Ladd Dental Group

 Every organization has a “why.” For us at LADD Dental Group , our why has never simply been about dentistry . It is about people. It is about taking care of patients, supporting our doctors and team members, strengthening the communities we serve, and building an organization that our family—and the families we serve—can be proud of. LADD was founded in 1978 by Dr. John Ladd with a simple philosophy: put the patient first, and the money will follow. More than four decades later, that philosophy continues to guide the way we lead. Our Why Starts With Family LADD Dental Group is a family-run organization, and we believe that matters. Our goal isn't simply to build a large dental organization. We want to build a great dental organization —one where people know they matter. That means creating an environment where our doctors can practice great dentistry , our team members can grow in their careers, and our patients feel genuinely cared for. When we say “family serving families,” ...

  Dentistry is a profession built on lifelong learning. While dental school provides an outstanding clinical foundation, every dentist quickly discovers that graduation is only the beginning. New technologies emerge, treatment philosophies evolve, and every patient presents a unique opportunity to learn something new. At LADD Dental Group , we believe that one of the greatest advantages of practicing in a group dental environment is the ability to learn from one another. Our commitment to mentorship allows our doctors to continue growing throughout their careers while providing the highest level of care for the families we proudly serve throughout North Central Indiana. No Dentist Should Have to Practice Alone Private practice ownership can sometimes be isolating. Many solo practitioners are responsible for making every clinical decision, managing staff, overseeing operations, and navigating challenging cases without another doctor readily available for consultation. In a collab...

 The 2026 ADSO Summit was an incredible opportunity for our team at LADD Dental Group to learn from some of the brightest minds in dentistry , healthcare, finance, and business leadership. Events like ADSO continue to remind us how rapidly our industry is evolving and how important it is to stay engaged with new ideas, emerging trends, and innovative solutions that can ultimately benefit the patients and communities we serve. Throughout the conference, we had the opportunity to take in a tremendous amount of information from industry leaders who shared valuable insights on everything from practice operations and patient experience to technology, workforce development, and the future of dental organizations. As a provider-centric and patient-focused dental group, we are always looking for ways to improve and strengthen our organization, and ADSO delivered no shortage of great ideas. One of the highlights of the event was connecting with several outstanding professionals who are...

 At LADD Dental Group , we often talk about what it means to provide the gold standard in group dentistry . While that standard is reflected in our clinical excellence, technology, and team culture, the truth is—it’s not something we achieve alone. Behind every great dental organization is a network of trusted partners who elevate what’s possible. Today, we want to take a moment to recognize and express our gratitude for the dental community partners we lean on every day. Stronger Together Group dentistry thrives on collaboration. Internally, that means aligning doctors, hygienists, assistants, and support teams around a shared mission. Externally, it means building meaningful relationships with industry partners who help us stay ahead of the curve. From supply and equipment partners like Patterson, lab partners like Dandy or technology providers like Planmeca, and continuing education leaders like Accelerated Academy—these relationships allow us to deliver a level of care ...

 The dental industry is evolving—and for good reason. Patients expect more convenience, better technology, and a higher level of care than ever before. At the same time, dentists are looking for sustainable, fulfilling careers that allow them to focus on what they do best: treating patients. Group dentistry sits right at the intersection of those needs. When done well, it creates a model that benefits everyone involved—patients, doctors, and teams alike. A Better Experience for Patients At its core, group dentistry is about access and consistency. With multiple providers working collaboratively, patients benefit from: Expanded availability – more appointment options, shorter wait times, and easier scheduling Continuity of care – access to a team rather than relying on a single provider’s schedule Broader expertise – different doctors bring unique strengths, allowing for more comprehensive treatment planning Instead of feeling like they’re tied to one person’s ...

 💖 At LADD Dental Group , we’re incredibly grateful for the people and relationships that make our work so meaningful. For more than 20 years, Dr. Smith and Sue have worked hand in hand, proudly serving our North Central Indiana community with dedication, compassion, and a commitment to excellent patient care. Their partnership is a great example of what makes dentistry so special — trusted relationships, teamwork, and a genuine passion for helping others. It’s relationships like these that remind us that dentistry is about so much more than teeth. It’s about people, community, and the trust built over years of caring for patients and families. Thank you, Dr. Smith and Sue, for the impact you’ve made and for the example you continue to set for our team and our community. We are grateful for you and for the many relationships that make LADD Dental Group what it is today.

 At LADD Dental Group , we often get asked what makes our organization different from many other growing dental groups. The answer is something we think about every day: operational density . Rather than spreading locations across multiple states or distant markets, we have intentionally built a network of 10 dental offices within a focused geographic footprint here in Central and Northeast Indiana. This strategy allows us to support our doctors, teams, and patients in ways that a more scattered model simply cannot. Staying Local on Purpose In many industries, growth is often defined by expansion into as many markets as possible. But dentistry is different. Dentistry is fundamentally a people-driven profession , built on relationships between doctors, teams, and the communities they serve. By concentrating our practices within a specific region, we are able to stay deeply connected to the communities we serve while building a strong operational foundation behind the scenes....

 The convergence of Affordable Care’s restructuring and broader financial strain across large DSOs is more than an isolated credit event — it’s a signal of structural pressure in the dental industry. Below is a strategic, operator-level view of the impacts likely to unfold. 1) Capital structure stress → Slower DSO expansion & recap cycles Affordable Care’s restructuring is largely debt-driven: The company is working with turnaround advisers after a $2.7B leveraged buyout left it with expensive floating-rate debt. Rising interest rates materially increased debt service costs. This dynamic is industry-wide: Many DSOs and small groups financed growth with variable debt that has jumped from ~4% to 10%+ interest costs. Some platforms have been unable to recapitalize amid economic uncertainty. Impacts Fewer aggressive roll-ups and de novo expansions Lower EBITDA multiples on acquisitions More minority recap deals vs. full exits Delayed liquidity e...

 ❄️ Weather Closure Notice – Monday, January 26, 2026 ❄️ Due to the winter weather event yesterday and nearly 10 inches of snow accumulation , all LADD Dental Group locations will be closed today, January 26, 2026 . The safety of our patients and team members is always our top priority, and current road conditions make travel unsafe in many areas. We appreciate your understanding and patience. Our teams will be reaching out to reschedule appointments as quickly as possible. If you have an urgent dental need, please leave us a message and we will follow up as soon as conditions allow. Stay warm, stay safe, and we look forward to seeing you soon! ☃️🦷 — LADD Dental Group  

 At LADD Dental Group , exceptional patient care starts with exceptional people. While technology, systems, and facilities all play an important role, nothing has a greater impact on a patient’s experience than the dental providers who care for them. That’s why dental provider recruitment is such a critical part of what we do every day. Recruiting the right providers— dentists , hygienists, and clinical team members—is not simply about filling schedules. It’s about protecting quality, access, culture, and the long-term health of the communities we serve. Patients Feel the Difference When Teams Are Fully Supported When practices are understaffed or providers are stretched too thin, patients feel it. Appointments become harder to schedule, visits feel rushed, and continuity of care suffers. By prioritizing recruitment, we ensure our practices are properly staffed so patients benefit from: Timely access to care Unrushed, attentive appointments Consistent providers they ...

 At LADD Dental Group , our purpose has always been clear: provide exceptional, accessible dental care to Indiana families while creating an environment where great dentists can do their best work. One of the most important—yet often misunderstood—parts of achieving that mission is dentist recruitment. Recruiting the right dentists isn’t just a growth strategy. It’s a patient care strategy. Great Patient Experiences Start With Great Dentists Every positive dental experience begins with the clinician in the operatory. Clinical skill, chairside manner, communication style, and judgment all directly impact outcomes, comfort, and trust. When we invest time and resources into recruiting talented, compassionate dentists, our patients feel the difference immediately. Strong recruitment allows us to: Reduce wait times and improve appointment availability Maintain continuity of care as communities grow Match patients with dentists who fit their clinical and personal needs ...

  Dentists burnout is one of the most pressing issues in our profession. Thinking about how to support our providers and staff around burnout is critical. Below are several ways our dental group is combating dental provider burnout, based on best practices in dentistry and team health. ✅ What practices and culture can help prevent burnout • Promote a supportive, communicative team culture Hold regular team-meetings or “huddles” to review workload, share concerns, and give people a chance to speak up if they feel overworked. Encourage open communication, feedback, and a culture where contributions (big and small) are recognized and appreciated.  Celebrate “small wins” — finishing a tough case, a great patient outcome, a teamwork win — to reinforce positivity and create a sense of accomplishment.  • Distribute workload & clarify roles / responsibilities Make sure tasks (clinical work, admin, scheduling, paperwork, etc.) are distributed fairly so no ...

  In the realm of healthcare, dental care often stands out as an overlooked necessity. While most individuals prioritize medical insurance, dental coverage is frequently seen as an add-on or even neglected altogether due to its perceived costliness. However, the landscape of dental care is evolving, with discount dental plans emerging as a viable alternative to traditional dental insurance . In this post, we'll delve into the cost-saving benefits that discount dental plans offer compared to their conventional counterparts. Understanding Traditional Dental Insurance: Traditional dental insurance operates on a familiar model: pay monthly premiums in exchange for coverage of certain dental procedures. While this setup provides peace of mind, it often comes with significant drawbacks: High Premiums: Monthly premiums for dental insurance can be costly, especially for comprehensive coverage that includes major procedures. Deductibles and Co-pays: Even with insurance, patients are ...