What if going to the dentist was a confidence-boosting experience? What if dental offices focused on exceptional clinical outcomes and patient hospitality? Espire Dental founders Dr. Brett Levin and Dr. Jen Derse imagined a practice model where this elevated care was standard. Since 2018, this dream has been a reality for the patients and team members who are part of the Espire Dental team.
The Espire Dental group includes 29 practices that all promise an experience where excellence in dentistry meets luxury hospitality. As a patient, your care is personalized, comfortable, and skilled. As a team member? You receive the same heartfelt, personalized experience. By inspiring confidence and fostering excellence, Espire Dental has created a team of individuals that is ready to put their skills and passion to work for Colorado communities and beyond. “We are thrilled to be named 2024 Top Workplace in Colorado, and this recognition is shared by every Espire team member, Our culture is the ingredient that sets us apart from other dental practices”, shares Tim Hill, Espire’s CEO.
Building on Individual Potential and Team Strengths
As the network of top dentists and offices has grown, Espire has maintained its commitment to Live Joyfully, Lead Bravely, Pursue Excellence, and Create Greatness. In part, the key to this success is Espire’s model that unites team members through shared goals while celebrating the strength of diverse perspectives and individual potential; the Espire Culture Playbook inspires teams to “Be You. Align With Us.” Their outstanding team member benefits and career opportunities reflect these commitments. Similarly, their internal EPIC committee volunteers foster diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
Team members can feel the company’s dedication to individual growth alongside team success. Kelly Gardner shares that she has “been growing with Espire for nine years and counting. Espire has an infectious company culture where you feel valued and appreciated… in a truly positive environment that encourages and promotes your personal and professional growth.”
Tina Braesch, member of the Clinical Advisory Board, echoes these sentiments and recalls that “our Espire to be One All-Team Meeting was outstanding. The culmination of our collective efforts and vision came together in such a meaningful way… More than just a meeting, it felt like a family reunion—a chance to…strengthen the bonds that make us a formidable team and company.”
Combining Skill and Passion
The Espire Dental model is unique in that it focuses on both technical excellence and human relationships. Espire locations offer cutting-edge dental services to patients by investing in new technologies, committing to continuing education, and listening to what the community needs. At the same time, team members get to put their energy into services that feel meaningful and patient focused.
The Espire Experience demonstrates this blend of exceptional dentistry and outstanding hospitality. Team members use advanced technology like A.I. to help patients participate in their own dental care, but those same offices have cozy blankets and headphones for patient comfort. Every operational decision comes down to treating the people involved as a priority (including taste-testing the fluoride options!). When you work with a team that is equally skilled and passionate, success will follow. Espire founders Dr. Brett and Dr. Jen say it best: “If we take care of our team members, and we all take care of our patients, and do it with heart, then everyone wins.”
Cultivating Community Engagement
A great workplace doesn’t end at the office doors; engaging with the larger community and feeling proud of your work makes all the difference to team members who are dedicated to loving what they do. Troy Stone, Sr. Director of Human Resources & People Operations, can tell that a passion for community service and exceptional care extends through every level of the Espire team: “I have never worked with a more passionate and dedicated group of people in my career. Everyone at Espire truly believes in the mission and is dedicated to changing the dental industry for the better!”
At Espire, policies and practices inspire this pride and community engagement. Espire believes that culture is not built by what you proclaim, it is built by what you practice, promote, and permit. The Espiration Foundation put values into action by donating dental services and monetary gifts to communities and charitable organizations in need abroad and locally. All proceeds from teeth whitening services get donated to charity work; the program has earned more than $1 million to date.
Whether it’s a patient seeking innovative dental care or a team member lucky enough to provide someone’s new, confident smile, Espire’s mission is to continuously change lives for the better.
The news and editorial staffs of The Denver Post had no role in this post’s preparation.
