Business View Magazine Jan-2019

110 of their equity, they’re not limited to small business valuations - they actually have access to enterprise value.This is something that’s never been done before, not to our scale in our industry. I think that’s, ultimately,why a lot of doctors join us–the growth potential and the arbitrage value between private practice and group practice.” Villanueva believes that, going forward, the MB2 hybrid model is poised to be the future of dentistry. “We’re the first of its kind, and I do anticipate more and more groups to imitate the structure,which I encourage them to do because I believe it’s the right way to deliver dentistry,”he asserts.“Where the profession is heading and whether or not it’s going to be more analogous to the hospital model where doctors and dentists are employees of a large con- glomerate is yet to be determined, but I think there’s still a lot of opportunity for us. Unlike our medical brethren,whose stories have already been told, we’re only about 20 or 30 percent consolidated. So, 70 or 80 percent of all dentists are still independent and there’s a decision to be made by a lot of private practitioners.Are they going to stay as private practi- tioners? Are they going to be bought out by a large group? Or are they going to join a more progressive platform like ourselves where theymaintain their independence yet garnish the benefits of a large group? Obviously, I believe in the latter and that’s the way things are going to go.” Indeed,Villanueva reports that he has met oth- ers who say they are planning to follow his model. “I think it’s flattering and I encourage them to do it,” he avers.“I’ve had many people visit with me and I’ll give them our operations book; I’ll tell themwhat to do. I think that the more organizations that model after us and allow doctors to run their organizations, the better off my profession is going to be. I believe there’s a place for private practitioners, and there’s a place for doctor/providers that want to be associ- ates. But I’m providing a home for doctors who want