Guo Pingchuan of Aichi Dental: 25 Years of Advancing China's Dental Implantology

“In Tianjin, simply tell any taxi driver you’re going to Aichi Dental, and they’ll take you straight there—no matter which district you’re in.” This is the gold-standard reputation that Guo Pingchuan, President of the Aichi Dental Chain Hospitals in Tianjin, has painstakingly built over 25 years.

In Guo Pingchuan’s view, Aichi is like his child—a source of pride into which he has poured his all, accompanying him on his journey of growth and the pursuit of his dreams.

In 2017, Guo Pingchuan joined the Meiwei system with his brand, Aichi Dental, becoming a business partner. After broadening his horizons and updating his philosophy, Guo Pingchuan embarked on a new journey in life. To this end, VCBeat (WeChat: vcbeat) conducted an exclusive interview with Professor Guo Pingchuan.

Guo Pingchuan,Founder of the Aichi Dental Chain Brand,Vice President, Tianjin Stomatological Association

“Learning is a lifelong endeavor, especially for healthcare professionals.” Since stepping into the field of dentistry, Guo Pingchuan has dedicated half his life to it, transitioning from youthful vigor to gray-haired maturity. It is this spirit of continuous learning that forged his indissoluble bond with dental implantology and empowered him to venture into entrepreneurship, establishing his own dental brand.

Since beginning his first dental implant placement in 1991, Guo Pingchuan has placed nearly 10,000 implants to date. “I was among the first batch of Chinese dentists to participate in European implant training programs.” In 1987, Guo Pingchuan was introduced to dental implantology by attending the inaugural “Workshop on Biomaterials for Dental Implants” hosted by the School of Stomatology at West China University of Medical Sciences. Through repeated overseas study and continuous specialized research, he became one of the earliest dental implant specialists in China.

Dean Guo Pingchuan Actively Participates in Academic Conferences and Continuously Advances Medical Expertise

Over more than 40 years of clinical practice in dentistry, Dr. Guo Pingchuan has frequently attended European academic conferences on dental implants and participated in various seminars and exchanges. He has mastered implantation techniques for multiple international implant systems and has published more than ten papers on dental implantology.

The papers “Application of Implant-Supported Prosthetic Techniques in Edentulous Patients” and “Clinical Application of Immediate Implant Placement and Immediate Restoration,” published in 2006, filled a gap in the introduction of new technologies within the Tianjin health system. Guo Pingchuan was appointed as the only private-practice standing committee member of the Stomatology Implantology Professional Committee of the Chinese Stomatological Association and as Deputy Chairman of the Stomatology Implantology Professional Committee of the Tianjin Stomatological Association. In 2007, Guo Pingchuan also participated in the compilation of the “Standards for Dental Implantology.”

“Now I basically go abroad for study one or two times a year, and I also attend many domestic academic conferences for exchange, listening carefully, taking detailed notes, and constantly exploring.” Guo Pingchuan has always been full of enthusiasm for exploring and learning about new technologies and new equipment emerging in the dental healthcare industry. “We are currently researching the latest implant surgical guide software, having already invested more than 200,000 RMB to purchase a German guide milling machine and the associated software.”

As restorative-oriented implant technology continues to advance, the demand for implant placement precision is also steadily increasing.The application of digital guide technology in clinical practice is becoming increasingly widespread.. Guo Pingchuan had long foreseen the development trend of dental implantology, noting that “the application of digital guide technology will significantly reduce patient discomfort and improve precision, and this technology can also facilitate the training of implant surgeons.”

Opportunities always favor those who are prepared. In 1993, amid the surge in dental implant popularity in China, Guo Pingchuan decisively ventured into the private sector and subsequently founded Aichi Dental, the first Sino-foreign joint venture dental clinic in China approved by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation. “During the process of learning implant techniques, I connected with numerous dentists from regions such as Taiwan, China, and Denmark, which became the talent reserve for Aichi Dental.”

Guo Pingchuan recalled, “At that time, our core business was dental implantology. We introduced advanced foreign technologies, equipment, and concepts—such as four-handed dentistry, central vacuum pumps, and imported anesthetics—which were leading-edge in China at the time. This propelled Aichi’s rapid growth.”

Aichi Dental Chain Reaches a Scale of 5 Clinics

In 2005, the Aichi Dental chain expanded to five clinics. From 2006 to 2007, its annual revenue exceeded RMB 26 million, ranking second in the Tianjin market. Its dental implant services ranked first in Tianjin, with approximately 800–1,000 implants placed annually.

However, over the past decade, Aichi Dental’s growth has stagnated due to outdated management practices, causing considerable concern for Guo Pingchuan. The emergence of Meivie, however, has offered a glimmer of hope. “For dental institutions, brand and talent are core assets, yet both require time to cultivate. What I find compelling about the Meivie model is its approach of first acquiring regional brands, then standardizing operations and expanding on the foundation of established brands and stable teams—a strategy that is both practical and feasible.” Meivie’s empowerment platform can inject fresh vitality into Aichi Dental.

Strategic Cooperation Signing Ceremony between Meiwei and Aichi Dental

In early 2017, Aichi Dental officially joined the Meiwei system. After more than a year of collaboration, Aichi is growing at an annual rate of over 30%,Revenue has nearly doubled since joining Meiwei., especially the flagship store. As for the reasons behind the significant effectiveness of the collaboration between the two parties, Guo Pingchuan believes that there are mainly the following four points.

First,Shifts in Identity and Perception“After partnering with Meiwei, we became not only shareholders but also managers. With performance pressure on our shoulders, we need to benchmark and compete against other dental brands on Meiwei’s large platform. This performance pressure and competitive mindset have given us greater motivation.”

Second,Shifts in Service Philosophy and Expansion of Marketing Strategies“Zhu Liya, CEO of Meiwei Dental Care, shared the latest service philosophies and marketing strategies with us, helping us shift from our previous stance of completely avoiding marketing efforts. We have strengthened the management and service for existing clients, as well as the retention of new clients. Specific measures include assigning dedicated staff to centrally manage customer communications via WeChat, providing attentive in-clinic services for new patients, and conducting post-visit satisfaction follow-ups. Our marketing tactics have also been expanded, such as introducing a membership program with exclusive discounts for loyal members, and paying closer attention to service reviews on platforms like Dianping.”

Third,We are now placing greater emphasis on building our talent pipeline.“It is essential not only to have experienced core physicians but also to engage young doctors in basic clinical work, while simultaneously reserving and cultivating this younger talent to ensure sustainable development.” Leveraging resources from renowned medical experts both domestically and internationally, Meivie has gradually established a diversified, international talent development platform. This platform includes initiatives such as the “Meivie Implantology Forum,” “Meivie Dental Case Competition,” “Orthodontics/Implantology Reading Club,” “Dental Clinic Management Training Camp,” “China MaxiCourse® Implant Training Program,” and the “Biennial Meeting of the Western District of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry,” thereby providing a solid guarantee for building Ai Chi’s talent pipeline.

Fourth,Group Procurement Reduces Costs“Through centralized group procurement, the purchasing costs of certain equipment and instruments can be significantly reduced.”

Regarding the future development plan for Aichi Dental, Guo Pingchuan expressed full confidence: “In the second half of 2018, we will establish a secondary-level specialized dental hospital. Building on this foundation, we will deepen our collaboration with Tianjin Medical University in the fields of education, clinical practice, and research. Meanwhile, we will strengthen comprehensive capabilities in dental implantology and prosthodontics, encompassing medical services, technology, talent development, and market expansion, thereby enhancing Aichi’s overall competitiveness.”

Guo Pingchuan’s resume features numerous social titles, which he regards not only as a testament to the trust placed in him by industry organizations but also as a responsibility.

Dean Guo Pingchuan Was Conferred the Title of “Fellow of the International College of Dentists”

Therefore, to avoid disrupting the Tianjin dental market, he sets an example by refraining from advertising at low prices. To prevent irregularities in dental implant procedures, he actively participates in seminars on implant-related complications, allowingYoung Dentists: A Comprehensive and Rational Understanding of Dental Implants. To make dental implants more affordable for the general public, Guo Pingchuan has always done his utmost.Focusing on and Cultivating the Development of Domestically Produced Dental Implants。

In June 2018, the International College of Dentists (ICD), a globally renowned organization in dental medicine, conferred upon Guo Pingchuan the honorary title of “Fellow of the International College of Dentists,” in recognition of his outstanding achievements in the field of dental medicine and his exceptional contributions to the entire dental industry. This fellowship is acclaimed within the profession as “the highest honorary title for dentists worldwide.”

“A benevolent heart is the essence of medicine.” This is the original aspiration of every medical practitioner—to fulfill their dreams while upholding this foundational commitment throughout their medical career.