patient care. Regardless, most doctors can identify a moment
when the headache of the non-clinical aspects of practice own-
ership were no longer worth the sacrifices they were having to
make in the other areas of their lives. Those moments happen
while dealing with payroll, equipment repair, marketing, insur-
ance companies, taxes, HR issues, etc. The list goes on and
on, and it’s different for everyone. The point is that Apex gives
doctors a respite from the chaos. We give doctors a way to sim-
plify their lives and break free of the burdens that are keeping
them from enjoying dentistry.
How are you different from other groups?
a conversation with
Ben Willoughby
Director of Practice Affiliations
(214) 304-2401
[email protected]
What does Apex look for in an ideal practice?
First and foremost, it’s about the people. We look to partner with
high-quality people who share our dedication to providing
exceptional care and building long-term patient relationships.
We look for doctors and practices that have demonstrated a
high level of success, thus giving us a solid foundation on which
to continue building.
What does partnering with Apex mean for doctors and their staff?
When a doctor joins Apex, we welcome the entire staff into the
Apex family. One of the foundations of the Apex model is pro-
viding patients with continuity of care. Apex works with affiliat-
ing doctors to develop a customized plan for the rest of their
career that ensures a smooth practice transition. Depending on
the doctor’s desire, that may be two more years or twenty, and
may be full-time to the end or include a step-down to part-time
before ultimate retirement. While we focus intently on a well-
managed dentist transition, we also believe staff retention is
fundamental to the success of any practice, and that’s why we
also place a lot of focus on being a great place to work. That
includes a robust benefits package, a collaborative team envi-
ronment, and a strong culture with an emphasis on our private
practice values.
What are the main reasons dentists join Apex?
The reasons are highly personal for each dentist, and it varies
depending on the stage of the doctor’s career and their per-
sonal situation. For doctors later in their career, they’re often
looking for a practice transition solution. For doctors earlier in
their career, more often they’re looking for the right partner that
can allow them to achieve work-life balance and focus on
10 HOUSTON DENTISTRY | www.houstondentistrymagazine.com
The biggest difference in Apex is the quality of the doctors and
practices we support. We set the bar exceptionally high for
practices joining Apex, and, as a result, we believe Apex sup-
ports the highest quality network of practices anywhere. It is
that demonstrated commitment to quality care that attracts
many of the doctors who have joined us. Doctors see a partner
who offers world-class business support and a commitment to
upholding the values of private practice.
What are the advantages of joining Apex over a more traditional
transition option?
It begins with understanding the difference between “Transition”
and “Retirement”. Retirement is selling your practice and walk-
ing away, which more closely aligns with a traditional practice
sale option. When a doctor joins Apex, they are afforded flexi-
bility, control of their future, and certainties for the staff and
practice that are otherwise not available through a traditional
sale. We offer a doctor-friendly approach that is just not avail-
able otherwise.
How do patients react to their doctor joining Apex?
The truth is that very few patients ever know a transition has
occurred. Since doctors and their team remain with the prac-
tice, there really are not any changes a patient should notice.
Our supported practices maintain their private practice feel and
culture.
What advice do you have for dentists considering practice transition?
I always tell doctors that it is never too early to start thinking
about the future. Don’t wait until your practice is in decline or
until you are in failing health, because those circumstances will
limit your options. Reaching out to us early allows us to evaluate
your practice on your timeline and explore the full set of options
that fit your goals. We always encourage doctors to do their
research and understand all their options before deciding if
Apex is the right fit for them.
If a doctor wants to learn more, what is the best way to contact Apex?
I would welcome any doctor interested in learning more to reach
out to me directly. I am passionate about what makes Apex
special, and I always love to chat with dentists who share our
commitment to delivering exceptional patient care.