For Dr. Matt Andrews, dentistry was not always the plan. Raised in Cuba City, Wisconsin, in a family rooted in healthcare, he initially set his sights on medical school. That changed during a routine dental visit in college. A conversation with his hometown dentist led to a shadowing opportunity, and ultimately, a new direction. Dentistry offered something powerful: the ability to return home and serve the community that shaped him.
Coming home
After graduating from Marquette University School of Dentistry in 2008, Andrews did exactly that. Within days of earning his degree and welcoming his first child, he stepped into his hometown practice. By 2010, he had purchased it, and within a few years, growth pushed him to build a new facility from the ground up. That pattern would repeat, driven not only by patient demand but by a deeper vision to expand access to care in rural communities. “Some younger guys wanted to come back home and join us after dental school, which became the impetus for a couple of add-on, from-scratch practices,” he explained.
A whole-health collaboration
That vision took a defining turn with the opening of two additional practices in Kieler and Darlington. Both locations share space with regional health centers, bringing dental, medical, and specialty care under one roof. The idea emerged when Andrews learned of a planned health center in Kieler and reached out to explore collaboration. With support from Patterson Dental, he translated that idea into reality.
Patterson played a critical role early on, helping design the footprint through CAD planning that aligned Andrews’ clinical needs with the health center’s architecture. From there, the partnership extended through equipment, technology integration, and ongoing service support. The collaborative process allowed Andrews to move quickly while maintaining a clear vision of how the spaces should function for both patients and providers.
Today, the shared model is delivering measurable benefits. Patients can access dental care alongside urgent care, physical therapy, and primary services in a single location. The increased visibility and foot traffic support both practices, while shared reception areas create efficiencies without compromising independence.
Support keeps things streamlined
Behind the scenes, Patterson continues to help Andrews operate at a high level. Cloud-based software keeps his three locations connected and streamlines communication across a growing team. Reliable service support has proven just as valuable. Whether troubleshooting equipment remotely or assisting during construction, Patterson’s team has helped ensure that operations stay uninterrupted.
Eyes on the future
For Andrews, the mission remains clear: deliver advanced, comfortable care in fewer visits while strengthening the health of his community. By combining innovative technology, collaborative care, and trusted partnerships, he has built a model that not only works in rural Wisconsin but points to a broader future for integrated healthcare. “That’s what’s exciting in dentistry,” he said. “Not doing the same thing the same way again but finding better ways to do it more quickly and to better serve the community. That’s always been our model.”
Want to know more about Dr. Andrews’ inspiring and rapid growth? Read or watch his story.
