Chicago – A Tale of Two Types of Dentistry

At some point in the near future, organized dentistry will have to finally accept the fact that dental support organizations and the group practice of dentistry are becoming the norm instead of the exception. While we are not there yet, the industry will get there, and much quicker than most anticipate. Crushing student debt, shifting generational career and life goals, and patient demand for convenient, one-stop dentistry, fueled by the infusion of capital into the dental sector, are accelerating the growth of the DSO/group practice model. For Group Dentistry Now subscribers, this comes as no surprise, but there is a large portion of dentistry that is reluctant to accept this inevitable industrial paradigm shift. (Click here to read more on why organized dentistry hates DSOs.)

Take a look at the city of Chicago. On Thursday, February 23rd, the 152nd Chicago Mid Winter Meeting (CMW) will be held in South Chicago at McCormick Place. The meeting is one of the largest dental meetings in the US, and showcases new dental products and services, as well as continuing education courses.  What you will NOT find at the Chicago Mid Winter are educational courses focused on dental support organizations or the group practice of dentistry.  You will find business courses only focused on the solo practice of dentistry.  (Review the course selections HERE.)

The best way to get information and education on dental group practices at CMW is to walk the exhibit floor and visit with some of the DSOs and group practices:

• Chicagoland Smile Group – Booth 4548
• Midwest Dental – Booth 608
• ImmediaDent / Samson Partners – Booth 2335
• North American Dental Group – Booth 1019
• Tru Family Dental – Booth 1948
• Aspen Dental – Booth 4647
• Benevis – Booth 1001
• Dental Care Alliance – Booth 1236
• Dental One Partners – Booth 3748
• Elite Dental Partners – Booth 2145
• Great Expressions – Booth 1245
• Heartland – Booth 4034
• My Community Dental Centers – Booth 5114
• Pacific Dental Services – Booth 4337

For additional dental support education, people will have to leave CMW and McCormick Place. Chicago is also the host city for the 14th Annual Healthcare and Life Sciences Private Equity and Finance Conference.  McGuire Woods and RSM US are hosting this event at the Four Seasons, near the magnificent mile, on February 22nd and 23rd. The two-day healthcare-focused private equity, lending and finance conference will explore new ways to close transactions and achieve growth, and there will be networking opportunities. The keynote speaker is Ben Stein. While this is a healthcare private equity event, there is a dental specific session on Wednesday, February 22nd from 2.45 – 3.25pm.

Here are some details of the session entitled, Dental Services Investments:  What’s Next for this Sector?:

• Justin Ishbia, Managing Partner, Shore Capital Partners, LLC
• Michael Kryza, Vice President, Business Development, Guardian Life Insurance Co. of America
• Mark Kramer, Managing Director, Duff & Phelps
• Matthew Smith, Vice President, Source Capital, LLC
• Rich Beckman, Chief Executive Officer, Great Expressions Dental Centers
• Bart Walker, Partner, McGuireWoods LLP (Moderator)

We look forward to uncovering more dental support organization and dental group practice educational opportunities in Chicago and beyond!

Beth Miller, Contributing Editor, GDN

Sources: McGuireWoods, Chicago MidWinter, RSM