Kool Smiles
Kool Smiles is a PE-backed network of partner dental offices founded in 2002 that provides pediatric and family dental care — general dentistry, orthodontics, and oral surgery — across five U.S. regions, with a focus on Medicaid-insured families in underserved communities.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersMarietta, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Kool Smiles does
Kool Smiles is a private, PE-backed network of partner dental offices founded in 2002 and headquartered in Marietta, Georgia. The company operates across five U.S. regions — the Southeast, Southwest, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, and Northeast — providing general dentistry, children's dentistry, orthodontics (including Reveal Clear Aligners), and oral surgery to children, families, and adults, with a deliberate focus on underserved communities. Its primary differentiator is network-wide acceptance of Medicaid, Tricare, SCHIP, and most commercial insurance, paired with multilingual support across 35+ languages and no-credit-check, no-interest patient financing. Underlying technology consists of electronic health records supporting clinical operations and a digital front door (location finder, online scheduling, SEO content) for patient acquisition.
The business model is direct-to-consumer dental service delivery through affiliated professional corporations (Kool Smiles, P.C. and Fox Plaza, P.C., the latter operating as Buena Vista Dental), with Benevis Practice Services providing centralized management and back-office support. Revenue is generated per-visit through insurance reimbursement (predominantly government payers) and patient self-pay, supplemented by orthodontic financing plans. Community engagement is a core marketing channel: the Kids Club loyalty program, free dental lesson plans for preschool and K-5, the annual Sharing Smiles Day (2,100+ uninsured children served since 2015), and Operation Troop Treats (16 tons of candy donated since 2012) collectively represent more than $100 million in cumulative community investment since 2002 and serve as top-of-funnel patient acquisition in target markets. The company has historically faced regulatory scrutiny, including a fine for unnecessary procedures, which is a material reputational and compliance risk for the chain.
Kool Smiles firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Kool Smiles
- Legal name
- Kool Smiles, P.C.
- Website
- https://mykoolsmiles.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- Kool Smiles is a PE-backed network of partner dental offices founded in 2002 that provides pediatric and family dental care — general dentistry, orthodontics, and oral surgery — across five U.S. regions, with a focus on Medicaid-insured families in underserved communities.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Kool Smiles industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Pediatric Dental Services
- NAICS
- Offices of Dentists (62121), Offices of Dentists (621210)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Pediatric Dentistry Group Practices (HLABAKAD)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Comprehensive Family Dentistry (Multi-Disciplinary In-Office General Care) (HLABAAAE)
Keywords
Where Kool Smiles is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Marietta
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Kool Smiles business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Dental Services Revenue: Kool Smiles generates revenue through dental service fees billed to patients and their families. Services include general dentistry, children's dentistry, orthodontics, and oral surgery. Revenue is collected through Medicaid, commercial insurance, and direct patient payments with financing options.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Insurance-based coverage |
| Other | Monthly | Orthodontics financing |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Kool Smiles product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Kool Smiles operates a network of affiliated dental offices that deliver pediatric and family dental care, including general dentistry, children's dentistry, orthodontics, and oral surgery. Partner dentists accept Medicaid, Tricare, SCHIP, and most commercial insurance, and the network is supplemented by the Kool Smiles Kids Club educational and rewards program targeting underserved communities.
Product overview
Kool Smiles is a network of local dental offices operating under the Kool Smiles Kids Club brand, dedicated to expanding access to quality dental care for children and families in underserved communities across the United States. The network provides four core dental service lines: General Dentistry (preventative care and restorative services), Children's Dentistry (specialized pediatric care), Orthodontics (braces and clear aligners), and Oral Surgery (wisdom teeth extraction). Partner dentists accept Medicaid, Tricare, SCHIP, and most commercial insurance. The Kool Smiles Kids Club also serves as an educational and community engagement platform, offering dental health resources, lesson plans for schools, and outreach programs. Electronic health records support all clinical operations across the network of partner dental offices.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Kool Smiles Kids Club A community engagement and rewards program associated with Kool Smiles partner dental offices, offering educational resources, rewards activities, and community involvement initiatives for children and families.
- General Dentistry Preventative care, diagnostic imaging, and a full range of restorative dental services supported with electronic health records for patients of all ages.
- Children's Dentistry Specialized dental care for infants, children, adolescents, and young adults including cleanings, oral exams, preventive care, fillings, crowns, sealants, fluoride treatments, and personalized parent guidance.
- Orthodontics Affordable orthodontic services including traditional braces and Reveal Clear Aligners for teeth straightening. Includes free consultations and financing options with convenient monthly payments, no interest, and no credit check. Accepts HSA, FSA, and Care Credit.
- Oral Surgery Oral surgery services primarily focused on wisdom teeth extraction for children and teenagers, performed as outpatient procedures with various anesthesia options.
Quantifiable outcome
- 2100+ children received free dental care through Sharing Smiles Day since 2015
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Kool Smiles
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Kool Smiles technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Kool Smiles partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Benevis Practice ServicescoreBenevis Practice Services is the parent organization providing support services to Kool Smiles and affiliated dental practices. The privacy policy identifies Kool Smiles, P.C., Fox Plaza, P.C., and their dental clinic affiliates as part of the Benevis network. The compliance office is located at the Benevis address in Marietta, GA.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Kool Smiles competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Western Dental & Orthodontics: Western Dental operates a multi-state network of dental offices with strong Medicaid acceptance and pediatric/family focus, particularly in California. Highly comparable to Kool Smiles on Medicaid-accepting model, pediatric positioning, and inclusion of orthodontics as a core service line.
- Aspen Dental Management: Aspen Dental operates one of the largest networks of branded dental offices in the U.S. with multi-state footprint and similar DSO support model. Comparable to Kool Smiles on geographic scale, affiliated-practice structure, and breadth of services including general dentistry, orthodontics, and oral surgery.
- Heartland Dental: Heartland Dental is the largest U.S. dental support organization, providing non-clinical support to a network of affiliated dental offices. Directly comparable to Kool Smiles as a multi-state DSO serving general and family dentistry patients, though with broader commercial-insurance mix and less pediatric/Medicaid focus.
- Pacific Dental Services: Pacific Dental Services supports a large network of dental practices across the U.S. with modern office design and multi-specialty offerings. Directly comparable to Kool Smiles on DSO model, multi-state operations, and multi-specialty service lines including general dentistry and specialty services.
- Smile Brands: Smile Brands supports a multi-state network of affiliated dental offices under brands including Bright Now! Dental and Castle Dental. Directly comparable to Kool Smiles on DSO model, multi-state footprint, general/pediatric dentistry mix, and commercial-plus-Medicaid payer strategy.
- InterDent (Capitol Dental Care): InterDent supports affiliated dental practices in multiple states including Medicaid-accepting clinics in the Pacific Northwest and elsewhere. Comparable to Kool Smiles on multi-state DSO model, Medicaid acceptance strategy, and affiliated-practice legal structure.
- Dental Care Alliance: Dental Care Alliance supports a network of affiliated dental practices across multiple U.S. states with general and specialty dentistry offerings. Comparable to Kool Smiles on DSO support model, multi-state affiliated-practice structure, and breadth of general and specialty services.
- Great Expressions Dental Centers: Great Expressions is a multi-state dental support organization with affiliated practices offering general, specialty, and orthodontic care. Comparable to Kool Smiles as a multi-specialty DSO with affiliated-practice structure and similar service mix across general dentistry and orthodontics.
- Affordable Dentures & Implants: Affordable Dentures & Implants operates a large multi-state network focused on dentures, extractions, and implants. Comparable to Kool Smiles as a multi-state DSO specializing in specific service lines, though with narrower focus on oral surgery/prosthetics rather than pediatric/general dentistry.
Broad incumbents
- Sonrava Health: Sonrava Health is the parent holding company for Western Dental, Brident, and other dental brands, operating a broad multi-state DSO platform. Comparable to Kool Smiles/Benevis as a PE-influenced dental holding company structure supporting multiple affiliated practice brands.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Kool Smiles social profiles
Digital presenceKool Smiles financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Kool Smiles leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Kool Smiles funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Kool Smiles M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Kool Smiles
What does Kool Smiles do?
Kool Smiles operates a network of affiliated dental offices that deliver pediatric and family dental care, including general dentistry, children's dentistry, orthodontics, and oral surgery. Partner dentists accept Medicaid, Tricare, SCHIP, and most commercial insurance, and the network is supplemented by the Kool Smiles Kids Club educational and rewards program targeting underserved communities.
Is Kool Smiles a public or private company?
Kool Smiles is a private company. It is classified as private equity controlled and is currently operating.
When was Kool Smiles founded?
Kool Smiles was founded in 2002. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Kool Smiles based?
Kool Smiles is headquartered in Marietta, United States, in the North America region.
How does Kool Smiles make money?
One revenue line is on record: dental Services Revenue.
Who are Kool Smiles's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Western Dental & Orthodontics, Aspen Dental Management, Heartland Dental, Pacific Dental Services, Smile Brands, InterDent (Capitol Dental Care), Dental Care Alliance, Great Expressions Dental Centers and Affordable Dentures & Implants. Sonrava Health is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Kool Smiles have an API?
No public API is recorded for Kool Smiles.
What industry is Kool Smiles in?
Kool Smiles's product category is Pediatric Dental Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLABAKAD, Pediatric Dentistry Group Practices, with a secondary code of HLABAAAE, Comprehensive Family Dentistry (Multi-Disciplinary In-Office General Care). Its NAICS code is 62121.