Southern Family Dental Partners Expands Tennessee Footprint with 6 More Locations

DSO Spotlight

Southern Family Dental Partners (SFDP), an Emerging Dental Group to Watch winner in 2024 (see their EGTW acceptance speech below), announced its acquisition of Schmitt Dental. With six locations in Rudolphtown Rd., Fort Campbell Blvd, Hendersonville, Mt. Juliet, Goodlettsville, and Smyrna, Schmitt Dental ensures citizens across the Nashville metropolitan area have access to state-of-the-art dental care.

The addition of Schmitt Dental represents a significant milestone for SFDP, enhancing its presence in Tennessee and bringing the total number of managed practices in the state to twelve, with twenty-two locations across the Southeast. Most of their offices are branded.

The Challenge Facing Dental Professionals

Southern Family Dental Partners began as a solution to a problem. Their founders understood many small to medium-sized dental practices lack the internal resources needed to fully manage the business. The emerging dental group was founded by dental professionals, for dental professionals.

Many management companies feel their only choices are to sell to a new dentist straight out of dental school or to a large DSO. But a lot of newly graduated dentists are dealing with high levels of debt from school, and some DSOs often don’t recognize the importance of the private practice experience for general dentistry, nor do they appreciate the work-life balance that most of us are seeking. That’s what makes Southern Family Dental Partners different.

Juloy Raymer, CEO of SFDP, said, “The addition of Schmitt Dental into the Southern Family Dental Partners organization expands our footprint into most of Tennessee allowing us to introduce our take on Southern hospitality to a larger patient population. The dentists who have joined us through this acquisition of six locations are world-class, both in service and quality as they love practicing dentistry and taking care of their patients. Steve Schmitt, founder and owner, has already been a great addition to the clinical leadership of SFDP as his vision and recruitment expertise have already been of great value in making the organization stronger and poised for continued growth.”

Enhancing Patient Care Through Collaboration and Expertise

Integrating Schmitt Dental into the SFDP network offers numerous benefits. The Schmitt team brings a reputation for excellence in patient care, innovative approaches to dentistry, and strong ties to their local communities. Their addition allows SFDP to further strengthen its foundation of clinical expertise and compassionate care. By leveraging SFDP’s dedicated network of business and operational support, Schmitt Dental’s talented providers and staff can focus entirely on delivering exceptional service to their patients.

“We are thrilled to welcome Schmitt Dental’s six new practices to our SFDP team! Each location brings a wealth of talent and expertise, allowing us to enhance our commitment to providing exceptional dental care. Together, we will continue to create healthy smiles and foster a supportive community for our patients,” said Heather Lowery, SFDP Vice President of Operations in Tennessee and Arkansas.

About SFDP

SFDP is a private equity backed regional DSO with an aggressive growth strategy. It was founded in early 2022 by the late Jason Kirkpatrick with seven offices and ten dentists in Tennessee and Georgia.

SFDP has rapidly expanded, more than doubling its footprint across the Southeast, with over 130 employees. SFDP’s remote-based executive management team provides the organization with the flexibility and scalability needed to thrive in a diverse geographic landscape.

Diversity and Employee Benefits

With women composing 80% of its leadership, SFDP proudly distinguishes itself as an industry leader. The organization places a strong emphasis on employee well-being, offering a comprehensive benefits package, student loan repayment, matching 401 K, CE allowances, bonus opportunities, and comprehensive medical, vision, and dental care for full-time employees and their immediate family members.

SFDP prioritizes the importance of preserving the patient-provider relationship during transitions. With a diverse group of providers and employees that mirror community demographics, SFDP ensures that patients receive care from a familiar team invested in their oral health and daily lives. This approach reinforces trust and collaboration between patients, providers, and practices, aligning with SFDP’s mission.

Growth Strategy

SFDP’s acquisition strategy, aligned with its vision and core values, has led to the successful rebranding and integration of all practices. These practices offer a range of services, from general dentistry to specialized dental and cosmetic treatments, catering to the unique needs of their respective communities.

SFDP often partners with practices ill-suited for larger DSOs. They have been successful at maximizing growth potential in rural and midsized underserved communities by improving efficiencies and strategic recruiting. Only partnering with practices that have a long-established reputation for excellence, they take the mission to continue the trust and the legacy of the selling doctors seriously.

Collaborative Approach

One of SFDP’s key strengths is its collaborative approach to problem-solving. With an emphasis on open communication and innovation, the organization fosters an environment where ideas, systems, and processes are continually refined, optimized, and shared with input from dentists, team members and patients.

The SFDP Clinical Advisory Board meets regularly to discuss changes impacting the industry, the needs of the regional geographies, and the company. This allows their dentists to provide direction in the clinical movement of the company as it relates to adapting new technology, collaboration on best practices and emerging trends within the industry, in addition to providing CE opportunities. The Clinical Advisory Board enables dentists to continue to grow and mentor as they move throughout their careers, growing their collegial network with dentists in all stages of their careers.

Community Involvement

SFDP prioritizes maintaining a presence in each community, actively participating in charitable initiatives, educational programs, and meaningful community events. Their commitment to giving back was particularly evident in 2023 when they provided free dental services to Veterans in select clinics. Demonstrating their dedication to supporting local communities, they have also partnered with local organizations to host food and toy drives.

Key Successes and Challenges

In their brief history, SFDP has steadily incorporated new practices and expanded support teams, championed technological advancements, successfully rebranded, and diversified service offerings. However, they face challenges such as emerging Walmart Health Centers, supply costs, wage growth and talent development and retention typical in the industry.

Growth Goals

In 2024, SFDP focused on affiliating with the right practices to support its goals, expanding its services, and scaling solutions. The organization aimed to incorporate more advanced technology, enhance marketing efforts, and establish an internal educational and CE program.

Looking ahead in the next 5 years, SFDP plans to increase to 40-50 locations, triple its revenue, and expand into Mississippi, Kentucky, and South Carolina.

SFDP’s future expansion also includes venturing into pediatric, oral surgery, and orthodontic services, further diversifying its offerings and solidifying its position as a leader in the dental support organization industry.

Key SFDP Executives:

Juloy Raymer, CEO
Madi Hoesten, Vice President of Integration
Brandy Denton, VP of Operations, GA & AL
Robert Schenck, Controller
Heather Fowler, Vice President of Operations, TN and AR

All SFDP Affiliated Practices:

Athens Family Dental
Arlington Family Dental
Augusta Family Dental (4 locations): Hephzibah, Washington Road, Summerville, Medical District
Bloomingdale Dentistry
Chattanooga Family Dental
Clarksville Family Dentistry
Hiawassee Family Dental
Knoxville Family Dental
Maryville Family Dental
Millen Family Dentistry
New Beginnings Dentistry
Washington Family Dental
Wynne Downtown Dental
Schmitt Dental (6 locations)