Guided Practice Solutions (GPS Dental), a rapidly expanding dental service organization (DSO), has announced a strategic growth investment from Main Post Partners, a leading private equity firm known for its expertise in partnering with multi-location consumer service platforms. The investment, finalized in December 2021, is set to propel GPS Dental’s growth trajectory and expand its reach across the United States.
Founded in 2015 by Dr. Hunter Smith and Dr. William Little, GPS Dental has quickly grown to support 23 dental practices spanning across Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Indiana, Texas, and Kansas. The DSO is recognized for its comprehensive suite of management services tailored to support partner dentists. GPS Dental distinguishes itself by offering flexible partnership terms and structures, providing doctors with both immediate liquidity and the opportunity to participate in the platform’s future success. With the backing of Main Post Partners, GPS Dental is poised to accelerate its business development and expand into new geographic markets.
According to Co-Founders Dr. Hunter Smith and Dr. William Little, Main Post Partners’ team culture and proven track record were key factors in choosing this investment partnership. They stated, “The Main Post team’s culture and track record make them a perfect fit for what we are building at GPS. We look forward to growing and enhancing our business, while continuing to provide an amazing work environment and dental experience for our doctors and staff, and their patients.” This sentiment underscores the shared vision for growth and commitment to maintaining a positive environment for dental professionals and patients alike.
Sean Honey, Managing Partner at Main Post Partners, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “We are incredibly impressed with the growth and success of GPS. GPS aligns well with our strategy to back highly engaged management teams and multi-location consumer services platforms.” Honey further highlighted Main Post Partners’ intention to leverage their extensive experience in digital marketing and consumer experience to further accelerate GPS Dental’s growth, recognizing the evolving patient priorities in healthcare that increasingly mirror consumer expectations.
This partnership also brings Andy Graham, an experienced executive in the DSO sector, to GPS Dental’s Board of Directors as Chairman. Graham’s appointment adds significant industry expertise to guide GPS Dental’s strategic direction. “It really stands out when you find two co-founders who are as committed to their business and their partners as Hunter and Will,” Graham commented. He emphasized the founders’ strong work ethic, their experience as practicing dentists, and the demonstrable value of their management support, combined with their unique doctor-partnership approach, as key differentiators for GPS Dental.
The financial advisory for GPS Dental in this transaction was provided by Professional Transition Strategies, while legal counsel was provided by Parsons Behle & Latimer. Main Post Partners received legal counsel from Dykema Gossett PLLC and Morrison & Foerster. This strategic investment marks a significant milestone for GPS Dental, setting the stage for continued expansion and enhanced service offerings in the competitive dental service organization market, backed by the resources and expertise of Main Post Partners.
