Heartland Dental

Acquisition strategy is led by the CEO and a dedicated business development team under the board's oversight. Founder Richard Workman remains Executive Chairman and continues to influence growth direction. KKR, as majority owner since 2018, holds board seats and is involved in capital allocation and major strategic moves.

Heartland maintains a national business development team that contacts dental practice owners directly, often after a dentist expresses interest in reducing administrative burden or planning succession. The firm's scale and reputation allow it to see deal flow that smaller DSOs or private equity platforms cannot match. Referrals from existing affiliated dentists also contribute meaningfully to the pipeline.

Heartland Dental is a private equity-backed dental support organization. Founder Richard Workman retains an equity stake and the Executive Chairman title, but KKR has held majority control since 2018. The firm operates as a portfolio company, not a family office.

Heartland Dental deploys capital exclusively through direct acquisitions of dental practices and regional dental groups. It does not operate funds, make limited partner commitments, or invest outside the dental services sector.

KKR acquired a majority stake in Heartland Dental in 2018 in a deal that valued the firm at roughly $3.9 billion. Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, the previous majority investor, exited its position through the sale. KKR funds are now the controlling shareholders, with founder Rick Workman and other management retaining a minority interest.