Bridge Dental Presents at Roseman
Dr. Peter Theurer discusses how his company, Bridge Dental Group, supports dental students and practitioners.
On October 23, 2024, students attended a Lunch and Learn with Bridge Dental Group, a dental support organization (DSO) based in Cottonwood Heights, Utah.
The presentation began with a short introduction by the organization’s talent acquisition manager, Samantha Casey. She explained that like a traditional DSO, they partner with practice owners to provide essential services such as accounting, human resources, marketing, and recruiting but that they take a doctor-led approach.
“We give our practice partners complete autonomy,” she said. “We partner with [providers], and we help them out, but they have complete clinical autonomy in what they do and [in] their day-to-day business.”
After her remarks, Samantha introduced Dr. Peter Theurer, Bridge Dental Group’s co-founder and CEO. Prior to founding Bridge Dental, Dr. Theurer practiced dentistry for 11 years and owned practices in Texas, Colorado, and Utah. “I’ve been in the trenches. I know where you’re at,” he began. “Just a few short years ago, I was in your shoes.”
After school, new dentists are faced with a lot of decisions. “Dental school is great,” recalled Dr. Theurer, “and you learn a lot, but then you get out and realize that you need to learn a lot [more].”
During this uncertain time, coaching becomes invaluable. “The mentorship that you [get] in the first—I would say—five years will really drive your career,” advised Dr. Theurer. “It can really springboard you to so many opportunities.”
In addition to making connections with more experienced professionals, Dr. Theurer encouraged students to foster relationships with their peers in dental school. “Stay connected with this group,” he urged. “The people that you know in this room—that you’ve been through dental hell [with]—those relationships [will] carry your career.”
Dr. Theurer hoped students would see him as a mentor and a resource throughout their career. “Today I really want to become a resource for you,” he offered. “We approach the DSO space, the DSO world, from a position of education. If we can help dentists become more successful—with Bridge or without Bridge—that would be a win for us.”