Smile Brands Inc. CEO Steve Bilt Receives the 2010 Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award from the Orange County Business Journal

IRVINE, Calif., April 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Smile Brands Inc. President & CEO and Steven C. Bilt has been honored with the Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award from the Orange County Business Journal. Now in its tenth year, the awards program aims to recognize exceptional entrepreneurs based on their vision, execution and accomplishments and potential for future success.  

Smile Brands Inc. is the nation's leading provider of business support services to dental groups in the United States. Bilt co-founded Smile Brands in 1998 and led the company's acquisition of Monarch Dental Corp. in 2003 and Castle Dental Centers, Inc. in 2004. He's been the company's chief executive since 2000 after serving as chief financial officer since the company's inception.

"I am so honored to receive this remarkable award," said Bilt. "This award is a tribute to the dedication and excellence of the entire Smile Brands team. I am proud of the growth Smile Brands has achieved and the direction we're going. To be recognized by the Orange County Business Journal is truly an honor."

Bilt's leadership at Smile Brands has been instrumental in the company's growth from a 35-office company focused in California to a 325-office company operating in 17 states nationwide. This year, the company will open an additional 35-40 new offices, increasing the total number by 12.4 percent to 362 offices nationwide. Smile Brands recently opened offices in Houston, Texas and Fountain Valley, Calif.

Bilt founded the company with a patient-centered dental care model that continues to set the company apart as an industry leader throughout the United States. Using the G3 service platform – Greeting, Guiding, and Gratitude

– Smile Brands employees and affiliated dental providers know the importance of treating patients, and each other, with respect and dignity. With these guiding principles, Smile Brands aims to deliver "Smiles for Everyone®!" by providing quality, affordable dental care in convenient locations.

Bilt was presented this distinguished award on March 17, 2011 at luncheon hosted by the Orange County Business Journal at the Hyatt Regency in Irvine, Calif.

About Smile Brands Inc.

Smile Brands Inc. is the largest provider of support services to dental groups in the United States. Smile Brands Inc. provides comprehensive business support services so dentists can spend more time caring for their patients and less time on the administrative, marketing and financial aspects of the dental practice. Smile Brands Inc. services support more than 1,100 dentists and hygienists practicing in over 320 Bright Now! Dental, Monarch Dental, and Castle Dental offices in 17 states.

Nearly three quarters of a million people a year take advantage of extended evening and weekend office hours, convenient locations, affordable prices, and flexible payment plans for quality, full-service dental care including general and cosmetic dentistry, and specialty services such as orthodontics, at affiliated Smile Brands' offices.

Based in Irvine, Calif., Smile Brands Inc. and its affiliated dental offices combined employ approximately 4,200 people nationwide. For more information, visit www.smilebrands.com.

SOURCE Smile Brands Inc.