Every organization claims a great culture. Ours is written down and specific enough to be held to — a mission, five values, and thirty fundamentals that describe exactly how we work. Read them before you talk to us. They'll tell you more than an interview will.
We are a team united by a shared passion for excellence and fun, where every member is empowered to grow, thrive, and make a difference. Together, we transform patient lives through comfortable care and lasting solutions that inspire trust and cultivate confidence. By creating meaningful relationships where every patient comes as a stranger and leaves as a friend, we build a legacy of transformation that extends to our community and beyond.
These five guide how we treat our patients, our work, and each other. They are the standard we hold ourselves to every day.
We radiate positivity and fun, creating a workplace that uplifts both team and patient experiences. Each task is approached with enthusiasm and a passion for meaningful impact. By fostering a joyful environment, we ensure every interaction reflects our commitment to delivering care with optimism, energy, and heartfelt dedication.
We are committed to growth, fostering an environment of continuous learning and innovation. By embracing challenges and improving ourselves, we enhance the patient experience and prepare for future needs. Through collaboration and ambition, every effort contributes to personal development and exceptional care.
Radical ownership means taking responsibility with humility and confidence. Mistakes are inevitable, so we use them as opportunities to learn, teach, and strengthen the way we support our patients and each other. By owning our roles and actions, we create a culture of accountability and growth.
We take pride in our structured, evolving systems that ensure consistency and quality. By respecting and refining our processes, we meet the needs of patients and staff. This commitment fosters trust, predictability, and excellence.
We communicate clearly, kindly, and confidently so patients and team members know what is happening and what is expected. We share the right information with the right people at the right time. We welcome difficult conversations and handle them with empathy, honesty, and direct, respectful communication that builds and protects our most valuable asset: trust.
At Smile So Big Dental, we're a team that empowers each other to excel, creating an environment of comfortable care and lasting solutions where patients come as strangers and leave as friends. How do we carry out that mission on a daily basis? The thirty fundamentals that follow are the answer.
Bring warmth, positivity, and enthusiasm to every interaction. Smile often, have fun, and create an uplifting environment for both patients and teammates. Your attitude sets the tone.
Demonstrate integrity in every action and every decision, especially when no one's looking. Be honest, ethical, and trustworthy. If you make a mistake, own it and correct it.
Treat every patient like they are your mom, your grandma, or someone personally important to you. Make them feel seen, comfortable, and cared for at every stage of their journey. Never make patients feel like a burden or an interruption.
Take your performance to the next level. Approach every responsibility with focus, urgency, and relentless execution. Outperform expectations and redefine the "extra mile." Lead by example, inspire excellence in those around you, and create momentum that elevates the entire team.
Communicate clearly, kindly, and confidently so patients and teammates understand what's happening, what's expected, and what comes next. Explain things in a way people can understand. Ask when you're unsure. Clarity reduces anxiety, strengthens relationships, and builds trust.
Follow proper sterilization, cleanliness, and safety procedures at all times. Attention to detail protects our patients, our team, and the quality of care we provide.
Own your actions, your responsibilities, and your outcomes. Deliver results, not excuses. See things through to completion.
Support one another and work together toward a shared goal. Be willing to pitch in, cross-train, and help wherever needed. Have each other's backs and contribute to the success of the entire practice, not just your individual role.
Create an exceptional experience from the very first touch to the final handoff. Every interaction matters. Pay attention to the little things that make people feel special, cared for, and confident in choosing us.
Start from the belief that others are trying to do what they think is right. Avoid jumping to conclusions or taking feedback personally. Lead with trust, empathy, and understanding.
Back clinical recommendations with confidence so patients feel reassured. Disagree privately, support each other publicly. A unified team builds patient trust.
Great experiences don't happen by accident. Follow established systems and processes consistently so we can deliver predictable excellence across every location and every patient interaction. If a system doesn't exist, help create one. If a system can be improved, speak up.
When problems occur, focus on solutions instead of finger-pointing. Mistakes are opportunities to learn, improve, and strengthen our processes. Identify lessons learned and work together to prevent the same issue from happening again.
Stay curious, coachable, and committed to growth. Learn from mistakes, ask questions, expand your skills, and continuously improve your craft. Excellence requires ongoing learning and development.
Build meaningful relationships with patients and teammates. Take time to connect personally, earn trust, and create rapport. Patients may arrive as strangers, but they should leave feeling like family.
Anticipate needs before they become problems. Look at the schedule, think five steps ahead, and prepare in advance. Preventing problems is better than reacting to them.
Give people your full attention and seek to understand their concerns, questions, and perspectives before responding. Listen with empathy, curiosity, and patience. Ask thoughtful questions, clarify what you heard, and avoid jumping to conclusions.
Address issues honestly, professionally, and directly with the people involved. Never gossip or talk behind someone's back. Have difficult conversations early, before frustration builds. Be kind, respectful, and courageous enough to say what needs to be said.
Be resourceful and solution-oriented. Utilize the tools, systems, and resources available to you before escalating problems to others. Think critically and avoid the "easy button." Be a problem solver.
Hold yourself to a high standard. Excellence matters in every detail, whether it's patient care, communication, cleanliness, organization, or follow-through. Ask yourself, "Would I be proud if this reflected directly on me?"
Look at the whole picture, not just the immediate concern. Combine clinical excellence with genuine care for people by helping patients understand their full oral health and the path to lasting wellness.
Do what you say you're going to do, when you say you're going to do it. Be dependable. Show up prepared, on time, and ready to contribute. If something prevents you from meeting a commitment, communicate early and work toward a solution.
Don't wait to be told if you already know what to do. Be proactive, step in to help, and take action without being asked.
How we speak, act, dress, and present ourselves matters. Professionalism builds confidence in our expertise. Conduct yourself with maturity, awareness, and emotional intelligence in every environment.
Respond quickly to patients and teammates. Acknowledge requests and keep people informed along the way. Responsiveness builds trust and confidence.
No matter your position or tenure, you have something to contribute that makes the team better. Share your knowledge, teach others, and help others succeed. Strong teams grow stronger when people willingly support, train, and encourage one another.
Each of us is an expert in something, but no one is an expert in everything. Understand the boundaries of your role and your knowledge. Respect the judgement of those who occupy the seat they're in. Value the expertise that each member brings to the team.
Patients trust us with personal information and sensitive care. Handle conversations, records, and patient data with professionalism, discretion, and respect for confidentiality. Be mindful of what you say, where you say it, and who may hear it.
Take time to recognize people doing things well. Express gratitude, celebrate progress, and acknowledge the contributions that help our team and patients thrive.
Understand how your role impacts the patient experience, the team, and the success of the business as a whole. Think beyond your individual tasks and make decisions that support long-term growth, trust, and excellence.
If you read those thirty and thought "finally," we should talk — whether you're looking for your next role or thinking about the future of your own practice.