Shore Smiles

What Shore Smiles does

Shore Smiles is a privately held dental practice operating a single location at 814 Newtown Road in Virginia Beach, Virginia, serving patients across Virginia Beach, Kempsville, Norfolk, Chesapeake, and surrounding Hampton Roads communities. The practice was formerly known as Sweeney Utterback Dentistry before rebranding to Shore Smiles. It is independently owned and operated by three dentists — Dr. Christian Mullin, Dr. Tanya Mullin, and Dr. Brianna Albers — alongside lead hygienist and orofacial myofunctional therapist Melani Mize. Headcount is reported in the 1-10 range, and the practice operates Monday-Thursday from 8am to 5pm with same-day emergency appointments for callers before noon.

The practice delivers a comprehensive dental service portfolio organized into three primary categories: General Dentistry (cleanings, fluoride treatment, sealants, pediatric care, fillings, extractions, dental emergencies), Cosmetic Dentistry (Invisalign, clear aligners, veneers, smile makeovers), and Restorative Dentistry (CEREC same-day crowns, dental implants, bridges, root canals, endodontics, dentures). Additional offerings include bone grafting, oral surgery, TMJ therapy, sleep apnea treatment, myofunctional therapy, occlusal and sports guards, and oral cancer screening. Clinical operations are supported by a multi-vendor technology stack including CEREC chairside CAD/CAM for same-day ceramic restorations, iTero digital impression scanning, laser dentistry equipment, intra-oral cameras, OralID fluorescence-based oral cancer screening (manufactured by Forward Science), and digital X-rays.

Shore Smiles generates revenue through a traditional fee-for-service model accepting most major dental insurance plans, supplemented by an in-house $29/year membership savings plan offering 20% off most treatments, 10% off implants, and 100% fluoride coverage. Third-party patient financing is provided through partnerships with CareCredit, Cherry, and Sunbit. The practice markets via Google Business, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, an educational blog, and BBB accreditation, targeting local search visibility in Virginia Beach. A 1-year guarantee on dental work and the Neighborhood Favorite 2024 recognition function as customer-trust signals. No external funding, parent company, or acquisition activity is recorded.

Name

Shore Smiles

Legal name

Shore Smiles

Website

https://shoresmilesva.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Shore Smiles is a privately owned, single-location dental practice in Virginia Beach, VA, offering general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry plus myofunctional therapy to families and individuals across Hampton Roads communities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Dental Services

NAICS

Offices of Dentists (62121)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Preventive & Routine General Dentistry (Exams/Cleanings/Sealants/Fluoride) (HLABAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Preventive & Wellness Pediatric Dentistry (Cleanings/Fluoride/Sealants) (HLABAGAA), Aesthetic/Cosmetic Restorative Dentistry (Smile Design) (HLABAFAE), Pediatric Restorative Dentistry (Fillings/Crowns/Pulp Therapy) (HLABAGAB)

Keywords

• Family dental care
• Cosmetic dentistry services
• Restorative dental treatments
• Pediatric dental care
• Emergency dental services

Headquarters

HQ city

Virginia Beach

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Fee-for-Service Dental Care: Traditional dental fee-for-service model where patients pay for individual procedures at time of service. Accepts most major dental insurance plans and files claims as a courtesy. Services include cleanings, fillings, crowns, extractions, implants, cosmetic procedures, and emergency care.
2. In-House Membership Savings Plan: Annual membership program priced at $29/year offering 20% discount on most dental treatments, 10% discount on implants, 100% coverage for fluoride, with no waiting periods, no deductibles, and immediate eligibility.
3. Third-Party Financing: Partnership with financing providers CareCredit, Cherry, and Sunbit allowing patients to pay for treatments through installment plans. Sunbit provides no-interest and flexible payment options for dental treatments.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Shore Smiles is a family dental practice offering preventive, cosmetic, restorative, and emergency dental services delivered from a single Virginia Beach office. The practice differentiates with in-house advanced technologies including CEREC same-day crowns, iTero digital impressions, laser dentistry, intra-oral cameras, and OralID cancer screening, along with an in-house membership savings plan and 1-year guarantee on dental work. Services span pediatric through senior patients across the Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, and Kempsville communities.

Product overview

Shore Smiles is a comprehensive dental practice offering a full spectrum of oral health services organized into three main categories: General Dentistry (preventive care, cleanings, exams, fillings, extractions, pediatric care), Cosmetic Dentistry (Invisalign, clear aligners, veneers, smile makeovers), and Restorative Dentistry (CEREC same-day crowns, dental implants, bridges, dentures, root canals, endodontics). Additional specialized services include oral surgery, laser dentistry, TMJ therapy, sleep apnea treatment, myofunctional therapy, bone grafting, oral cancer screening, and digital impressions using iTero technology. The practice also offers an in-house dental membership plan and a 1-year guarantee on dental work. Services are delivered using advanced technology including CEREC CAD/CAM systems, iTero digital scanners, intra-oral cameras, laser dentistry equipment, and OralID fluorescence screening.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• General Dentistry Core dental services including examinations, cleanings, preventive care, and treatments for patients of all ages.
• Cosmetic Dentistry Aesthetic dental treatments designed to improve the appearance of teeth and smiles, including teeth whitening, veneers, and orthodontic options.
• Restorative Dentistry Dental treatments that restore the function and appearance of damaged or missing teeth, including crowns, bridges, implants, and dentures.
• Pediatric Dentistry Specialized dental care for babies, toddlers, children, and teenagers in a comfortable environment.
• Clear Aligners Custom-made removable clear trays that gradually straighten teeth without metal braces, addressing crowding, gaps, and minor alignment issues.
• Invisalign Clear aligner orthodontic treatment using a series of removable trays to gently move teeth into proper alignment over 6-18 months.
• Veneers Custom-made thin shells (porcelain, Lumineers, composite, CEREC, or zirconia) that cover the front surface of teeth to correct discoloration, chips, gaps, and minor misalignment.
• Smile Makeovers Full mouth reconstruction combining multiple cosmetic and restorative procedures to completely revamp a patient's smile.
• CEREC Same Day Crowns Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics technology enabling custom ceramic crowns to be designed, fabricated, and placed in a single dental visit.
• Dental Implants Titanium implants surgically placed into the jawbone to replace missing tooth roots, providing a permanent foundation for crowns, bridges, or dentures that can last 25 years or longer.
• Root Canals Dental procedure to treat infected or damaged tooth pulp by removing the infected tissue, cleaning the canals, and sealing the tooth.
• Dental Bridges Fixed dental restorations that replace one or more missing teeth by attaching permanently to surrounding natural teeth.
• Full & Partial Dentures Removable prosthetic devices that replace missing teeth, with full dentures for complete tooth loss and partials for some missing teeth.
• Dental Emergencies Same-day emergency dental appointments for urgent oral health issues including severe tooth pain, cracked or broken teeth, and dental trauma.
• Laser Dentistry High-powered laser technology for dental procedures including soft and hard tissue treatments, decay removal, gum surgery, and tooth preparation, offering a painless alternative to traditional drills.
• Myofunctional Therapy Therapeutic exercises retraining oral muscles to improve breathing, resolve TMJ issues, and support orthodontic results, led by myofunctional therapist Melani Mize.
• Sleep Apnea Treatment Custom oral appliance therapy to treat mild sleep apnea by opening the airway during sleep, reducing snoring and improving breathing.
• TMJ Therapy Treatment for temporomandibular joint disorders including custom oral appliances, physical therapy, medication, lifestyle changes, and advanced options like Botox and laser therapy.
• Oral Cancer Screening Annual screening using OralID fluorescence technology to detect oral mucosal abnormalities and early signs of oral cancer.
• In-House Dental Membership Plan Annual membership savings plan priced at $29/year offering 20% discount on most dental treatments, 10% discount on implants, 100% coverage for fluoride, with no waiting periods, no deductibles, and immediate eligibility.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1-year guarantee on dental work completed in the office - repair or replace at no additional cost if work fails within one year

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Better Business BureauminorOthersBBB accreditation indicates the business meets BBB standards for trustworthiness and ethical business practices. The BBB seal is displayed on the website.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Great Expressions Dental Centers: Network of dental practices offering general, preventive, cosmetic, and specialty care. Comparable to Shore Smiles in its family-oriented multi-specialty service offering and direct-to-consumer positioning.
• Heartland Dental: The largest US dental support organization (DSO), supporting thousands of doctor-led practices with comprehensive general, cosmetic, and restorative services. Directly comparable to Shore Smiles in service mix and patient segments, but at vastly greater scale.
• MB2 Dental: Dental partnership organization offering DSO-style support to hundreds of independent practices. Comparable to Shore Smiles as a partner/acquirer profile for an independent general practice seeking scale, capital, or administrative support.
• Benevis: Dental support organization focused on family-friendly practices with strong pediatric and orthodontic service lines. Directly comparable to Shore Smiles given its pediatric dentistry emphasis and family-patient focus.
• Pacific Dental Services: DSO supporting dental and dental-supported medical practices with emphasis on advanced technology and comprehensive care. Comparable to Shore Smiles for its technology-forward multi-specialty model and family/cosmetic/restorative service mix.
• Aspen Dental: Large DSO operating branded dental practices offering general, restorative, and cosmetic services including implants and clear aligners. Closely comparable to Shore Smiles on service breadth and patient demographics, with stronger marketing and multi-state reach.
• Smile Brands: DSO operating affiliated dental practices offering general, cosmetic, orthodontic, and restorative care. Comparable to Shore Smiles in the breadth of services and direct-to-consumer patient focus across multiple brands.
• Dental Care Alliance: DSO supporting affiliated dental practices across general, cosmetic, and specialty services. Comparable to Shore Smiles on the multi-specialty family practice model and on the partner-of-choice profile for independent practices.

Emerging players

• ClearChoice Dental Implant Centers: Network of dental implant specialty centers offering full-arch and single-tooth implant solutions. Comparable to Shore Smiles for the overlap on implant restoration services, though ClearChoice focuses narrowly on implant cases.

Broad incumbents

• Affordable Care (Affordable Dentures & Implants): Largest network of dental practices in the US focused on dentures and implants with broader restorative services. Comparable to Shore Smiles on the implant and restorative side but with a narrower, value-oriented positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ShoreSmiles
• Facebookfacebook.com/SweeneyUtterback
• Instagraminstagram.com/drchristianmullin

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Shore Smiles