The Latest

Sacramento, Calif.-based Straine has united its three operating companies, Straine Dental Consulting, Straine Dental Analytics and Straine Dental Management, under one brand.  The organization began by offering practice management services to dental practices and has grown into a DSO supporting…

Dental practice ownership and clinical care are evolving amid rising costs, student loan debt and insurance pressures.  For veteran clinicians, this means navigating a field that has become increasingly complex since graduating dental school. For prospective dental professionals, this means…

Nebraska Medicaid recipients are facing challenges with scheduling appointments as the number of participating dentists has declined, the Nebraska News Service reported May 6. Six notes:  1. Nebraska currently contracts with three companies to manage its Medicaid program: Molina Healthcare,…

Here are three updates on unlicensed dentistry cases since April: 1. Jazemen Lyons, 37, is facing several charges for allegedly practicing dentistry without a license. She allegedly owned and operated Smile Lounge in Shaker Heights, Ohio, from 2022 until 2025,…

Boca Raton, Fla.-based Sage Dental has partnered with Curaechoice to expand access to dental care to employees and their families. Curaechoice is a no-cost benefits program that offers medical, pharmacy, dental and vision coverage to self-insured employers. The partnership gives…

Walter Villanueva, DDS, the owner of Kidiatric Dental & Orthodontics in Chandler, Ariz., has been indicted on charges of failing to report the abuse of a pediatric patient at his practice.  In 2022, Dr. Villanueva met with the mother of…

Effingham, Ill.-based Heartland Dental is rounding the corner to its 2,000th practice by opening de novo offices and acquiring practices in several states. Six updates on the company’s growth this year: 1. In April, the DSO opened six de novo…

Les Latner, DDS, received the 2026 Humanitarian Award from the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.  Dr. Latner, owner of Westside Dental Associates in Los Angeles, earned the award after more than two decades of charitable monetary donations and voluntary services,…

Dental technology company Dentsply Sirona reported $880 million in net sales during the first quarter of 2026, according to a May 5 news release.  Here are six things to know: