The Paragon Program
The Paragon Program is a 39-year-old, privately held dental practice management consulting firm serving 400+ owner-dentist practices across 15 U.S. states through subscription-based consulting, proprietary growth methodologies, regional consultants, and a bundled event and peer network ecosystem.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1986
- HeadquartersColumbus, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What The Paragon Program does
The Paragon Program, founded in April 1986 by Ken Runkle in Columbus, Ohio, is a privately held dental practice management consulting firm that serves owner-dentists of general dental practices across the United States. The firm teaches dentists strategies for practice growth, profitability, and financial independence through a subscription-based consulting model delivered via in-office consultations, virtual meetings, and a regional consultant network spanning Ohio, Indiana, Florida, Colorado, Maryland/Washington DC, Chicago, and Kentucky. Its core intellectual property consists of proprietary consulting methodologies — most notably the 7% Solution (and its updated 10% Solution) growth framework, the Four Q's Framework, the Weighted Average Insurance Comparison Spreadsheet, and a graph-based data analytics program — supported by a bundled event and training ecosystem including Excelleration Meetings, Paragon Academies (Business, Hygiene, Front Office), local Study Clubs, and the four annual Success Network meetings.
The company operates with 11-50 employees (approximately five named consultants/advisors visible) and serves over 400 dental practices across 15 states, with nearly 12% of clients retained for over 20 years. Revenue is generated through annual subscription contracts whose specific rates are not publicly disclosed; all events, academies, and peer network access are bundled into the consulting program. Supporting infrastructure includes the Paragon Client Portal, a CE Credits tracking system, the Afterhours Theatre video library, and integrations with Acuity Scheduling (consultation booking), Zoom (virtual consultations), and CareCredit (patient financing). The firm is founder-owned, has no institutional funding, and co-founded the kiDDS Foundation non-profit alongside Zimmerman, Boltz & Company and Benesch Healthcare+.
The Paragon Program firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Paragon Program
- Legal name
- Paragon Management Associates, Inc.
- Website
- https://theparagonprogram.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1986
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Paragon Program is a 39-year-old, privately held dental practice management consulting firm serving 400+ owner-dentist practices across 15 U.S. states through subscription-based consulting, proprietary growth methodologies, regional consultants, and a bundled event and peer network ecosystem.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Paragon Program industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Dental Practice Management Consulting
- NAICS
- Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (541)
- SIC
- Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)
- akta.pro primary industry
- General Dentistry Group Practices (HLABAKAB)
Keywords
Where The Paragon Program is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Columbus
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Paragon Program business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Consulting Services: Ongoing dental practice management consulting with regular in-office consultations or Zoom meetings. Clients receive individualized practice analysis, growth strategies, and accountability. The fee structure is subscription-based with annual or multi-year commitments.
- Event Access and Training: Included in the consulting program: Excelleration Meetings, Paragon Academies (Business Academies, Hygiene Academy, Front Office Academy), Success Network events, and local Study Clubs. All nationwide events and meetings are exclusive to clients and their team members.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Full consulting program with all events and resources |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels7 records
The Paragon Program product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Paragon Program is a dental practice management consulting firm that teaches dentists strategies for growth, profitability, and financial independence. The firm delivers in-office and virtual consultations supported by proprietary growth methodologies (The 7% Solution and The 10% Solution), a nationwide network of over 400 dental practices across 15 states, and an ecosystem of training programs and events including Excelleration Meetings, Paragon Academies, and Success Network gatherings.
Product overview
The Paragon Program™ is a dental practice management consulting firm offering a comprehensive ecosystem of consulting services, training programs, and peer networks. The core offering centers on the Paragon Program™ consulting firm, which provides in-office and virtual consultations supported by growth methodologies including The 7% Solution™ and The 10% Solution. The portfolio includes Excelleration Meetings with Ken Runkle™ for leadership development, Paragon Academies (Business, Hygiene, and Front Office) for staff training, and Paragon Study Clubs for peer learning. The Success Network™ delivers four annual events including Longboat Key National Study Club and Year End Review. Supporting infrastructure includes a client portal with resources, worksheets, and the Afterhours Theatre video library, plus a CE Credits tracking system. The company also co-founded the kiDDS Foundation non-profit organization.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- The Paragon Program™
Quantifiable outcome
- 28% practice growth achieved by client Dr. Ronald Beech at Great Lakes Dental (2010-2024)
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use The Paragon Program
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Paragon Program technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Feature5 records
The Paragon Program partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- kiDDS FoundationcoreThe Paragon Program co-founded the kiDDS Foundation, a non-profit organization focused on fundraising for local and international dental foundations serving children and improving their oral health. The foundation believes every child deserves dignity. Paragon co-hosts the annual kiDDS Cup golf fundraiser with other founding organizations.
- Zimmerman, Boltz & CompanycoreCo-founding partner of the kiDDS Foundation non-profit. Collaborates with Paragon on the annual kiDDS Cup golf fundraiser to support children's dental health initiatives.
- Benesch Healthcare+coreCo-founding partner of the kiDDS Foundation non-profit. Collaborates with Paragon on the annual kiDDS Cup golf fundraiser to support children's dental health initiatives.
- Event SponsorsminorVarious sponsors participate in Paragon events, providing access to their products and services. These sponsors are introduced during events and provide exposure to client practices.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights4 records
The Paragon Program competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Levin Group: Long-standing dental practice management consulting firm led by Roger Levin, providing coaching, consulting, and growth programs to dental practices — directly comparable to Paragon's consulting offering and methodology-driven value proposition.
- ACT Dental: Dental practice coaching and consulting firm offering leadership development and practice growth programs for dentists — directly comparable in target customer (private practice owner-dentists) and recurring coaching delivery model.
- Jameson Management: Direct competitor offering dental practice management consulting with similar coaching, analytics, and peer-network offerings to private dental practices — closely comparable to Paragon's subscription-based consulting model.
- Productive Dentist Academy (PDA): Dental practice consulting and coaching firm focused on productivity, case acceptance, and growth for private dental practices — directly comparable in offering bundle (consulting + events + community).
- The Madow Group: Dental practice consulting and marketing firm offering coaching, CE events, and peer community for dentists — comparable in combining consulting with high-touch events and an SMB dental focus.
- MGE Management Experts: Dental and medical practice management consulting firm providing management training, consulting, and growth programs — directly comparable consulting model targeting similar private practice clients.
Broad incumbents
- Spear Education: Larger dental education and consulting organization offering practice management content, coaching, and CE to a broad dentist audience — comparable in serving dentist practice improvement needs but at significantly larger scale and broader scope.
- Patterson Dental: Major dental supply and practice technology distributor offering practice management software, consulting, and operational support to dental practices — adjacent incumbent serving the same buyer with broader portfolio.
- Henry Schein One: Major dental practice management software and services arm of Henry Schein, serving dental practices with technology-enabled management solutions — comparable end-customer (private dental practices) but delivered through software rather than consulting.
Emerging players
- Curve Dental: Cloud-based dental practice management software provider for small and mid-sized dental practices — emerging player targeting the same private practice segment with a software-centric alternative to consulting-led practice improvement.
Market position
Strengths1 record
Weaknesses1 record
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Paragon Program social profiles
Digital presenceThe Paragon Program financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Paragon Program leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
The Paragon Program subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
The Paragon Program funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Paragon Program 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 The Paragon Program
What does The Paragon Program do?
The Paragon Program is a dental practice management consulting firm that teaches dentists strategies for growth, profitability, and financial independence. The firm delivers in-office and virtual consultations supported by proprietary growth methodologies (The 7% Solution and The 10% Solution), a nationwide network of over 400 dental practices across 15 states, and an ecosystem of training programs and events including Excelleration Meetings, Paragon Academies, and Success Network gatherings.
Is The Paragon Program a public or private company?
The Paragon Program is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was The Paragon Program founded?
The Paragon Program was founded in 1986. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Paragon Program based?
The Paragon Program is headquartered in Columbus, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Paragon Program make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Consulting Services are the primary driver. The others are event Access and Training.
Who are The Paragon Program's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Levin Group, ACT Dental, Jameson Management, Productive Dentist Academy (PDA), The Madow Group and MGE Management Experts. Broad incumbents are Spear Education, Patterson Dental and Henry Schein One. Curve Dental is listed as an emerging player.
Does The Paragon Program have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Paragon Program.
What industry is The Paragon Program in?
The Paragon Program's product category is Dental Practice Management Consulting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLABAKAB, General Dentistry Group Practices. Its NAICS code is 541 and its SIC code is 8742.