TUSK Practice Sales Advises The Smile Lodge in its sale to MB2 Dental…
CHARLOTTE, N.C., September 9th, 2025 — TUSK Practice Sales (“TUSK”), the premier healthcare-focused M&A Advisor, advised The Smile Lodge in its partnership with MB2 Dental, a portfolio company of Charlesbank Capital Partners and Warburg Pincus. The transaction was led by Josh Swearingen, Director of M&A. Alex Cherniavsky, Zac Zielinski, and Tyler Gross spearheaded the diligence and analytics efforts for TUSK.
Founded in 2000 by Dr. James McDonnell in Albany, NY, The Smile Lodge has grown into a multi-location pediatric dental group known for premier pediatric dental care. Following early success, Dr. Eric McMahon and Dr. Goodemote joined as partners, opening two additional locations. Over 25 years, The Smile Lodge has built an unparalleled reputation for clinical quality, access, and patient experience throughout the Albany community.
“From day one, we wanted an advisor who would match the thoughtfulness and professionalism we brought to building The Smile Lodge,” said Dr. James McDonnell, Founder of The Smile Lodge. “TUSK Practice Sales earned our trust quickly. Their pediatric experience, data-driven valuation work, and steady guidance through diligence gave us confidence at every step.”
“It felt like TUSK was part of our team,” added Dr. Eric McMahon. “Early mornings, late nights, tough calls, TUSK showed up. We felt supported and informed to make the best decision for the growth trajectory that The Smile Lodge is on. We’re thrilled to have partnered with MB2 Dental.”
“We were honored to have represented The Smile Lodge in their sale. Drs. McDonnell, McMahon, and Goodemote have built an outstanding pediatric platform focused on strong clinical outcomes, a welcoming culture, and trusted relationships with families,” shared Kevin Cumbus, President and Founder at TUSK Practice Sales. “Our process focused on fit, structure, and creating long-term value. TUSK is proud to have delivered the results The Smile Lodge team was seeking.”
Dr. Chris Steven Villanueva, Founder and CEO of MB2 Dental added, “We are excited to partner with The Smile Lodge and honored to support their mission. I am genuinely grateful for the opportunity to help them expand their reach and continue building on the remarkable foundation they’ve created in pediatric dentistry.”
About The Smile Lodge
At The Smile Lodge, we’re more than a dental practice—we’re a place where families find exceptional care, a friendly team, and a commitment to creating happy, healthy smiles for every child we serve. The Smile Lodge has three locations in the Albany, New York community and has served the community for over 25 years. For more information, visit https://www.smilelodge.com/ .
About MB2 Dental
Dallas-based MB2 Dental is a first-of-its-kind dental partnership organization founded in 2007 and led by dentist and entrepreneur Dr. Chris Steven Villanueva. MB2 Dental was the first group to introduce the DPO model, designed to preserve the integrity of the dental profession in a rapidly consolidating market. The company empowers dentists by ensuring clinical autonomy while providing resources and support to its doctor partners.
Since its founding, MB2 Dental has partnered with 800 general and specialty dental practices across 45 states. The company has undergone three recapitalization events, most recently partnering with private equity firm Warburg Pincus in 2024.
For more information, visit www.mb2dental.com or connect with the company on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
About TUSK Practice Sales
TUSK Practice Sales (“TUSK”) provides M&A Advisory services in the healthcare industry. TUSK has completed over $1B of transactions across all specialties. With an in-depth understanding of the marketplace and access to 100’s of buyers nationwide, we help our clients confidently pursue M&A transactions that maximize their long-term value. With our significant collective experience of over 125+ years of practice transactions, we offer our clients solutions that help them achieve their strategic and financial objectives. For more information, visit www.TuskPracticeSales.com .