Align Technology (maker of Invisalign) have driven widespread adult adoption. 2) Comfortable Dental Treatment Unlike braces: No metal brackets rubbing cheeks or lips No wire tightening appointments Smooth plastic edges reduce irritation Patients typically experience less soreness overall, especially after the initial adjustment period. 3) Removable Convenience Aligners can be removed for: Eating and drinking Brushing and flossing Special events or photos This leads to: Better oral hygiene during treatment No food restric...

Dental Appointments in Westfield | Dentist Near Me

If you’re searching for a dental appointment in Westfield , you’re not alone. With Westfield’s rapid growth and thriving neighborhoods, more families and professionals are looking for convenient, high-quality dental care close to home. Whether you’re new to the area, overdue for a checkup, or experiencing dental discomfort, finding the right dental office can make all the difference in your experience and long-term oral health. Why Regular Dental Visits Matter Many patients begin their search when something hurts—but preventive care is the real key to a healthy smile. Routine dental visits help: Detect cavities early Prevent gum disease Identify oral cancer risk factors Maintain fresh breath and a bright smile Avoid costly, complex procedures later Most dentists recommend checkups and cleanings every six months, though some patients may need more frequent visits based on their oral health history. What to Look for in a Westfield Dental Office Not all dental practices are the same....

De Novo Based Dental Model | Evolving Dental Landscape

 The shift of large Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) toward a De Novo (start-up) growth model —combined with their ongoing financial underperformance —has several important implications for the dental profession, private practice owners, associates, and the broader consolidation landscape. Below is a structured breakdown of what it likely means: 1. Why DSOs Are Moving to De Novo Large DSOs historically grew through practice acquisitions , but that model has become more difficult because: Rising acquisition costs Practice valuations surged from private equity demand. EBITDA multiples expanded significantly (often 8–12x+ for large platforms). Buying growth became expensive and margin-dilutive. Limited supply of quality targets Many top-performing practices have already been acquired. Remaining targets may have weaker payer mix, outdated facilities, or operational inefficiencies. Greater operational control De Novos allow DSOs to: Design offices for e...

Stellantis and Samsung SDI JV | Unknown Future Ahead

 Just three years ago, Kokomo , Indiana found itself at the center of the electric vehicle revolution. The announcement that Stellantis and Samsung SDI would build massive EV battery gigafactories in the community was transformational — not just for Kokomo , but for the entire Hoosier manufacturing economy. Billions of dollars in capital investment, thousands of future jobs, and global attention positioned Kokomo as a cornerstone of America’s electrified automotive future. Today, news that Stellantis is exploring an exit from its battery joint venture with Samsung introduces a new layer of uncertainty — and understandably raises questions across the region. A Look Back: The Scale of the Original Investment To understand the stakes, it’s important to revisit just how significant the original commitment was. The first StarPlus Energy battery plant represented an investment of more than $2.5 billion , with plans to create roughly 1,400 jobs . A second gigafactory announcem...

Ball State University | Proud To Be A Cardinal

 There are few chapters in life that shape you as profoundly as your college years. For me, being a student-athlete at Ball State University wasn’t just about earning a degree—it was about building the foundation for the leader and professional I would eventually become. To this day, I am incredibly proud to call myself a Ball State Cardinal. Playing college tennis at Ball State was one of the most rewarding and challenging experiences of my life. Tennis is often viewed as an individual sport, but at the collegiate level, it becomes something much bigger. You’re not just playing for yourself—you’re competing for your teammates, your coaches, and your university. That shift in mindset taught me one of the earliest and most valuable leadership lessons: individual performance matters most when it contributes to a greater team mission. Balancing academics and athletics required discipline at a level I had never experienced before. Early morning workouts, long practices, travel for matc...

De Novo Dental Model | DSO Growth Sea Change

 Over the past decade, large Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) fueled their growth primarily through aggressive acquisitions. Private equity capital, cheap debt, and a highly fragmented dental market made consolidation the fastest path to scale. However, the environment has changed — and so has the strategy. Today, many large DSOs are pivoting toward de novo (scratch start-up) development as a core growth engine. Several major organizations have publicly reinforced this shift. For example, PDS Health is planning 100+ de novo practice openings as part of its forward growth strategy, building on dozens of new locations opened in the prior year. Other DSOs that historically relied on affiliations are also testing or expanding de novo models as recapitalization cycles and acquisition economics evolve. Why the Strategic Shift? 1. Acquisition multiples compressed ROI As consolidation accelerated, competition for quality practices drove purchase prices higher, compressing return...