Montreal's Tite-Dent dental co-op charges 10% below Quebec rates without cutting staff pay

A dental cooperative in Montreal's Little Italy is charging 10 per cent less than the Quebec Association of Dental Surgeons fee guide while keeping staff salaries intact—a model that reimagines how clinics operate.

Tite-Dent Coop de Solidarité has no receptionist position and no manager position. All staff share responsibility for clinic operations, which co-founder Dr. Cassandre Desjardins-Mallette said transforms how people experience work. "With this model, essentially, everyone has a say in the company," Desjardins-Mallette said. "It allows workers to enjoy excellent working conditions and good pay because their level of responsibility here in the cooperative improves their quality of life."

The clinic achieves its discount through cost-conscious software choices and research-backed decisions. "We've done a lot of research and surrounded ourselves with the right people to help us cut costs. For example, we use dental software and computer software that run on platforms that are somewhat inexpensive," Desjardins-Mallette said.

In less than one year of operation, Tite-Dent has reached approximately 2,000 patients. Staff speak French, English, Spanish, and Arabic. The clinic has donated $175,000 in free care and has treated hundreds of patients from marginalized communities, working through partnerships with Doctors of the World and various community groups.

"We really want to give back to the community because people in vulnerable situations—immigrants and undocumented individuals—are often overlooked, yet they have a tremendous need for dental care," Desjardins-Mallette said.

Tite-Dent has leased adjacent premises for expansion and plans to open expanded facilities within one year. The clinic is currently seeking funding for the expansion project.