Dr. Sulman Ahmed

Dr. Sulman Ahmed is the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of DECA Dental Group, the holding company for the consumer-facing brand Ideal Dental. He is the influential leader shaping and motivating DECA’s strategy, culture, and national growth. In 2008, Dr. Ahmed opened his first dental office with a vow to establish a genuinely patient-centered model. Today, the rapidly growing brand includes around 200 locations across nine states, serving approximately 3,000 guests every day.

His natural ability to identify talent and develop leaders has enabled him to architect a first-class organization from the top down. Under his leadership, DECA has become one of the fastest-growing and most respected organizations in the dental industry, earning numerous honors, awards, and national recognition. Dr. Ahmed is widely regarded as a healthcare expert and industry leader, sought after for his broad experience at both the national and international levels, and his ability to scale modern, consumer-centered healthcare platforms.

To address the growing and urgent need to improve oral healthcare across the country, Dr. Ahmed founded ToothScience—a dentist-led oral care company focused on clinically effective, thoughtfully formulated products free from unnecessary additives. ToothScience was created to close the gap between what patients need and what legacy consumer brands provide, offering science-backed solutions that elevate daily oral health for millions.

Throughout his career, Dr. Ahmed has achieved many personal accolades, including The University of Texas at Dallas Distinguished Alumni Award (2024). He has been named EY Entrepreneur of the Year (2017), one of Glassdoor’s Top CEOs (2021) with a 98% approval rating, one of the Dallas Business Journal’s Most Admired CEOs (2023), and recipient of the Silver Stevie Award for People-Focused CEO of the Year. He is an official member of the Forbes Business Council. He is also the author of the bestselling book Make Them Smile: Why Customer Satisfaction Is the Key to Rapid and Sustainable Growth.

Beyond his professional achievements, Dr. Ahmed is deeply committed to giving back to his community. He established the Dr. Sulman Ahmed Scholarship Fund, an endowment at the University of Texas at Dallas that has supported over 50 underserved and first-generation students. He serves on the board of Harold Simmons Park, a transformative green space initiative bridging socioeconomic gaps across Dallas. Through DECA Dental’s partnership with Mission Arlington, volunteer doctors provide free dental care to low-income residents across the Dallas-Fort Worth community.

He earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, where he now serves as Chair of the Board of Advisors (2024). He is also a member of the UT Southwestern President’s Advisory Board, supporting one of the nation’s leading academic medical centers, and previously served as President of the Association of Dental Support Organizations (ADSO).