We’re thrilled to announce an exciting milestone in the growth of SPP Dental Partners: Dr. Daniel Hulme of Hulme Orthodontics in Santa Cruz, California has officially joined our group – becoming our very first orthodontist partner.
As a respected clinician, educator, and leader in the Santa Cruz community, Dr. Hulme brings not only orthodontic expertise but a deep commitment to patient-centered care. His decision to partner with SPP marks a meaningful step in our continued mission: to expand private practice opportunities across specialties…without compromising autonomy.
“SPP gives me the freedom to keep practicing the way I believe in, while taking a lot of the business pressure off my plate.”
— Dr. Daniel Hulme
For Dr. Hulme, and many other doctors like him, the challenge isn’t in delivering great care. It’s in navigating the growing complexities of running a business: managing staff, payroll, compliance, HR, marketing, IT systems, and the ever-changing landscape of insurance and reimbursements.
That’s where we come in.
Expanding Our Reach Without Changing the Recipe
At SPP, we’re not in the business of buying practices and flipping them for profit. We don’t dictate treatment plans. We don’t swap out team members. And we definitely don’t send corporate memos about what brand of toothpaste you can recommend.
Instead, we form true partnerships with growth-minded private practitioners—dentists and specialists—who want to retain control over their clinical and business decisions, while gaining support where they need it most.
Dr. Hulme’s partnership is a reflection of our continued growth and commitment to supporting private practice across dental specialties without the compromises of traditional DSOs.
As we grow, we’re broadening our support model to include not only general dentists, but orthodontists, endodontists, periodontists, and other specialists who align with our values and vision.
Why Dr. Hulme Chose SPP Dental Partners
Dr. Hulme didn’t partner with SPP because he wanted out—he partnered because he wanted to stay in, with more energy and less stress.
Here’s what he gets as part of our partnership:
✅ Clinical Freedom
Dr. Hulme continues to lead his practice his way. Treatment planning, team building, scheduling, and patient communication all stay under his direction.
✅ Business Support
We take the pressure off when it comes to the back-end of the business: HR, compliance, IT, analytics, and financial reporting. That frees him to focus on what he does best—creating beautiful, confident smiles.
✅ Ownership & Equity
Unlike traditional DSOs where doctors give up ownership and miss out on upside, Dr. Hulme retains ownership in his practice and has the opportunity to participate in shared financial growth across the group.
✅ Community & Collaboration
Dr. Hulme gains access to a community of like-minded clinicians—where innovation, best practices, and shared learning thrive.
What This Means for SPP
Bringing on our first orthodontist isn’t just symbolic, it’s strategic.
Orthodontics is an essential part of comprehensive dental care. By expanding into specialty support, we’re reinforcing our commitment to serve as a home for high-performing dental entrepreneurs across disciplines.
This milestone also signals to other specialists what’s possible: you don’t have to choose between support and autonomy. You can have both.
The Future of Private Practice Is Partnership
As more and more doctors evaluate their future – burned out by the demands of ownership or uncertain about the DSO path – SPP offers a refreshing alternative.
Our approach is simple:
- Preserve clinical and operational autonomy
- Provide robust business and administrative support
- Ensure ownership and financial participation stay with the doctor
- Build a values-based community that supports long-term success
Dr. Hulme embodies the kind of partner we love to work with: thoughtful, passionate, community-driven, and growth-minded. We’re honored to welcome him to the SPP family.
Interested in Learning What Partnership Could Look Like for You?
If you’re an orthodontist, general dentist, or specialist looking for a better way to grow…without sacrificing what makes your practice unique…we’d love to connect.
Contact us today to learn more about partnership with SPP Dental Partners. Like Dr. Hulme, you might just find that it’s the support you need… without giving up the practice you love.