The position strengthens SmileDirectClub’s capabilities into the office direct and wholesale channels, that enable dental professionals to provide affordable, convenient teeth straightening solutions for patients.
SmileDirectClub today announced the appointment of industry veteran Chris Thompson to the newly established role of vice president of sales, professional channel. Thompson will play a critical role as the company continues to build its Office Direct program, through which participating orthodontists and dental professionals may offer SmileDirectClub clear aligner therapy starting in-office, with treatment completed using the company’s proprietary telehealth platform.
With this leadership team addition, the company will focus on further broadening its reach into the dental community. Thompson will lead the company’s efforts to build the program while providing ongoing support and education to dental practices on how to adapt to the increasing integration of teledentistry. Since launching in January 2020, orthodontists and dental professionals representing 21 U.S. states have joined the program.
Thompson previously served as global head of sales, orthodontic channel at Carbon, a digital manufacturing platform. During his time at Carbon, he built and scaled new teams from start-up to fully operational and led the company’s sales efforts in 3D printing for dental solutions. He also previously served in senior roles at Align Technology and Johnson & Johnson Vision.
“We are confident that with the addition of Chris to our management team, we will further strengthen our capabilities into the office direct and wholesale channels and ensure that dentists and orthodontists are able to provide patients with an affordable, convenient teeth straightening solution while also continuing their business via teledentistry through these unprecedented times and beyond,” says Alex Fenkell, co-founder of SmileDirectClub.
Following its announcement in January 2020, that the company would begin selling its clear aligners at orthodontist and dental offices, SmileDirectClub has further built its wholesale program by offering the free use of its telehealth platform to practitioners in the U.S. and Canada. The company is also providing its sterile at-home impression kits for sale to the dental community so that they may continue to treat their patients during COVID-19. In March, SmileDirectClub, the largest 3D printing manufacturer in the U.S., began manufacturing personal protective equipment (PPE) and donating face shields to orthodontists and dental professionals to assist with emergency procedures during the pandemic.
