Dental mergers and acquisitions (M&A) have been on the rise in recent years and for good reason. For many dental practices, M&A can offer a path to growth, increased revenue, and improved patient care. In this blog, take a closer look at some real-life examples of dental M&A deals that have been successful.
Smile Brands Inc. & Monarch Dental Corp.
Smile Brands Inc., a leading provider of business support services to dental groups in the United States, completed the acquisition of Monarch Dental Corp. in 2003. Monarch Dental Corp. was a dental practice management company that operated 66 dental offices in 10 states. The acquisition allowed Smile Brands to expand its presence in the Texas market and increase its overall revenue. Smile Brands continued to grow through strategic acquisitions, including Castle Dental Centers in 2004 and Bright Now! Dental in 2006.
Heartland Dental & American Dental Partners
In 2018, Heartland Dental, a leading dental support organization (DSO), acquired American Dental Partners, a DSO with operations in 21 states. The acquisition added more than 300 supported dental offices to Heartland Dental’s network, making it one of the largest dental service organizations in the country. The acquisition also helped Heartland Dental expand its geographic footprint and enhance its patient care capabilities.
Pacific Dental Services & Smile Keepers
Pacific Dental Services (PDS) acquired Smile Keepers, a dental practice management company with 21 offices in Oregon, in 2017. The acquisition allowed PDS to expand its presence in the Pacific Northwest region and provide Smile Keepers with access to PDS’ industry-leading business support services. The acquisition was a win-win for both organizations, as Smile Keepers was able to improve its patient care offerings, and PDS was able to expand its network of supported dental offices.
Aspen Dental & ClearChoice Holdings
Aspen Dental, one of the largest dental service organizations in the United States, acquired ClearChoice Holdings in 2018. ClearChoice Holdings was a dental implant provider with 39 locations in the United States. The acquisition allowed Aspen Dental to expand its offerings to include dental implants while also providing ClearChoice with access to Aspen Dental’s business support services.
Midwest Dental & ForwardDental
Midwest Dental, a DSO based in Wisconsin, acquired ForwardDental in 2018. ForwardDental was a dental practice management company with 29 offices in Wisconsin. The acquisition allowed Midwest Dental to expand its presence in Wisconsin and provide ForwardDental with access to its industry-leading business support services. The acquisition also helped Midwest Dental enhance its patient care offerings, as ForwardDental was known for its high-quality dental care.
These examples demonstrate the potential benefits of dental M&A deals. M&A can allow dental practices to expand their geographic reach, enhance their patient care offerings, and increase their revenue. As the dental industry continues to evolve, it’s likely that we’ll see more M&A deals in the future. However, it’s important to note that not all M&A deals are successful, and careful planning and execution are key to achieving a positive outcome.