Message Boards
Today's Active Topics Today's Active Cases Browse Forum Categories My Recent Activity My Messages Private Groups My Marked Threads My Subscriptions
Today's Active Images Today's Active Polls Most Active Topics Global Townie Map Advanced Message Board Search Message Board Terms of Use

Corporate Profile: Premier Dental by Benjamin Lund, Editor, Dentaltown Magazine

Start Discussion More by this author (119)
by Benjamin Lund, Editor, Dentaltown Magazine

Since its inception, family-owned Premier Dental has always prided itself on maintaining a reputation of building life-long relationships driven by superior products and delivered by exceptional people. Premier Dental is about to celebrate its 100th anniversary, and in preparation of this monumental commemoration, Dentaltown Magazine interviewed Julie Charlestein, great-granddaughter of Premier founder Julius Charlestein, and president of Premier, to learn more about the company’s history, its philosophy and its evolution in the dental profession.

Julie, please tell me a little about yourself and your professional history.
Charlestein: I suppose I have been working at Premier Dental my entire life. My earliest memories are from the warehouse, color-coding wood wedges on my days off from elementary school. My professional career began with Premier about 16 years ago, when I worked part time in our medical division. Before then, I worked in the political arena in Washington DC.

During my work at Premier in our medical division, my mentor encouraged me to go to business school, which I did. Once I had my shiny new degree, I wanted to make sure that someone aside from my family would hire me! So, I worked in the telecom arena for a few years before returning to Premier, where I have now been full time for 10 years and serve in the role of president.

Everything about Premier and my job excites me. I am overwhelmed every day by the incredible opportunities before me.

If you were to meet a dentist on the street who has never heard about Premier Dental, how would you explain the company to them?
Charlestein: Whenever I travel, I try to wear one of our Premier t-shirts that showcases our different brands – Enamel Pro or Traxodent for example. This inevitably sparks conversation, and has led to some long-lasting relationships. I always tell these new friends that Premier is an innovator, and we have built our business on relationships. We develop, manufacture and distribute innovative consumables for the dental professional worldwide.

Tell our readers about the history of Premier Dental and about the company’s evolution.
Charlestein: Premier was started in 1913 by my great-grandfather Julius Charlestein. Julius worked as a dental instrument sharpener, and on his way home from work, would pass dental offices. He asked his boss at the time if he could bring some instruments home with him to sell on the way – and that is how he got his start in business.

Premier’s evolution is remarkable. We have managed to grow significantly under the leadership of my grandfather Morton, and my father Gary, and with the help of our world-class team. This evolution has come in stages, including our successful partnership with ESPE, and our triumphant trajectory from that point. We have focused most recently on true technological innovations that bring multiple layers of added benefit to the marketplace.

Obviously, many things in the world of dentistry have changed over the course of the century, but one thing that has not is Premier’s steadfast belief that it should always operate with the highest level of integrity, and that all should benefit from the work that we do together.

What is your mission? What is your current business philosophy and how is it emulated by your team?
Charlestein: Our mission is to drive relevance through targeted innovation, select partnerships, brand strength and human capitol. We seek to be the “preferred partner” to whomever we are dealing with. These elements guide us with tremendous clarity through our growth strategies. They bring focus as to what types of technologies we are looking to develop, and what types of partners we want to do business with.

Our philosophy never changes; it is always to do what is right.

Tell me about Premier Dental’s culture. What’s it like to be part of the Premier Dental team?
Charlestein: Premier’s culture is truly one of the most special aspects of our organization. We are a driven, hard-working family, but a family that truly cares about one another and wants the best for both the individual team member and the organization as a whole.

Before holidays, my grandfather would always remind the team: “A part of you belongs to Premier.” We all believe that. We all believe and feel that we are responsible to each other, and to a cause that is greater than each of us.

To be 100 years old and still be family-owned is a feat in itself. How has Premier Dental managed to stay family-owned for so long?
Charlestein: We have been blessed with great teachers, and people of compassion. Julius and Morton’s lessons of humility, love and respect have created the foundation for ongoing understanding. Constant communication and strong agreements are important too!

To what do you attribute Premier’s successful penetration in dentistry?
Charlestein: Firstly, an undoubted belief in ourselves. We know what our capabilities are, and we set out to exceed our expectations every time. We also allow ourselves to take calculated risks in many elements of our business.

Premier Dental is truly an international brand. In how many countries can you find Premier Dental products?
Charlestein: Being an international brand is so important to us. Premier products can be found in most countries around the globe, and perhaps most exciting is that you will find a combination of legacy products and new innovations as well. Canada is certainly our largest market outside of the U.S.; although we treat Canada as a domestic market.

Additionally, we have a very strong presence in Japan, Australia and Korea due in large part to the fact that my grandfather, who served in World War II, became keenly aware of globalization through his experiences. He traveled the world, and developed relationships in many markets long before others were doing so. Our footprint also continues to grow in European Union countries as well, with specific emphasis on the UK and Germany.

How do you set yourself apart from the competition? What would you say is your single greatest advantage?
Charlestein: A very real difference between us and our competitors is the fact that we are a privately held company. This means many things, including the ability to operate in what we feel is the best interest of our company and customers.

We also have an amazing advantage in having been in business for so many years. We understand the dynamics of the global marketplace, and have developed a number of partnerships that have guided us throughout the years.

My father always says, “We have good products, and people like us.” I was always frustrated by this in the sense that it is not “sophisticated business-speak,” but the longer I have worked here, and the more I learn, the more I see that he is right.

What is the most memorable customer interaction you’ve ever had?
Charlestein: I was at the most recent Alliance for Oral Health Across Borders meeting, and was talking with a young dentist from China. It was a bit difficult to communicate, but we were managing. Toward the end of our conversation, I gave her my business card. Once she saw the Premier logo, you could see a sense of understanding come across her face. She smiled broadly, and told me she knew of the brand, that she used the products and that they were “good products.”

To be able to create a connection with people all over the world is so rewarding, and to know they are having a positive experience with Premier is astounding.

Aside from your 100th anniversary, what are you excited about in the upcoming year? Can you give us a little sneak peek into any new products you’re developing?
Charlestein: Each year brings the opportunity for growth, experimentation and success. This is what has always driven us, and this coming year is no different. We continue to have a strong focus on hygiene and restorative products, so you will see more from us in those arenas.

To learn more about Premier Dental, call 610-239- 6000 or 888-670-6100 or visit www.premusa.com.
Dentaltown Magazine
September 2025
Dentaltown Magazine September 2025 Read Current Issue Read Archived Issues
Sponsors
Townie Perks
Townie® Poll
Who or what do you turn to for most financial advice regarding your practice?
  
Site Menu
Message Boards Magazine Continuing Education Podcasts Blogs Classifieds Dental News Events Townie® Poll Ebooks Townie Choice Awards
Company Info
Contact Us Advertise With Us Howard Farran DDS, MBA Policies and Agreements
Site Help
Sally Gross, Member Services Specialist
Phone: +1-480-445-9710
Email: sally@farranmedia.com
©2025 Dentaltown, a division of Farran Media • All Rights Reserved
9633 S. 48th Street Suite 200 • Phoenix, AZ 85044 • Phone:+1-480-598-0001 • Fax:+1-480-598-3450