Smile Source + ACT Dental: A New Chapter for Independent Dentistry

As a private practice dentist for nearly two decades, I’ve walked the same path many of you are on. I’ve seen the rewards of ownership—and the weight of it. That’s why I’m honored to serve as CEO of Smile Source and proud to share this exciting news: Smile Source has officially merged with ACT Dental.

This merger is more than a partnership. It’s a bold move to strengthen what we believe in most: private, doctor-led dentistry.

Our Shared Vision

Smile Source and ACT Dental are values-aligned organizations with a shared mission: to preserve, support, and elevate independent dentistry. Together, we’re building the strongest national platform for private practice success—combining Smile Source’s buying power and collaborative network with ACT Dental’s renowned coaching systems and education platform.

As Dr. Jeff Osborne, our Chief Dental Officer, said in our recent online Town Hall meeting, “Together, Smile Source and ACT Dental form a powerful alliance, uniquely positioned to help our members thrive.”

ACT Dental has spent 30 years helping dentists build stronger practices and better lives. Their coaching model emphasizes values-based leadership, strategic growth, and real accountability. They also offer hundreds of hours of AGD-approved PACE continuing education, including clinical and practice management content for every role on the team, making them a natural partner for Smile Source.

What does this mean for you right now?

If you’re already a Smile Source member, you know the power of connection. With ACT Dental, that connection expands. This is not a disruption—it’s an enhancement of everything you already value. Your experience remains familiar, but your support system becomes smarter, broader, and more collaborative.

Starting now, you have complimentary access to ACT Dental’s Best Practices Association (BPA) app—a robust resource with hundreds of hours of clinical and practice management content, including CE-accredited webinars, Master Classes, and study clubs for your entire team. It’s designed to support every aspect of your practice, whether you’re focused on profitability, team development, leadership, or long-term strategy.

Looking Ahead

Your leadership team plans to thoughtfully integrate our systems and services with ACT Dental in four carefully phased strategic stages. Although you have complimentary access to the BPA app now, we are in the first of these four stages: Learn, Integrate, Brand, and Fully Integrate. Our ultimate goal is to create a streamlined membership experience that brings together coaching, education, and purchasing power—all in one place.

We’re committed to doing this the right way: with trust, simplicity, and long-term value. This means packaging services more effectively, exploring updates to our membership model, and co-developing new clinical and leadership education opportunities that leverage the strengths of both communities. Our guiding principle is no empty promises—only deliberate, vetted decisions that serve both communities well.

In addition to enhanced education and networking, our combined memberships give us twice the negotiating power to deliver even greater savings from dental vendors. 

A Commitment to You

Above all, this partnership is a promise to equip you with the tools, training, and support you need to thrive. Viewing the recent online Town Hall meeting will provide you with more insight into how we plan to position Smile Source as the engine that drives the next generation of private practice success.

Whether you’re leading a seasoned team or just starting your journey, we’re here to help you succeed in your practice and your life. Thank you for being part of the Smile Source family. We’re just getting started!