Who We Are
In 1969, The Professional Protector Plan for Dentists (PPP®) was established by the Brown & Brown Professional Programs division in Tampa, Florida, through the collaboration of malpractice insurance specialists and dental professionals. The idea behind the PPP® was to create one insurance policy to meet the needs of a dental practice, eliminating the inconvenience for a dentist to seek out multiple policies through various carriers and agents.
With Protector Plans serving as the Program Administrator of the PPP®, we select an insurance carrier based on their financial and coverage strength, risk management services and claims handling to be the risk bearer of the program. Additionally, Protector Plans appoints agents across the country to operate as exclusive PPP® agents in their designated states. These agents are handpicked based on their region, involvement within the dental community, and their proficiency in the complex field of professional liability insurance. Many of the PPP® Agents who work with us today have been appointed since the program’s inception in 1969.
Through the years, the PPP® has evolved into a comprehensive insurance program, providing insurance protection and risk management services for every facet of the dental office. Learn more about the financial strength of our carrier and associations that endorse the PPP®.
Advisory Boards
The PPP has two advisory boards established to assist in the continued development of the program and its products.
PPP Agent Advisory Board (SAAB)
The State Administrator Advisory Board (SAAB) is a team of PPP agents who advocate for the needs of the dentists in their designated territory and keep the PPP focused on coverage and program enhancements.
Mark Mikulak
Mark Mikulak joined the Professional Protector Plan for Dentists (PPP) as Vice President, Medical Professional Liability Program Leader in October 2023. Mark comes to PPP with over 30 years of progressive underwriting and leadership experience and a proven record of managing diverse multi-million dollar underwriting portfolios, including workers’ compensation books, casualty segments, and specialty financial products.
Most recently Mark served as Vice President, National Casualty Manager for one of the top ten property-casualty insurance groups in the world. In that role, Mark had responsibility for underwriting strategy and P&L management for North American Casualty business consisting of large commercial and industrial interests, including admitted and non-admitted business, and large loss sensitive deals. Mark has led underwriting teams in a variety on underlying lines of business including workers compensation, primary general liability, excess liability and multinational property, surety, heavy trucking, and program business.
Brandon Bowman
Brandon is originally from Louisville, KY, and he attended Western Kentucky University. While there, he was a founding member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and also of The $100 Solution, a volunteer project of a local Rotary Club that he oversaw transitioning to a fully-fledged 501(c)(3). Upon graduation, Brandon returned to Louisville where he first worked at a law firm. He then started as an insurance agent and later purchased that insurance agency with the partnership of his cousin. Professionally, Brandon regularly lectures on insurance and risk management, including as an invited guest speaker of the Louisville Dental Society, other area study clubs, and practice management courses at several dental schools; Brandon was elected to the SAAB in 2024. In his free time, he goes to the gym, plays pickleball, volunteers at his alma mater, and tries to learn new skills; currently, he’s learning French.
Eric Elg
After working in the insurance industry since 1995, Eric began work with Terry Arp & Associates in 2013, offering risk management services to dental practices in Idaho, Utah, and Montana, purchasing the agency in 2015, and becoming a SAAB Board Member in 2018. Eric is a native Idahoan with a degree in Political Science from the University of Idaho. His hobbies include spending time with his family, coaching youth athletics, reading, snowboarding, and backpacking in the Idaho wilderness.
Randy Flem
Randy has been with Pacific Underwriters for 38 years. He graduated with Honors from Oregon State University with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and a minor in Psychology. He has 8 kids and 10 grandkids. There is never a dull moment at their house. Being on SAAB gives Randy the chance to brainstorm new ways to get the PPP to more customers at the time they are making buying decisions. He enjoys working with all stakeholders of the PPP to improve the program. He aims to simplify processes, reduce steps, and systematize implementation to make working in the program more time efficient and thus profitable. His daily contact with customers gives him a never-ending supply of ways to enhance the PPP.
Andrew Gerner
E. Andrew Gerner, CFP® is President and an equity member of the insurance firm R. K. Tongue Co., Inc. He is also Principal and Founder of the R. K. Tongue-affiliated investment and financial services firm Tongue | GERNER Financial Services, LLC. Mr. Gerner is a property & casualty and life & health licensed independent insurance agent and broker, a series 7 and 66 Investment Adviser, and a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™. He specializes in risk management, asset protection, wealth management, retirement plans, and financial planning for members of the healthcare and professional services industries. Andrew received undergraduate degrees in Economics and Public Policy from St. Mary’s College of Maryland, graduated Cum Laude, played Varsity Lacrosse, and received academic, NCAA and Capital Athletic Conference (CAC) honors including Honorable Mention All-American, Academic All-American, CAC All Conference, and CAC Silver Anniversary Team. Mr. Gerner continues to study professionally within the insurance and financial services industry at The College for Financial Planning. In his few spare moments, Andrew enjoys chasing around his wife and kids, fishing, surfing, golfing (badly), traveling, intently following the Baltimore Ravens, and watching college lacrosse.
Ed Gerner
A veteran of more than 50 years in the insurance industry, Ed brings the perspectives of not only an experienced insurance professional, but also that of a lawyer, and even that of a former U.S. Army officer, to whatever issues confront the PPP. His agency, R.K. Tongue Co., has been with the PPP from its inception (and so has Ed, even if he doesn’t like to admit that), making him the de facto Program historian. Serving as the State Administrator Advisory Board Chair (SAAB), Ed is a true believer in the importance of relationships in the insurance business. He is a strong proponent of all things PPP, but especially of SAAB’s role of representing the interests of the State Administrators to stakeholders of the PPP. Ed understands that the program’s success hinges on its highly engaging relationships with its distribution network. In addition to his admission to the Maryland Bar, and to the Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States, he holds the Chartered Life Underwriter and Chartered Property & Casualty Underwriter designations.
Sue McFadden
Sue McFadden of McFadden Insurance Services is the PPP State Administrator for Iowa. She has nearly 40 years in the dental malpractice industry, and she works closely with the Iowa Dental Association, the Iowa Academy of General Dentistry, and the University of Iowa College of Dentistry. She is very close to the dental community in Iowa, and you can find her hosting many student events, risk management seminars, and attending Mission of Mercy events. In 2022, Sue was the recipient of the prestigious President’s Special Recognition Award from the Iowa Dental Association and was also honored with the Iowa Mission of Mercy’s Above and Beyond Award.
Craig Start
Craig Start, MBA, is president of MDA Insurance & Financial Group. Since 1994, he has guided the MDA for-profit subsidiary’s growth from a small group mostly focused on health insurance, to a full-line insurance agency, and added a Services division that provides a variety of endorsed products and programs to MDA members. Mr. Start has been involved with the PPP and SAAB for over 27 years. Start, who currently oversees a staff of 27, is a graduate of the University of Michigan. He is an avid fisherman. He and his wife, Amy, are the parents of two sons and a daughter.
National Advisory Board (NAB)
The National Advisory Board (NAB) consists of prominent dental professionals with different specialties across the country who provide input on the concerns and emerging trends in dentistry, as well as develop risk management procedures.
Dr. Charles W. Genrich
Dr. Genrich has been practicing general dentistry in Lincoln, Nebraska, for almost 40 years. He is a graduate of UNMC College of Dentistry. His passion for dentistry has led him to become a member of the American Dental Association, Nebraska Dental Association, Lincoln District Dental Association, and the Capital Study Club. He is an educator for the Adult Restorative Department, Dental College, a Fellow in the American College of Dentists, and a volunteer for many dental organizations within the community. Most importantly, Dr. Genrich is a family man. He has been married to his wife, Mary Ann, for more than 50 years. They have 6 wonderful children and 6 beautiful grandchildren. When he is not working hard to put smiles on patients’ faces, Dr. Genrich enjoys being with his family, working in his yard, fishing, and traveling.
Dr. E. Duston Mersinger
Dr. Mersinger has served on the National Advisory Board for 23 years, the last five as chair. He graduated from the University of Maryland School of Dentistry. Upon graduating from dental school Dr. Mersinger opened a private general practice about 25 miles outside of Baltimore which he continued for 43 years. Dr. Mersinger served as president of the Maryland State Dental Association in two separate terms, served as Speaker of the House for the Maryland State Dental Association, and served in elected capacity in the Carroll County Dental Society, holding many offices over his decades in practice. Dr. Mersinger resides in Hampstead, Maryland.
Dr. Christopher Toomey
Dr. Christopher Toomey is a Maryland native with a dental office located in Towson, MD. Dr. Toomey is a general dentist who has advanced training in dental implants, bite equilibration, root canals and cosmetic dentistry. He takes great pride in his ability to offer complete care in a comfortable setting. He earned his DDS from the University of Maryland, School of Dental Surgery. He did post-graduate training at the Veterans' Administration Hospital of Baltimore and continued with them as the Associate Director of their residency program. Since 2004, Dr. Toomey has obtained advanced training from The Dawson Center, which focuses on healthy bite alignment, often the true cause of TMJ disorder, headaches, grinding and cracked teeth. Applying this technology in his office, Dr. Toomey has seen tremendous results for his patients and their overall health.
Dr. Cynthia Tyler
Originally from Federal Way, WA, Dr. Tyler is glad to be back in the pacific northwest. Dr. Tyler is a board-certified endodontist practicing in Duvall, Washington. She grew up in Washington state and completed an undergraduate degree in biochemistry and dental school at the University of Washington. After dental school, she worked as a general dentist in Montana and Minnesota, followed by an endodontic residency at the University of Minnesota. After residency, Dr. Tyler returned to Washington state and acquired her practice in 2016. Additionally, Dr. Tyler is a member of several local study clubs and professional memberships, including: the American Association of Endodontists, Washington State Association of Endodontists, American Dental Association, Washington State Dental Association and the South King County Dental Association. She is currently completing training at the Kois Center, a world-renowned education center focusing on providing state of the art, evidence based comprehensive care. Dr. Tyler met her husband in dental school, and they have two boys that keep them busy. They live on a small lake at the foothills of the cascades and enjoy paddle boarding, swimming, and hiking in the summer and skiing in the winter. When not outdoors, she enjoys eating her husband's amazing cooking and building Legos with her children.
Dr. Shaun O'Neill
Born in southern Wisconsin, Dr. O’Neill has spent the last decade in Iowa attending both Luther College and the University of Iowa College of Dentistry. Dr. O’Neill has been recognized with numerous awards from the college, university, and the American Student Dental Association (ASDA) for his leadership and clinical skills. Dr. O’Neill was most recently honored to represent the Iowa American Student Dental Association (IASDA) as the President. Here he created the first annual IASDA Pre-Dental Summer Academy and presented to the Board of Regents on behalf of the University of Iowa College of Dentistry to emphasize the importance of the college in Iowa. Today, Dr. O’Neill serves on the National Advisory Board for the Professional Protector Plan® for Dentists and on the ADA Council of Dental Education and Licensure. Dr. O’Neill’s leadership was recently recognized by the American College of Dentists as he has been inducted as a fellow. Less than 3% of dentists nationwide are inducted as it recognizes dentists for exemplifying excellence through outstanding leadership and contributions to dentistry and society. Outside of dentistry, Dr. O’Neill enjoys spending time with his family and friends. He loves outdoor activities on the water, skiing, biking, hitting the golf course and hiking trails across the Midwest in his free time.
The NAB also offers an appeals process, which is an exclusive feature of the PPP for PPP insureds who are non-renewed or canceled (other than for non-payment). This feature provides analysis of the clinical aspects of the case and offers recommendation to the carrier to reinstate or uphold the cancellation/non-renewal.
Financial Strength
The PPP®’s forward-thinking philosophy ensures that we put the interests of our insureds first. We are proud of our over 50-year history as the pre-eminent program manager in our field. The PPP® remains committed to selecting carrier partners with financial strength and stability who offer competitive, state-of-the-art coverages and outstanding service. Our current carrier partner is rated “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best and has a strong customer-focused philosophy that aligns with the foundations of the PPP®.
Endorsements
State and local dental societies and associations play an integral role in our program. The following dental associations and societies presently recommend the PPP® as their preferred malpractice insurance program.
