Dental Group Practice Association Announces New Executive Director

DENVER, March 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Dental Group Practice Association (DGPA), a nonprofit industry association representing more than 30 dental support organizations (DSOs), has announced the appointment of Quinn Dufurrena, D.D.S., J.D., as its new executive director, following a nationwide search.

"Dr. Dufurrena's appointment is the first step in a coordinated campaign to raise awareness and understanding of the value DSOs bring to dentistry. Much as the Affordable Care Act strives to increase patient access to quality care through innovative approaches to the health care system, the DSO model strives to do much the same," said Doug Brown, co-president of DGPA and CEO of Affordable Care, Inc. "We are confident that Dr. Dufurrena will lead our association during an exciting period of evolution in the field of dentistry, one where more dentists are shifting from solo practitioners to group practices and the DSO model is breaking down barriers in order to deliver quality oral health care," Brown added.

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), patients continue to experience a number of geographic, financial and educational barriers to quality oral health care. Use of the DSO model has shown success in overcoming these challenges by allowing dentists to focus on care rather than administrative paperwork, broadening dentists' ability to accept a wide range of insurance plans and helping dentists care for their patients with the latest and most effective technologies.     

"Dr. Dufurrena's background – ranging from work as a solo practitioner working on policy for the ADA to serving as executive director of a state dental association – provides him unparalleled insight into the role DSOs and their supported dentists can and must play in helping to bridge our nation's growing dental divide," said Stephen Thorne, co-president of DGPA and founder, president and CEO of Pacific Dental Services.

Dr. Dufurrena comes to DGPA with more than 30 years of dental experience in government, private practice and nonprofits. He received his D.D.S. from the University of the Pacific in 1983 and his J.D. from Concord Law School in 2008. Most recently, he served as the executive director of the Colorado Dental Association. He also previously served as executive director of the Idaho Dental Association. Prior to those roles, he provided dental care to patients in a private practice and as part of the U.S. Navy Dental Corps. Beyond his chair-side duties, Dr. Dufurrena served an associate professor at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine and worked at the ADA as a Hillenbrand Fellow.

"I've been committed to promoting and providing affordable, high quality oral health care throughout my entire career. These are the same values shared by all members of DGPA and their supported dentists," said Dr. Dufurrena. "I am honored to have been selected and look forward to working with all stakeholders at the state and federal levels to help them better understand the role and value a DSO plays in supporting quality dental care to millions of Americans every year."

He is replacing Dr. Ed Meckler who served as executive director since DGPA's inception.

"We want to personally thank Dr. Meckler for his tireless dedication and passion on behalf of DGPA, and for his many contributions to building the organization during its formative years," Brown said.

Dr. Dufurrena will officially begin his role as executive director on March 3 and will be based in Denver, Colorado.

To learn more about Dr. Dufurrena and the DGPA, please visit: www.thedgpa.org.

About The Dental Group Practice Association

DGPA represents more than 30 dental support organizations that provide the nonclinical support services that enable many dentists to focus on the delivery of high-quality, cost-effective dental care to their patients instead of paperwork. Today, DSOs support an estimated 8,000 licensed dentists practicing in 5,000 dental practices who in turn serve more than 27 million patients each year across the country. The mission of the association is to enthusiastically represent to the dental community the powerful advantages that progressive dental support organizations bring and assist dental professionals to improve the quality of dental care for patients and the quality of life for those dental professionals.

For more information:
www.thedgpa.org

Media contact:
Clay Boothby+1-202-835-9444
[email protected]

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SOURCE Dental Group Practice Association