42 North Dental

A dental practice can keep its name, its doctors and its patients while handing off the paperwork that eats into the working week. That is the premise behind 42 North Dental, a New England group that supports dental practices, and says it was created by dentists for dentists and draws on more than 40 years in the industry. Its site counts over 100 practices on its map, and the company says it supports more than three dozen practice brands.

A long history in group dentistry

The organisation says it pioneered multi-specialty dental care more than four decades ago, and that it originated the support model for multi-location practices by building one of the first dental support organisations. Its stated aim is to deliver healthy, confident smiles for life while raising the standard of what a practice can do.

What it provides to practices

The company describes its focus as supporting doctors so they can put patients first. The pieces it names are:

• Business services and support for the non-clinical side of running a practice.
• Clinical autonomy, so dentists keep control of how they treat patients.
• Operational excellence and increased patient flow.
• Training and development through its internal learning programme, 42u.
• A supportive environment aimed at the future of each practice.

It also describes an equity model in which doctors continue to own part of the business, and it says the philosophy is that quality seeks quality, building on the success of strong practices to leave a legacy of excellence.

Joining the group

Practices that want to affiliate are told the process is straightforward, flexible and transparent. The company frames it as joining a community of care, with resources to help a practice grow and meet its owners' personal and career goals. A separate section of the site invites dentists and other staff to apply for roles within the group, and the organisation lists partners and memberships.

42 North Dental is a dental support organisation in New England that provides business support to dental practices. It was set up by dentists and traces its history in dentistry back more than 40 years, including early multi-specialty care and one of the first support models for multi-location practices.

What 42 North Dental does

• Business services: operational and administrative support so dentists can concentrate on patient care.
• Practice affiliation: a route for owners to join the group or sell their practice while keeping continuity for patients.
• Clinical autonomy: a model where dentists keep control of clinical decisions.
• Training: development programmes through its 42u academy.
• Equity ownership: a way for dentists to hold a stake in the wider group.

Clients

It supports over 100 practices and more than three dozen practice brands across New England, such as Gentle Dental and Allen Dental Associates, and recruits dentists and staff for them.

Key facts

• Region: New England, United States
• Practices: over 100
• History: more than 40 years in dentistry