Aspen Dental and Heartland Dental Care

[Newgoalsdentdoc]

Please share what you know about these corporations. I have several colleagues and younger dentists asking for my views and opinions of each, but I have never worked with either corporation. Any information would be appreciated so that I can pass along to them. Thanks.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[fmx89591277]

me too

 

[Shunwei]

Please share what you know about these corporations. I have several colleagues and younger dentists asking for my views and opinions of each, but I have never worked with either corporation. Any information would be appreciated so that I can pass along to them. Thanks.

I had several colleagues that worked for Heartland, and all of them ended up leaving in less than a year. It's just the usual corporate ponzi scheme, paid 25% collections, astronomical turnover, oppressive/dictatorial management. The company tries to sell itself on its profit-sharing scheme and CE courses, but in reality many of their offices are in the red and even assuming there is a profit you (your home office) have to foot the bill for CE or anytime the management sends someone down. There are plenty of reviews online in the mould of Aspen Dental's reputation.

Incidentally, Heartland recently purchased the company I used to work for (MyDentist). An apt purchase, because the latter is just about as trashy (yes, I am looking at you, CEO Kevin Offel).

 

[TJNova2011]

OM dictate your treatment..... dagone. produce produce produce

 

[Newgoalsdentdoc]

I had several colleagues that worked for Heartland, and all of them ended up leaving in less than a year. It's just the usual corporate ponzi scheme, paid 25% collections, astronomical turnover, oppressive/dictatorial management. The company tries to sell itself on its profit-sharing scheme and CE courses, but in reality many of their offices are in the red and even assuming there is a profit you (your home office) have to foot the bill for CE or anytime the management sends someone down. There are plenty of reviews online in the mould of Aspen Dental's reputation.

Incidentally, Heartland recently purchased the company I used to work for (MyDentist). An apt purchase, because the latter is just about as trashy (yes, I am looking at you, CEO Kevin Offel).

Wow, thanks so much for sharing. I'm going to research the reviews as well and get back to those who inquired. I, myself, have always wondered how these corporations thrive.

 

[TheWeeIceMan]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/everything-you-need-to-know-about-aspen-dental.980042/

 

[Newgoalsdentdoc]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/everything-you-need-to-know-about-aspen-dental.980042/

Thank you so much

 

[Shunwei]

Wow, thanks so much for sharing. I'm going to research the reviews as well and get back to those who inquired. I, myself, have always wondered how these corporations thrive.

If you are thinking of working for them, my advice is don't. I read your posts in the past and know a bit about your situation. You won't make it in Heartland or Aspen, or corp dent for that master. And that's a compliment by the way.

 

[Newgoalsdentdoc]

If you are thinking of working for them, my advice is don't. I read your posts in the past and know a bit about your situation. You won't make it in Heartland or Aspen, or corp dent for that master. And that's a compliment by the way.

Thanks so much but the information was not for me. It was for some of my younger colleagues who just finished a residency and they were asking me for advice. Please see my original post. Don't worry, I'm pursuing teaching full-time (smile). Thanks for the compliment.

 

[starsnstripes]

Bumping this thread! I wanted to know if anyone has any recent experiences with Heartland Dental. Honestly, I’m considering taking an opportunity because of the CE and their offices look nice. Yet, I’ve heard such mixed reviews. Some dentists love it and others can’t stand it. What I’m gathering is it may depend on the location you’re in? Any feedback is appreciated.

 

[2TH MVR]

Just an observation. Heartland Dental practices are corporate run, but seemingly are trying to persuade the general public that they are a private practice. Aspen and Western Dental are obvious Corp entities. Heartland Dental is the Corp practice pretending to be a private practice. Just an observation.

 

[endoaccess]

I have a buddy working for heartland for 4 years now that is doing very well. He also works his butt off, seeing 3 columns of hygiene and is beat down at the end of every day. At 25% production, and missing out on the hygiene income, he is leaving a lot of money on the table with that model. But he drinks the koolaid so I guess it works for him. I personally couldn't do 3 columns hygiene without going insane.

For all the negativity on corporate, there are also many private practices that are unethical, hackshops. It is up to you how you practice.

These DSO's are doing nothing magical. They just make you sign up for every crappy plan, and put butts in your chair, and pay you the minimum needed to keep you around for an acceptable time period. My only recommendation would be to avoid the ones that take HMO. AVOID THE HMO's. If you work at an office that takes HMO, all you will be doing is making peanuts while filling up the schedules of the owner and specialists. Look at an HMO fee schedule sometime if you want good laugh.

If a practice is 30% hygiene and you are paid 25% doctor production you are getting about 17% of the office production. Most well run private practice have overhead in the 50-60% range. Do the math on what it takes to make bank in a DSO model. Add in that you will being seeing the worst PPO's etc. You have to do way, way, WAY more dentistry in the DSO model.

It is the same basic model, every single one of them. There is no exception. NONE. There is a reason they have such high turnover. The guys that thrive in these offices are high energy car salesman types that can squirt composite in a tooth full of saliva and not really care. Decide if that sounds appealing to you, and make your choice. Everyone has to start somewhere, and you can learn a lot about what to do and what not to do in any office. For some people, ownership is not really in the cards, so its a viable alternative. Good luck.

 

[2TH MVR]

It's a Corp business serving dental needs. Lots of negative views about the so-called quality. Kind of makes you wonder about all the OTHER medical corporate business models that exist to make a profit. Corporate optometry, veterinary, lasik, eyewear, weight loss clinics, diet clinics, all the walk-in, urgent care facilities, most all of the labs, dialysis, Pharmacies, etc. etc. Lets be real ... most, if not all of medicine exists in a corporate, maximize profits environment. I'm not disagreeing that Corp dentistry (of course .... not ortho ) is suspect, but it makes you think about the Corp medical offices that we walk into every day.

 

[starsnstripes]

Thank you both, endoaccess and 2th MVR. I appreciate your responses!

 

[lemoncurry]

Worked at Aspen for 2 years, and that's about all I could take. During that time, I did the best dentistry I could do and treated patients the best I could. I did not get told what to tx plan. Having a family, I liked having the full benefits package. Unfortunately, corporate BS gets tiring and they really work you into the ground. It's not all bad, you just need to recognize what it is. If you go in with open eyes and use it as an opportunity to get more efficient in patient care, then you should be fine. Some people thrive in that profit driven environment, and there are plenty of private practitioners who are the same way. Just be prepared to work HARD.