PITTSTON TWP. — Benjamin Cohen founded Benco Dental in 1930 when he was just 26 years old in the Miners Bank building in Wilkes-Barre, after several years of peddling dental supplies throughout New York and Pennsylvania.

Today, the business’ main office in Pittston Township is about seven miles from its original site.

Sharing his father’s passion for dentistry, Larry Cohen grew the business into the Mid-Atlantic leading distributor, with the mission now being passed on to his sons, Chuck and Rich.

And, although much of what the Cohens have accomplished is in regard to provision of state-of-the-art equipment and services to dentists around the country, the key to their success, they say, is putting customers first and serving the community.

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In 1968, for example, the company was the first to hire an equipment specialist to help dentists navigate the complexities of a new office.

In 1978, the company was the first to hire a professional dental space planner.

In 1988, Benco was the first company to allow its customers to order via fax, evolving into an e-ordering system that facilitates online orders for its customers.

In 2003, the company implemented a system to monitor and report customer satisfaction.

In 2011, with the opening of a fifth distribution center, Benco took its company coast to coast.

“Our firsts have made a difference for dentists, team members, laboratory technicians and patients,” the company’s website proclaims.

Although ​Benco has continued to grow for eight decades, it has not been without challenge.

In 1972, after the business was flooded during Hurricane Agnes, Larry Cohen re-opened the business, even though it was not insured.

Benco’s statistics reflect its commitment to customers and continuing success.

Each year, the business answers over 700,000 customer service calls, processes 1 million orders, answers 110,000 service calls with members of its leadership visiting 1,200 customer offices.

In addition to providing quality products and services and remaining profitable in the long term, the business also sets its sights on being an integral part of the community.

“We actively look for ways to improve the communities in which Benco does business. You can find our associates participating in charitable walks, volunteering in classrooms and helping to build homes. We also donate five percent of our profits to charity,” the business’ website reads.

The company is also associated with the Benco Family Foundation, which is dedicated to improving the dental health and quality of life in local and global communities.

Annually, the foundation supports over 100 charities and donates 150,000 toothbrushes to children and families.

Standing for a picture in the lobby of Benco Dental in Jenkins Township are, from left, first row, Larry Cohen, chairman and chief customer advocate; Ed Mislitski, small equipment handler; Mario Giovanelli, equipment purchasing supervisor; Darren Savage, inventory control team lead; Linda Viti, dental lab manager; Reggie Cheesic, receiver. Second row, Chuck Cohen, managing director; Sue Evans, director of strategic vendor accounts; Mike Mangan, warehouse special projects coordinator; Howie Shiner, small equipment technician; Bernie Adamczyk, senior parts experience specialist; Rich Bonin, territory rep; Don Sullivan, territory rep; Richard Cohen, managing director. Third row, from left: Tom Maley, Receiver, Mike Cawley, Receiver, Bobby Conway, Equipment Handler, George Suda, Contact Center Team Lead, far right. 7/24/18. Sean McKeag | Sunday Dispatch
https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/web1_PSD072918BencoDental1.jpg.optimal.jpgStanding for a picture in the lobby of Benco Dental in Jenkins Township are, from left, first row, Larry Cohen, chairman and chief customer advocate; Ed Mislitski, small equipment handler; Mario Giovanelli, equipment purchasing supervisor; Darren Savage, inventory control team lead; Linda Viti, dental lab manager; Reggie Cheesic, receiver. Second row, Chuck Cohen, managing director; Sue Evans, director of strategic vendor accounts; Mike Mangan, warehouse special projects coordinator; Howie Shiner, small equipment technician; Bernie Adamczyk, senior parts experience specialist; Rich Bonin, territory rep; Don Sullivan, territory rep; Richard Cohen, managing director. Third row, from left: Tom Maley, Receiver, Mike Cawley, Receiver, Bobby Conway, Equipment Handler, George Suda, Contact Center Team Lead, far right. 7/24/18. Sean McKeag | Sunday Dispatch Sean McKeag | Sunday Dispatch

Chris Sedon, OneVisit experience manager, and Christina Munski, OneVisit experience coordinator at the OneVisit® Innovation Center for CAD/CAM dentistry at the company’s newly renovated East Coast showroom. Within the past 87 years, the company has grown from a single downtown location to a national network of more than 65 regional locations, five distribution centers, and three design showrooms. Those design showrooms, one at the company’s Pa. headquarters, one in Southern California, and one in Texas, feature North America’s largest selection of dental equipment and technology.
https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/web1_PSD072918BencoDental2.jpg.optimal.jpgChris Sedon, OneVisit experience manager, and Christina Munski, OneVisit experience coordinator at the OneVisit® Innovation Center for CAD/CAM dentistry at the company’s newly renovated East Coast showroom. Within the past 87 years, the company has grown from a single downtown location to a national network of more than 65 regional locations, five distribution centers, and three design showrooms. Those design showrooms, one at the company’s Pa. headquarters, one in Southern California, and one in Texas, feature North America’s largest selection of dental equipment and technology. Sean McKeag | Sunday Dispatch

Chris Rozman, inside salesman, helps out in Benco Dental University, a training room for new sales reps, regional managers and inside salespeople.
https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/web1_PSD072918BencoDental3.jpg.optimal.jpgChris Rozman, inside salesman, helps out in Benco Dental University, a training room for new sales reps, regional managers and inside salespeople. Sean McKeag | Sunday Dispatch

In the Extraoral Digital Suite at the company’s CenterPoint East showroom, the Benco team invites dentists to compare 2D and 3D panoramic digital images side-by-side. It’s all part of the hands-on experience at Benco, designed to assist dentists in the planning of their practices.
https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/web1_PSD072918BencoDental4.jpg.optimal.jpgIn the Extraoral Digital Suite at the company’s CenterPoint East showroom, the Benco team invites dentists to compare 2D and 3D panoramic digital images side-by-side. It’s all part of the hands-on experience at Benco, designed to assist dentists in the planning of their practices. Sean McKeag | Sunday Dispatch

Interior design, architecture, space planning are just a few offerings of Benco’s CenterPoint Design, an integrated studio that specializes in maximizing efficiency and creating environments at dental practices.
https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/web1_PSD072918BencoDental5.jpg.optimal.jpgInterior design, architecture, space planning are just a few offerings of Benco’s CenterPoint Design, an integrated studio that specializes in maximizing efficiency and creating environments at dental practices. Sean McKeag | Sunday Dispatch

By Geri Gibbons

For Sunday Dispatch

Reach the Sunday Dispatch newsroom at 570-655-1418 or by email at sd@psdispatch.com.