Some accomplishments deserve more than a congratulations. They deserve a moment to reflect on the years of dedication, sacrifice, leadership, and teamwork that made them possible.
At Bryant Consultants, we are incredibly proud to celebrate our longtime client, Lake Forest Smiles in Lake Forest, Illinois, recipient of the 2026 IAPA Best in Practice Team Award.
Recognized during the 2026 International Association of Physiologic Aesthetics (IAPA) Conference in Las Vegas, this exceptional team was honored for its commitment to patient care, professional excellence, community service, and the relationships that make a dental practice truly extraordinary.
For me, this recognition is especially meaningful.
For 12 years, Bryant Consultants has had the privilege of working alongside Lake Forest Smiles, witnessing the dedication required to build a practice culture that reflects excellence from the inside out.
This award represents much more than a successful year. It celebrates a journey of growth, a willingness to improve, and a team that continues to understand the importance of caring for people.
Great Dental Practices Are Built, Not Born
Throughout my career in dentistry, I have had the opportunity to work with incredible doctors and teams across the country.
One lesson has remained consistent: Exceptional practices do not become exceptional by accident.
They are developed through intentional leadership, consistent training, clear expectations, accountability, and a genuine commitment to serving patients.
Dr. David Schmidt and the team at Lake Forest Smiles exemplify what can happen when these principles become part of a practice’s culture.
Over our 12-year consulting relationship, I have appreciated the opportunity to support their professional growth and witness their continued commitment to improvement.
Building a successful practice requires much more than providing excellent clinical dentistry. It requires developing people, strengthening communication, establishing systems, and creating an environment where team members understand that their individual contributions matter.
It also requires perseverance.
There are difficult days, staffing transitions, operational challenges, and moments when growth demands change.
What separates strong teams from average teams is not the absence of challenges. It is their willingness to learn, adapt, support one another, and continue moving forward.
The recognition Lake Forest Smiles has received is a beautiful reminder that those daily investments matter.
Earning the Respect of Fellow Dental Professionals
One of the most meaningful aspects of this award is the professional community in which it was presented.
The International Association of Physiologic Aesthetics (IAPA) brings together dental professionals who value advanced education, collaboration, and comprehensive approaches to patient care.
Its educational community is closely connected with LVI Global, the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies, a respected postgraduate dental education institution dedicated to advancing dentistry through continuing education.
LVI Global emphasizes comprehensive diagnosis, contemporary clinical techniques, technology, practice management, and team development.
Recognition within this environment carries special meaning because it comes from a community of professionals who understand the effort involved in pursuing excellence.
For Lake Forest Smiles, receiving the 2026 Best in Practice Team Award is a significant acknowledgment of the culture they have worked to build.
It is also an important reminder that dentistry is a team profession.
A doctor’s clinical education and expertise are essential, but the patient experience is shaped by every individual who answers a telephone, welcomes a patient, explains treatment, prepares an operatory, supports a colleague, or follows up after an appointment.
Clinical excellence may establish a practice’s reputation, but exceptional teamwork helps sustain it.
A Practice That Understands the Meaning of Family
In his nomination, Dr. David Schmidt shared a statement that beautifully captures the spirit of Lake Forest Smiles:
“If our office is a family, our team is its heart.”
Those words speak volumes about his appreciation for the individuals who help make the practice successful.
Patients may initially choose a dental office because of its location, reputation, or clinical services. However, the relationships they develop with the team often become an important reason they continue returning.
At Lake Forest Smiles, patient care extends across generations.
The practice provides comprehensive dentistry for patients at many stages of life, including children, adults, and older individuals. Its services include preventive dentistry, restorative and cosmetic care, airway-focused dentistry, and tongue-tie treatment.
The team’s commitment to serving others also reaches beyond the practice itself, including providing dental care in a nursing home.
That kind of service reflects something important about the heart of healthcare.
Compassion should never be limited by a patient’s age, mobility, circumstances, or stage of life.
True service means recognizing the dignity of every person and doing what we can to make a meaningful difference.
The Power of Team Training and Continuing Education
As a dental practice consultant, I believe one of the greatest investments a doctor can make is an investment in the people who represent the practice every day.
Equipment matters. Technology matters. Marketing matters.
But without a knowledgeable, confident, compassionate team, even the most advanced practice can struggle to deliver a consistently exceptional patient experience.
Team training is not simply about learning how to complete a task.
It is about understanding why that task matters.
It means helping team members develop the communication skills to make patients feel comfortable, the clinical knowledge to support treatment, and the confidence to take ownership of their responsibilities.
It means creating systems that allow departments to work together rather than independently.
And perhaps most importantly, it means helping employees recognize that they are not simply filling positions.
They are helping change lives.
Through our work at Bryant Consultants, we encourage dental practices to approach training as an ongoing commitment rather than a one-time event.
Strong teams benefit from consistent coaching, clear expectations, meaningful feedback, and opportunities for professional growth.
They learn how to communicate proactively, transfer trust during patient handoffs, support treatment recommendations, and maintain accountability without losing compassion.
When these principles become part of daily operations, they help create an environment where both patients and employees can thrive.
Leadership That Recognizes the Value of People
Every successful dental team needs leadership that sees beyond production numbers and daily schedules.
Dr. Schmidt’s nomination reflects his appreciation for the individuals who make Lake Forest Smiles special.
Recognizing employees for their contributions is an essential part of building a healthy practice culture.
People want to know that their work matters.
They want opportunities to develop professionally, contribute ideas, and take pride in the organization they represent.
Strong leadership provides direction while creating an environment of mutual respect.
It encourages growth without demanding perfection and establishes accountability without sacrificing kindness.
Over time, these qualities become visible in the way a team communicates, solves problems, and cares for patients.
The Best in Practice Team Award provides an opportunity to celebrate those qualities and the people who demonstrate them.
Celebrating the 2026 Award-Winning Team
At Bryant Consultants, we want to personally congratulate the outstanding individuals recognized through this honor:
- Aida Bosnjak
- Shannon Gasecki
- Gayle Meyer
- Angie Esparza
- Karlie Andrade
- Stephanie Burgos
- Ashley Chavez
- Leslie Sedano
- Reyna Roman
- Brenda Yonk
- Jill Ostrowski
- Delmi Sepulveda
- Mamtha Jaswanthkumar
Each individual contributes to the collective success of Lake Forest Smiles.
Every role matters, and every act of kindness, professionalism, and teamwork helps strengthen the patient experience.
To this remarkable group: Thank you for your dedication, your compassion, your commitment to learning, and the care you provide to your community.
Your recognition is well deserved.
Twelve Years of Partnership and a Future of Possibilities
As I reflect on our 12 years of working with Lake Forest Smiles, I am reminded why I love dental consulting.
The greatest rewards are not found only in improved systems, increased efficiency, or practice growth.
They are found in watching people grow.
They are found in seeing team members become confident leaders, doctors achieve professional goals, and practices develop cultures that positively influence everyone who walks through their doors.
This award is a milestone worth celebrating, but it is certainly not the end of the journey.
My hope is that Lake Forest Smiles continues to inspire other dental practices to invest in their people, pursue continuing education, embrace positive change, and never lose sight of the importance of compassionate care.
Congratulations to Dr. David Schmidt and the entire Lake Forest Smiles team.
Thank you for allowing Bryant Consultants to be part of your journey for the past 12 years.
We are proud of what you have accomplished and excited for what lies ahead.
Could Your Dental Team Become Your Practice’s Greatest Strength?
Every dental practice has the opportunity to build a culture of excellence.
But it requires intentional leadership, a commitment to training, and systems that support both the team and the patient experience.
At Bryant Consultants, we partner with dental practices to develop stronger teams, improve communication, establish accountability, enhance operational efficiency, and create sustainable growth.
Whether your practice needs a complete team-training experience, leadership coaching, onboarding systems, patient communication development, or a renewed focus on practice culture, we can help you take the next step.
You do not have to wait for an award to begin building an award-worthy team.
Start by investing in the people who make your practice possible.
Contact Bryant Consultants today to explore customized dental team training, practice coaching, and leadership development.
Because when you invest in your team, you invest in every patient they will ever serve.
Learn More
Lake Forest Smiles — Lake Forest, Illinois
LVI Global — Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies
International Association of Physiologic Aesthetics
Bryant Consultants | Developing People. Strengthening Practices. Inspiring Excellence.
Hollie Bryant-Foust
CEO & Founder
