Heartland Dental completes Foundation Dental Partners affiliation. * October 2, 2026 * 3 minutes read * 4 hours ago Key transaction by Heartland Dental and its supported practices expands opportunities for supported doctors, teams, and practices while strengthening Heartland Dental's supported footprint throughout the Southeast Heartland Dental, the nation's largest dental support organization (DSO), today announced the closing of its key transaction with Foundation Dental Partners, a doctor-focused dental support organization with 33 supported practices across Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Kentucky. The affiliation brings together two organizations united by a shared commitment to clinical autonomy and supporting exceptional patient care and experiences while helping create opportunities for doctors and teams to thrive. The transaction builds on Heartland Dental's decades-long approach to increasing its nation's access to oral healthcare through its De Novo and Affiliation models. Over the past 13 months, Heartland Dental welcomed Smile Design Dentistry and its 60 supported practices, as well as Inspire Dental Group and nearly two dozen solo practices. Further, the company's De Novo program has collaborated to open 51 offices in 2026, with a goal of 68 by year-end. Foundation Dental Partners has built a reputation for supporting doctors through a philosophy centered on clinical excellence, collaboration, and professional growth. Like Heartland Dental, Foundation is committed to a doctor-led culture and support model that empowers supported doctors and their teams to focus on patient care. "Foundation Dental Partners has established an exceptional network of high-quality supported doctors and practices with a strong reputation for providing world-class dental experiences throughout the Southeast," shared Pat Bauer, President and CEO of Heartland Dental. "Foundation is a great example of the type of organization we seek to affiliate with, one that shares our doctor-led culture and philosophy, commitment to supporting clinical excellence, and dedication to helping doctors grow their careers. By combining Foundation's talented doctors and teams with Heartland Dental's world-class support model, we can create even greater opportunities to support doctor success as they deliver exceptional patient care." Together, Foundation Dental Partners and Heartland Dental will create new opportunities for doctors and teams, including access to the industry's most comprehensive clinical, professional, and leadership development programs through Heartland Dental University, along with support services spanning operations, marketing, technology, payor relations, human resources, procurement, and more. A key principle guiding the affiliation is business continuity and helping to ensure patients continue to receive exceptional patient experiences from the doctors, hygienists, and team members they know and trust. "Since our founding, we have focused on supporting doctors, investing in people, and building a culture where teams can grow and succeed," said Adam Ditto, Foundation Dental Partners CEO. "Heartland Dental shares those same values. This affiliation provides exciting opportunities for our doctors and teams while preserving the relationships, culture, and commitment to patient care that have defined Foundation Dental Partners." In addition to expanded professional development and non-clinical support, Foundation Dental Partners' supported practices will gain access to the technology and innovations Heartland Dental continues to invest in to help supported doctors elevate patient care, including artificial intelligence powered by VideaAI, digital scanning and aligner technologies, and access to world-class supplies and laboratory partnerships. Together, these resources help supported doctors and teams continue growing, delivering exceptional patient care, and advancing their professional goals. "This accelerating growth reflects the strong response from supported doctors to Heartland Dental's breadth of support, and we look forward to building on that momentum," said Mark Greenstein, EVP & Chief Growth Officer. "Foundation doctors and their teams will gain access to Heartland Dental's world-class training, advanced technologies, expanded support services, and dedicated teams focused on helping them achieve their clinical and personal goals." The affiliation with Foundation Dental Partners reflects Heartland Dental's continued commitment to affiliating with exceptional doctors who share its core values. As Heartland Dental continues to grow, the company remains focused on identifying opportunities to bring its support model to more high-quality practices across the nation. Ropes & Gray LLP acted as legal advisor to Heartland Dental in the transaction. Truist Securities served as lead financial advisor, and DLA Piper LLP served as legal counsel to Foundation Dental Partners. 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 3,200 doctors in over 1,960 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.

The 5 states where DSOs added the most in August. By: Cameron Cortigiano From a $64 million acquisition to the entering of new states, DSOs and dental groups were active in their network expansions during August. These five states saw at least two DSO moves in August, as reported by Becker's, including practice openings, acquisitions and affiliations. Note: This list is not exhaustive. * Henderson, Nev.-based PDS Health opened two de novo practices in Florida. * Chicago-based Aspen Dental opened a new location in Punta Gorda, Fla. * Boca Raton, Fla.-based Sage Dental opened a practice location in Clermont, Fla. The DSO also acquired nine practices in Florida from Monticciolo Family and Sedation Dentistry. * Little Rock, Ark.-based Rock Dental Brands partnered with TLC Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics in Tampa, Fla. * Effingham, Ill.-based Heartland Dental affiliated with Denta Smiles in Coral Springs, Fla. North Carolina * Aspen Dental opened new practices in Selma, N.C., and Elkin, N.C. * Franklin, Tenn.-based Specialized Dental Partners added a North Carolina endodontic practice to its network. * Roseville, Minn.-based Park Dental Partners agreed to acquire Fayetteville, N.C.-based Village Family Dental DSO in a deal worth up to $46M. * Heartland Dental opened Parkview Center Dental Care in Clayton, N.C. * PDS Health opened Babcock Modern Dentistry in San Antonio. * Heartland Dental opened Dental Care at Harvest in Argyle, Texas. * Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Imagen Dental Partners added Laughlin Dental in Pasadena, Texas. * PDS Health opened Kuna (Idaho) Modern Dentistry. * Sacramento, Calif.-based Straine acquired Bird Dental Studios, its first practice in Idaho. Rhode Island * Sharon, Mass.-based Qualitas Dental Partners added a general dentistry practice in Central Rhode Island to its network. * Salt Lake City-based Nuvia Dental Implant Center opened its first location in Rhode Island. At the Becker's 5th Annual Future of Dentistry Roundtable, taking place September 14-15 in Chicago, dental leaders and executives will gain insights into emerging technologies, practice growth strategies and the evolving landscape of dental care delivery, with a focus on innovation, patient experience and operational excellence. Apply for complimentary registration now. Wednesday, September 30 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDT Presenters: Raju Siva, Medusind|Adam FitzGerald, Medusind Next up in DSO + dpms. * Lone Peak Dental Group acquires 4 Alabama offices Englewood, Colo.-based Lone Peak Dental Group has acquired four Vital Smiles pediatric dental and orthodontic practices in Alabama. The acquisition... By: Ariana Portalatin * Imagen Dental Partners adds Illinois practice Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Imagen Dental Partners has added an Illinois practice to its network. The dental partnership organization affiliated with Eric... By: Ariana Portalatin * 8 DSOs making headlines Here are eight DSOs that have made headlines in the last week: 1. Effingham, Ill.-based Heartland Dental launched Conuity Care... By: Ariana Portalatin