BCTA MEMBERSHIP STATUS
Alumni

SECTOR
Health

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Brazil

REGION OF INITIATIVE
Latin America & Caribbean

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Sorridents pledged to nearly triple in size, operating 400 dental clinics by the end of 2016. Founded by a young dentist in 1995, Sorridents is now the largest chain of dental clinics, either fully owned or franchised in Latin America.

These clinics aim to provide accessible, affordable dental care closer to home, typically on the outskirts of large and mid-sized cities, where real estate is more affordable and most low-income people live. Sorridents clinics offer a variety of dental procedures, serving as a much-needed one-stop shop for dental care, especially for the elderly and people with disabilities.

The company expected this new effort to reach up to 1 million new patients by 2016.

In Brazil, 75 percent of dentists practice in the Southeast region, which encompasses the states of Sao Paolo, Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais and Espirito Santo. While dental clinics are numerous, they are either expensive or low quality. By franchising in new regions, Sorridents aims to reach low-income patients historically unable to afford preventive dental care.

While a new clinic requires a modest investment and franchise fee, the company provides rigorous training on all aspects of starting and managing a clinic. Sorridents also assists franchisees with site location, rent negotiation and training of direct employees and partner dentists.

Brazil has a high number of dentists and nearly 200 dental schools, but the market is competitive and many cannot afford to maintain practices. Sorridents innovative franchise model aims to keep more dentists working and to serve new consumer markets.