About BEST for Dentistry

Fifteen years of helping independent dental practices thrive through smarter purchasing, expert consulting, and a network that works for you.

15 Years of Empowering Dental Practices

BEST for Dentistry was founded in 2009 by a team of dental practice consultants who were frustrated watching independent practices lose ground to corporate dental service organizations (DSOs). They had the clinical excellence — what they lacked was the buying power and business infrastructure that DSOs take for granted.

We set out to close that gap. By aggregating the purchasing volume of hundreds of independent practices, we could negotiate the same — and in many cases better — pricing that the largest DSOs command. What started as a purchasing cooperative has evolved into a comprehensive business solutions platform serving over 500 practices nationwide.

Today, BEST for Dentistry is recognized as one of the most trusted group purchasing organizations in the dental industry, delivering measurable, verifiable savings and operational improvements to every member practice.

2009
Year Founded
500+
Member Practices
$2.4M+
Annual Member Savings
50+
Vendor Partners

Mission, Vision & Values

Our Mission

We negotiate, advocate, and support — providing independent dental practices with the benefits typically reserved for corporate dentistry, so every dentist can compete and flourish while maintaining their clinical authority and the patient relationships that make private practice worthwhile.

Our Vision

A dental industry where every independent practice has the tools and support to compete, grow, and deliver exceptional patient care — regardless of size. We envision a future where no practice leaves money on the table due to a lack of resources.

Our Values
  • Integrity: We only recommend what genuinely serves our members.
  • Transparency: Clear pricing, clear results, no hidden agendas.
  • Partnership: Your success is our success.
  • Excellence: We hold ourselves to the same high standards we help our members achieve.
  • Innovation: Continuously improving tools and services to stay ahead of the industry.

Why BEST for Dentistry Exists

Independent dental practices represent the majority of dental offices in the United States, yet they face systemic disadvantages when it comes to purchasing, insurance negotiations, and business operations.

Corporate DSOs leverage massive purchasing volumes to secure prices that independent practices simply cannot match on their own. PPO networks use complex fee schedules that most practices don't have the time or expertise to optimize. And running a modern dental business requires capabilities — HR, compliance, marketing, technology — that go far beyond dental school training.

BEST for Dentistry exists to give independent practices everything a large DSO has — without sacrificing ownership, clinical autonomy, or the patient relationships that make private practice worthwhile.

Our Leadership

Dental industry veterans committed to helping practices grow.

Chad Hammerstrom
Co-Founder & Managing Partner

20+ years in healthcare. A passionate entrepreneur dedicated to helping independent practices reclaim their competitive edge.

Craig Douglas
Co-Founder

Experienced senior executive with a personal stake in independent dentistry — his spouse owns an independent practice.

Max Gotcher
Co-Founder & Director of Practice Solutions

25+ years coaching dentists in business planning, systems organization, and executive coaching for sustainable practice growth.

Walt Gramley
Partner & COO

30-year healthcare career focused on delivering practical solutions and resources that move the needle for practices of every size.

Megan Iffland
VP & General Manager

25 years of healthcare and leadership experience, driving operational excellence and member satisfaction across the organization.

Doug Stegman
VP of Lab Services

30 years in healthcare, including 15+ years owning a commercial dental lab — bringing deep expertise to our lab services partnerships.

Julie Phillips
Director of Alliance Partner Management & Business Development

SMU graduate based in Dallas, TX. Manages our growing network of vendor alliance partners and leads new business development.

Lillian Anderson
Account Executive

Northeastern State University graduate and Vancouver, WA native. Dedicated account executive committed to member success every step of the way.

Ready to Join the BEST Network?

Apply today and start saving in as little as 30 days. Our team will handle the transition for you.