About

The vision for creating UPPLiFT Dentistry began to take shape when Dr. Whetten was managing his solo dental practice while completing a Master of Healthcare Administration degree during the pandemic. His exploration of various practice models uncovered the potential to coordinate the efforts of large numbers of independent practice owners in order to improve the overall practice experience and secure the benefits enjoyed by larger organizations while retaining individual practice ownership and autonomy.

Doug and his wife, Christy, have four children and one grandchild. They enjoy traveling and creating memorable experiences together. He and his family have organized and participated in humanitarian service projects for more than 25 years. Since 2006, Doug has served as treasurer for a charitable organization that provides dental, medical, and educational services for a clinic and special education school in northern Mexico. He dedicates significant time to serving in his church and community. He also loves anything related to aviation and earned his pilot’s license while he was in college.

Doug earned his DDS degree from the University of Colorado. He also holds a BA in Spanish from Brigham Young University and an MHA from the Colorado State University System. His professional experience includes private practice ownership of Strasburg Family Dental in Strasburg, CO., employment as an associate dentist, service on a provider advisory committee, and work as an independent clinical case expert. Before his career as a dentist, Doug worked in the financial services industry and held investment, insurance, and mortgage licenses. His personal and professional experience has given him a unique perspective on the various issues impacting practice owners as well as the many resources and opportunities available to dental professionals who are willing to join forces to achieve greater results together than can be achieved individually.

Dr. Blatter loves being a part of UPPLiFT and guiding the team to be organized and focused on helping private dental offices. He felt strongly about the need to create UPPLiFT to help private dental offices stay privately owned and not sell out to large venture capital firms. Landon believes in the private model and the patient-doctor relationship that is in that model.

Landon was born in Livingston, Montana, and grew up on a cattle ranch just outside of Yellowstone National Park. Landon served his mission in Vietnamese-speaking Sydney, Australia. He earned his undergraduate degree from BYU in Business Management and completed his dental school training at Harvard School of Dental Medicine in 2004. He and his family moved to Colorado immediately after dental school. Landon is an owner at Aspen Springs Dental in Centennial and Aurora Family Dentistry in Aurora. 

Landon and his wife, Megan have five children, with their oldest a senior in high school and the youngest in kindergarten. They live in Castle Rock on their small “farm” which is also home to horses, chickens, a dog, and a cat.

Landon enjoys anything outdoors including archery hunting, fishing, hiking, and camping. He takes an annual week-long hunting trip with our horses deep into the Flattop Wilderness area every fall.

Landon has gained clinical tips, business acumen, clinical improvements, and life-changing thought processes that have helped him find more happiness in life. He attributes these to his connections that UPPLiFT organized for him.

Dr. Hansen has found it to be a great blessing to work and collaborate with those at UPPLiFT to develop ways to support other private practice owners.

At the time Matt became acquainted with his UPPLiFT colleagues, he was considering whether partnering with a DSO or other corporate entity would be a solution to the stresses of private practice ownership he was facing – from staffing concerns, to insurance, to increased overhead. But Matt worried that the quality of care he could provide would be affected. He feels strongly about maintaining the integrity of the dental profession. UPPLiFT Dentistry was his answer – he developed a support system, good friendships and ideas for personal and professional improvement.

Matt was raised as the oldest of seven in southern Idaho, in a small town called Soda Springs. Matt and his wife, Keri have four daughters – Avery, Paige, Macy, and Brinley. He loves watching his children participate in the various activities in their lives and as Aggie fans, come together to root on Utah State.

Matt earned his BS in Public Health from Utah State University and his DDS from Marquette University. His private practice is High Point Dental in Colorado Springs. 

Matt got into road cycling in 2010, and that remains his most enjoyable hobby. He has done many long-distance endurance races, but mainly just enjoy riding in the beautiful Colorado surroundings (and going fast).

Matt has found when we make expressions of gratitude a daily part of our lives, we will also naturally live a life of integrity, both personally and professionally.

Dr. Ricketts is grateful to have been provided with the unique opportunity of meeting dentists from all walks of life and working together with them to enhance their joy, freedom, and fulfillment – both in practice and in life.

UPPLiFT was created as an answer to the ever-changing landscape of the dental profession – over the last few years, many dentists have felt as though they are not able to positively impact the lives of their patients and their communities while also providing a better life for themselves and their families. Moreover, many often feel tired, overwhelmed, under pressure, underappreciated, and rudderless on a journey with never-ending tasks that when accomplished still leave them feeling unfulfilled.

UPPLiFT is made up of private practice owners facing similar challenges that came together to face these challenges head-on with real, practical solutions and a system designed to evolve with the changing landscape of our profession.

While Ben is busier now than ever, he has never felt more free, energetic, and happy. Regularly collaborating with the individuals affiliated with UPPLIFT, from its founders to the rapidly growing group of members, has helped Ben grow his practice, grow as a person, unlock his internal potential and purpose, and most importantly help him find more joy in his life.

Ben and his wife, Danielle love traveling and new experiences. He enjoys exercising and outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, and camping. The two of them really enjoy live music and concerts. Ben has started the journey of acquiring his pilot’s license and hopes to complete the goal in the next few years.

Ben was born in Southern Indiana. He completed his undergraduate degree and dental school training at Indiana University. He then completed a GPR in San Antonio, Texas before returning to Indiana to complete his endodontic training at Indiana University and the VA Hospital in Indianapolis. His endodontic career started in a group practice in Colorado Springs before he started his own practice, Altitude Endodontics in Southlands Mall.

Ben and his team have led the Endodontic Division of the Colorado Mission of Mercy (COMOM) for over 10 years now. “COMOM’s mission is to provide quality dental services, at no cost, to individuals of all ages who cannot afford and access dental care; eliminating dental pain, promoting oral health, creating smiles, and providing oral health education.”