Today we’d like to introduce you to Caitlin Rosemann.
Hi Caitlin, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I grew up in the small rural town of Cuba, Missouri, on a cattle farm that my family still operates today. That upbringing really shaped my work ethic and sense of community.
I first became interested in dentistry through my own positive experiences as a child at Pediatric Dentistry of Sunset Hills with Dr. Hollander. When I turned 11, I took a trip to the orthodontist and I was completely hooked. With encouragement from my mom, I shadowed a dentist in high school to make sure it was what I wanted to pursue. I came home saying it was the coolest day I’d ever had.
I went on to attend Truman State University, where I earned my Bachelor of Science in Health Science with a minor in biology while completing my pre-dental coursework in 2015. I then earned both my Doctorate in Dental Medicine and Master of Public Health from A.T. Still University’s Missouri School of Dentistry and Oral Health in 2021.
After dental school, I worked in both private practice and public health settings to gain experience and help with student loan repayment. However, I always knew my goal was to own my own practice and be my own boss.
In June 2024, that dream became a reality when I closed on my building—a former law office—and completely remodeled it into Rosemann Dental, with my dad serving as the contractor. We officially opened our doors to patients in December 2024.
It’s been an incredible journey and truly a dream come true.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road but I wouldn’t change any of it. Every challenge shaped me, made me more resilient, and became an important part of my story.
One of the biggest early hurdles was getting into dental school. I was waitlisted twice, which was tough. It felt like I was good but not quite “good enough.” Instead of giving up, I pivoted and took a job with a healthcare IT company while continuing to strengthen my application. That experience taught me persistence and reinforced how much I truly wanted this career.
When it came to opening my own practice, the process started long before it became reality—years of planning, meetings, and constant decision-making, all while working full-time. There’s also a unique challenge in building something new while keeping it relatively quiet. In business, you don’t always want to share your plans too early, and that can feel isolating at times.
There were also very real logistical and financial challenges. Securing funding for a startup dental practice is no small task—especially considering how expensive dental equipment is. It required a lot of trust, preparation, and confidence in my vision.
And as a female business owner, there have been moments where I’ve had to work a little harder to be taken seriously or to advocate for myself in certain spaces. But those experiences have only made me more confident and grounded in who I am.
Looking back, none of it was easy, but every obstacle made the end result that much more meaningful.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Rosemann Dental?
Rosemann Dental is a female-owned and operated private practice built on the belief that dental care should feel personal, not transactional. We’re a state-of-the-art office offering comprehensive general dentistry, but what truly sets us apart is how we care for our patients.
I genuinely love the day-to-day work—especially hygiene visits, fillings, crowns, and, most importantly, educating patients. I want every person who sits in my chair to fully understand their oral health, their treatment options, and how to care for their teeth at home. That level of understanding empowers patients and builds trust.
One thing I think people should know is how much dentistry has changed. Healthcare—and dentistry in particular—has become increasingly corporatized, with many offices now owned by large Dental Service Organizations (DSOs). Often, patients don’t even realize it. In those settings, dentists can face production quotas, there’s often high staff turnover, and patients may see a different provider at every visit. That can impact both the quality of care and the overall experience.
At Rosemann Dental, we do things differently. We’re primarily a fee-for-service practice, meaning we work for our patients not insurance companies. We still bill insurance and provide clear estimates ahead of time, but treatment decisions are based on what’s best for the patient, not what insurance dictates. This also allows me to spend more time with each person.
For example, our new patient appointments are scheduled for 90 minutes, and I personally spend a large portion of that time with each patient—reviewing X-rays, discussing treatment plans, completing their cleaning, and answering any questions they have. I’ve been a patient in offices where the provider is constantly rushing in and out, and it can feel stressful and impersonal. I never want my patients to feel that way.
I’m also incredibly proud of the atmosphere we’ve created. Because it’s my own practice, I’ve been able to infuse my personality into the space—photos of my life on the farm, my hobbies, and my dogs are on the walls. I want people to feel comfortable, welcomed, and reminded that I’m a real person too. Building relationships with my patients is just as important to me as providing excellent clinical care.
Behind the scenes, I couldn’t do any of this without my team—especially my husband, Jeremy, who serves as our business manager, and the rest of our amazing staff.
We’ve also embraced social media in a way that’s a little different for a small-town practice. We create videos that are both fun and educational, often involving our team, to help connect with our community and make dental care feel more approachable.
At the end of the day, I’m most proud of building a practice that prioritizes people and where patients feel heard, cared for, and confident in their care.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I wouldn’t naturally describe myself as a risk-taker. I’m very Type A and tend to be more of a planner. I like to think things through, have a clear path, and feel prepared before making big decisions.
That said, opening my own dental practice was absolutely the biggest risk I’ve ever taken. Asking a bank for a large loan, leaving the security of a steady job, and stepping into full business ownership was definitely intimidating. Even though I believed there was a strong need for a dentist in my hometown, there are never guarantees when you’re starting from scratch.
Looking back, the timing worked out in a way I couldn’t have fully predicted. Several dentists in the area retired around the time I opened, and some federally qualified health centers expanded but didn’t accept private insurance. That left a real gap for patients who wanted a private practice experience, and I was able to step in and serve that need.
Of course, there are still challenges. As a primarily fee-for-service practice, I’m not in-network with many insurance companies, and that can be a sticking point for some patients at first. But over time, many of them come to understand that quality, personalized care, and actually having time with their provider is worth the investment.
Another layer of risk has been navigating business ownership as a female—especially now as a new mom. Taking time away from the office to be with my baby was something I knew I wanted, but it still came with stress and uncertainty. I’m grateful I was able to find other providers to help care for my patients while I’m away, which made that transition a lot smoother.
Overall, my perspective on risk has evolved. I still plan carefully and think things through, but I’ve learned that some of the most worthwhile things in life require stepping outside of your comfort zone. For me, it comes down to taking thoughtful, calculated risks—putting in the preparation, trusting the process, and having the confidence to move forward when the timing feels right.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rosemanndental.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosemanndental/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565723197208
- Other: frontdesk@rosemanndental.com
