Recognizing Dental's Operational Heroes

Group dentistry continues to grow year over year, with top organizations frequently recognized and praised for their achievements. However, the individual players and teams behind those incredible accomplishments often work diligently in the background without receiving the industry recognition they deserve.

As we announce the winners for 2025, we want to give a huge thank-you to everyone who participated this year. From those who nominated and followed along, to the incredible nominees, thank you to everyone for making this year's award process a huge success!

We received an outstanding group of nominees from across the country. Each nominee showed what excellence in operations looks like — clear systems, innovation, people-first leadership, measurable results, and a mindset of continuous growth. Choosing the winners was no easy task.

To every nominee: thank you for the work you do behind the scenes to build stronger teams, smarter systems, and better patient experiences. You are the backbone of group dentistry.
Kolla Konnect Embedded Integration Management

Announcing 2025's Award Winners

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Bonnie Thompson

Cheif Operating Officer -Forrest Family Dentistry

Bonnie has redefined what operational excellence looks like at the multi-location level. She built scalable systems by cross-training front desk and clinical teams in insurance verification, eliminating bottlenecks and improving accuracy across offices. Her innovative use of Pearl AI for clinical education and Gamma AI for training automation has transformed Forest Family Dentistry into a model of operational efficiency.

Under her leadership, the organization achieved a 30% improvement in staff retention, driven by cultural alignment, new benefits programs, and leadership transparency. Bonnie’s clear systems, innovative tools, and commitment to developing future leaders have made her not only an operational powerhouse but also a respected voice of authenticity and growth in the dental industry.
Young woman with long wavy brown hair wearing a black top, smiling against a neutral background.

Brandi Carter

Director of Operations -
Sage Dental

Brandi leads with heart, innovation, and results. She launched Sage Dental’s new-patient welcome call program, driving a 10% retention increase and stronger first-visit experiences. When championing the adoption of Midas 3D printers for crown fabrication, Brandi turned initial skepticism into clinical enthusiasm by centering the conversation on patient care and quality outcomes.
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Her team achieved 14.5% year-over-year growth without adding new offices or doctor days — a testament to her focus on culture, empathy, and operational excellence. Drawing inspiration from Brené Brown and Simon Sinek, Brandi models vulnerability and empowerment, building teams that feel seen, trusted, and inspired to lead.
Smiling bald man with glasses and beard wearing a brown vest over a white shirt, standing outdoors with blurred greenery in the background.

Shawn Tule

VP of Operations -
Imagen Dental Partners

Shawn exemplifies operational excellence at enterprise scale. As VP of Operations for Imagine Dental Partners, he led the seamless transition of more than 100 practices onto a single practice management system — a massive initiative that unified data, improved collections, and accelerated growth across the organization. Under his leadership, Imagine achieved twice the national average in revenue growth and 101% collections year-to-date, while maintaining a 100% eNPS and 4.9/5 leadership trust score from his team.

Beyond performance, Shawn’s leadership is personal. A former dental hygienist himself, he has built career-path programs, compensation models, and continuing-education tracks designed to elevate hygienists and clinical teams nationwide. His innovation mindset, data-driven approach, and servant leadership philosophy make him a true champion of both people and performance in group dentistry.

Honorable Mentions

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Denna Ali,
Affordable Care
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Chavelle Galton-Rice,
D4C Dental Brands
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Michal Butler,
Vision Dental Partners
Close-up of a smiling woman with long blonde hair in a dark setting.
Lindsey Bohrer,
Five Point Dental Partners
Kolla Konnect Embedded Integration Management

What's Next?

The celebration doesn’t stop here. Over the next few months, we’ll continue spotlighting this year’s incredible leaders and sharing their stories of operational excellence.

Awards & Recognition Packages
Each winner will receive their official award and recognition package to commemorate their recognition.

Podcast Features
Winners will be featured on upcoming episodes of the Dental Disruptors Podcast, where they’ll share their leadership insights, best practices, and lessons that inspire operational excellence across the industry.

Operations Leaders Community
All nominees will be invited to join an exclusive community of dental operations professionals — a space to connect, share ideas, learn from one another, and collaborate on solutions that elevate group dentistry as a whole.

Mark Your Calendar – February 1st
Nominations for the 2026 Top Operations Leaders in Group Dentistry open on February 1st.

Our Selection Process

How We Select the Best of the Best

Clear and Effective Practices

We evaluate how consistently you or your nominee implements exceptional operational systems across your organization.

Innovation Mindset

We look for forward-thinking leaders who embrace technology and new approaches to solve complex challenges.

Leadership Impact

We recognize trailblazers who champion new ideas that benefit both their organization and the wider industry.

Performance Results

We consider professionals whose teams consistently deliver above-average operational outcomes.

Growth Orientation

We value leaders who demonstrate continuous improvement for themselves and their organizations.

Industry Input

Public nominations (including self-nominations) and peer feedback play a crucial role in our selection process.

Who Is This
Recognition Program For? 

Celebrating Excellence in Dental Operations
We're creating prestigious industry recognition list where you can showcase your expertise or nominate colleagues who are shaping the future of group dentistry operations. Eligible roles include but not limited to...

Directors of Operations

(Regional, Senior,
Department Heads, Etc.)

Chief Operating Officers

(COOs)

Revenue Cycle Management

 (RCM) Leaders

Practice Growth Leaders

Practice Onboarding Leaders

Data & Analytics Pros

The Power of
Professional Recognition

Industry Recognition

Gain visibility for your contributions or help highlight a colleague's innovations within the dental community.

Knowledge Sharing

Selected professionals can share best practices that benefit the entire industry.

Network Expansion

Join an exclusive community of like-minded dental operations experts.

Career Advancement

Being named to these lists becomes a significant professional achievement and credential for your career growth.

How Our Nomination Process Works

1
Complete the nomination form .
2
Include your name
or your nominee's
name and role.
3
Provide a brief explanation
of why you or they deserve
recognition.
4
Add a link to your
or their LinkedIn profile.

FAQ

How often are these lists updated?
Should I nominate myself or wait for someone else to do it?
What's the benefit of nominating myself?
What happens after selection?
Who reviews the nominations?
Is there a cost to participate?
Can I nominate multiple people?