MILWAUKEE, Wis. (October 2026) – What began as a one-chair dental practice on Milwaukee's South 16th Street has grown into a statewide dental organization with deep roots in the community it calls home. This year, Dental Associates and its affiliate, CarePlus Dental Plans, are celebrating 40 years of partnership with the City of Milwaukee, providing quality, affordable dental care to City employees and their families.
Since the partnership began in 1986, CarePlus Dental Plans has helped generations of Milwaukee families prioritize their oral health. Today, nearly 6,000 City of Milwaukee employees and family members receive dental care through Dental Associates, benefiting from comprehensive services, convenient clinic locations, and dental coverage designed to make care more accessible.
In recognition of the milestone, City of Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson formally recognized October 21, 2026 as “Dental Associates Day.”
Mayor Johnson said, “My children go to Dental Associates; one of my daughters just got braces at Dental Associates; and I just got my reminder to get my next cleaning over at the Iron Block clinic, so I’m very familiar with Dental Associates.”
Joining Mayor Johnson for the special recognition were Dental Associates Owner and President Dr. Tom Manos and CEO Alexa Manos.
The proclamation highlights Dental Associates' deep Milwaukee roots, its growth from a single-chair practice to Wisconsin's largest family-owned dental group practice, and its longstanding commitment to the health and well-being of the Milwaukee community. The recognition celebrates a partnership built on trust, service and a shared dedication to keeping Milwaukee families healthy for generations to come.
Dental Associates' story began in Milwaukee in 1974, when the practice opened its doors with a single dentist – our founder, Dr. John Gonis – on South 16th Street. More than 50 years later, the organization has grown to 14 clinics across Wisconsin, employing more than 850 team members.
Despite that growth, Dental Associates remains family-owned and operated, distinguishing itself as Wisconsin's largest family-owned dental group practice, owned by a practicing dentist rather than a corporation.
Its Milwaukee roots remain central to the organization's identity. Dental Associates' home office is located in the historic Iron Block Building in Downtown Milwaukee, just blocks from Milwaukee City Hall.
"Milwaukee is where our story began, and it's a community we're incredibly proud to continue serving," said Dr. Tom Manos, President and Owner of Dental Associates. "Our partnership with the City of Milwaukee is especially meaningful because it reflects the relationships and trust we've built over generations. We're proud to provide care to the people who work every day to make Milwaukee a great place to live."
Through CarePlus Dental Plans, City of Milwaukee employees and their families have access to Dental Associates clinics throughout the metropolitan Milwaukee area, offering everything from routine preventive care to advanced specialty services.
Members benefit from dental coverage with rich benefits and access to a broad range of services, including general and family dentistry, pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, oral surgery, and dental implants.
This comprehensive approach allows patients to receive care from general dentists and specialists within the same dental organization, creating a convenient experience for individuals and families at every stage of life.
Today, CarePlus Dental Plans serves more than 45,000 members across more than 260 employer groups, continuing to help Wisconsin businesses and organizations offer valuable dental benefits.
As Dental Associates and CarePlus celebrate four decades with the City of Milwaukee, the organizations remain focused on the future, continuing to invest in dental technology, expand services, and improve the patient experience.
The mayoral proclamation recognizes the organizations' longstanding service and extends congratulations and gratitude for their contributions to the health of Milwaukee's workforce, along with best wishes for another 40 years of partnership.
For Dental Associates and CarePlus, the anniversary is both a celebration of their history and a reminder of the relationships that have helped shape their success.
Forty years, thousands of smiles and one shared commitment: keeping Milwaukee healthy.
Watch Mayor Johnson's Proclamation:
Founded in Milwaukee in 1974, Dental Associates is Wisconsin's largest family-owned dental group practice, with 14 clinics and more than 850 team members across the state. Headquartered in Downtown Milwaukee's historic Iron Block Building, Dental Associates offers comprehensive dental care, including general dentistry, pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, oral surgery, dental implants and other specialty services.
CarePlus Dental Plans is a Wisconsin-based dental benefits provider and affiliate of Dental Associates. Serving more than 45,000 members across more than 260 employer groups, CarePlus offers dental benefit solutions designed to help employers provide quality, affordable dental care to their employees and families.
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Founded in 1974, Dental Associates is Wisconsin’s largest family-owned dental group practice with 14 clinics throughout the state and nearly 850 staff members, including over 90 doctors and 629 operatories. Dental Associates provides complete family dental services, both general and specialty dentistry, from pediatric dentistry to specialized dental services for older adults, with an emphasis on excellent care that is affordable, accessible, and personalized. Dental Associates is the exclusive provider for CarePlus Dental Plans.
CONTACT INFO:
Lexi Radke
lradke@dentalassociates[dot]com
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