Walter Haley taught me 30 years ago that the purpose of education is “results producing action.” This perspective influenced the creation and, over the years, the evolution of education at Heartland Dental. Through Heartland Dental University (HDU), the company offers clinical, leadership, and personal development opportunities, but our commitment goes well beyond traditional educational offerings.
HDU’s tagline, “Always Learning. Always Leading.” reflects the belief that education is never ending and spans beyond the classroom, acknowledging HDU’s focus on how to practically implement new knowledge acquired. Further, Heartland Dental’s doctor-led culture and support model foster an environment where continuous learning is woven into the daily operations of the organization. By inspiring and enabling supported doctors and their teams to invest in themselves to operate at the top of their license and capabilities, we create an engine of organic growth.
A Culture of Transparency
Through experience, we have learned that open book management fosters a commitment to education and a culture that creates “results producing action.” Heartland Dental openly shares clinical and financial metrics across nearly 1,900 supported practices. The result? Trust, accountability, and collective problem-solving for our supported doctors and team members. Everyone’s P/L and daily results are accessible, and this helps supported doctors see what’s possible for themselves.
This transparency fosters an environment where supported doctors want to see each other succeed. They have the opportunity to benchmark themselves to others. Oftentimes, supported doctors and team members will work across offices to learn from each other. Whether they are shadowing to see a clinical skill in action or following another team as they execute one of our foundational systems, this co-commitment to success is the fabric of our culture. Transparency into the “why” and foundational systems that can run the office, to the extent all people know that the outcome of the systems is a satisfied patient that is happy to return, creates a positive feedback loop that can and has driven growth consistently over several decades.
A Commitment to Lifelong Learning
Additionally, the wide range of learning experiences available through HDU, including self-paced courses, live virtual sessions, hands on workshops, and classroom-based instruction ensures that everyone can access education in the format that best supports their learning style. Over 40,000 continuing education credits have been delivered to date this year is further enhanced by the focus on the practical application of the skills learned and
In 2016, Heartland Dental established the Doctor Mastery Program (DMP), empowering supported doctors to achieve clinical excellence, leadership, and personal growth. The multi-year journey enables supported doctors to enhance their clinical expertise, pursue a Fellowship with the Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD), and develop leadership skills that elevate their practices and teams. The true reward of the DMP is the confidence, capability, and impact supported doctors carry forward in their careers and in the lives of the patients and teams they support.
Over 50 Heartland Dental supported doctors have completed the DMP to date, with over 580 supported doctors currently enrolled in the program.
Heartland Dental also partners with various educational institutions across the country, recognizing the importance of collaborative efforts to advance dental education for the next generation of practitioners. My goal with our work with schools is to encourage students and faculties to remember the awesome opportunity and responsibilities they have as dental educators and students. It is essential that they are cognizant that today’s student population is radically different in its demographic diversity and that their life and professional goals may well be quite different from 10, 20, 30 years ago. In my opinion, the goal should be to engage every student in a way that enhances their ability to become compassionate, caring, and proficient practitioners.
Heartland Dental and Concorde Career Colleges Unite to Tackle Workforce Gaps
Heartland Dental has a long-standing relationship with Concorde Career Colleges. In response to the growing demand for skilled dental professionals, Heartland Dental and Concorde Career Colleges have launched a groundbreaking partnership to open a co-branded educational campus in Fort Myers, Florida. Patients, dental offices, but also new students and the communities they will serve are tremendous beneficiaries of the program.
This initiative directly addresses the staffing challenges facing the dental industry, where employment for hygienists and assistants is projected to grow significantly – up to 15.8% in Florida alone by 2031. By investing in education and workforce development, Heartland Dental is not only strengthening its network of supported practices but also expanding access to care in underserved communities. The Fort Myers campus builds on a successful history of collaboration, including scholarships, on-campus labs, and hiring over 325 Concorde graduates to date.
Empowering Tomorrow’s Doctors with The Workman School of Dental Medicine
When my wife, Angie, and I met the President of High Point University (HPU), Nido Quibain, we reflected on how HPU’s motto – God, Family, Country – resonated with us. We respected their commitment to this mission and to ensuring that students graduate with practical life skills along with classroom knowledge.
When asked if I would have interest in helping provide financial commitments to make a dental school at HPU a reality, Angie and I were quick to commit to that endeavor. While the school is named for me, it is their school, and I have no real influence in how the school operates. The school is led by individuals whose vision and values align with the mission of transforming dental education. I truly believe these students will make a lasting positive impact on the communities they will serve.
This September marked a major milestone with the grand opening of the Workman School of Dental Medicine at High Point University. The inaugural class began last fall, and this year, the school welcomed the second cohort of 60 students.
The Power of Investing in People
Heartland Dental knows that biggest differentiator is our people. Our relentless focus on the “why” – creating transparency and open communications, inspiring supported doctors and team members to do the right things for the right reasons.
When we invest in education, we invest in people and when we invest in people, we raise the bar for our entire profession. Whether it is through HDU, DMP, Concorde or the Workman School of Dental Medicine, the goal is always the same: to empower the next generation of dental leaders with the tools, training, and support they need to succeed.
