Fifteen years ago, a mission was born in the Rio Grande Valley — not just to provide quality dental care, but to transform how healthcare serves people and communities. That mission became Rodeo Dental & Orthodontics. Now, as the company celebrates its 15th anniversary, it also celebrates another historic milestone: becoming the first B Corp Certified healthcare company founded in the Valley.
For Dr. Saam Zarrabi, Rodeo Dental’s co-founder and CEO, the certification isn’t just a badge — it’s a commitment. “This wasn’t about chasing an award,” Zarrabi said. “It was about codifying our values. It was about saying to the world — and to ourselves — that Rodeo Dental is built different.”
The B Corp certification is awarded to businesses that meet the highest standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. For Rodeo Dental, that framework has helped maintain its integrity while the company has expanded across Texas.
“As we grew beyond the Valley and into other regions, we needed a way to preserve our soul,” he said. “That’s what B Corp offered us: a framework that aligned perfectly with who we are.”
Zarrabi believes the recognition is also a win for the Rio Grande Valley itself, which has often been overlooked in national healthcare conversations. “The Valley has long been overlooked in the broader conversation around innovation and progress, but anyone who lives here knows — this region is rich in culture, talent, and heart,” Zarrabi said.
“Earning B Corp Certification in the Valley isn’t just a corporate milestone — it’s a cultural one,” he said. “It means that the RGV is no longer standing in the wings of the healthcare conversation. It’s leading from the front.”
That leadership shows in how Rodeo Dental prioritizes people, starting with the patients. “We’re not just providing services — we’re changing lives,” Zarrabi said.
Through the B Corp framework, Rodeo has created systems that track patient outcomes and expand care to underserved populations. Rodeo earned 29.7 B Corp points for reaching underserved patients and 9.1 points for improving health outcomes. Its total Customer score of 41.7 is considered “Best in Class” by B Lab, the global nonprofit that certifies B Corporations.
“Behind every number is a story,” Zarrabi said.
One such story came from a continuing education event in Mission. A mother brought in her daughter after being turned away elsewhere and unable to afford care. “They left that same day with complete care and a follow-up plan in place — and with tears in their eyes,” Zarrabi said. “That’s the kind of story we hear again and again. That’s what B Corp helps make possible.”
In fact, Rodeo Dental provides more than $250,000 in volunteer dentistry each year — care given “freely, generously, and with no strings attached,” he said.
Zarrabi sees the impact extending beyond individual smiles. The company’s Volunteer-Driven Continuing Education Program brings in dentists from across Texas to the Valley for hands-on learning and service. “It’s hands-on. It’s high-energy. It’s changing how continuing education is done in dentistry,” he said.
For Rodeo’s team of providers, the work is deeply personal. “Our doctors aren’t just technicians — they’re change-makers,” Zarrabi said. “They’re people who understand that oral health is deeply personal, that every smile carries a story, and that the best care starts with empathy.”
The company’s model has earned global recognition, including being named to the Fortune Impact 20 List in 2023 and earning the distinction of “Best for the World – Governance” and “Best for the World – Customers” from B Lab.
As Rodeo Dental looks ahead, Zarrabi envisions the Valley as a “statewide center of excellence for dental education” and a place where healthcare innovation continues to thrive. “This isn’t just our anniversary — it’s the Valley’s,” he said.
In the end, Rodeo Dental’s story is about much more than teeth. It’s about values, vision, and choosing to lead with heart. “The world may call us a dental company,” Zarrabi said. “In the Valley — we’re family.”
