The Woodlands Dental Group – A local business that’ll give you something to smile about

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- ‘Family’ is the name of the business model for The Woodlands Dental Group. Founded in the 1980s as one of the first dental groups in the country, the practice was ably co-run by Dr. Robert Dernick for decades. Today, Robert’s son Daniel is taking the reins and helping lead the group into a bright new future.

The elder Dernick, now 67 years old, started the practice because he wanted to offer better care than what was typically available at the time, in an office that could provide more specialists. He opened his first practice in 1980 – a year after receiving his DDS degree – and shortly thereafter co-founded The Woodlands Dental Group.

Back in the day, much like barber shops and hair salons rarely crossed paths, neither did the offices of dentists and orthodontists. Dernick wanted to create a one-stop shop that offered general dentistry, implant dentistry, pediatric dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and orthodontics.

“My dad is and always has been one of the most gentle dentists ever,” said the younger Dr. Dernick, Daniel, of his father. “I saw firsthand growing up how he ensured the group always maintained its great reputation in the community.”

While it might often be considered a fait accompli to have a son follow in his dad’s footsteps, Daniel’s foray into the dental field wasn’t always a given. “I considered many different career paths,” he said. “My dad was always patient as we reviewed my future options. Fortunately, dentistry checked all the boxes: it was in the medical field, which was important to me; it enabled me to do some giving back to the community, which was important to both of us; and it promised me a rewarding career.”

Both the Dernicks graduated with their doctorates from the University of Texas Dental School in the Houston Medical Center – Robert in 1979 and Daniel 30 years later. In 2009, the son branched out into a practice in west Houston. Additionally, he spent two years in Argentina as part of an outreach program of his church, and learned Spanish in the process. But home always beckoned to him.

“I was born in ‘81 and grew up in The Woodlands,” said Daniel. “While I thoroughly enjoyed my practice in Houston, it was always part of the plan for me and my family to eventually move back here. My father and I wanted to time it to the maximum benefit of all involved, and finally in May of last year, we packed up our Houston home and came home to The Woodlands.”

Returning to his childhood neighborhood has been quite the trip down memory lane for Daniel. “It’s better than I ever expected; it feels cool to see old friends and teachers and reconnect with them. And it’s comforting to know my children will be going to the same schools I did.”

As nostalgic as it’s been for him, Daniel is also awe-inspired by the growth of The Woodlands. “It’s twice as big as it used to be; the build-outs are just so big. The sense of community is bigger and better than ever, and I feel very happy and very lucky.”

As Daniel assumes the mantle from his father Robert, he plans to continue the grand tradition that The Woodlands Dental Group has exhibited over the decades. “No dramatic changes are planned,” he said. “We have always relied on our strengths; our conservative values, our dedication to nurturing relationships, offering the best quality in our care, materials, and services, and giving back to the community and being responsible for the best possible care has always been what mattered most to him, to me, and to us.”

When Dr. Daniel Dernick isn’t practicing dentistry at TWDG, he enjoys taking care of his wife and two boys, and – surprisingly – has a passion for racing cars on professional tracks, something that usually doesn’t get equated to a dentist. He invites current and new patients to check out the enhanced products and services that the group offers, as The Woodlands Dental Group enters its next phase of family heritage.