Heartland Dental has announced plans to launch an opt-in professional community in the first quarter of 2026, aimed at strengthening collaboration, resources and visibility across its nationwide network of supported dentists.
According to a press release, the new initiative—known as the Orahh Care Dental Community—will bring together more than 3,000 dentists supported by the dental support organisation (DSO). The community is designed to offer shared resources, best practices and professional development opportunities, while preserving the independence and local identity of individual practices.
For clinicians, the community will provide many benefits typically associated with dental association membership, including peer collaboration and career growth. It will also extend beyond traditional models by offering advanced training opportunities and access to digital diagnostic equipment. For patients, Heartland said the initiative aims to improve access to dental care and ensure greater continuity of treatment across participating practices.
Pat Bauer, president and CEO of Heartland Dental, said the community will support clinicians through “a commitment to excellence, while honouring their local roots and individuality.”
Sherianne James, Heartland Dental’s chief marketing officer, added that the initiative will help supported practices strengthen their presence in local communities while benefiting from large-scale marketing and shared expertise. “We are empowering supported doctors and their teams to market at scale, deepen their connection to the communities they serve and deliver even greater value to their patients,” she said. “This is just the beginning of how we’re reimagining support and growth for our supported practices.”
Heartland Dental also announced that the Orahh Care Dental Community has been selected as an oral health partner by AARP, a non-profit advocacy organisation representing nearly 38 million members aged 50 and older.
Greg Marion, senior vice president of health products and services at AARP Services, said Heartland Dental was chosen for its focus on improving oral health outcomes and patient experiences among older adults. He noted that the community’s network of almost 2,000 supported practices will help expand AARP members’ access to comprehensive dental care and high-quality services.
Heartland Dental highlighted that individuals aged 50 and above often have more complex dental needs and account for a significant share of restorative, periodontal and tooth replacement treatments. The company said the Orahh Care Dental Community will place a strong emphasis on engaging and educating AARP members about the importance of maintaining good oral health.