Nearly two decades after graduating from Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine, Founder & CEO, Dr. Chris Steven Villanueva, or as we like to call him, Dr. V, returned to the place where his journey began.
Standing before students, faculty, and future dentists, he shared the story behind MB2 Dental. Not just how the company was built, but why.
For Dr. V, the opportunity to return to his alma mater was more than a speaking engagement. It was a chance to reflect on a vision that started with a simple belief: dentists deserve a better way to practice.
“When I graduated, I never imagined I’d be back here talking about what MB2 would become,” Dr. V shared. “But I did know there were challenges in private practice that needed solving.”
That mindset has guided MB2 since its founding in 2007.
The Vision Behind the DPO Model
Long before terms like Dental Partnership Organization (DPO) became part of the conversation, Dr. V saw talented dentists struggling with the growing complexity of ownership. He believed there had to be a way for doctors to maintain control of their practices while gaining access to the support, resources, and community needed to thrive.
Instead of accepting the status quo, he built something different.
As Dr. V put it, “It truly is a zero-compromise model. You don’t have to compromise the type of work you do, how you do it, the materials you use, the supplies you use, and the staffing that supports you. All of that remains local.”
Today, MB2 has grown into a nationwide community of more than 1,900+ doctors and 800+ private dental practices united by a shared belief that doctors should remain the captains of their own ship. Clinical decisions stay in the hands of doctors, while MB2 provides the support needed to help them grow personally and professionally.
The timing of Dr. V’s return to Nova makes the moment even more meaningful.
Recognizing a Vision That Changed Dentistry
Just weeks after speaking with students, he was nominated as a finalist for Visionary Leader of the Year as part of D CEO’s 2026 Leadership Excellence Awards. The award recognizes leaders who demonstrate exceptional innovation, influence, and impact within their organizations and communities.
For those who know Dr. V, the recognition feels fitting.
His leadership has never focused solely on growth. It has been centered on helping doctors build better careers, stronger practices, and more balanced lives. From creating the first Dental Partnership Organization or DPO model to fostering a community where private practice owners can learn from one another, his vision has always been rooted in serving doctors first.
That commitment remains evident today.
Whether he’s speaking with dental students preparing for their first day in practice or connecting with experienced doctor partners navigating the next stage of ownership, Dr. V continues to advocate for the same idea that inspired MB2 from the beginning: dentists should not have to do it alone.
Returning to Nova offered a chance to look back at where that vision began.
The Visionary Leader of the Year nomination serves as a reminder of how far it has reached.
For the students sitting in that audience, the message was clear.
The future of dentistry belongs to those willing to challenge assumptions, think differently, and build something better.
It’s a lesson Dr. V has spent his entire career putting into practice.
Want to hear the full story behind Dr. V’s vision for MB2 Dental? Listen to his episode of The MB2 Story Podcast, where he shares the challenges, lessons, and defining moments that shaped the creation of the DPO model and one of dentistry’s fastest-growing communities.
