Gentle Dental Partners (Gentle Dental of New England)

What Gentle Dental Partners (Gentle Dental of New England) does

Gentle Dental Partners, doing business as Gentle Dental of New England, operates the largest multi-specialty dental group practice in New England, delivering comprehensive dental care through 45+ physical offices across Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Founded in 1980 in Brookline, MA by Dr. Ron Weissman and Dr. Sam Shames, the practice now employs 200+ dentists and specialists — including endodontists, periodontists, pedodontists, orthodontists, and oral surgeons — enabling in-house multi-specialty treatment that reduces the need for external referrals. Service lines span preventive and general care, cosmetic dentistry, restorative care, oral surgery, orthodontics (including Invisalign), emergency dental care, dental implants, sedation dentistry, sleep apnea treatment, TMD/TMJ treatment, and Botox and injectibles.

The clinical technology stack includes NOMAD digital X-rays, intraoral cameras, Cone Beam CT scanners, iTero digital scanners (compatible with Invisalign treatment planning), laser dentistry, and CEREC same-day crown systems, all deployed on a cloud-based patient management platform. The practice is supported administratively by 42 North Dental, LLC, a dental support organization, and is organized as 42 North Dental Care, PLLC under Delaware law.

Revenue is generated on a fee-for-service basis with most major insurance plans accepted, supplemented by a $79 new-patient acquisition offer (stated at $400+ value). Distribution is exclusively physical — patients book online, by phone, or walk-in to any of the 45+ locations. Growth has been driven by a combination of de novo openings (including continued expansion into southern New Hampshire and Worcester through 2021) and the 2017 affiliation with Great Hill Dental Partners and 2018 partnership with New Haven Dental Group, the latter marking Gentle Dental's entry into Connecticut under a retained brand.

Name

Gentle Dental Partners (Gentle Dental of New England)

Legal name

Gentle Dental of New England

Website

https://gentledental.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Gentle Dental Partners is the largest multi-specialty dental group practice in New England, operating 45+ offices across Massachusetts and New Hampshire with 200+ dentists and specialists delivering comprehensive dental care, supported by parent 42 North Dental, LLC.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Multi-Specialty Dental Practice Services

NAICS

Offices of Dentists (62121)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

General Dentistry Group Practices (HLABAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Urgent Dental Care Centers (Non-Hospital) (HLABALAD), Orthodontic Group Practices (HLABAKAC)

Keywords

• Multi-specialty dental group
• Preventive dental care
• Restorative dentistry services
• Orthodontic treatment providers
• Oral surgery services

Headquarters

HQ city

Waltham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices42 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Dental Services - Fee-for-Service: Traditional fee-for-service dental procedures including preventive care, restorative, cosmetic, and specialty services. Revenue generated from patient payments at time of service.
2. Dental Insurance Payments: Accepts most major insurance plans. Revenue collected from insurance companies based on covered procedures. Works with wide range of providers to maximize patient coverage.
3. New Patient Promotional Offer: $79 new patient offer including exam, x-rays, cleaning, and treatment plan (valued at $400+) as customer acquisition tool

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Gentle Dental Partners operates a multi-specialty dental group practice delivering comprehensive dental services — preventive, restorative, cosmetic, orthodontic, oral surgery, emergency, and specialty care — to patients across Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Services are delivered through 45+ physical office locations staffed by 200+ dentists and specialists, with on-site specialty coverage that eliminates external referrals. The practice leverages digital X-rays, intraoral cameras, Cone Beam CT imaging, iTero scanners, laser dentistry, and CEREC same-day crown technology to provide coordinated care.

Product overview

Gentle Dental of New England operates as a multi-specialty dental group practice supported by 42 North Dental Care. The company offers a comprehensive range of dental services across seven main categories: Cosmetic Dentistry (whitening, veneers, smile makeovers), Emergency Dental Care, Oral Surgery (extractions, wisdom teeth), Orthodontics (Invisalign, braces), Preventive & General Care (exams, cleanings, digital x-rays), Restorative Dental Care (crowns, bridges, implants, root canals, dentures), and Specialty Care (pediatric, sedation, sleep apnea, TMD/TMJ, Botox). The practice leverages modern technology including digital x-rays (NOMAD), intraoral cameras, Cone Beam CT scanners, iTero scanners, laser dentistry, and CEREC same-day crown technology. Services are delivered through a network of 45+ conveniently located offices throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire, with over 200 dentists and specialists providing coordinated, multi-specialty care under one roof.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cosmetic Dentistry Cosmetic dental treatments including teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, and personalized smile makeover treatments designed to brighten and enhance patient smiles.
• Emergency Dental Care Immediate expert care for dental pain, broken teeth, or oral injuries, with same-day or next-day appointments available at many Gentle Dental locations.
• Oral Surgery Surgical dental care including tooth extractions, wisdom teeth removal, and bone grafting procedures performed by oral surgeons on staff.
• Orthodontics Teeth straightening services using Invisalign clear aligners or traditional braces, tailored to patient goals and lifestyle.
• Preventive & General Care Routine cleanings, comprehensive exams, digital x-rays, oral cancer screenings, fluoride treatments, sealants, and personalized oral hygiene plans for the whole family.
• Restorative Dental Care Restorative dentistry services including dental crowns, bridges, fillings, root canals, implants, and partial or full dentures.
• Specialty Care Specialized dental care including pediatric dentistry, sedation dentistry, sleep apnea treatment, TMD/TMJ treatment, gum treatments, and Botox & injectibles.
• Dental Implants Long-term tooth replacement option using implants placed in the jawbone, restored with crowns, bridges, or dentures after healing.
• Invisalign Clear Aligners Invisalign orthodontic treatment planned using iTero digital scanning technology that allows patients to preview projected smile outcomes before treatment.
• New Patient Offer - $79 New patient package offering a dental exam, x-rays, cleaning, and treatment plan for $79, representing a stated $400+ value and not valid for emergency appointments.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5,000+ positive reviews from patients
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• 42 North DentalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner42 North Dental is a dental support organization (DSO) that provides non-clinical administrative and business support services to Gentle Dental practices. Gentle Dental is owned and operated by dentists Dr. Samuel Shames, DMD and Dr. Ronald Weissman, DMD, supported by 42 North Dental, LLC.
• American Association of OrthodontistsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional association affiliation for orthodontic services and continuing education.
• American Academy of Periodontology (AAP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional association affiliation for periodontics services.
• American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (ABOMS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional certification and association for oral surgery services.
• Academy of General DentistryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional association providing continuing education and resources for general dentists.
• American Dental Association (ADA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional association affiliation representing dentists nationwide.
• American Association of EndodontistsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional association affiliation for endodontic services.
• Massachusetts Dental Society (MDS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState dental society affiliation for Massachusetts dental professionals.
• The Second StepminorOthersLong-standing partnership providing pro bono dental care to survivors of domestic abuse. Helps survivors build brighter futures through dental care.
• Greater Boston Food BankminorOthersCharity partnership where Gentle Dental donated funds to provide 500 meals to families in eastern Massachusetts during holiday season.
• Boston Children's HospitalminorOthersCommunity engagement partnership for pediatric healthcare support.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Heartland Dental: Largest US dental support organization (DSO), backing hundreds of supported offices. Directly comparable to Gentle Dental as a multi-site DSO delivering general and specialty dentistry through a partner-network model.
• Aspen Dental: National DSO brand operating 1,000+ Aspen Dental locations, many in the Northeast. Comparable multi-specialty group practice model and consumer brand-led patient acquisition strategy.
• Pacific Dental Services: Large private-equity-backed DSO supporting several hundred practices with a strong specialty and technology focus. Directly comparable as a multi-specialty DSO pursuing the same affiliated-dentist model.
• Smile Brands: Supported DSO operating hundreds of offices under brands such as Bright Now! Dental and Monarch Dental. Comparable as a multi-brand, multi-region group practice backed by DSO infrastructure.
• Western Dental: Large DSO with a multi-specialty footprint including orthodontics and oral surgery. Directly comparable as a multi-specialty group practice serving insured patients across multiple regions.
• Benevis: DSO focused on general dentistry, orthodontics, and pediatric dental services in the US. Comparable operating model and patient mix including insurance-driven populations.
• Affordable Dentures & Implants: National DSO-style network concentrating on dentures, extractions, and implants. Comparable business model with single-specialty focus at scale through a chain-style delivery mechanism.

Broad incumbents

• Interdent (MCH Dental / Gentle Dental-affiliated brands): Multi-brand dental support organization operating alongside several affiliated brands in the western US. Comparable multi-brand DSO structure with similar back-office centralization.

Emerging players

• U.S. Oral Surgery Management (USOSM): DSO-style management platform specifically for oral and maxillofacial surgery practices. Adjacent but partial overlap with Gentle Dental's in-house oral surgery specialty offering.

Others

• 42 North Dental (parent support organization): DSO parent that provides administrative and business support to Gentle Dental of New England. Listed for ecosystem context — not a market competitor, but a key operating dependency for the subject company.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/gentledentalne
• Facebookfacebook.com/gentledental
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gentle-dental-partners

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Gentle Dental Partners (Gentle Dental of New England)