North Texas Dentistry Convention Issue 2014 | Page 16

profile

Rick Workman, DMD

Founder and CEO, Heartland Dental

A

Tell me a little bit about how Heartland
Dental got started. What were some of
the challenges?

RW: I founded Heartland Dental in 1997. After graduating
from the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine
in 1980 and starting my own office, I set out to create a worldclass dental support organization that would relieve the management burdens for their affiliated dentists by offering an array
of non-clinical administrative support such as human resources,
accounting, supply and equipment procurement, marketing and
customer support.

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Spending 50 hours a week at the dental chair and spending 25-30
hours on the business side of dentistry, I experienced first-hand
the issues with balancing both. Realizing other dentists were
facing the same thing, I developed a solution – a system of support that would become the reason for Heartland Dental’s existence. This solution provided accumulated knowledge and
support that most solo dentists don’t have access to. This also
provides the opportunity for newer dentists to be exposed to
education and the experiences of others earlier in their careers,
instead of years down the road.

What are some of the programs affiliate
offices have access to?

RW: Heartland Dental offers continuing education that’s
among the best in the nation, and is one of the main reasons
doctors affiliate with us. Courses affiliated doctors and team
members have access to include Doctor Leadership, Doctor
Dental University, Partnering for Excellence, Bell Leadership
and more. These courses are offered across the nation, as well
as right here at the Heartland Dental Home Office in The
Institute at Heartland Dental. The Institute features top clinicians and speakers from around the country, both affiliated doctors and other speakers. In addition, affiliated doctors and team
members have access to a network of successful, tenured dental
professionals and preferred vendor relationships that save them
money on supplies.

What are some examples of ways the affiliated offices benefit from these programs?

RW: We provide affiliated offices with the necessary tools to
advance their skills – both clinical and leadership. Tools they
would not receive anywhere else. Affiliated doctors and team
members learn successful practice management techniques and
how to become a leader (balancing clinical skills and effective

Heartland Dental
Rick Workman, DMD

16 NORTH TEXAS DENTISTRY | www.northtexasdentistry.com