Verification Standard

Eligibility

A practice is eligible for verification if:

• It provides healthcare services (dental, orthodontic, or veterinary)
• It is ≥51% owned by one or more licensed clinicians
• Those clinicians actively practice at the location being verified

"Actively practice" means the clinician sees patients or clients at that location on a regular basis—not occasionally, not in an advisory capacity.

Multi-location practices must verify each location separately. Verification applies to ownership and practice activity at the specific location listed.

What "Ownership" Means

Ownership is defined as equity interest in the legal entity that operates the practice. This includes:

• Sole proprietorships
• Partnerships
• LLCs (membership interest)
• Corporations (shareholder equity)

Management agreements, profit-sharing arrangements, or "clinical director" titles do not constitute ownership.

If a practice is owned by a holding company, the ownership test applies to the holding company's equity holders.

Attestation Requirements

To apply for verification, a practice must submit:

1. A signed attestation confirming that ≥51% of the practice is owned by clinicians who actively practice at that location.
2. One supporting document demonstrating ownership structure. Acceptable documents include:
   • Operating agreement (for LLCs)
   • Partnership agreement
   • Articles of incorporation with shareholder schedule
   • Business license showing owner name(s)
   • Letter from a CPA or attorney confirming ownership structure

The attestation must be signed by an owner with authority to represent the practice.

Review Process

Applications are reviewed within 10 business days.

Review consists of:

1. Confirming the submitted document shows ≥51% ownership by named clinician(s)
2. Verifying that the named clinician(s) appear to practice at the location (via state license lookup, practice website, or other public sources)

If an application is incomplete or unclear, additional clarification may be requested before a determination is made.

Renewal

Verification must be renewed annually.

Renewal requires a signed re-attestation confirming that ownership has not changed. No new supporting document is required unless ownership structure has changed.

Practices will receive a renewal reminder 30 days before expiration.

If renewal is not completed by the expiration date, the practice's status will change to "Expired" and the badge must be removed.

Revocation

Verification is revoked immediately if:

• The practice is sold to a non-qualifying owner (e.g., DSO, private equity, or any entity that does not meet the ≥51% clinician-ownership threshold)
• The practice fails to renew within 30 days of expiration
• The attestation is found to be materially false

Upon revocation:

• The practice's status in the registry changes to "Revoked"
• Digital badges must be removed within 48 hours
• Physical signage must be removed within 14 days

There is no "formerly verified" or "lapsed" status. Absence of the badge speaks for itself.

Fees

Founding Cohort

Practices verified before the registry reaches 25 verified practices or before June 30, 2025, whichever comes first, are part of the Founding Cohort. Founding Cohort verification is free and remains free for that practice location, provided verification is maintained.

Early Verification

Practices verified after the Founding Cohort closes but within the first year of operation are charged a one-time verification fee of $50. This fee covers verification and registry maintenance.

Standard Verification

After the first year of operation, verification carries a flat annual fee of $150. This fee covers verification, renewal, and inclusion in the public registry.

There are no tiers, premium placements, or upsells.