Roderick Place was named COO of InterDent in 2017 and assumed Co-Leadership as Chief Executive Officer in 2018. Mr. Place has extensive experience transforming private equity backed healthcare companies through his strategic leadership, focus on operational excellence, clinical leadership collaboration, and structuring of field operations and corporate support teams. Mr. Place is also accomplished in leading boards and executive teams through expansive growth in mergers & acquisitions, DeNovo, due diligence and market consolidation. Before joining InterDent, Mr. Place served in executive level operations roles with Western Dental, MedQuest Associates and Alliance Healthcare. Mr. Place is also the Managing Director and Co-Founder of MedSummit Solutions, LLC. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting from Grand Valley State University.
Matthew Wickesberg joined InterDent as EVP/CFO in 2016 and assumed Co-Leadership as Executive Vice Chairman two years later. In 2019, he was further elevated to Co-Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Wickesberg is an experienced board member, executive officer, and lender with a deep background in multi-site hospitality and healthcare industries. He is also experienced working with lending institutions and private equity firms through structuring capital, due diligence, mergers & acquisitions, and uncovering portfolio synergies. Prior to joining InterDent, Mr. Wickesberg served in various senior finance roles with HOA Restaurant Group, ZTejas, Inc., and GE Capital. Mr. Wickesberg received his Bachelor of Science in Finance from Oklahoma State University and his MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management.
Dr. Heather Hawkins has committed her career to patient care while understanding current healthcare trends and value-based comprehensive care. Dr. Hawkins has an expansive clinical, academic and operational background, including leading medical-dental integration as well as quality and risk management for multi-site healthcare organizations. After 12 years of practicing general dentistry, she expanded her skills with several key roles in academia. In 2012 she joined the team at Adventist Health in Northern California, a multi-site health care organization with over 5,000 medical and dental staff physicians, as the Director of Quality. In her leadership role there, Dr. Hawkins led expansion and integration across the health system with medical and dental clinic management and an emphasis on comprehensive care models addressing patient risk factors, active disease and preventative measures. Dr. Hawkins earned her Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD) from Nova Southeastern University in Florida and her Advanced Education in General Dentistry Certification from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Dr. Manu Chaudhry has dedicated his career in the pursuit of dental health care, improving clinical quality and access to care, and transforming delivery of care to improve overall health outcomes. He is a dynamic and mission-driven leader with extensive leadership experience over multi-region dental practices, and has also founded multiple collaborative organizations that reduce oral and overall health disparities. Dr. Chaudhry is a board member of Healthier Kids Foundation and holds a Masters of Science in Biomedical Engineering from the University of California, San Diego and earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from University of the Pacific.
Sandra Lau is a seasoned legal adviser with over fourteen years experience acting as General Counsel of multiple dental healthcare corporations. Ms. Laus responsibilities include advising executive management, supporting strategic growth initiatives, overseeing all aspects of the corporate legal function including HIPAA, state and federal regulatory compliance, corporate transactions and governance, mergers and acquisitions, and risk and litigation management. Before Joining InterDent, Ms. Lau served as General Counsel at Western Dental. Ms. Lau holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California, Los Angeles and a Juris Doctor from Loyola Marymount University.
Bernard Piccione has extensive experience across a wide range of industries delivering complex enterprise-scale information technology solutions to achieve major global business value and objectives. Mr. Piccione excels at driving sustainable business growth through IT modernization, solution development, and global transformation initiatives while building strong partnerships to better leverage technology solutions. Prior to joining InterDent, Mr. Piccione served as CIO for Ingenuity Advisory Partners, Inc., Complex Care Solutions, Inc., and MagnaCare. Mr. Piccione holds a Bachelors and Masters in Computer Science from Boston University.
Darrin Kellaris is a senior marketing executive with over 20 years experience specializing in digital marketing, social media, and brand strategy. Mr. Kellaris offers a record of success in creating and driving marketing strategies that strengthen revenue, margins, and market share by elevating brand authenticity and relevance. At InterDent, he leads all aspects of marketing including digital and social media, brand positioning, and performance analytics. Prior to joining InterDent, he led marketing efforts at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and IHOP. Mr. Kellaris holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing from San Diego State University.
Diane Stern brings almost 20 years of dental services organizational experience specializing in organizational design and strategic partnering. Ms. Stern is responsible for Human Resources planning and strategy for recruiting, retention, benefits and performance management. She built her HR leadership experience through roles at Coast Dental, PrimeCo Wireless Communications and LabCorp where she focused on employee programs to increase engagement and satisfaction along with operational efficiencies. Ms. Stern holds a Bachelors degree in English Literature, Education, and Business from the University of Tampa and volunteers at KMR Group Foundation.
Reviews
Rating 4.1 out of 5 based on 124 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestKelly Davis
2 years ago
I have to say Gentle Dental is absolutely outstanding. From the very first time I went in, because my tooth hurt so bad on a Friday late afternoon. I came out pain free. No one else could see me nor would take my insurance. But definitely a blessing. My dentist is very, very thorough like you wouldn't believe. I had a previous dentist who no longer accepted my insurance. I thought he was very good and I didn't know who I was going to be able to find to replace him. I am so happy I stumbled across Gentle Dental, my teeth need a LOT of work and they do nearly everything! Love, love them! Highly!!! Recommend. They are all so nice too. Excellent!!
Bob K
2 years ago
Hold onto your wallet. These folks are slicker than snot on glass.
Carlos Ansaldi
2 years ago
I had been today at this location and I can share my best experience and special treatment from everyone but remarkable Corrine it was so nice going the extra mile for me and solve my problem relieving my pain and uncomfortable situation like no one did before. Thanks Corrine and every one from this office. You guys are exellent and very nice Thanks and God Bless Carlos A.
Dewayne Coleman
2 years ago
Gentle Dental has been great for my wife and I. We love the doctors and all of the employees
Rosa New
2 years ago
Staff and Dr are very friendly. There kindness a care for their patients are obvious. Had some dental work done. Later on in the evening I received a phone call from the Dr himself. He was calling to see how I was doing. I did not expect to here from them especially from the Dr himself. I have bad anxiety when it comes to Dentist, due to bad experiences in the past. But today was so different. Thanks to the staff and the Doctor.
Dianna Pris
2 years ago
Beware of this place!!! They will tell you that you need lots of work on your teeth when you in fact do not need anything done! They took thousands from me for a year then when they quoted me a thousand more on my second annual checkup I started getting suspicious so I went to a new dentist only to be told that I did but need any work and had no cavities!!! They also schedule my child here and then later when I bring them in they start saying that they don't even have the pediatric equipment for X-rays so it was a waste of time and they still did the cleaning so I had to pay out of pocket to get my child their checkup elsewhere. They need to get a lawsuit for malpractice. Don't be like me and he y a second opinion!!! I lost so much money here and could have lost even more! We work hard for our moment to be stolen from! Please be careful if you go here!
Anthony Hernandez
2 years ago
A definite recommendation. Friendly, honest, and informative. I left with a goal and a a few price quotes so I know what to anticipate over time, along with referrals in hand for other offices I will need to go to to achieve my goal. No back and forth trying to get the referrals. Thank you , I look forward to my next visit.
Luis Rodriguez
2 years ago
I'm happy with all the dental work Dr did on all my extraction.and all the work Corrine had done on my fitting of dentures
Beatrice Becerril
2 years ago
The worst dental office I've ever encountered! I was scheduled for deep cleaning today and although it took three months to schedule my appointment, I get a call today from Crystal just to let me know they needed to reschedule once again! I was like "No no no! You are kidding me!" " It took three months to schedule me and now you are calling to once again re-schedule me?" Furthermore, my daughter was seen in October because her wisdom teeth were bothering her! She needed to be referred out to an oral surgeon and we kept calling and calling for status of the referral! She was finally referred 5 months later!! This is a joke! Worst office ever!! Changing offices with my insurance today!
Renee Perez-Mora
2 years ago
Fabulous team of helpful staff who truly cared about my patient experience. From attention to detail, comfort levels, and ensuring I was updated every step of the way, forever thankful to all. :)
Cynthia Khunpannya
2 years ago
Corrine was so friendly and very welcoming from the moment I met her . I was picking up my partial's and the top ones were uncomfortable and Corrine made some adjustments to them and every time after she made sure they were comfortable and not hurting me. It took about 30 minutes & about 100 tries but Corrine was so patient and was still kind throughout the process. She made me feel important and let me add that I have social anxiety but with her I was so comfortable that's how nice she was and she's great at what she does . Thank you Corrine
S Griffin
2 years ago
Dr. Mallela is a very thorough dentist. He cares about your dental health, and the staff are just as caring! I highly recommend this place for your dental needs.
Deanna Rodriguez
2 years ago
Me and my boy's always have the greatest experience at Gentle Dental. The staff is always so helpful, and courteous! Thank you
Linda Bowser
2 years ago
Poor customer service never returns your call or always changing your appointment time without your consent. Staff always complaining of short staff is their reasoning behind running an office unprofessionally.
Kelly Dronyk
2 years ago
Worst place ever!! They scheduled me an appointment at 4pm, after taking time off from work early and getting there they rudely told me " I don't know who scheduled you but we don't make appointments after 4 and could not see me". I was pretty mad. Then as I was leaving I heard the rude girl behind the desk say in a mocking voice " byyeee" I was so appalled. I will never step foot in that place again.
Other
2 years ago
This place is ridiculous. They sent my fiance to a surgeon that was out of his network, and THEN after being called out on it, told us he can see their own oral surgeon to take out his tooth (which by this time has caused him an EXTREME amount of pain and all the office manager says is "sorry nothing we can do".) He has to wait yet another month, goes in thinking he will finally be relieved of the horrible pain, and after he is left waiting over an hour in the office, they tell him his copay would be $1,000. Yet again, they screwed up, and were very unprofessional about it. There was no call, no text a day before or anything warning us of this copay. Lastly the Doctor was inappropriately looking at his staff member IN FRONT of patients, with no care. I'm sorry, but anyone of that behavior shouldn't have a practice to begin with. Screw this place, do NOT waste your time or money here!!
Isabella Vaughn
2 years ago
Staff is lovely and everything is very clean!
Myself
2 years ago
This place should be out of the business. I have revisions every year and of course there is always some things. I went for the first time to this place to have a revision and have a crown and they came with a bill of more than $30,000. I was in shock it never happens to me. it was really insulting came with that amount of money. I went over the estimate at home and when I removed all the extras, and things that I don't really need and the insurance won't cover because I don't need them the total amount was basically less than a thousand dollar. I told them that I want only what I need the crown without extras and they say that they will ask the doctor to have his ok and call me back. They never call me back. What they mean to have the doctor approval. I'm the patient and I have the right to decide what exactly I want and how much money spend. Honestly I'm very disappointed and I will never come back.
Jackie Jones
2 years ago
Friendly and helpful staff!
Mac Lujano
2 years ago
I'm not a big fan of going to the Dentist from past experiences. But I must say the Fresno Gentle Dental team has changed my view on Dentist visits. They are professional, respectful but most of all gentle not to forget quick. I'm gonna give them a five star rating because that whole team deserves it especially Corrine she is a sweetheart the whole team is awesome thank you all and I will see you guys soon.
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