Heartland Dental Care Opens High-Tech Training Facility

Rick Workman, DMD started as a small town dentist in 1980. Always thinking to expand, Dr. Workman eventually increased his practice to 29 offices throughout central Illinois. After selling his practice to an insurance company, the CEO could have retired. Instead, Dr. Workman invested his share of the proceeds to fund a new venture, Heartland Dental Care. Heartland is a dental practice management company founded on the belief that most dentists would rather focus on practicing dentistry and helping people, instead of running a business.

Heartland's skilled professionals handle everything from payroll, human resources and information technology to accounting, education and coaching. The dentists still keep their autonomy to diagnose and treat patients as they see fit, but have access to extensive continuing education, the ability to network with their colleagues, and also the most comprehensive benchmarking system in the industry. Today, Heartland Dental Care has more than 100 offices in seven midwestern states: Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Iowa, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Ohio. On Thursday, July 31 special guests and speakers traveled across the country to Illinois, to celebrate the grand opening of The Institute, an innovative and state-of-

Heartland Dental Care President & CEO, Rick Workman, DDS, prepares to cut the ribbon at the grand opening of The Institute.

the-art facility that will serve as a valuable resource for the members of Heartland Dental Care and those who seek a place to host dental training seminars and conferences easily, comfortably and with hands-on, multi-media demonstration capabilities.

After months of meticulous construction, this brand new state-of-the-art training facility is welcoming the first session of seminars to its quarters. "The Institute was designed to provide Heartland's members and others within the dental community with up-to-date dental education programs and hands-on training with the most unique and innovative dental equipment in the industry," said Dr. Workman. After the professionals complete their training at The Institute, they will return to their practices more knowledgeable on the latest technology, research and treatments available in dentistry today.

The Institute is comprised of thirteen treatment rooms, all fully equipped with the latest dental technology and products. One room is supplemented with live video feed enabling individuals to observe ongoing clinical procedures via satellite. Two large in-house lecture facilities offer a complete media-enhanced learning environment, making education more accessible for the 300 guests who can be housed there. An advanced multi-media center enables dental professionals and students to take full advantage of digital audio and video capabilities, in addition to an integrated computer lab with flat-screen monitors. These lecture centers allow for easy access between classroom learning and clinical training where needed.

In addition, The Institute is home to two distinctive fully-functioning dental practices, which provide superior additional resources for Heartland Dental Care and other guests of the facility. Several elaborately furnished business offices allow ample space for providing comfortable dental services to patients. Each office has an additional private room designed to give patients complete privacy when consulting with their dentists. A suite has been added specifically for oral surgery and sedation dentistry as well.

For more information,visit the company website at www.heartlanddentalcare.com.

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Workman Named Illinois Entrepreneur Of The Year

Heartland Dental Care President and CEO, Rick Workman, DDS, was named the 2003 Illinois Entrepreneur Of The Year by Ernst and Young.

This is the first time this award was received by a dentist. The selection of Dr. Workman as Master Entrepreneur Of The Year was announced June 12th at Ernst & Young's 17th annual Chicago awards banquet. More than 500 attendees honored the award recipients at the black-tie event, held at Navy Pier's Grand Ballroom. Dr. Workman was among a distinguished assembly of candidates chosen by a panel of independent judges.

Dr. Workman is now eligible to become the National Entrepreneur Of The Year, selected by a notable national judging panel. Previous Entrepreneur Of The Year award winners have included a virtual "Who's Who" of business leaders, such as Michael Dell of Dell Computer Corporation, Jim McCann of 1-800-Flowers.com, Howard Schultz of Starbucks Coffee.

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