Heartland Dental launches Masters and Mentors: The Podcast and refreshed Heartland.com experience. Jul 27, 2026, 13:05 ET New thought leadership podcast and enhanced digital experience create a stronger platform for industry insights, career exploration and affiliation discovery EFFINGHAM, Ill., July 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Heartland Dental, the nation's leading dental support organization, today announced the launch of Masters and Mentors: The Podcast, a new podcast series designed to bring forward real conversations about the future of dentistry and a refreshed Heartland.com experience designed to highlight the organizations' commitment to its doctor-led culture and support model. Together, the new podcast and refreshed website strengthen Heartland Dental's digital presence by creating a more engaging experience for key audiences, including doctors, practice owners exploring affiliation, career seekers, dental professionals and others interested in the future of oral healthcare. "Heartland Dental has an incredible story to tell, and our digital experience plays an important role in how people first engage with who we are and what we offer," said Sherianne James, Chief Marketing Officer at Heartland Dental. "The refreshed Heartland.com experience was designed to make that journey clearer, more purposeful and more engaging. When paired with the launch of Masters and Mentors: The Podcast, we are creating new ways for supported doctors, practice owners, candidates, and industry audiences to connect with Heartland Dental's leadership, industry experience and vision for the future of dentistry." Masters and Mentors: The Podcast is hosted by Bill Bloink, DMD, Heartland Dental Founding Partner and features conversations with leaders, doctors and industry voices on key topics shaping dentistry today. From clinical innovation and practice growth to leadership, business fundamentals and changing patient expectations, each episode offers practical insights, real-world experiences and forward-looking perspectives. "Dentistry is both a clinical and business profession, and doctors are navigating more change, opportunity and complexity than ever before," said Bill Bloink, DMD, Heartland Dental Founding Partner and host of Masters and Mentors: The Podcast. "This podcast creates a space for honest, experience-driven conversations about what it takes to lead, grow and provide exceptional care in today's dental landscape. My hope is that listeners walk away with practical insights, new perspectives and a stronger connection to the people helping shape the future of our profession." The first episode, "AI & What's Next in Dentistry," features Dr. Bloink in conversation with Tim Quirt, DDS, MBA, Heartland Dental's Senior Vice President of Clinical Operations, and Seth Gibree, DMD, FAGD, Senior Director of Clinical AI and Innovation, for a discussion on how artificial intelligence is influencing dentistry and what it could mean for the future of patient care. The episode explores how technology can help refine clinical precision, support doctors in diagnostic workflows and give doctors and teams additional insight while keeping clinical judgment and the doctor-patient relationship at the center of care. Masters and Mentors: The Podcast is designed for doctors, hygienists, dental office team members, students, industry partners and anyone interested in the future of dentistry. New episodes will feature experienced voices sharing leadership lessons, industry insights and practical perspectives from across the dental profession. Listeners can hear the first episode of Masters and Mentors: The Podcast and subscribe at Heartland.com/podcast or find the series on leading podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music. To support the podcast and strengthen how visitors engage with Heartland Dental online, the company also introduced a new Heartland.com experience. The enhanced site creates a clearer, more intentional journey for practice owners exploring affiliation, with streamlined access to relevant resources and information. It also provides career seekers with a more direct path to opportunities on the Heartland Dental careers site. About Heartland Dental Heartland Dental is the nation's largest dental support organization, providing non-clinical administrative support services. What started from the entrepreneurial spirit of Rick Workman, DMD, with his single dental practice, has evolved into affiliating with over 3,000 doctors in over 1,900 locations across 39 states and the District of Columbia. The company is majority owned by KKR, a leading global investment firm. For additional information, please visit heartland.com. Media Contact Jessica Thompson, Vice President of Communications [email protected] SOURCE Heartland Dental

Heartland Dental CEO Pat Bauer receives 2026 Dental Titan Award for leadership and lasting impact on doctor-led dentistry. By Heartland Dental Industry recognition celebrates Bauer's people-first leadership and enduring commitment to Heartland Dental's doctor-led culture and support model EFFINGHAM, Ill., August 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Heartland Dental, the nation's leading dental support organization, announced today that Chief Executive Officer Pat Bauer has received the 2026 Dental Titan Award, an honor for individuals whose leadership, innovation and service have impacted the dental industry. Bauer was recognized during Dykema's 13th Annual DSO Conference for in Denver, Colorado. The Dental Titan Award honors leaders whose accomplishments, service and influence have made a lasting impact on the dental profession. Bauer's recognition reflects his decades-long commitment to developing leaders, supporting doctors and advancing a culture built on collaboration, respect for clinical autonomy and genuine care for people. "I've had the privilege of working alongside Pat for decades, and few leaders have had a greater impact on Heartland Dental's culture, growth and commitment to doctor-led dentistry," said Rick Workman, DMD, Founder and Executive Chairman of Heartland Dental. "Pat has always believed that when doctors are supported, connected through community, and empowered to lead, extraordinary things happen for their patients, teams, communities, and the profession as a whole. His humility, integrity, and unwavering commitment to people have shaped not only Heartland Dental but also helped influence the future of dental support and leadership development across our industry. The Dental Titan Award is a well-deserved recognition of a leader who has spent his career helping others succeed." "Pat's impact can be seen not only in how Heartland Dental has grown, but also in the people he has developed and the culture he has worked tirelessly to protect," said DeAnn McClain, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Heartland Dental. "He leads with humility, purpose and genuine care for people. This recognition is a meaningful reflection of the kind of leader Pat is and of the doctor-led culture and support model he has helped strengthen for decades." Throughout his leadership, Bauer has helped guide Heartland Dental's growth into one of the largest and most respected dental support organizations in the country while remaining focused on the principles at the center of its doctor-led support model. His commitment to leadership development and innovation, combined with a strong respect for Doctors' clinical judgment, has helped create opportunities for supported doctors and their teams to thrive while they deliver exceptional patient care. Bauer has also championed continued investment in people and the belief that organizations become stronger when leaders create opportunities for others to learn, grow and succeed. His approach encourages supported doctors and team members to share knowledge, learn from one another and work together to advance dentistry and improve the patient experience. "I am incredibly grateful for this recognition, but the impact it represents belongs to the people who have built Heartland Dental and continue to make it stronger every day," said Bauer. "Our supported doctors, team members and partners inspire one another to keep learning, collaborate generously and never lose sight of the patients and communities we serve. Leadership begins with kindness, curiosity and a commitment to helping others succeed, and I am blessed to work alongside people who embody those values every day." The Dental Titan Award reinforces Heartland Dental's leadership in doctor-led dental support and reflects the organization's commitment to advancing the profession forward through leadership development, mentorship, innovation, and collaboration. As the company continues to support doctors and teams across the country, it remains focused on creating opportunities to support clinical excellence, professional growth and exceptional patient experiences. About Heartland Dental Heartland Dental is the nation's largest dental support organization, providing non-clinical administrative support services. What started from the entrepreneurial spirit of Rick Workman, DMD, with his single dental practice, has evolved into affiliating with over 3,000 doctors in over 1,900 locations across 38 states and the District of Columbia. The company is majority owned by KKR, a leading global investment firm. For additional information, please visit heartland.com. Media Contact Jessica Thompson, Vice President of Communications [email protected]

Tim Aten Knows: businesses building in Golden Gate Estates. * By Tim Aten * Jun 12, 2026 * 2 Q: I was wondering if you have a diagram that shows all the businesses that will be built in the Orange Blossom complex between the new Big Corkscrew Road and Hawthorn on Oil Well. So far, I know of the following: tire store, Chipotle, gas station, and I just heard a possible Chick-fil-A and not sure about the Starbucks. Thanks. - Scott Bohm, Golden Gate Estates A: The Oil Well Road outparcels fronting the Emblem Orange Blossom apartments are the last businesses to be built as part of The Shoppes at Orange Blossom development on a former citrus grove between Palmetto Ridge High School and the entrance to the Orange Blossom Ranch gated residential community in Golden Gate Estates. From west to east, those businesses include a Circle K convenience store with 12 fueling stations and a car wash on the southeast corner of Big Corkscrew Drive and Workman Way; and a Chick-fil-A restaurant with dual drive-thru lanes next to it on the southwest corner of Workman Way and Champs Avenue, Collier County permitting plans show. "I believe they are breaking ground late summer," said Aryel Perring, regional development director at WMG Development, the developer of The Shoppes at Orange Blossom - including the more than 7.5 acres of outparcel lots, which have individual ground leases. Perring could not confirm any of the businesses coming to the outparcels on the vacant commercial land, but on-site "coming soon" signs are up on some of the lots, and all of the proposed businesses have plans pending in the county's Growth Management permitting portal. The parcels on the western side of Champs Avenue lag behind construction of the easternmost outparcel lots. "We have broken ground on the eastern pod, the three parcels on the far east," Perring said. "We are doing the site work for all three of those buildings." Vertical construction is quickly occurring for those businesses, especially the Chipotle Mexican Grill with a "Chipotlane" pickup window that is taking shape on the center lot. Flanking Chipotle will be a multitenant building shared by a Starbucks drive-thru and a Heartland Dental office on the southeast corner of Workman Way and Champs Avenue; and an eight-bay Mavis Tires & Brakes service center on the southwest corner of Workman Way and Hawthorn Road. Perring anticipates those outparcel businesses to open early next year. "I think early 2027 is a fair assessment; Q1, Q2 for a good chunk of the ones that are under construction," she said. All of the lots are owned by Shoppes at Orange Blossom LLC, an affiliate of WMG Development and Heartland Dental based in Effingham, Illinois. The future Heartland Dental office at The Shoppes at Orange Blossom will do business with a neighborhood name similar to its nearby affiliates, Orangetree Dental Care and Dental Care at Winchester Center. Quarterra is the multifamily developer of the 284-unit Emblem Orange Blossom apartments under construction at 1905 Champs Drive directly behind the outparcels. Workman Way separates the outparcel lots from Emblem. "My understanding is that they are progressing very well and I believe the intention is stabilization toward the end of the year, but I can't confirm that," Perring said. The one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments will have open-concept living, dining and kitchen layouts with stainless-steel appliances and modern cabinetry, countertops and fixtures. Units feature a washer and dryer, spacious bedrooms and closets and private patios or balconies. Monthly rents start at $2,074 for a 754-square-foot one-bedroom/one-bath unit to nearly $3,000 for a 1,404-square-foot three-bedroom/two-bath unit, Emblem's website shows. The community will include a clubhouse with a fitness center, entertainment area, resort-style pool and outdoor grilling stations. Other amenities include a dog run and electric vehicle charging stations. The UPS store is the only unit yet to open in the Publix-anchored retail strip on the western edge of The Shoppes at Orange Blossom. Following last fall's launch of the Publix supermarket and liquor store, neighboring units with Encore Nails, Great Clips, Tropical Smoothie Cafe and Wingstop all opened this spring. Fifth Third Bank also opened a freestanding branch office on that northwest corner of Oil Well Road and Big Corkscrew Drive. "I hear the Publix store is doing well. I believe that all the inline users are starting strong. It's awesome to be in close proximity to the schools. That's a huge draw, as well as the regional park that continues to build out," Perring said. "It makes me feel good to know that we picked a great location to add wonderful retailers in a great market, as well. I'm happy with it." Winchester loading. Another local center nears completion nearby in Golden Gate Estates. Anchored by Sunshine Ace Hardware, which opened last summer, the Winchester Center retail strip off Immokalee Road south of Oil Well Road has welcomed tenants at a steady pace this year. Anytime Fitness, Cold Stone Creamery, Family Foot & Leg Center, Little Caesars Pizza and Pixie Nail Lounge launched locations this spring in the center, while locally owned and operated Osaka Hibachi debuted June 2. Osaka's menu includes hibachi and teriyaki entrees, sushi rolls, ramen, fried rice, hot buns and soups. Meanwhile, the dental office, Maruto's Cuban Cafe and That NY Bagel Place are finishing build-outs. The new local restaurants are preparing to open this summer. "We're hoping end of June, beginning of July. That is our goal," said Derek Leverant, the owner of That NY Bagel Place. Leverant lives nearby in Waterways and works as a full-time engineer for the North Collier Fire Department. His wife, Liliana, and children Dylan and Isla also are part of the local family-owned business. Last summer, they opened a satellite shop for That NY Bagel Place within Village Walk of Bonita Springs after buying the established location on U.S. 41 in Bonita in August 2023. It's not a coincidence that Leverant owns and operates bagel shops; it's a personal passion project for him. "I've loved bagels as long as I can remember," he said. "I grew up in New York and I like bagels more than any customer that walks in the door. So, if you're going to come to my store, you're going to have the best bagel that we can possibly make with the equipment we have. We do it all old school. Everything is made from scratch. My son makes all the dough - never frozen. We make it fresh." To better serve the underserved Estates area, the Winchester location will be open later. The operating hours will be 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily with an expanded menu that includes bagels, wraps, sandwiches, salads, soups and even pizza made on flat bagels called flagels. The shop also offers catering service. Other adjacent outparcel lots at Winchester Center are already occupied by a McDonald's restaurant and Healthcare Network's new community health center. StorQuest Self Storage nears completion of its three-story building while Naples Comprehensive Health hasn't broken ground on its 2.2-acre parcel there. NCH has yet to announce its intentions for that property, but President and CEO Paul Hiltz recently said that location would be a good place for a freestanding urgent care center. The Tim Aten Knows weekly column answers local questions from readers. Email Tim at [email protected].