In-store dental service opens…wide…for Carnival customers
DALLAS —When Minyard’s launched the Carnival Food Store concept in the Dallas area, it included retail clinics because the company determined that its target Hispanic customer needed, and wanted, an affordable medical alternative. It has since determined that Carnival customers need access to reasonably priced dental services as well and so has introduced the first in-store dental clinic in Texas.
The All Smiles Dental and Orthodontics practice is part of a newly remodeled 55,000-square-foot Carnival Super Market in Plano, Texas. However, it isn’t the only such operation Carnival plans to make available. It also will sponsor store visits by All Smiles’ mobile dental clinics.
Ron Peters, Minyard’s vp of pharmacy, said an important part of the services offered will be free dental screenings that also will accustom Carnival customers to what All Smiles has to offer. He added that the first Carnival dental clinic might not be the last, as a successful initial operation could be imitated in another store. “We’re talking with All Smiles. They’re very interested, as we are. We will have to see if they fit in with us. We’re not looking at this as a one-time thing, but we want to look at how customers react,” Peters said.
As part of its strategic focus, Carnival has put a premium on products and services that meet the preferences of Hispanic families. All Smiles, Peters said, does that. “All Smiles focuses on children,” he said. “Also, many of those customers don’t have insurance, so we needed to see what they needed. All Smiles takes CHIP and Medic-Aid and so can take care of them. Also, they take their mobile to schools and they tell the children how to take care of their dental hygiene.”
In introducing the dental clinic program, Michael Byars, Minyard’s president and ceo noted, “We are committed to wellness education and resources for our customers. Offering dental services is one more step we are taking to provide the best services to the neighborhoods we serve.”