Piedmont Dental, a Rock Hill, SC family dentistry practice, remains under the ownership of the same dentist who sees its patients, bucking a rapid statewide trend toward corporate affiliation
ROCK HILL, SC, UNITED STATES, October 5, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — While private equity firms and corporate consolidators continue snapping up dental offices nationwide, Piedmont Dental, a family dentist in Rock Hill, SC located on Constitution Boulevard, is heading in the opposite direction. The practice is owned by its treating dentist, Dr. Ben Areheart, DMD, and plans to remain that way.
The percentage of U.S. dentists associated with a dental support organization grew by more than double between 2015 and 2024, climbing from 7.2 percent to 16.1 percent, per the American Dental Association's Health Policy Institute. South Carolina saw one of the three largest increases among states during that timeframe, rising 15.4 percentage points.
Ownership patterns have shifted accordingly. That same institute reports that in 2023, 73 percent of dentists owned their practices, compared with 85 percent in 2005. The Private Equity Stakeholder Project identified 161 private equity dental transactions in 2024, exceeding the 146 recorded the prior year and topping every other health care category it monitors.
"When the dentist performing your exam also owns the practice, every recommendation is based on what your teeth need, not on meeting production numbers. That is the entire reason I entered private practice, and that is not something I am willing to sell,"
Piedmont Dental has taken this independent path since Dr. Areheart joined in 2014: the same dentist at each appointment, comprehensive and preventive treatment for patients of all ages, and specialized procedures referred to local experts when that is the best approach for the tooth. More details on family dentistry in Rock Hill at Piedmont Dental can be found at https://piedmontdentalsc.com/family-dentistry-in-rock-hill-sc/
"Most of the people in my chair have been patients for years, and now their children are coming in too. There is no corporate office telling us how many patients we have to see each day. That changes the entire experience,".
The office currently holds a 5.0-star rating from 419 Google reviews.
Dr. Areheart received his DMD from the Medical University of South Carolina College of Dental Medicine in Charleston in 2011. Following that, he served in the U.S. Air Force, achieved the rank of captain, and finished an Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency during his service before coming back to South Carolina. He and his wife are raising three kids in the region.
New patients are accepted from throughout York County, including Fort Mill, Tega Cay, York and Lake Wylie.
About Piedmont Dental
Piedmont Dental is a dentist-owned family practice located at 1562 Constitution Blvd #101 in Rock Hill, South Carolina, led by Dr. Ben Areheart, DMD, who has been practicing there since 2014. The office offers general and preventive dentistry, cleanings, crowns, teeth whitening, pediatric care, dental implants, bridges, dentures, extractions, emergency services, sedation dentistry, TMJ treatment and wisdom tooth removal for families throughout York County. New patients may call (803) 328-3886. https://piedmontdentalsc.com
Piedmont Dental
1562 Constitution Blvd #101, Rock Hill, SC 29732
(803) 328-3886
https://piedmontdentalsc.com
Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps?cid=12387756395084615925
Julia Munoz
New Speaks Media
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