The Schulman Group

What The Schulman Group does

The Schulman Group is a member-owned orthodontic study group and Dental Support Organization (DSO) representing what it characterizes as the top 2% of orthodontists in the United States, with 150+ members across 30+ states and British Columbia. Founded in 1967 in Washington DC as the Dental Corporation of America by Martin 'Bud' Schulman, Dr. Harry Galblum, and Dr. Harold Eskew, the organization evolved through a 1980s study club phase and was formally reconstituted as SG Management LLC in April 2018 to deliver non-clinical support services while preserving member practice independence. The core product is membership, sold by application and reviewed by a Membership Committee and Board of Directors, with geographic exclusivity (no two members in the same territory) as a defining structural feature.

The group delivers three integrated capability layers to its members. First, a collective buying program spanning 25+ preferred suppliers, including exclusive agreements with 3M Oral Care and Align Technology (INVISALIGN special markets program). Second, an integrated tools stack combining CEDR (HR management), GAIDGE (practice analytics and KPI benchmarking), and DENTIRA/Source Club (supplier price comparison and procurement). Third, an annual meeting program at venues such as the Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island offering 12 CE credits, peer networking, and supplier sponsorship access. Additional channels include the Orthodontic Voices podcast launched in 2024 by Executive Director Chris Vranas, and a consumer-facing "Find an Orthodontist" directory.

Revenue is generated through three streams: recurring membership dues (undisclosed pricing), preferred supplier sponsorship and affiliate fees, and annual meeting sponsorships. The organization is governed by an 8-member Board of Directors chaired by Dr. Robert Bray, with operational execution handled by a lean staff of two (Executive Director Chris Vranas and Director of Administration Ann Sebaugh). There is no external investment, no parent company, and the entity is privately held under Schulman Group, LLC.

Name

The Schulman Group

Legal name

Schulman Group, LLC

Website

https://schulmangroup.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1967

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Schulman Group is a member-owned orthodontic Dental Support Organization serving 150+ top-tier US orthodontists, providing collective buying power across 25+ suppliers, integrated practice management tools, and annual peer meetings while preserving member practice independence and geographic exclusivity.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Orthodontic Dental Support Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Orthodontic Group Practices (HLABAKAC)

Keywords

• Orthodontic study group
• Dental support organization
• Practice management services
• Collective buying network
• Continuing education events

Headquarters

HQ city

Somers Point

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Members pay membership fees to access collective buying power, preferred supplier discounts (25+ suppliers), practice management tools (CEDR, GAIDGE, DENTIRA), geographic exclusivity, and peer collaboration network.
2. Preferred Supplier Program: Collective buying power through 25+ trusted suppliers generates value for members through volume discounts. Suppliers pay for preferred partner status and meeting sponsorships.
3. Meeting Sponsorships: Annual conference sponsorships provide face-time with membership, website/app recognition, presentation opportunities, and onsite signage. Contact: Chris Vranas, CAE, Executive Director.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Schulman Group is a member-owned orthodontic study group that sells membership to independent orthodontists. Members gain access to collective buying power via 25+ preferred suppliers, integrated practice management platforms (CEDR for HR, GAIDGE for analytics, DENTIRA for supplier purchasing), an exclusive Invisalign special markets program, annual continuing-education meetings, and a peer collaboration network, all while retaining complete ownership and autonomy of their individual practices.

Product overview

The Schulman Group is a member-owned orthodontic study organization offering the benefits of a DSO/OSO while preserving full practice independence. The core offering is Schulman Group Membership, supported by SG Management LLC which delivers non-clinical support services. Members access a platform of integrated tools including CEDR (HR), GAIDGE (practice analytics), and DENTIRA (supplier marketplace), along with exclusive access to INVISALIGN products and a network of 25+ preferred suppliers. Annual meetings provide continuing education and peer networking opportunities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Schulman Group Membership Core membership product for independent orthodontists, providing collective buying power, peer collaboration, geographic exclusivity, and access to integrated practice management resources while preserving full practice ownership and autonomy.
• SG Management LLC Dental Support Services

Quantifiable outcome

• 80% greater exam performance vs national average
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• 3M Oral CarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPreferred supplier partnership providing members access to cutting-edge products at competitive prices. Mentioned in member video testimonials about exclusive supplier programs.
• Align Technology (Invisalign)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerINVISALIGN special markets program exclusive for SG members. Partner mentioned in video 'Unlock the Schulman Group Advantage' discussing supplier programs.
• GaidgecoreTechnology or IntegrationLeading provider of practice analysis metrics for orthodontists. KPIs reported by SG members always exceed national average (80% greater exams, more new patient starts, higher net production/collections). Used for data-driven decisions.
• CEDRcoreTechnology or IntegrationHR solutions provider included in membership benefits for practice human resources needs.
• DENTIRA / Source ClubcoreTechnology or IntegrationSupplier price comparison platform where members search, compare prices, and order across all suppliers in one place.
• Duke University's Fuqua School of BusinessminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSG members attended Align Technology's Digital Practice Accelerator program at Duke Fuqua. Professor Tony O'Driscoll (Duke) to keynote at SG 2025 Annual Meeting on AI and digital transformation.
• 3M Oral Care (Brant Napier)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerBrant Napier from 3M Oral Care provided testimonial on SG benefits for practice independence while accessing resources typically associated with larger organizations.
• Ritz-Carlton Amelia IslandminorOthersVenue for Schulman Group 2025 Annual Meeting (February 23-27). Meeting sponsorships available for preferred supplier program partners.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights9 records

Broad incumbents

• Align Technology: Manufacturer of Invisalign clear aligners and iTero scanners, and a core SG preferred supplier partner through its Special Markets program. Adjacent incumbent that influences SG's value proposition — its commercial terms directly shape member economics, and its evolving direct-to-consumer channels (now largely exited) are strategically relevant to orthodontic independents.
• American Association of Orthodontists (AAO): The primary professional membership association for orthodontists in the United States with ~19,000 members. While not a curated study club, it is the closest broad-based peer serving the same orthodontic constituency with education, advocacy, and member resources; SG's positioning is a premium subset within the same professional community.
• Pacific Dental Services: Large, PE-backed dental support organization providing practice support services to clinician partners across multiple specialties. Comparable to SG's DSO-style service offering and supplier-ecosystem approach, though at much greater scale and with ownership-stake rather than member-ownership structure.
• Heartland Dental: The largest US dental support organization, supporting thousands of dentists across general and specialty practices via non-clinical services. Comparable to Schulman Group's value proposition as a DSO, but as a PE-backed broad incumbent rather than a member-owned orthodontic specialist — represents the corporate alternative SG's members are opting against.

Direct peers

• Kois Center: Independent, application-based dental education center founded by Dr. John Kois, focused on evidence-based clinical and practice management excellence. Comparable to Schulman Group in its selective membership model and reputation as a destination for top-tier, independent dental practitioners seeking advanced training.
• Spear Education: Continuing education and practice consulting platform serving dentists and specialists through workshops, seminars, and online learning. Comparable to Schulman Group in providing CE-credit educational events, curated member communities, and practice growth resources for high-performing clinicians.
• Seattle Study Club: A premier doctor-led dental study club network providing CE, peer collaboration, and practice resources to dentists and specialists. Most direct comparable to Schulman Group's curated study-club model with similar community-led GTM and geographic exclusivity concepts, though broader across dental specialties rather than orthodontic-only.
• The Pankey Institute: Private, high-end dental education institution focused on comprehensive care, practice management, and clinical excellence for elite dentists. Comparable to Schulman Group in its premium positioning, application-based membership, and emphasis on independent practice owners seeking continuous learning and peer mentorship.

Emerging players

• Lightforce Orthodontics: Technology-enabled orthodontic company offering 3D-printed, fully customized bracket systems and digital workflow tools. Represents an emerging category of orthodontics-focused technology players that could reshape the competitive landscape SG members operate in, with implications for both supplier economics and member practice economics.

Others

• Gaidge: Practice analytics and benchmarking platform for orthodontic practices, integrated into SG's member benefits. Functions as an enabling technology partner rather than a direct competitor, but is shaping the data layer that orthodontic practices and member organizations like SG increasingly rely on for performance management.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/schulmangroup
• Instagraminstagram.com/schulmangroup

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 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 The Schulman Group