Smile Exchange aims to foster trust

HILLTOWN >> Outside the newest Smile Exchange location at Hilltown Crossings shopping center is a table with brochures and a sign clearly listing every insurance provider accepted.

“That’s something we have out there every day, and I don’t know of any other dentist that does that,” noted Andy McKinley, president and CEO of LAMS Dental Management LLC, which oversees operations at all six locations of the rapidly growing dental services chain.

Taking the mystery out of a visit to the dentist and laying the cards on the table, as it were, even before the patient comes through the door is part of the Smile Exchange mission to “transform the dental experience” for every patient, McKinley explained.

“Our research with consumers revealed that the (issues) preventing people from going to the

dentist were lack of transparency and lack of trust. There are a lot of holes in what people view as a dental experience and we want to change the way you feel about your dentist — so that you will come in twice a year to get the cleanings you need that are proven to help your health to prevent gum disease and heart disease,” he said. “We’re trying to change that mindset out there as far as the stigmas that have been associated with dentistry for years, and have people be more educated about what Smile Exchange can do for them.”

The transparency regarding the cost of any procedure — a full range of services includes cleanings, extractions, root canals, crowns, implants and dentures — extends to providing an overview of what other dentists in the area are charging, McKinley allowed.

“Why have dentists been so secretive for so long about how much their services cost? There have been studies done that if you call a dental practice and ask how much a crown will cost only one out of four will give you an answer. We want to provide a reference point for you on our website, along with reviews of what we do.”

The Smile Exchange cost will always be comparable to the average fees for the same procedure, noted P.J. Jafari, LAMS Dental Management vice president of operations.

“We want to be competitive, while offering quality flexible payment options, great reviews and while building a relationship with our patients,” he said.

McKinley added: “The reason we’re able to be so competitive with our pricing is because we do have the six locations. We have centralized functions and can buy supplies at a better rate and leverage other things as we pass along the savings to the consumer.”

In less than two years, Smile Exchange, under the clinical direction of owner Dr. Michael Bundy, who has a private practice in Medford, N.J., has launched half a dozen offices, beginning with Springfield, Delaware County, in the summer of 2015, followed by Malvern, Chester County; Turnersville, New Jersey; Warrington; West Norriton, last October; and Hatfield in January 2017.

“We are spreading our locations out throughout the region as much as we can,” McKinley said.

While most clients have insurance, Smile Exchange offers an alternative called Patient Loyalty Program for those who don’t: A $169 annual fee includes two free exams, cleanings and X-rays per year, as well as 20 percent off most dental services.

Additional family members are $99 per year.

“It’s not insurance, but it’s an alternative,” McKinley said. “Most dentists don’t like the insurance providers because they make them take very low contracted rates. Most consumers are confused and don’t like insurance because there’s a lot of outof-pocket expenses, and then if you look at employers you see that 30 percent of employees don’t utilize their dental benefits. So the employers are overpaying for the benefits that they do provide, and don’t love the insurance providers either. So what we do at Smile Exchange is create our in-house dental discount plan.”

The company also offers CareCredit financing with flexible payment options, McKinley added.

“We’re trying to make dental care available to as many people as we can,” he said.

Smile Exchange is located at 1565 Bethlehem Pike, Hilltown. Phone: (484) 999-2169.

For more information, visit www.SmileExchange.com.