Beyond Insurance: What to Look for When Choosing an Oral Surgeon

2 hours ago

4 min read

Presented by Premier Oral + Maxillofacial Surgery Group

Smiling girl in a dental chair gets a checkup as a dentist in blue gloves steadies her, with a mask-clad assistant nearby.

As Bergen County families review their healthcare options during open enrollment, insurance coverage is often top of mind. But when choosing an oral surgeon, there's another important consideration that deserves attention: whether the practice is locally and independently owned.

Choosing a locally owned oral surgery practice can offer meaningful benefits, from personalized care and continuity with the same surgeon to knowing that decisions about treatment and technology are made by the doctors caring for patients.

For Dr. Lee Kojanis and Dr. Tyler Zenga, co-owners of Premier Oral + Maxillofacial Surgery Group, maintaining their independence is central to their approach to patient care and their commitment to the Bergen County community.

"Being independently owned means we're the ones making decisions about how we care for our patients," says Dr. Zenga. "We can invest in the technology we believe in, take the time each patient needs and make recommendations based on what's best for them, not what's best for a larger organization."

Why Local Ownership Matters More Than Ever

Across the country, the healthcare landscape is changing as more medical and dental practices become part of larger corporate organizations and private equity-backed groups.

The trend is visible here in New Jersey, where private equity-backed oral surgery organizations have established operations and continued expanding throughout the region. In 2025 alone, oral surgery was the only dental specialty nationally to experience an increase in private equity deal activity, according to Becker's Dental + DSO Review.

While corporate ownership doesn't necessarily mean lower-quality care, the changing landscape makes it increasingly important for patients to understand who owns their healthcare practices and how decisions are made.

"Most patients don't think to ask who owns their oral surgery practice, but it's an important question," says Dr. Kojanis. "As more practices become part of larger organizations, we want families to understand that independent, locally owned options still exist and that they have a choice in where they receive care."

What Independent Ownership Means for Patients

At an independently owned oral surgery practice, the surgeons treating patients are often the same people making decisions about how the practice operates.

For patients and their communities, this can translate into several important benefits.

Personalized treatment decisions.

When surgeons maintain direct oversight of their practices, they have greater control over treatment planning, technology investments and the overall patient experience.

Continuity of care.

Building a relationship with the same surgeon throughout consultations, treatment and recovery can provide reassurance, particularly for families navigating oral surgery for the first time.

Local accountability.

Independently owned practices are often deeply connected to the communities they serve, building lasting relationships with patients, families and referring dentists.

Investing in the local community.

Independent ownership also gives physicians the flexibility to decide where to invest their practice's resources, including supporting the communities where they live and work. At Premier, that has meant sponsoring local Little League teams, supporting high school athletics and finding other ways to give back to Bergen County families. Most recently, the practice celebrated a local raffle winner as part of its ongoing community outreach.

Four Questions to Ask When Choosing an Oral Surgeon

Whether you're selecting an oral surgeon for yourself or your child, asking a few questions before scheduling a consultation can help you make a more informed decision.

1. Is the practice locally and independently owned?

Find out whether the practice is owned by the surgeons providing care or is part of a larger corporate organization. Understanding its ownership structure can help you learn more about how it operates and who is responsible for important decisions.

2. Who makes decisions about my treatment?

Ask how treatment recommendations are developed and whether your surgeon has the flexibility to tailor care to your individual needs. Your treatment plan should reflect your diagnosis, medical history and personal circumstances.

3. Will I see the same surgeon throughout my care?

Continuity can be especially important for procedures that involve consultations, surgery and follow-up appointments. Knowing who will perform your procedure and oversee your recovery can provide additional peace of mind.

4. Does the practice accept my insurance?

Open enrollment is an ideal time to confirm whether your preferred providers participate in your insurance plan. For oral surgery, it's also important to understand whether a procedure may be covered by medical insurance, dental insurance or a combination of both.

Keeping Oral Surgery Local in Bergen County

For Bergen County families, choosing a locally owned practice means having access to surgeons who are personally invested in the communities they serve.

Premier Oral + Maxillofacial Surgery Group is independently owned and operated by Dr. Lee Kojanis and Dr. Tyler Zenga, with three locations serving patients throughout Bergen County and surrounding communities.

The practice combines advanced surgical techniques and digital treatment planning with a personalized approach to care, emphasizing long-term patient relationships and direct physician involvement.

As families consider their healthcare options, understanding who owns an oral surgery practice and how decisions are made can be just as important as evaluating insurance coverage, experience and available services.