Glacier Dental

OVERVIEW
Dr. Wyn Steckbauer always knew his journey would lead to dentistry, but it was his grandmother who unintentionally laid the foundation for his career. Growing up, he watched her face life’s challenges with determination and resilience, which taught him the valuable skills he needed to achieve his dream.

In 2002, Dr. Steckbauer opened Glacier Dental in Oshkosh, WI, with more than just clinical excellence in mind. He had a vision for a compassionate practice focused on the community and committed to lifting up people, patients, and team members alike.

“It's our goal with every interaction that we have to show love, listen to what the person we're talking to is saying, and lift them to a more positive place,” says Amy Johnson, Executive Assistant and Financial Officer for Rise Dental Practices. “We want to be five-star caregivers. To us, that means taking care of those around us at the highest level and having a positive impact on our team and our community.”

At first, Dr. Steckbauer kept the Glacier Dental office small to ensure quality over quantity, but over time, the entire office felt confident that they could have a greater impact on the community if they grew. From there, Dr. Steckbauer opened four more clinics under the Rise Dental Practices banner. To keep up with their mission-driven expansion, they needed a partner who could help bring their vision to life.

PURPOSE-DRIVEN EXPANSION
Glacier Dental’s original office had already been remodeled once, but they knew that to continue their high level of care, they needed a space that could support their goals.

“Our biggest challenge was that we were quickly outgrowing the building we were in, and we didn't have any more room to expand,” Amy says.

Glacier Dental didn’t just want a bigger building, they wanted a place that reflected who they were. Finding the right land was the first step, and next, they sought the perfect construction company that understood their values.

A PARTNER WHO GETS IT
From the very first conversation, Alliance stood out.

“We talked to a couple of different companies in the beginning,” Amy says. “When we talked to Alliance, what stood out right away was the promptness of getting connected and getting started with plans.”

Alliance has been with them every step of the way since. From helping the team evaluate the viability of the land, assisting with planning, and constructing a space that embodied the Glacier Dental culture, Alliance has been by their side to help continue their growth and impact.

“This project was more than just a building to us. It was something that we had dreamt about for years,” Amy says. “We wanted it to be more than a place to just do dentistry. We wanted it to be a place that created a comforting feeling for our patients, a place where our team would be proud to work, where we could continue to learn, and a place to bring our community together. Once we talked with Alliance about that and about what our vision was for it, we knew that they understood that vision and the importance of the project.”

Throughout the process, Alliance focused on Glacier Dental’s goals instead of putting them into a cookie-cutter box. Alliance wanted their dream to come to life as much as Glacier Dental did.

HEARTFELT RESULTS
The final result is a space that Glacier Dental loves and feels reflects their heart.

“Alliance provided value to our project through the reliable execution, attention and detail, and the commitment to staying on schedule and within budget. They have been so great to work with,” Amy says. “The entire team has been responsive, knows what they're doing, and has done excellent work. The communication has been amazing. It always felt like they had everything together, and no detail was forgotten.”

The new space turned out just as they had hoped. It is a place where both their patients and other office locations can come together to continually learn and grow.

“We have aspects of our mission statements incorporated into the design, and when you walk in, you can just feel who we are,” Amy says.

Not only is their mission statement proudly displayed, but other unique elements also help make Glacier Dental unique compared to standard dental offices. Everything from the size of the room to how things are placed creates an atmosphere that is comfortable for patients and employees alike.

CONCLUSION
“It was a wonderful experience,” Amy says. “I'm already looking forward to future projects with Alliance. I can’t say enough good things about how the project went, and I just trust that any future project would go just as well.”

As Rise Dental continues on a path of high-level care for patients, giving back to their community, living out their mission, and taking care of their team, Alliance remains a trusted partner devoted to helping them turn dreams into spaces that inspire.