Espire Dental Expands with Acquisition of 2 More Dental Groups

DSO Spotlight

Strategic Expansion in the Pacific Northwest

Espire Dental Management, a fast-growing, cosmetic and multi-specialty group practice, has recently announced a significant strategic move in the Pacific Northwest, further strengthening its position in the western United States. With the acquisition of Sauvage PLLC, a five-location dental practice based in Seattle, Washington, and Tranquility Dental Wellness, a four-location practice serving the Tacoma/Olympia area, Espire continues its rapid expansion and growth strategy. This move is supported by a subordinated debt investment from Ironwood Capital, signaling strong confidence in Espire’s ability to execute its ambitious vision.

The integration of Sauvage and Tranquility into the Espire network is part of a larger trend in the dental industry, where group practices and dental service organizations (DSOs) are increasingly consolidating smaller, independent dental offices to build scalable networks of high-quality care. This article delves into the details of Espire’s growth and the significance of the acquisition.

Espire’s Growth

Espire Dental’s rapid expansion is not limited to the Pacific Northwest. The company has also made significant strides in other regions, including Colorado and California. In March of 2023, Group Dentistry Now reported on Espire’s acquisition of Fox Creek Family Dental, a five-location group with practices located in Longmont, Loveland, Thornton, Westminster and Broomfield, CO. That acquisition came on the heels of Espire acquiring California-based La Costa Dental Group.

Espire’s Model and Vision

Headquartered in Denver, the dental group was founded by Dr. Brett Levin and Dr. Jennifer Derse. It actively seeks practices with a clinical philosophy focused on the patient experience, while placing significant emphasis on elevated, quality clinical care and true provider and employee fulfillment. Espire Dental provides its practices with hospitality-like dental experiences.

The group operates 39 practices across Colorado, Wyoming, Oklahoma, California, Texas, and Washington. As an Integrated Dental Organization (IDO), Espire offers a comprehensive range of general, cosmetic, and specialist dental services. From diagnostic and preventive care to restorative procedures, the company is committed to delivering a premier patient experience while utilizing cutting-edge technology.

Espire’s model is built on the concept of creating a seamless, integrated experience for both patients and providers. By consolidating dental practices under a single, cohesive brand, Espire is able to streamline operations and offer higher-quality care across its locations. The focus on a patient experience is a cornerstone of the company’s philosophy.

The acquisition of Sauvage and Tranquility further cements Espire’s position as a prominent force in the dental sector. With the addition of these two groups of practices, Espire significantly expands its footprint in Washington state, one of the most competitive and high-demand markets in the country. By bringing together multiple locations under one umbrella, Espire can provide patients with greater access to care while maintaining its focus on customer service.

Tranquility Dental Wellness

Tranquility Dental Wellness, founded by Dr. Lori Noga in 2012, stands out in the dental industry for its unique approach to patient care. Located in the Tacoma/Olympia area of Washington, Tranquility Dental Wellness has established itself as a leading practice offering a blend of advanced dental care and a luxurious, spa-like atmosphere. Dr. Noga’s vision for Tranquility Dental Wellness was to break the mold of traditional dentistry by creating a more patient-friendly, relaxed environment that emphasizes comfort and care.

The practice started as a single, five operatory de novo in August of 2012. In 2019, the practice had grown to over $7M in productions. In 2019, the group landed on Group Dentistry Now‘s Emerging Groups to Watch list. They attributed their explosive growth to choosing locations with rapid population growth.  Additionally, her philosophy of “Experience Affordable Luxury” has resonated with patients, as it combines state-of-the-art dental care with a focus on mental and emotional well-being.

Tranquility Dental Wellness was also notable for being a veteran-owned, woman-owned, and 100% dentist-owned organization. Dr. Noga’s leadership style focuses on empowerment and self-development, creating a strong team culture centered on accountability, positivity, and servant leadership. This unique organizational culture has been a key factor in the practice’s success, and its integration into Espire is expected to bring additional resources and opportunities for growth.

Tranquility Dental Wellness’s Four Locations:

1. Tacoma
2. Tumwater
3. Spanaway
4. Olympia

Sauvage PLLC

Sauvage PLLC, a five-location dental practice based in Seattle, Washington, is well-known in the region for its commitment to providing comprehensive dental care. Founded and led by Dr. Laura Sauvage and Dr. Paul Sauvage, the group has built a reputation for offering personalized treatment options to patients while focusing on long-term oral health.

With five locations across Seattle, Sauvage PLLC serves a diverse patient base and has built a loyal following. The group’s integration into Espire Dental Management is expected to bring even more resources and support to the team, allowing them to benefit from the scale and technology Espire offers.

Sauvage PLLC’s Five Locations:

1. Downtown Seattle
2. Capitol Hill
3. Ballard
4. University District
5. West Seattle

The Importance of Emerging Dental Groups

The rapid consolidation of dental practices, as exemplified by the acquisitions of Sauvage and Tranquility, is part of a broader trend in the dental industry. Emerging dental groups are reshaping the landscape of oral healthcare, ushering in a new era of integrated dental care.

The acquisition of Sauvage and Tranquility is a testament to the strength of the DSO model and the ability of emerging dental groups to deliver exceptional patient experiences while scaling their operations. The alignment of these two practices with Espire’s strategic vision will create even more opportunities for growth, both within Washington state and beyond.

Giving Back

Espire Dental Managment created the Espiration Foundation, a 501(c)3 non profit to organize and deliver dental care to communities with no access to a dentist, and to make a difference in the community through sponsorship of local health-oriented charities. All proceeds from teeth whitening are donated to the Espiration Foundation. Since 2010, Espire Dental has given over $200,000 to local charities, and traveled as a team to the Dominican Republic and Guatemala to provide care to communities with no access to a dentist.

Key executives in group:

• Ryan Heckman, Chairman
• Tim Hill, Chief Espire Officer
• Brooke Young, Chief Operating Officer
• Rondi Michaux, Chief Growth Officer
• Sarah Montgomery, Chief Financial Officer
• Dr. Brett R. Levin, Clinical Advisory Board, Chairman
• Dr. Jennifer Derse, Chief Clinical Director
• Tina Braesch, RDH, Director of Hygiene
• Troy Stone, Senior Director of HR

The Role of Ironwood Capital in Supporting M&A Growth

Ironwood Capital, a middle-market investment company, has been instrumental in Espire’s growth trajectory. Since its initial investment in 2023, Ironwood has played a critical role in supporting Espire’s mergers and acquisitions (M&A) strategy. Alex Levental, Partner at Ironwood Capital, highlighted that this investment has allowed Espire to add three new geographies, 11 practice locations, and 20 dentists to its network. This rapid expansion is reflective of Espire’s goal to become a dominant player in the integrated dental organization space.

Ironwood Capital’s approach focuses on providing non-control junior capital to middle-market companies, typically through subordinated debt and minority equity investments. They have a track record of over $1 billion invested in more than 100 companies since its founding in 2001.

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