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Showing posts from 2026

Why Word-of-Mouth Referrals Are the True Heartbeat of a Successful Dental Practice

 At LADD Dental Group , we believe there is no stronger compliment a dental practice can receive than when a patient tells a family member, friend, coworker, or neighbor, “You should go to my dentist.” That simple recommendation means so much because it represents something that cannot be bought through advertising: trust. For us, word-of-mouth referrals are the true heartbeat of a successful dental practice. Dentistry Is About Relationships Dental care is personal. Patients trust our dentists and team members with their health, their smiles, their families, and sometimes even their fears and anxieties. That is why we believe building genuine relationships is at the center of everything we do. When a patient has a great experience, they remember it. They remember the team member who made them feel comfortable. They remember the dentist who took the time to listen. They remember an office that treated their family with kindness and respect. And when that experience is meaningful e...

Gorge Powerhouse | Learning And Inspiration

Recently, we had the opportunity to learn about the Gorge Powerhouse in Washington, and it was a great reminder that some of the most valuable lessons in business can come from places far outside of dentistry . Built in 1924 as part of the Skagit Hydroelectric Project, the Gorge Powerhouse has been producing power for more than 100 years. What makes it remarkable isn't simply the technology or the scale of the facility. It's the combination of people, systems, infrastructure, innovation and a clear purpose that has allowed it to continue serving its mission for generations. And as we look at the future of LADD Dental Group , there are several lessons from the Gorge Powerhouse that we believe we can incorporate into our own organization. Build Something That Can Outlast You One of the most impressive things about Gorge Powerhouse is its longevity. The original facility was constructed nearly 100 years ago, yet it has continued operating while technology, equipment and the surr...

Accelerated Dental Academy: A Great Opportunity to Start a Career in Dentistry

 At LADD Dental Group , we believe that a great dental practice is built by great people. From dentists and hygienists to dental assistants, front-office professionals, and patient care coordinators, every member of the team plays an important role in creating an exceptional experience for our patients. That is why we are excited about opportunities like Accelerated Dental Academy for individuals who are considering a career in the dental industry. A Fast-Track Opportunity to Enter the Dental Field For someone interested in dentistry , one of the biggest barriers can be figuring out where to start. Becoming a dentist or dental hygienist requires significant education and training, but there are other rewarding ways to build a career in dentistry . Dental assisting can be an excellent entry point. Accelerated Dental Academy provides individuals with the opportunity to gain practical training and develop the skills needed to begin pursuing a career as a dental assistant. Instead o...

Grateful for Our Growing Partnership with Dandy

 We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to continue developing our partnership with Dandy and to spend time with their team in Provo, Utah. Seeing their automated Crown and Bridge lab and AI-powered logistics workflow firsthand was truly impressive and gave us an even greater appreciation for the technology and innovation that goes into supporting dental practices . We also had the opportunity to meet one of Dandy’s founders, Toni Oloko , which was a highlight of the visit. Even more fun was discovering an unexpected connection through tennis—we found out we share a close mutual tennis connection through David Thomas and Gavin Manders . It’s a great reminder of how small the world can be! The trip was also extremely beneficial because of the opportunity to network with other dental professionals and peers who were part of the tour. Building those relationships, sharing ideas, and learning from others in the industry made the experience even more valuable. Most importantl...

The Ultimate Guide to Wisdom Teeth: Why Removal Matters and Where to Go

  For many teenagers and young adults, hearing the words " wisdom teeth " can bring up a lot of questions. Do they really need to come out? What happens if you leave them alone? Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the last set of permanent teeth to erupt in the mouth, usually appearing between the ages of 17 and 25. While a lucky few have enough space in their jaw for these teeth to grow in perfectly aligned, nine out of ten people do not. Leaving them unaddressed can lead to serious oral health complications. Why Wisdom Teeth Removal is Essential When there is not enough room for wisdom teeth to emerge properly, they often become impacted —meaning they stay trapped beneath the gum line or grow in at an unnatural, skewed angle. Proactively scheduling a wisdom tooth extraction is a crucial preventive step for several reasons: Prevents Crowding and Misalignment : As wisdom teeth force their way into an already full jaw, they push against your neighboring teeth. This pressure cau...

Comprehensive Family Dental Care | LADD Dental Group

 We’re proud to provide comprehensive family dental care because we believe great dentistry is about much more than simply treating a tooth—it’s about caring for the whole family and building relationships that last for generations. At LADD Dental Group , comprehensive family dental care means giving patients access to a wide range of services under one roof, from preventive cleanings and routine exams to restorative dentistry , cosmetic treatments, clear aligners , oral surgery, sedation dentistry , and more. This allows us to create personalized treatment plans based on each patient’s individual needs rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach. Just as importantly, we’re proud to serve children, parents, grandparents, and everyone in between. We love getting to know families over the years and being there through every stage of their dental journey. Our philosophy is simple: family serving families. We want our patients to feel comfortable, listened to, respected, an...

Grateful for the Rushville & Rush County Families We’re Honored to Serve

 At LADD Dental Group of Rushville , we believe dentistry is about so much more than teeth. It’s about people, relationships, trust, and becoming a part of the community we are fortunate enough to serve. As we continue growing our presence in Rushville and Rush County, we want to take a moment to simply say thank you . We are incredibly grateful for the families who have welcomed our team with open arms and trusted us with their dental care . From children coming in for their first appointments to longtime patients who have been part of the Rushville dental community for decades, every patient who walks through our doors is important to us. Thank You for Trusting Our Team Choosing a dental office is a personal decision. We understand that our patients are trusting us with something incredibly important—their health, their smiles, and the well-being of their families. That trust means everything to our team. We are grateful for every conversation, every smile, every referral, and...

Dr. Bala Sankuratri | LADD Dental Group

 There is something incredibly special about welcoming a new dentist into the LADD Dental Group family—and even more special when that dentist brings such a talented, positive, and compassionate team along with him. This month, we are thrilled to celebrate the one-month anniversary of Dr. Bala Sankuratri, DDS, MPH, BDS, and his remarkable dental team becoming part of LADD Dental Group! 🦷❤️ Dr. Bala has already made a tremendous impression on our organization, our patients, and the communities we are privileged to serve. He is currently caring for patients at our Kokomo and Peru locations , bringing an impressive combination of clinical knowledge, research experience, continuing education, and genuine compassion to every patient interaction. More Than a Dentist What has stood out most during this first month isn't simply Dr. Bala's impressive educational background—it's the way he approaches dentistry and the people around him. Dr. Bala earned his Doctor of Dental Surge...

Clear Aligner Treatment | Patient Benefits of Clear Aligners

At LADD Dental Group , we believe every patient deserves a smile they feel confident sharing. Clear aligner therapy has made achieving that smile more convenient, comfortable, and discreet than ever—and our partnership with Dandy gives our patients access to a modern digital approach to orthodontic treatment. A More Discreet Way to Straighten Your Smile One of the biggest advantages of clear aligners is that they are designed to be virtually invisible. Unlike traditional metal braces, Dandy Clear Aligners allow patients to straighten their teeth without brackets and wires being the center of attention. That can be especially appealing for adults and teens who want to improve their smile while maintaining a natural appearance throughout treatment. Comfort and Convenience Clear aligners are removable, which can make everyday life much easier. Patients can take their aligners out to eat and drink, allowing them to enjoy their favorite foods without many of the restrictions associated wi...

Cracks in Private Credit Persist | Potential DSO Ripple Effects

Federal prosecutors and the SEC are investigating whether Mark Walter-controlled insurers properly disclosed billions of dollars of investments connected to other Walter-controlled businesses. One insurer reportedly reclassified roughly $16 billion of investments as affiliated , representing about 37% of its invested assets. Why this matters to DSOs 1. The cost of capital for dental acquisitions could rise A huge amount of DSO growth has ultimately been fueled by institutional capital—private equity, private credit, banks, family offices and other alternative lenders. If regulators become more skeptical of private-credit structures, affiliated transactions and leverage , lenders may become more conservative. That could mean: Higher interest rates on DSO acquisition debt Lower leverage multiples More equity required from DSO sponsors More scrutiny of EBITDA adjustments Tougher underwriting of individual dental practices Longer acquisition processes This could be par...

Grateful for the Dandy Team and Their Commitment to Clear Aligner Excellence

 At LADD Dental Group , we believe that great dentistry never stops evolving. One of the things we value most is creating opportunities for our doctors and teams to continue learning, growing, and bringing the very best care to our patients. That is why we are incredibly grateful to the Dandy Clear Aligner team for coming on-site and providing our providers with such stellar, comprehensive clear aligner training! Having the Dandy team here in person made the experience especially valuable. Their hands-on approach, clinical expertise, and willingness to work through real-world cases gave our providers the opportunity to strengthen their understanding of clear aligner treatment and become even more confident in utilizing digital dentistry to serve our patients. Clear aligner therapy has become an exciting part of modern dentistry , but successful treatment is about much more than simply offering aligners. It requires thoughtful diagnosis, careful treatment planning, predictable...

LADD Dental Group of Bunker Hill | Dr. Sai Malpeddi

 We are incredibly excited to officially welcome Dr. Sai Malpeddi to LADD Dental Group of Bunker Hill as he begins seeing patients and caring for families in our community! Dr. Malpeddi brings a strong educational background, a passion for dentistry, and a genuine commitment to providing patients with thoughtful, comprehensive care. We are thrilled to have him become part of the LADD Dental Group family and look forward to seeing the relationships he builds with our patients and team. At LADD Dental Group , we believe that great dentistry is about much more than treating teeth. It is about building trust, listening to our patients, and creating relationships that last for generations. Dr. Malpeddi shares that philosophy, making him a wonderful addition to our Bunker Hill team. As we continue to grow and serve more families throughout North Central Indiana, adding talented and compassionate providers like Dr. Malpeddi allows us to expand access to high-quality family dental care...

Relationships > Everything | Grateful For Our Dentists

At LADD Dental Group , we believe dentistry has always been about more than teeth. It is about people. Every day, our dentists have the opportunity to build relationships with patients and families that can last for years—even generations. We believe those relationships are one of the most important parts of providing exceptional dental care . Dentistry Is Personal Going to the dentist can feel intimidating for many people. Patients are trusting us with their health, their smiles, their concerns, and often their fears. That trust cannot be built with technology or procedures alone. It is built through genuine relationships. Our dentists take the time to listen. They get to know their patients, understand their goals, answer questions, and help them feel comfortable. Over time, those conversations create something incredibly valuable: trust. And when patients trust their dentist , they are more likely to take an active role in their oral health and feel confident about the care the...

Dandy Clear Aligners | Grateful for Our Partnership

At LADD Dental Group , we believe that great dentistry is built on a commitment to lifelong learning. Our providers are constantly looking for ways to expand their skills, embrace new technology, and ultimately provide better treatment options for the families we serve across North Central Indiana. That is why we were especially grateful to have the Dandy Clear Aligner team join us for our most recent provider meeting and provide our doctors with comprehensive clear aligner training. The training was an incredible opportunity for our providers to go beyond simply understanding clear aligner technology. The Dandy team walked our doctors through treatment planning, case selection, digital workflows, clinical considerations, and strategies for creating predictable outcomes for our patients. Clear aligner therapy has become an important part of modern dentistry . When used appropriately, it can provide patients with a comfortable, convenient, and discreet way to improve both the appearan...