Heartland Dental

0.Company Stats

Industry: Healthcare - Dental

Founded: 1997

Size: 20,000

Location: Effingham, IL

Stage: Established

Stock Symbol: N/A

Work Style: Multi

1.Company Snapshot

Heartland Dental is the nation's largest dental support organization, providing non-clinical administrative support to over 3,000 dentists across more than 1,800 dental offices in 39 states and the District of Columbia. Founded by Rick Workman, DMD, the company started with a single dental practice driven by entrepreneurial spirit and has grown into a leader that handles everything from marketing and HR to financial management and technology support. This allows dentists to maintain clinical autonomy while Heartland manages the business side, helping practices thrive without the administrative burden. The company employs over 20,000 team members and is majority owned by KKR, a leading global investment firm.

2.Culture & Gen Z Alignment

Doctor-Led, Mission-Driven Culture

Heartland Dental operates on a unique philosophy where supported dentists retain complete clinical independence with no treatment quotas or forced product endorsements. The company's mission centers on helping doctors and their teams deliver the highest quality dental care to their communities, creating meaningful work where every team member from the front office to the operatory contributes to patient health and community wellbeing.

Strong Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

With 54% of supported doctors being women (exceeding the national dental average of 45%), Heartland demonstrates genuine commitment to diversity. The company features Employee-Led Communities that celebrate cultural diversity and drive workplace innovation. This inclusive environment has earned recognition from Newsweek, reflecting a culture where people from all backgrounds can thrive.

Investment in Education and Growth

Heartland Dental University offers the largest oral care clinical, operations, and leadership training capability nationwide, providing hundreds of thousands of continuing education hours. The company promotes from within, with many employees reporting 5, 10, even 18+ year tenures. Career paths exist across clinical, operational, and management tracks.

3.What Employees Say

Company Ratings

Glassdoor: 3.3/5

Indeed: 2.8/5

Pros:

- Education & Training: Extensive continuing education opportunities through Heartland Dental University with free CE courses and leadership development

- Career Growth: Strong internal promotion culture with clear advancement pathways, especially for motivated individuals

- Mission & Impact: Rewarding work supporting dentists who provide essential healthcare to communities, with initiatives like Free Dentistry Day

- Office Culture: Many reviews mention great coworkers, supportive teams, and strong camaraderie in individual offices

Cons:

- Compensation & Benefits: Below industry standards for many roles, with compensation rated 2.9/5; minimal annual raises (0-3% typical); no 401k match despite being a billion-dollar company

- Office Dependency: Experience varies dramatically by location and the specific dentist/manager you work with; some offices have toxic environments while others are excellent

- Work-Life Balance Challenges: High stress, long hours, understaffing issues, and production-focused metrics that can lead to burnout; difficult to take PTO in some locations

- Corporate Disconnect: Upper leadership viewed as disconnected from day-to-day office realities; decisions made without understanding frontline impact; high turnover rates

4.Compensation & Benefits Snapshot

- Overall average salary: $48,735/year, ranging from $21,000 to $111,000+ depending on role

- Dental Assistants: $18-22/hour ($37,440-45,760/year)

- Dental Hygienists: $35-46/hour ($72,800-95,680/year) with average $83,753/year

- Practice Managers: $59,000-72,000/year

- General Dentists: $145,000-265,000/year depending on production and location

- Medical, dental, and vision insurance available (Cigna network) with coverage starting first of month after hire

- 401k plan available but NO employer match (frequently cited as major con)

- Paid holidays, PTO (increases with tenure), sick days

- Short-term and long-term disability insurance, life insurance

- Discount on dental services at Heartland offices for employees and immediate family

- DailyPay program allows access to earned wages before payday

5.Why Gen Z Might Thrive Here

- Educational Investment: Unparalleled access to continuing education, certifications, and skill development through Heartland Dental University at no cost to you

- Meaningful Healthcare Work: Direct contribution to improving oral health and overall wellness in your community, with opportunities to participate in charitable events like Free Dentistry Day

- Scale & Stability: As the nation's largest DSO, offers job security and opportunities across 39 states if relocation is needed

- Technology & Innovation: Working with cutting-edge dental technology including AI-enabled diagnostics, iTero 5D Plus scanners, and Invisalign treatment capabilities

- Career Flexibility: Multiple career paths available, from clinical roles to operational, administrative, marketing, and leadership positions with clear promotion pathways

6.What Gen Z Should Ask Or Consider

- Which specific office/location would I be working at, and can I speak with current team members there before accepting?

- What is the dentist's leadership style and office culture at this particular location? (Experience varies dramatically by office)

- What are the realistic bonus/incentive structures, and what percentage of team members actually achieve them?

- How does this office handle staffing levels, work-life balance, and time-off requests?

- What is the specific compensation range, and what is the annual raise policy? (Be aware: typically capped at 3%)

- Is there a base salary or guaranteed hours, especially for hygienist positions?

- What opportunities exist for advancement beyond my current role, and what is the typical timeline?

7.Locations & Where Heartland Dental Hires

- Headquarters: Effingham, Illinois (1200 Network Centre Dr)

- Over 1,800 dental office locations across 39 states and the District of Columbia

- Strongest presence in: Texas, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Illinois, Arizona, Colorado, Virginia, Tennessee, Michigan, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, and throughout the Southeast and Midwest

- Nationwide hiring for dental assistants, hygienists, dentists, practice managers, front office staff, and corporate support roles

- Recently expanding into Utah (Salt Lake City market) and other growth markets

- 38+ new offices opened in first half of 2025 alone, creating continuous hiring opportunities

8.How Heartland Dental Works

Work Style

Available: In-Person, Hybrid, Remote

Work Environment

Available: Office, Clinic

Benefits

Medical insurance through Cigna with musculoskeletal services and free telemedicine visits starting the first of the month after hire, dental and vision coverage, 401k retirement plan with profit-sharing component but no employer match, paid holidays and PTO that increases with tenure, short-term and long-term disability insurance, life insurance and accidental death coverage, employee assistance program with free counseling services, discount on dental services at Heartland offices for employees and immediate family, DailyPay early wage access program, and access to Heartland Dental University for unlimited continuing education and professional development.

9.Awards & Recognition

- <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/rankings/americas-greatest-workplaces-diversity-2024">America's Greatest Workplaces for Diversity</a>

11.Sources

Last Updated: December 16, 2024

- Heartland Dental Website: https://heartland.com/

- About Heartland Dental: https://heartland.com/about-us/

- Glassdoor Reviews: https://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Heartland-Dental-Reviews-E196086.htm

- Indeed Company Reviews: https://www.indeed.com/cmp/Heartland-Dental-16f2e389/reviews

- LinkedIn Company Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/company/heartlanddental

- Comparably Benefits Review: https://www.comparably.com/companies/heartland-dental/perks-and-benefits

- Newsweek Recognition 2025: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/heartland-dental-recognized-by-newsweek-as-one-of-americas-greatest-workplaces-in-healthcare-302477846.html