Table of Contents
- Key Points
- About the South Carolina 500
- Why Brent Was Recognized This Year
- A Business Leader Shaped by Dentistry
- Locally Owned, Doctor-Led Care Across the Upstate
- Congratulations, Brent
- References
Key Points
- SC Biz News has named ProGrin CEO Brent Ayers to the South Carolina 500 for the second consecutive year, this time in the Healthcare category.
- The recognition highlights ProGrin’s investment in technology, planned growth across the Upstate, and attention to the dental workforce.
- As ProGrin grows, Brent’s priority is to preserve a locally owned, doctor-led model of care built on lasting patient relationships.
At ProGrin, we are proud to share that our CEO, Brent Ayers, has once again been named to SC Biz News’ South Carolina 500. The 2026 list, presented by The Riley Institute at Furman University, includes Brent in the Healthcare category alongside leaders from hospital systems, independent practices, and health care organizations throughout the state. This second consecutive recognition speaks to the steady, people-first leadership our patients and team members experience every day.
About the South Carolina 500
The South Carolina 500 is an annual program in which SC Biz News editors identify 500 of the most influential professionals in the state, spanning industries from health care and finance to law, education, and manufacturing. Honorees are selected for their impact on South Carolina’s economy and quality of life, with particular attention to leaders who are:
- Driving innovation: introducing new ideas, tools, and approaches within their fields
- Creating jobs: expanding opportunities for South Carolina workers
- Building communities: investing in the places where they live and work1
Why Brent Was Recognized This Year
In bestowing this recognition, SC Biz News highlighted several areas of his leadership:
- Investment in Technology: After two years of development, ProGrin rolled out an AI-driven practice-management system across its locations, a system intended to simplify the administrative work behind every patient visit.
- Upstate growth: ProGrin plans to open three additional offices in the Upstate over the next year, extending access to family dental care in more communities.
- Workforce development: Brent identifies the shortage of dental providers (particularly registered dental hygienists) as the industry’s most persistent challenge, and he is encouraged by growing collaboration among practices, professional associations, and educators to expand the talent pipeline.
- Community involvement: Outside the practice, Brent is involved with the C12 Christian Business Forum, Campus Crusade for Christ, and Impact Sports.
A Business Leader Shaped by Dentistry
Brent’s connection to dentistry began long before his career did. As the son of a dentist, he originally expected to practice clinical dentistry himself, until an introductory economics course drew him toward the business side of health care. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in business management from Clemson University. That combination, a lifelong familiarity with the dental office and formal training in business, helps explain his approach at ProGrin, where operational decisions are always made in service of clinical care.
Locally Owned, Doctor-Led Care Across the Upstate
As ProGrin grows to more locations, Brent’s goal is to preserve what has defined our practice from the start: a locally owned, doctor-led model in which care is built on long-term relationships with patients. For families comparing dentist offices in Greenville, SC, that model has practical value. It means continuity with a team that knows your history and understands your health goals. Whether you are choosing a dentist in Greenville, SC for the first time or returning for a routine visit, that consistency is something we work to protect at every location.
Congratulations, Brent!
On behalf of our entire team, congratulations to Brent on this recognition, and thank you for leading with humility, vision, and a genuine commitment to people.
If you are looking for the best dentist Greenville, SC, and the surrounding Upstate has to offer, consider Progrin. The leadership recognized in this year’s South Carolina 500 is the same leadership that shapes every visit to our offices. Call today to set up an appointment.
References
- “South Carolina 500,” SC Biz News, retrieved on October 21, 2026, from: https://scbiz.com/south-carolina-500/.