The dental industry is a fascinating space with regional and national dental service organizations growing rapidly.
Below is a list of 10 leaders who have made a positive impact on their organizations and have their sights set on future growth.
Contact Cameron Cortigiano at ccortigiano@beckershealthcare.com to recommend a leader for future lists. To learn more about the dental industry and engage in lively debate about the future, join us at the Future of Dentistry Roundtable in June — register here.
James Jones. Vice President of Cal Dental USA (Los Angeles). Mr. Jones has been the vice president of Cal Dental USA since 2010. He has helped the DSO achieve a three-year growth rate of 123 percent. Mr. Jones also serves as CEO of a commercial real estate and business management company.
Julie Amos. Vice President of Operations of Children's Dental Health Associates (West Chester, Pa.). Ms. Amos has been the vice president of operations of Children's Dental Health Associates, a branch of Spark Dental Management, since 2017. She has more than 25 years of experience in DSO operations. Prior to her current role with the company, Ms. Amos served as integration and training manager.
Jason Horowitz. Vice President of Business Development of 42 North Dental (Waltham, Mass.). Mr. Horowitz has served as vice president of business development of 42 North Dental since 2022. He is skilled in mergers and acquisitions, strategic partnerships and business valuation. Mr. Horowitz has helped the DSO grow to more than 100 affiliated practices.
Jason Veal. Vice President of Development and Strategy of Foundation Dental Partners (Alpharetta, Ga.). Mr. Veal has served as vice president of development and strategy of Foundation Dental Partners since 2021. He has been involved in more than 50 mergers and acquisitions across the dental, orthopedic and gastrointestinal sectors. Mr. Veal is experienced in process improvement, data analysis and revenue cycle management.
Jay Johnson. CEO of StoneCreek Dental Care (Birmingham, Ala.). Mr. Johnson has been the CEO of StoneCreek Dental Care since 2022. He has helped the company grow to more than 20 locations. Prior to becoming CEO, Mr. Johnson served as the company's COO.
John Cline. CEO of Oral Surgery Partners (Chesterfield, Mo.). Mr. Cline has been the CEO of Oral Surgery Partners since 2022. He is skilled in strategic planning, developing new businesses and healthcare information technology. Mr. Cline has previously served as CEO of STX Healthcare, a DSO with more than 40 practices.
Brandon Hedgecock, DDS. Owner and Dentist of Hedgecock Dental (Austin, Texas). Dr. Hedgecock has been the owner and a practicing dentist of Hedgecock Dental since 2011. He has focuses in sedation dentistry and dental sleep medicine. Dr. Hedgecock is also the owner of Sleep Better Austin, which provides oral appliance therapy to patients suffering from sleep apnea and snoring.
David Downs, DDS. Owner and Dentist of Downs Dentistry (Los Angeles). Dr. Downs has been practicing dentistry for more than 30 years. He is skilled in soft tissue management, pain management and implant restorations. Dr. Downs is also a member of the California Dental Association, the American Dental Association, the Angel City Dental Society and the Western Los Angeles Dental Society.
David Sykes, DMD. Owner and Dentist of David Sykes, DMD (Linwood, N.J.). Dr. Sykes has been the owner of his practice and a practicing oral and maxillofacial surgeon since 1980. He provides services including the removal of teeth under either local anesthesia, IV sedation and general anesthesia, bone grafts, oral lesion removal and the extraction of impacted third molar teeth. Dr. Sykes is also an associate professor in the department of oral and maxillofacial surgery at Rutgers University School of Dental Medicine in Northfield, N.J.
Jay Kruska, DDS. Owner and Dentist of Jay Kruska, DDS (Hobart, Okla.). Dr. Kruska has been the owner and a dentist at his practice since 1981. He is skilled in general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry and veneer implants. Dr. Kruska is also a member of the Academy of General Dentistry.