Dana Fender
Founder at South Georgia Dental Management LLC
Profile
Dr. Fender, DMD serves as a Partner at the Thurston Group.
At Thurston Group, Dr. Fender is responsible for development and relationship management of their physician practice management companies, including clinical leaders, research endeavors and practice growth opportunities.
Dr. Fender also provides strategic oversight to Thurston Group’s portfolio companies clinical integration and affiliation programs.
Prior to joining Thurston Group, Dr. Fender co-founded Smile Doctors, where he served as Chief Clinical Business Development Officer since 2015.
His success at Smile Doctors allowed the company to grow significantly through strategic acquisitions and was also able to implement an affiliation program that allowed the company to grow to a national presence.
In addition, Dr. Fender co-founded SGA Dental Partners in 2018.
Currently, Dr. Fender serves on the board of directors for National Dental Healthcare REIT, SGA Dental Partners and Gen4 Dental Partners.
Dr. Fender earned his dental degree in 1993 from the University of Georgia Dental School where he graduated as Valedictorian.
He then completed and received his degree in orthodontics from Vanderbilt University.
Dr. Fender and his wife, Hope, have 3 sons with 2 grandsons.
Dr. Fender enjoys traveling and spending time in the great outdoors with his family.
Dana Fender active positions
| Companies | Position | Start |
|---|---|---|
Thurston Group LLC
 Thurston Group LLC Investment ManagersFinance Thurston Group LLC (Thurston Group) is a private equity firm founded in 1986 by Patrick J. Haynes III. The firm is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. | Private Equity Investor | 2021-09-30 |
South Georgia Dental Management LLC
 South Georgia Dental Management LLC Medical/Nursing ServicesHealth Services South Georgia Dental Management LLC provides dental practice services. The company is based in Richmond Hill, GA and has subsidiaries in the United States. The company was founded in 2014 by Zachary L. Bentley and Dana Fender. The CEO is Patrick J. Haynes. | Founder | 2017-12-31 |
Gen4 Dental Partners
 Gen4 Dental Partners Medical/Nursing ServicesHealth Services Gen4 Dental Partners is a dental service organization that provides support to leading providers of dental services. Gen4 Dental Partners is based in Tempe, AZ, and has subsidiaries in the United States. The company fosters and promotes excellence at all levels, including community, education, and financial success. Led by CEO Lamonte Jensen and CCO Dr. Mitch Ellingson, the company challenges the status quo in the consolidation space and allows dentists and their teams to practice dentistry their way while experiencing the benefits of financial and operational support. The company was founded in 2021 by Lamonte Jensen and Mitchell Ellingson, and Lamonte Jensen has been the CEO since 2021. | Director/Board Member | - |
National Dental Healthcare REIT, Inc.
 National Dental Healthcare REIT, Inc. Real Estate Investment TrustsFinance National Dental Healthcare REIT, Inc. partners with dental care providers who own their real estate, providing them with an attractive, tax-efficient sale structure with dividend income and the opportunity for appreciation. The REIT is based in Chicago, IL and has grown to 125 properties under management in 18 states worth $160 million in 2½ years since its inception. The company removes the risk and hassle of property ownership. The company was founded by Patrick J. Haynes and is the first healthcare REIT focused exclusively on the dental industry. | Director/Board Member | - |
Former positions of Dana Fender
| Companies | Position | End |
|---|---|---|
Smile Doctors LLC
 Smile Doctors LLC Miscellaneous Commercial ServicesCommercial Services Smile Doctors LLC is the largest orthodontic dental support organization in the United States, with over 415 locations in 28 states. Smile Doctors was founded in 2015 by Scott Law, Greg Goggans, Dana Fender, and Scotte Hudsmith, and is based in Georgetown, TX, with subsidiaries in the United States. The American company provides tools and technology to affiliated orthodontists, allowing them to focus entirely on patient care. Smile Doctors is also the largest network of Diamond Plus Invisalign® providers and is a proud member of the American Association of Orthodontists and American Dental Association. The company's mission is to create confident smiles that inspire the best in their patients, each other, and the communities they serve. | Founder | - |
Training of Dana Fender
| Georgia Health Sciences University | Graduate Degree |
| Valdosta State University | Undergraduate Degree |
| Vanderbilt University School of Medicine | Graduate Degree |
Experiences
Positions held
Connections
1st degree connections
1st degree companies
Male
Female
Members of the board
Executives
Linked companies
| Private companies | 5 |
|---|---|
Thurston Group LLC
Thurston Group LLC Investment ManagersFinance Thurston Group LLC (Thurston Group) is a private equity firm founded in 1986 by Patrick J. Haynes III. The firm is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. | Finance |
Smile Doctors LLC
Smile Doctors LLC Miscellaneous Commercial ServicesCommercial Services Smile Doctors LLC is the largest orthodontic dental support organization in the United States, with over 415 locations in 28 states. Smile Doctors was founded in 2015 by Scott Law, Greg Goggans, Dana Fender, and Scotte Hudsmith, and is based in Georgetown, TX, with subsidiaries in the United States. The American company provides tools and technology to affiliated orthodontists, allowing them to focus entirely on patient care. Smile Doctors is also the largest network of Diamond Plus Invisalign® providers and is a proud member of the American Association of Orthodontists and American Dental Association. The company's mission is to create confident smiles that inspire the best in their patients, each other, and the communities they serve. | Commercial Services |
South Georgia Dental Management LLC
South Georgia Dental Management LLC Medical/Nursing ServicesHealth Services South Georgia Dental Management LLC provides dental practice services. The company is based in Richmond Hill, GA and has subsidiaries in the United States. The company was founded in 2014 by Zachary L. Bentley and Dana Fender. The CEO is Patrick J. Haynes. | Health Services |
Gen4 Dental Partners
Gen4 Dental Partners Medical/Nursing ServicesHealth Services Gen4 Dental Partners is a dental service organization that provides support to leading providers of dental services. Gen4 Dental Partners is based in Tempe, AZ, and has subsidiaries in the United States. The company fosters and promotes excellence at all levels, including community, education, and financial success. Led by CEO Lamonte Jensen and CCO Dr. Mitch Ellingson, the company challenges the status quo in the consolidation space and allows dentists and their teams to practice dentistry their way while experiencing the benefits of financial and operational support. The company was founded in 2021 by Lamonte Jensen and Mitchell Ellingson, and Lamonte Jensen has been the CEO since 2021. | Health Services |
National Dental Healthcare REIT, Inc.
National Dental Healthcare REIT, Inc. Real Estate Investment TrustsFinance National Dental Healthcare REIT, Inc. partners with dental care providers who own their real estate, providing them with an attractive, tax-efficient sale structure with dividend income and the opportunity for appreciation. The REIT is based in Chicago, IL and has grown to 125 properties under management in 18 states worth $160 million in 2½ years since its inception. The company removes the risk and hassle of property ownership. The company was founded by Patrick J. Haynes and is the first healthcare REIT focused exclusively on the dental industry. | Finance |
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