Effingham, Ill.-based DSO Heartland Dental is providing support for a merger of three Canadian dental companies to create the largest DSO in the country.
Five things to know:
1. The three Canadian companies — 123Dentist, Altima Dental and Lapointe Group — will merge under 123Dentist to create a DSO network of nearly 350 practices, according to a July 12 news release.
2. The transaction is financially backed by several existing investors of the companies, with Heartland Dental joining along with KKR, a global investment firm Heartland Dental is a portfolio company of.
3. Heartland Dental will support 123Dentist in the merger by providing education and training opportunities to 123Dentist's providers, including giving access to its continuing education courses.
4. The Canadian DSO will also benefit from Heartland Dental's supplier relationships, granting them access to clinical supply, equipment and clear aligner options.
5. This is Heartland Dental's first strategic partnership outside of the U.S., according to the DSO's President and CEO Pat Bauer.