22 July 2026

---

Peak Dental Launches Human-Centered Care Initiative

---

Services, a growing doctor-led dental services organization, is redefining what it means to support dental professionals, becoming the first dental services organization in the country to apply a human-centered design framework to the clinician and patient experience.

Peak Dental Services, a growing doctor-led dental services organization, is redefining what it means to support dental professionals, becoming the first dental services organization in the country to apply a human-centered design framework to the clinician and patient experience.

“Our focus is on removing the obstacles in the day-to-day work of our doctors, hygienists, dental assistants, and administrative staff so they can all focus on what really matters—their own well-being and the health of our patients,” said Bridget Duffy, M.D., who joined Peak in January 2026 as its new chief executive officer and is spearheading this company-wide effort.

To measure progress, Peak has deployed the SCORE survey, a peer-reviewed well-being assessment developed by Bryan Sexton, Ph.D., chief wellness officer of Duke Health Integrated Practice and director of the Duke Center for the Advancement of Well-being Science. The tool measures five key areas: psychological safety, local leadership, emotional thriving, emotional recovery, and burnout. Used in more than 30 countries and validated across medical settings, it has not previously been deployed in a dental services organization.

“Peak is dedicated to fostering an entirely new culture. We believe that by investing in our people, they can deliver higher-quality care, an exceptional patient experience, and sustainable financial growth,” Duffy explained.

Duffy was the nation’s first chief experience officer in health care at the Cleveland Clinic, where she established the Office of Patient Experience to drive measurable improvements in overall outcomes, including patient satisfaction and staff engagement. She is now bringing that model to dentistry.

“I want dental professionals of all kinds to look at Peak and think, ‘That is a place I’d really like to spend the rest of my career,’” she added.

Duffy has also appointed clinical leaders to build what the organization describes as a center of excellence for the optimal practice of dentistry.

Anthony Lere, D.D.S., serves as the first chief experience officer in dentistry. Lere has more than 15 years of experience and has been with Peak since 2018, where he still practices chairside and leads clinical directors in shaping the clinical vision, strategy, and philosophy of care.

“I believe the best patient outcomes stem from a culture of collaboration where every member of the dental team is valued, supported, and empowered to contribute at the highest level. When teams work together with a shared commitment to excellence, they create exceptional experiences for patients. I’m excited for what lies ahead at Peak,” Lere said.

Also heading up this effort is Carrie Mauterer, D.D.S., the first chief well-being and quality officer in U.S. dentistry. Mauterer, a fellow of the Pierre Fauchard Society, the American College of Dentists, and the International College of Dentists, has served in various leadership roles, including as president of the Colorado Dental Association and as a peer-elected delegate to the American Dental Association.

Mauterer has embraced the new role. “Dentistry has always had the clinical standards. What it has lacked is a systematic approach to the human experience behind them. That is what we are building at Peak.”

Peak Dental Services supports more than 60 neighborhood practices across Colorado and Texas.

Founded in 2008, Peak Dental Services is a leading doctor-led dental services organization committed to advancing the future of dental care for providers and the patients they serve by combining modern technology with a customer-first approach. Peak Dental Services supports a growing network of neighborhood dental practices with operational expertise, clinical autonomy, marketing, recruiting, finance, and other business services designed to reduce administrative burden and strengthen practice performance. Learn more at Peak Dental Services , call 303.317.8997, and follow the company on LinkedIn.

Source: https://peakdentalservices.com/