At Heartland Dental, the commitment to hiring veterans is more than just a gesture of gratitude for their service. It is an acknowledgment of the unique skills, values, and experiences veterans bring to the dental profession. With a strong emphasis on creating an environment that resonates with the military culture, Heartland Dental offers a supportive and fulfilling career path for those both serving and transitioning out of military service.
We connected with two dentists across the Heartland Dental support network – Michael Morehead, DDS, a Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves and Lacey Green, DDS, a Captain in the U.S. Army to hear their remarkable journeys and why they believe Heartland Dental stands out as an ideal choice for veterans seeking to continue their professional growth.
Creating a Familiar Environment for Veterans
After completing her undergraduate studies in Chemistry at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, Dr. Lacey Green's passion for oral healthcare drove her to pursue a dental degree. She graduated from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry, equipped with the knowledge and skills to make a difference in people's lives.
However, her journey didn't stop there. Dr. Green's commitment to serving her country led her to join the United States Army, where she proudly served as a Captain for five years including serving one year in Iraq.
As a veteran, Dr. Green found herself drawn to Heartland Dental because it provided a similar community environment to the one she was most familiar with—the Army. Having served as a dentist in the U.S. Army and obtained her Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD), Dr. Green recognized and understood the importance of being part of a supportive community.
“The military world is vast, with support available no matter where you go,” she explained. “And Heartland Dental embodies this sense of camaraderie and support by offering a network of practices across different states and cities. This expansive network ensures that veterans like myself can find a familiar structure and trusted colleagues at every turn. Having people you can turn to and trust is what drew me to Heartland Dental.”
Autonomy and Support
One of the key benefits of working at a Heartland Dental supported office is the balance between autonomy and support. Heartland Dental is the largest and most experienced Dental Support Organization (DSO) in the United States, connecting dentists to one of the largest networks of professionals in the field. In a Heartland Dental supported office, veterans have the opportunity to practice dentistry independently, all while enjoying the comfort of knowing they are never left to navigate their careers alone.
Dr. Morehead embarked on his military journey in 1988, initially joining the U.S. Army and later transitioning to the U.S. Army Reserves in 1992. After completing dental school, he was commissioned as a Captain and established Hollywood Park Dental in San Antonio in 2001. In 2011, he decided to affiliate his practice to be supported by Heartland Dental.
Being an active member of the U.S. Army Reserves, Dr. Morehead has personally experienced how Heartland Dental's support has played a pivotal role in enabling him to pursue his professional development while effectively fulfilling his military obligations.
“Being in the Army Reserves made it complicated and stressful to both own a solo practice and continue my military obligations. Affiliating with a Heartland Dental supported practice made those issues disappear. There’s support for the time I need to dedicate to the Army and maintain my practice. It doesn’t get much better than that!”
The Veterans Employee Community
Heartland Dental recognizes the importance diversity and of providing a supportive community for veterans and those who support them. As part of the Company’s ongoing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts and to foster camaraderie and a sense of belonging, Heartland Dental has established the Veterans Employee Community. This community brings together supported doctors and team members who are currently serving in the military, veterans, and individuals who actively support our veterans. By creating this platform, Heartland Dental ensures that veterans have the opportunity to connect, share experiences, and find support among like-minded professionals.
“One of the aspects I truly appreciate about Heartland Dental is the sense of connection among us, where our unique differences contribute to our collective strength,” shared Dr. Green. “There is much to learn from each other, and this sentiment resonates deeply with my military background, which was enriched by the incredible diversity of people and ideas.”
Heartland Dental's commitment to hiring and supporting veterans extends far beyond words. There is a genuine desire to provide veterans with an environment where they can continue to make a meaningful impact through their dental careers.
“I would recommend a Heartland Dental supported office to anyone transitioning out of military service,” shared Dr. Green. “The type of practice is so similar - the systems, the organization, the way I structure my day and civil support staff who understand structure. I looked around and didn’t find that anywhere else.”
“I am proud to be supported by Heartland Dental, working alongside the other veterans across the company. And I can personally speak to the strengths veterans bring to their workplace,” stated Dr. Morehead. “Our company, doctors and teams have benefitted from the many veterans that work here and I’m hopeful our veteran network will only continue to grow.”
Whether you are a veteran seeking new opportunities or someone who values and supports our veterans, Heartland Dental offers a pathway to success and fulfillment. Learn more at heartland.com/doctors.