Hi, dental economists! I’m Mike Huffaker, and this is the Dental Economist Show, where you can join me and my guests in a conversation about the business of dentistry. Get ready to reconsider everything you think you know about growing your dental business as we exchange different ideas and meet at the intersection of profit and purpose.
How do you transform dentistry from treating teeth to improving whole-body health? In this episode of The Dental Economist Show, host Mike Huffaker sits down with Stephen Thorne, Founder and CEO of PDS Health, to discuss why the future of dentistry lies in prevention, integration and a deeper understanding of the connection between oral health and overall health. Stephen explores how integrated medical and dental care, saliva-based diagnostics and better patient engagement can help clinicians identify risk earlier and make more informed decisions. He also discusses how dental education must evolve, what will distinguish successful DSOs over the next decade, the role of private equity and why today’s dental insurance model is not built to support prevention. The central message is clear: the future of dentistry is not simply restoring what is damaged. It is preventing disease earlier, connecting oral health to overall health and giving clinicians better tools to improve patient care. #dentaleconomist #dentistry #dso #oralhealth #healthcareinnovation #dentaltechnology If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, like, and comment 📱 Connect with the team: 👉 Mike Huffaker on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/huffaker/ 👉 Stephen Thorne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-thorne-9184146/ 👉 PDS Health: https://www.pdshealth.com/ 👉 Planet DDS: https://planetdds.com/ Want to be a guest on The Dental Economist Show? If you’re a growth-focused leader in the dental business world or someone shaping its future through technology, consulting or innovation, we’d love to hear from you. Whether you’re leading a DSO, building the next generation of dental technology, or helping redefine patient care, The Dental Economist Show is where the industry’s leading voices come together to discuss what’s next.
Colosseum Dental, one of Europe's largest dental organizations with 650 clinics across 11 countries, faced a staggering 60% dentist churn rate in its UK business back in 2022. How did they bring it down to just 11% in three years? We’re unpacking it all in this episode of The Dental Economist Show as host Mike Huffaker sits down with Dr. Farzeela Rupani, Group Chief Medical Officer of Colosseum Dental, for the ultimate insider’s perspective. Tune in to explore how Dr. Rupani couples clinical expertise with commercial intelligence to drive organic value , why shifting away from a defensive retention strategy transforms a DSO into a career destination , and how to leverage data-backed pilot programs to speak the boardroom's language. Most of all, this conversation highlights why the chief medical officer role must expand beyond a checklist of compliance to unlock true, same-store growth. #dentaleconomist #dsoleadership #dentaltechnology If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, like, and comment📱 Chapters: 00:00 Introduction & Meeting Dr. Farzeela Rupani 02:07 From Clinician to Group Chief Medical Officer 08:32 Bridging the Gap Between Clinical and Business Education 13:36 The DSO’s Role in Teaching Practice Financials 17:31 Taking Dentist Churn from 60% to 11% in Three Years 29:37 Creating Non-Clinical Paths for Dental Leaders 34:55 Moving the CMO Role Beyond Compliance to Growth 41:29 Building the Business Case for Clinical Investments 45:11 AI Diagnostics and the Next Frontier in Dentistry Connect with the team: 👉 Mike Huffaker on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/huffaker/ 👉 Dr. Farzeela Rupani on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-farzeela-rupani-279139153/ 👉 Colosseum Dental Website: https://colosseumdental.com/ 👉 Planet DDS Website: https://planetdds.com/ You can also listen to our podcast here:🎙️ 👉 Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3SeeOfY 👉 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3tMmaO7 👉 Fame Host: https://bit.ly/4aQNQ51 Want to be a guest on The Dental Economist Show? If you’re a growth-focused leader in the dental business world or someone shaping its future through technology, consulting, or innovation we want to hear from you. Submit your interest here: https://forms.gle/BjAmyYLsFgNJBf8f8 Whether you’re leading a DSO, building the next big dental SaaS tool, or redefining patient experience, this show is where the smartest minds in dental business come to talk strategy! The Dental Economist Show with Mike Huffaker is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
What if a dental asset sat at the center of the universe for the entire dental market? We’re unpacking it all in this special live edition of The Dental Economist Show, coming to you from the Planet DDS Ignite event in Newport Beach. Host Mike Huffaker sits down with Paul Kaiser, CEO of Dental Exchange, and Drew Hamilton, its CRO, for an insider's look into how they are redefining revenue cycle management (RCM). Tune in to explore how Dental Exchange successfully navigated explosive growth following the Change Healthcare disruption , why KKR backed their extensive 30-year transaction infrastructure , and how new innovations like Eligibility AI and Reconcile AI are pushing the platform far beyond a traditional clearinghouse. Plus, get a direct perspective on the complexities, definitions, and major growth opportunities surrounding real-time adjudication and getting payer buy-in. #dentaleconomist #rcm #dentaltechnology If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, like, and comment📱 Chapters: 00:00 Introduction & Welcoming Paul Kaiser and Drew Hamilton 01:18 KKR’s Investment in Dental Exchange 04:21 Navigating the Change Healthcare Disruption 05:19 Moving Beyond a Clearinghouse with AI Innovations 06:58 The Heartland Rollout & Process Hardening 08:19 Unique Factors Driving the Right to Win 09:14 The Strategic Power of Practice Management Partnerships 11:00 Defining Real-Time Pre-Adjudication 14:26 Looking at Instant Pay and the Future of RCM 16:01 Braving the 6 AM Pacific Pledge Connect with the team: 👉 Mike Huffaker on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/huffaker/ 👉 Paul Kaiser on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulalankaiser/ 👉 Drew Hamilton on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drew-hamilto n/ 👉 Dental Exchange Website: https://www.dentalxchange.com/ 👉 Planet DDS Website: https://planetdds.com/ You can also listen to our podcast here: 👉 Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3SeeOfY 👉 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3tMmaO7 👉 Fame Host: https://bit.ly/4aQNQ51 Want to be a guest on The Dental Economist Show? If you’re a growth-focused leader in the dental business world or someone shaping its future through technology, consulting, or innovation we want to hear from you. Submit your interest here: https://forms.gle/BjAmyYLsFgNJBf8f8 Whether you’re leading a DSO, building the next big dental SaaS tool, or redefining patient experience, this show is where the smartest minds in dental business come to talk strategy! The Dental Economist Show with Mike Huffaker is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
How do dental practice owners separate empty corporate promises from stable, long-term growth? In this episode of The Dental Economist Show , host Mike Huffaker sits down with Keith Miller, President and COO of Partnerships for Dentists (P4D), to unpack the operational discipline required to build a truly sustainable DSO model. Drawing on his extensive background in high-stakes retail operations at Aldi, Keith explains why transparency and structural consistency are essential for long-term clinical and financial success. The conversation dives deep into the realities of modern DSO integration, detailing how P4D achieves an impressive average EBITDA increase of 30% in year one through non-invasive yet disciplined cost management. Keith sheds light on the hidden pitfalls of over-leveraged acquisitions, why dental practice buyers must look directly at a partner's financial health, and how to effectively navigate internal resistance when transitioning to automated client systems. This episode provides an invaluable framework for any dentist looking to navigate dental support organizations without compromising their clinical autonomy. #dentaleconomist #dsoleadership #dentaloperations If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, like, and comment📱 Chapters: 00:00 Introduction & Meeting Keith Miller 02:44 Core Operational Lessons from Aldi & Multi-Site Retail 05:48 The Genesis of P4D and the Shift to True Partnership Models 09:10 Balancing Clinical Autonomy with Operational Discipline 12:19 Debunking the Myth of "Nothing Will Change" Sales Pitches 16:08 Why Dentists Must Audit a DSO's Financial Health Before Selling 19:33 Unpacking the Levers Behind a 30% First-Year EBITDA Boost 24:17 Overcoming Practice Resistance to Online Automation & Scheduling 29:10 Leading Teams through Severe Economic and Labor Pressures 36:45 The Future Health and Valuation Outlook of the Dental Industry Connect with the team: 👉 Mike Huffaker on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/huffaker/ 👉 Keith Miller on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-miller-502b945/ 👉 Partnerships for Dentists Website: https://p4d.com 👉 Planet DDS Website: https://planetdds.com/ You can also listen to our podcast here: 👉 Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3SeeOfY 👉 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3tMmaO7 👉 Fame Host: https://bit.ly/4aQNQ51 Want to be a guest on The Dental Economist Show? If you’re a growth-focused leader in the dental business world or someone shaping its future through technology, consulting, or innovation—we want to hear from you. Submit your interest here: https://fame.so/pdds-guest The Dental Economist Show with Mike Huffaker is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
The premier legal and business platform for the DSO industry, Dykema, has established itself as the leading collaborative engine for dental group growth. How do they continue to break records and redefine industry education? We’re unpacking it all in this episode of The Dental Economist Show as host Mike Huffaker sits down with Brian Colao, the Director of the Dental Service Organizations Industry Group at Dykema, for an ultimate insider’s perspective. Tune in to explore how the DSO space is handling a massive maturation phase, what it takes to curate high-impact business content amidst challenging market conditions, and how to methodically approach networking to maximize value. Most of all, this conversation highlights what we all know and cannot afford to ignore: real-time data, historical lessons, and intentional cross-pollination across global borders are absolute game-changers in today’s day and age. #dentaleconomist #dsoleadership #dentaltechnology If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, like, and comment📱 Chapters: 00:00 Introducing Brian Colao & The 4-Time Interview Record 02:15 Challenging Industry Conditions & What Makes Dykema Different This Year 03:27 The Power of Real-Time DSO Data & Planet DDS 05:15 Maturation and Theme: Journey Through DSO History 07:53 Big Budgets, Pyrotechnics, and Cinematography Labs 09:18 Regional Leadership Events & The "No Selling Zone" 12:55 How to Maximize Conference Value & Stop Being a Jellyfish 16:10 Club Fuego Late-Night Antics, Artist Riders & Shaking Hands 17:38 Global Cross-Pollination: Jumping the Curve for International Markets 20:20 The First-Ever Dental Capital Forum & Private Equity Grand Slams Connect with the team: 👉 Mike Huffaker on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/huffaker/ 👉 Brian Colao on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-a-colao-303619122/ 👉 Dykema Website: https://dykemadso.com/ 👉 Planet DDS Website: https://planetdds.com/ You can also listen to our podcast here: 👉 Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3SeeOfY 👉 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3tMmaO7 👉 Fame Host: https://bit.ly/4aQNQ51 Want to be a guest on The Dental Economist Show? If you’re a growth-focused leader in the dental business world or someone shaping its future through technology, consulting, or innovation we want to hear from you. Submit your interest here: https://forms.gle/BjAmyYLsFgNJBf8f8 Whether you’re leading a DSO, building the next big dental SaaS tool, or redefining patient experience, this show is where the smartest minds in dental business come to talk strategy! The Dental Economist Show with Mike Huffaker is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
With 35 years in the dental industry, Leslie Espinola has seen practices thrive and fail from every angle. In this episode of The Dental Economist Show , host Mike Huffaker sits down with Leslie—fractional COO, executive coach at the Dental Entrepreneur Organization (DEO), and founder of High Peak Dental Advisors—to unpack why most dental practices fail for business reasons, not clinical ones. From the org chart structures that break down at scale, to the accountability gaps dentists never learned in school, to the ROI of clinical voice technology, Leslie brings boots-on-the-ground wisdom earned from dental assisting all the way to the C-suite. This is the conversation every practice owner needs to hear before opening their next location. #dentaleconomist #dentaloperations #practicemanagement If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, like, and comment📱 Chapters: 00:00 Introduction & Meeting Leslie Espinola 02:00 From Dental Assistant to Fractional COO 05:00 Why General Dentistry Is the Hardest Model to Scale 07:45 Culture & Customer Service as Your Competitive Edge 09:00 Why Practices Fail: Administrative, Not Clinical Failures 12:00 Building the Right Org Chart for Your Practice Size 15:15 The DEO’s 50% Profit Promise—and Why Some Members Fall Short 20:00 Benchmarks That Move the Needle: AR, Supplies & Labs 28:00 The ROI of Clinical Voice Technology 40:00 Why Leslie Is Still Bullish on Dentistry After 35 Years Connect with the team: 👉 Mike Huffaker on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/huffaker/ 👉 Leslie Espinola on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/leslie-espinola/ 👉 DEO Website: https://www.deodentalgroup.com/ 👉 Planet DDS Website: https://planetdds.com/ You can also listen to our podcast here: 👉 Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3SeeOfY 👉 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3tMmaO7 👉 Fame Host: https://bit.ly/4aQNQ51 Want to be a guest on The Dental Economist Show? If you’re a growth-focused leader in the dental business world or someone shaping its future through technology, consulting, or innovation—we want to hear from you. Submit your interest here: https://forms.gle/BjAmyYLsFgNJBf8f8 Whether you’re leading a DSO, building the next big dental SaaS tool, or redefining patient experience, this show is where the smartest minds in dental business come to talk strategy! The Dental Economist Show with Mike Huffaker is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
PDS Health, one of the most innovative DSOs in the country, has been quietly building what might be the boldest bet in modern dentistry a fully integrated medical dental model rooted in the mouth-body connection. In this episode of The Dental Economist Show, host Mike Huffaker sits down with Joe Feldsien, a 22-year veteran of PDS Health who most recently stood up PDS Health Medical a primary care organization designed to operate alongside dental practices with shared clinicians, shared systems, and shared patient records through Epic. Tune in to explore how a career that began in sales at 3M led Joe to become one of the key architects of dental-medical integration, why being founder-owned and PE-free has been a competitive advantage for PDS Health, and how the mouth-body connection is driving the future of both patient care and DSO growth. From Epic implementation to salivary diagnostics to a 10-year plan targeting 3,000 dental and 500 integrated medical practices, this conversation is a masterclass in long-term thinking and bold innovation. #dentaleconomist #mouthbodyconnection #dsoinnovation If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, like, and comment📱 Chapters: 00:00 Introduction & Meeting Joe Feldsien 01:39 Sales Roots at 3M & the Lessons That Stuck 04:26 How Joe Found His Calling in Dentistry 06:00 The Through Line: Innovation Across 22 Years at PDS 09:04 Growing from 65 Practices to 1,190+ 11:00 The Advantage of Being Founder-Owned, Not PE-Backed 15:00 The Origin Story of PDS Health Medical 17:42 Building Dental-Medical Integration with No Roadmap 22:00 Educating Patients on the Mouth-Body Connection 30:00 How PDS Knows the Medical Model Is Working 34:03 Epic at Scale: Replacing Core Systems Across 1,000+ Practices 41:11 The 10-Year Vision: 3,000 Dental, 500 Medical Practices 47:33 Mentors, Books & Influences That Shaped Joe's Leadership Connect with the team: 👉 Mike Huffaker on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/huffaker/ 👉 Joe Feldsien on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-feldsien-a150163a/ 👉 PDS Health Website: https://pdshealth.com/ 👉 Planet DDS Website: https://planetdds.com/ You can also listen to our podcast here: 👉 Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3SeeOfY 👉 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3tMmaO7 👉 Fame Host: https://bit.ly/4aQNQ51 Want to be a guest on The Dental Economist Show? If you're a growth-focused leader in the dental business world or someone shaping its future through technology, consulting, or innovation we want to hear from you. Submit your interest here: https://forms.gle/BjAmyYLsFgNJBf8f8 Whether you're leading a DSO, building the next big dental SaaS tool, or redefining patient experience, this show is where the smartest minds in dental business come to talk strategy! The Dental Economist Show with Mike Huffaker is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
Aspen Dental is the largest branded DSO in the United States, and behind its clinical excellence is a leadership structure most organizations only dream about. In this episode of The Dental Economist Show, host Mike Huffaker sits down with Dr. Arwinder Judge, Chief Clinical Officer of Aspen Dental, for a candid look inside the organization that supports over 1,100 practices and 1,800 dentists. Tune in to explore how Dr. Judge built world-class clinical infrastructure from the ground up, why mentorship and doctor development are Aspen's most powerful competitive advantages, and what it really takes to drive consistency, case acceptance, and culture at enterprise scale. From TAG University to a 25,000 sq ft surgery center to the upcoming largest rollout of ambient listening in dentistry this conversation is packed with insights every DSO leader needs to hear. #dentaleconomist #dsoleadership #clinicalexcellence If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, like, and comment📱 Chapters: 00:00 Introduction & Meeting Dr. Arwinder Judge 02:04 From Madison Ave Dreams to DSO Leadership 03:38 What a Great CCO Does That a CEO Can’t 07:00 Clinical Consistency Across 1,100+ Practices 11:00 How Aspen Develops New Dentists from Day One 15:00 Technology, AI, and the Future of Clinical Support 18:38 Ambient Listening: Aspen’s Largest-Ever Rollout 21:02 Closing the Case Acceptance Gap with Trust 25:46 Clinical Culture at Scale & the Power of De Novo 39:27 The Bob & Dr. Judge Partnership That Built Aspen Connect with the team: 👉 Mike Huffaker on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/huffaker/ 👉 Dr. Arwinder Judge on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arwinderjudge/ 👉 Aspen Dental Website: https://aspendental.com/ 👉 Planet DDS Website: https://planetdds.com/ You can also listen to our podcast here: 👉 Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3SeeOfY 👉 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3tMmaO7 👉 Fame Host: https://bit.ly/4aQNQ51 Want to be a guest on The Dental Economist Show? If you’re a growth-focused leader in the dental business world or someone shaping its future through technology, consulting, or innovation we want to hear from you. Submit your interest here: https://forms.gle/BjAmyYLsFgNJBf8f8 Whether you’re leading a DSO, building the next big dental SaaS tool, or redefining patient experience, this show is where the smartest minds in dental business come to talk strategy! The Dental Economist Show with Mike Huffaker is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
Jefferson Dental and Orthodontics has been delivering high-quality, affordable care to underserved communities across Texas since 1967 and their clinical standards don't get nearly enough attention. In this episode of The Dental Economist Show, host Mike Huffaker sits down with Dr. Ankoo Raina, Chief Clinical Officer at Jefferson Dental, to unpack why dentistry needs to stop recommending and start prescribing. Tune in to explore how Dr. Raina is building clinical culture at scale across 70+ locations, why the shift from production to conversion changed everything, and how AI technology is helping close the gap between what dentists diagnose and what patients actually trust. #dentaleconomist #clinicalleadership #dsolife If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, like, and comment📱 Chapters: 00:00 Introduction & Meeting Dr. Ankoo Raina 01:52 From India to Boston: Dr. Raina's Journey into Dentistry 05:03 What 15 Years at Jefferson Dental Actually Looks Like 07:19 Jefferson's Mission & Serving Underserved Communities 09:54 What Comprehensive Care Really Means 13:58 Why Dentistry Needs to Prescribe, Not Recommend 20:11 Translating Dental Jargon Into Patient Language 27:03 Building Clinical Culture Across 70+ Locations 31:22 How AI & Overjet Are Changing Treatment Confidence 38:34 Lessons from Failure & Why Dr. Raina Is Still Bullish on Dentistry Connect with the team: 👉 Mike Huffaker on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/huffaker/ 👉 Dr. Ankoo Raina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ankoo-raina-058aa39a/ 👉 Jefferson Dental Website: https://jeffersondental.com/ 👉 Planet DDS Website: https://planetdds.com/ You can also listen to our podcast here: 👉 Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3SeeOfY 👉 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3tMmaO7 👉 Fame Host: https://bit.ly/4aQNQ51 Want to be a guest on The Dental Economist Show? If you're a growth-focused leader in the dental business world or someone shaping its future through technology, consulting, or innovation we want to hear from you. Submit your interest here: https://forms.gle/BjAmyYLsFgNJBf8f8 Whether you're leading a DSO, building the next big dental SaaS tool, or redefining patient experience, this show is where the smartest minds in dental business come to talk strategy! The Dental Economist Show with Mike Huffaker is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
Dental Care Alliance (DCA), one of the largest dental support organizations in the country, is navigating a pivotal moment—having just completed a major financial restructuring with $1.1 billion in debt eliminated and $100 million in fresh capital committed to clinical excellence and growth. In this episode of The Dental Economist Show, host Mike Huffaker sits down with Dr. Trey Mueller, Chief Clinical Officer of DCA, for a candid look at what it means to lead clinical quality across 400+ practices. From building Dental Associates of Florida from scratch to climbing the clinical leadership ladder at DCA, Trey brings a rare perspective that spans solo practice, group expansion, and enterprise-level strategy. Tune in to hear how Trey thinks about clinical autonomy versus consistency at scale, why he's now a believer in guarantee contracts for new associates, how AI-powered diagnostics like Overjet are reshaping dentistry, and what the hygiene staffing crisis really means for the industry's future. This episode is a masterclass in leading through restructuring, staying patient-first, and keeping your eye on what makes dentistry an enduringly bullish profession. #dentaleconomist #dsoleadership #clinicalexcellence If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, like, and comment📱 Chapters: 00:00 Introduction & Meeting Dr. Trey Mueller 02:00 CCO Inner Circle: What Happens When Competitors Collaborate 04:49 From Solo Practitioner to 12-Location Group Founder 09:29 Why Trey Chose Dental Care Alliance as His DSO Partner 12:34 Running 400+ Practices: The Hardest Parts of the Transition 13:47 Clinical Autonomy vs. Consistency at Scale 16:21 Deploying AI Diagnostics & Hygiene Coaching Across DCA 18:31 What DCA's Financial Restructuring Really Means for Clinical Growth 22:10 Leading Through Noise: Communicating Change to Equity Partners 31:49 Why the DSO vs. Private Practice Debate Misses the Point Connect with the team: 👉 Mike Huffaker on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/huffaker/ 👉 Dr. Trey Mueller on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/treymueller 👉 Dental Care Alliance Website: https://dentalcarealliance.com/ 👉 Planet DDS Website: https://planetdds.com/ You can also listen to our podcast here: 👉 Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3SeeOfY 👉 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3tMmaO7 👉 Fame Host: https://bit.ly/4aQNQ51 Want to be a guest on The Dental Economist Show? If you're a growth-focused leader in the dental business world or someone shaping its future through technology, consulting, or innovation—we want to hear from you. Submit your interest here: https://forms.gle/BjAmyYLsFgNJBf8f8 Whether you're leading a DSO, building the next big dental SaaS tool, or redefining patient experience, this show is where the smartest minds in dental business come to talk strategy! The Dental Economist Show with Mike Huffaker is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
Heartland Dental—the largest DSO in the U.S. with nearly 2,000 locations—operates at extraordinary scale, and in this episode of The Dental Economist Show, host Mike Huffaker sits down with SVP and Chief Digital Officer Robert "RJ" Jerome to unpack how Heartland makes high-stakes technology decisions. From enterprise data strategy and AI deployment to insurance automation and clinical innovation, RJ shares how Heartland balances business leadership, operational discipline, and future-focused digital transformation to support thousands of doctors while preserving practice autonomy. RJ offers an insider’s look into building scalable systems of engagement, standardizing data, choosing the right technology bets with imperfect information, and why successful digital leadership requires more than managing IT—it demands business fluency, courage, and relentless curiosity. This episode is a masterclass in how one of healthcare’s most influential organizations leverages technology to shape the future of dentistry. #dentaleconomist #dentaltechnology #digitaltransformation If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, like, and comment📱 Chapters: 00:00 Introduction & Meeting RJ Jerome 02:30 RJ’s Early Life, Leadership Foundations & Career Journey 08:30 How Heartland Dental Became RJ’s Next Big Bet 14:00 Becoming a Business Leader Through Technology 19:00 “So What?” and “Why Not Us?” Leadership Philosophy 23:00 Why Standardization Matters at Scale 30:00 Systems of Engagement vs Systems of Record 37:00 Decentralized RCM, AI & Insurance Automation at Heartland 46:00 Rolling Out AI Across 1,700+ Practices 52:00 Leadership, Innovation & The Future of Dental Technology Connect with the team: 👉 Mike Huffaker on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/huffaaker/ 👉 Robert “RJ” Jerome on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-jerome-5b75895/ 👉 Heartland Dental Website: https://heartland.com/ 👉 Planet DDS Website: https://planetdds.com/ You can also listen to our podcast here: 👉 Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3SeeOfY 👉 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3tMmaO7 👉 Fame Host: https://bit.ly/4aQNQ51 Want to be a guest on The Dental Economist Show? If you’re a growth-focused leader in the dental business world or someone shaping its future through technology, consulting, or innovation—we want to hear from you. Submit your interest here: https://forms.gle/BjAmyYLsFgNJBf8f8 Whether you’re leading a DSO, building the next big dental SaaS tool, or redefining patient experience, this show is where the smartest minds in dental business come to talk strategy! The Dental Economist Show with Mike Huffaker is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
Texas-based DSO, Pearl Street Dental Partners, has built one of the most distinctive dental organizations in the country by making one radical bet: that profit follows people. In this episode of The Dental Economist Show, host Mike Huffaker sits down with co-founder and CEO, David Meece, for an unfiltered look at how a recovering attorney built a people-first DSO that has made the Inc. 5,000 list every year since it was first eligible and grown to 50+ partner practices across Texas and Oklahoma. Tune in to explore how David's conviction that profitability is an outcome rather than a pursuit has shaped every partnership decision, why their invisible DSO model lets every practice keep its own name and culture, and how elective adoption not mandates drives near-universal buy-in across the entire organization. Most of all, this conversation is a masterclass in what it truly means to build a business around relationships first. #dentaleconomist #dsoleadership #peoplefirstDSO If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, like, and comment📱 Chapters: 00:00 Introduction & Meeting David Meece 01:36 From Attorney to DSO Founder: David's Origin Story 05:00 How the Pearl Street Model Was Born 08:05 Partnering with Private Equity Without Losing Your Soul 14:15 How to Define and Measure Culture in a DSO 20:05 Nothing's Gonna Change and Why That's the Wrong Promise 25:00 Centralized vs. Elective Services: How Pearl Street Structures Support 30:23 When Culture Erodes: Lessons from the Hard Moments 37:03 Organic Growth from Within: What Drives It 43:03 Why David Is Still Bullish on Dentistry's Future Connect with the team: 👉 Mike Huffaker on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/huffaker/ 👉 David Meece on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/davidmeece/ 👉 Pearl Street Dental Partners Website: https://pearlstreetdentalpartners.com/ 👉 Planet DDS Website: https://planetdds.com/ You can also listen to our podcast here: 👉 Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3SeeOfY 👉 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3tMmaO7 👉 Fame Host: https://bit.ly/4aQNQ51 Want to be a guest on The Dental Economist Show? If you're a growth-focused leader in the dental business world or someone shaping its future through technology, consulting, or innovation we want to hear from you. Submit your interest here: https://forms.gle/BjAmyYLsFgNJBf8f8 Whether you're leading a DSO, building the next big dental SaaS tool, or redefining patient experience, this show is where the smartest minds in dental business come to talk strategy! The Dental Economist Show with Mike Huffaker is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
Guy Ellis has served in more than 60 chairman, board, and C-suite roles across three continents, bringing a global perspective to the dental industry. In this episode of The Dental Economist Show, host Mike Huffaker sits down with the international bestselling author and former Harvard instructor to explore what DSO investors often get wrong about value creation. Tune in to discover why the "business of dentistry" requires more than just financial engineering, how to bridge the valuation gap in the current interest rate environment, and a strategic framework for leveraging AI to drive actual EBITDA uplift. Most of all, this conversation highlights the power of "expansion through connection" and why intentional relationships remain the ultimate lever for growth in a fragmented market. #dentaleconomist #dsoleadership #valuecreation If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, like, and comment📱 Chapters: 00:00 Introduction & Meeting Guy Ellis 01:44 A Call to Excellence: Guy’s Formative Journey 05:49 Expansion Through Connection & The True Give 09:23 Why the DSO Industry Needs a "Reset" 13:25 Criteria for a Healthy Healthcare Investment 15:57 Private Equity vs. Owner-Operator Dynamics 26:20 The Investor-Operator Playbook for Value Creation 32:05 Using AI for EBITDA Uplift, Not Just "Sexy" Tools 37:16 Navigating Change Management and the AI "Underworld" 45:20 Teaching Mark Cuban and The Negotiation Code Connect with the team: 👉 Mike Huffaker on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/huffaker/ 👉 Guy Ellis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guy-ellis/ 👉 Planet DDS Website: https://planetdds.com/ You can also listen to our podcast here: 👉 Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3SeeOfY 👉 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3tMmaO7 👉 Fame Host: https://bit.ly/4aQNQ51 Want to be a guest on The Dental Economist Show? 📱 If you’re a growth-focused leader in the dental business world or someone shaping its future through technology, consulting, or innovation we want to hear from you. Submit your interest here: https://forms.gle/BjAmyYLsFgNJBf8f8 📱 Whether you’re leading a DSO, building the next big dental SaaS tool, or redefining patient experience, this show is where the smartest minds in dental business come to talk strategy! 📱 The Dental Economist Show with Mike Huffaker is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
What does it really mean to build a DSO around support, not control? In this episode of The Dental Economist Show, host Mike Huffaker sits down with Matt Hendrick, co-founder of Elevate Dental Partners, to explore exactly that. Matt came to dentistry not through the operatory, but through Goldman Sachs and private equity—and what he saw while evaluating DSO investments convinced him to build something better. Elevate's model is designed for mid-career doctors who want meaningful partnership: true clinical and operational autonomy, personalized support, and a structure that puts doctors first from day one. Tune in to hear how Matt and his team have grown to 35 practices while staying true to their founding mission, why the first 90 days post-partnership change as little as possible, and how Elevate is thinking about AI and technology as tools for freeing up doctors not controlling them. This episode is a masterclass in building a values-driven DSO that doesn't trade culture for scale. #dentaleconomist #dsoleadership #dentalgrowth If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, like, and comment📱 Chapters: 00:00 Introduction & Meeting Matt Hendrick 01:36 From Goldman Sachs to Building a DSO 04:31 Growing Up Entrepreneurial & The Leap to Build 06:10 What 'Support, Not Control' Actually Means at Elevate 10:49 Balancing Standardization With Doctor Autonomy 16:39 The Ideal Practice Profile & Growth Strategy 21:39 Building Credibility as a First-Time DSO Founder 29:16 The First 90 Days Post-Partnership 36:35 Culture, Values & What Keeps Elevate Together 43:00 AI, Technology & What's Next for Elevate Connect with the team: 👉 Mike Huffaker on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/huffaker/ 👉 Matt Hendrick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-hendrick1/ 👉 Elevate Dental Partners Website: https://elevatedentalpartners.com/ 👉 Planet DDS Website: https://planetdds.com/ You can also listen to our podcast here: 👉 Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3SeeOfY 👉 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3tMmaO7 👉 Fame Host: https://bit.ly/4aQNQ51 Want to be a guest on The Dental Economist Show? If you're a growth-focused leader in the dental business world or someone shaping its future through technology, consulting, or innovation we want to hear from you. Submit your interest here: https://forms.gle/BjAmyYLsFgNJBf8f8 Whether you're leading a DSO, building the next big dental SaaS tool, or redefining patient experience, this show is where the smartest minds in dental business come to talk strategy! The Dental Economist Show with Mike Huffaker is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
What does it really take to make or break a DSO executive hire? In this episode of The Dental Economist Show, host Mike Huffaker sits down with Jon Fidler, founder and CEO of Fidler and Associates, who has spent nearly two decades placing executives across every type of dental organization in the country. Tune in to explore why the first 90 days are make-or-break, how AI is reshaping what executives need to bring to the table, and why transparency—from both the candidate and the hiring group—is the single biggest predictor of a successful placement. Most of all, this conversation unpacks what every DSO leader needs to hear: finding the right fit is less about credentials and more about honest self-awareness on both sides of the table. #dentaleconomist #dsoleadership #executivehiring If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, like, and comment📱 Chapters: 00:00 Introduction & Meeting Jon Fidler 02:13 The Current Hiring Environment for DSO Executives 03:54 Outside Executives Coming Into Dental: Pros and Cons 07:35 How to Do Real Due Diligence Before Accepting a Role 10:29 The Fidler Executive Transition Lab Explained 12:44 Knowing Yourself: Turnaround vs. Growth Mindset 16:35 Scaling Down: The Risk of Overqualified Executives 19:14 Hot Roles & Functions in Dental Right Now 23:10 AI's Impact on Executive Hiring and DSO Operations 27:22 What Really Makes or Breaks a C-Suite Hire 29:46 When a Placement Just Feels Like Magic 32:15 Navigating Misalignment Between DSOs and Candidates 35:52 Interview Processes by Level: What Candidates Should Expect 40:13 Why Jon Is Still Bullish on Dentistry After 20 Years 43:12 Closing Thoughts & Rapid-Fire Wrap-Up Connect with the team: 👉 Mike Huffaker on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/huffaker/ 👉 Jon Fidler on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/jonfidler/ 👉 Fidler and Associates Website: https://fidlerassociates.com/ 👉 Planet DDS Website: https://planetdds.com/ You can also listen to our podcast here: 👉 Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3SeeOfY 👉 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3tMmaO7 👉 Fame Host: https://bit.ly/4aQNQ51 Want to be a guest on The Dental Economist Show? If you're a growth-focused leader in the dental business world or someone shaping its future through technology, consulting, or innovation—we want to hear from you. Submit your interest here: https://forms.gle/BjAmyYLsFgNJBf8f8 Whether you're leading a DSO, building the next big dental SaaS tool, or redefining patient experience, this show is where the smartest minds in dental business come to talk strategy! The Dental Economist Show with Mike Huffaker is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
What does it really mean to build a DSO around support, not control? In this episode of The Dental Economist Show, host Mike Huffaker sits down with Matt Hendrick, co-founder of Elevate Dental Partners, to explore exactly that. Matt came to dentistry not through the operatory, but through Goldman Sachs and private equity—and what he saw while evaluating DSO investments convinced him to build something better. Elevate's model is designed for mid-career doctors who want meaningful partnership: true clinical and operational autonomy, personalized support, and a structure that puts doctors first from day one. Tune in to hear how Matt and his team have grown to 35 practices while staying true to their founding mission, why the first 90 days post-partnership change as little as possible, and how Elevate is thinking about AI and technology as tools for freeing up doctors not controlling them. This episode is a masterclass in building a values-driven DSO that doesn't trade culture for scale. #dentaleconomist #dsoleadership #dentalgrowth If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, like, and comment📱 Chapters: 00:00 Introduction & Meeting Matt Hendrick 01:36 From Goldman Sachs to Building a DSO 04:31 Growing Up Entrepreneurial & The Leap to Build 06:10 What 'Support, Not Control' Actually Means at Elevate 10:49 Balancing Standardization With Doctor Autonomy 16:39 The Ideal Practice Profile & Growth Strategy 21:39 Building Credibility as a First-Time DSO Founder 29:16 The First 90 Days Post-Partnership 36:35 Culture, Values & What Keeps Elevate Together 43:00 AI, Technology & What's Next for Elevate Connect with the team: 👉 Mike Huffaker on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/huffaker/ 👉 Matt Hendrick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-hendrick1/ 👉 Elevate Dental Partners Website: https://elevatedentalpartners.com/ 👉 Planet DDS Website: https://planetdds.com/ You can also listen to our podcast here: 👉 Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3SeeOfY 👉 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3tMmaO7 👉 Fame Host: https://bit.ly/4aQNQ51 Want to be a guest on The Dental Economist Show? If you're a growth-focused leader in the dental business world or someone shaping its future through technology, consulting, or innovation we want to hear from you. Submit your interest here: https://forms.gle/BjAmyYLsFgNJBf8f8 Whether you're leading a DSO, building the next big dental SaaS tool, or redefining patient experience, this show is where the smartest minds in dental business come to talk strategy! The Dental Economist Show with Mike Huffaker is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
What does it take to solve the clinical confidence gap holding dentistry back? In this episode of The Dental Economist Show, host Mike Huffaker sits down with Dr. Lincoln Harris, founder and CEO of Ripe Global, the world's leading cloud-based dental education platform now operating in 35 countries with over 10,000 learners. Launched five days into the COVID lockdown from a small coastal town in Australia, Ripe Global is now bringing its proven model to the United States at exactly the moment the DSO industry needs it most. Dr. Harris makes a compelling case that the biggest bottleneck in dentistry today isn't technology or marketing it's clinical confidence. Tune in as he shares how geographic necessity in rural Queensland sparked a global mission, why investing in dentist training can drive a 10x revenue return, and how Ripe Global's live, hands-on virtual model is transforming outcomes for DSOs across the country. #dentaleconomist #clinicalconfidence #dentaleducation If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, like, and comment📱 Chapters: 00:00 Introduction & Meeting Dr. Lincoln Harris 02:34 From Rural Queensland to Global Dental Education 06:31 The Lightbulb Moment: Investing in Clinical Skills 09:13 Why Dental Quality Isn't What You'd Expect in Big Cities 12:45 Launching Ripe Global Five Days Into COVID Lockdown 17:28 How Live Virtual Training Changes Clinical Outcomes 23:42 Why DSOs Struggle With Clinical Training (And How to Fix It) 29:00 The Revenue Multiplier: Training Dentists Who Can Generate 10x 34:24 Ripe Global's Entry Into the US Market 41:12 Staying Bullish on Dentistry's Future Connect with the team: 👉 Mike Huffaker on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/huffaker/ 👉 Dr. Lincoln Harris on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/lincolnharris/ 👉 Ripe Global Website: https://ripeglobal.com/ 👉 Planet DDS Website: https://planetdds.com/ You can also listen to our podcast here: 👉 Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3SeeOfY 👉 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3tMmaO7 👉 Fame Host: https://bit.ly/4aQNQ51 Want to be a guest on The Dental Economist Show? If you're a growth-focused leader in the dental business world or someone shaping its future through technology, consulting, or innovation we want to hear from you. Submit your interest here: https://forms.gle/BjAmyYLsFgNJBf8f8 Whether you're leading a DSO, building the next big dental SaaS tool, or redefining patient experience, this show is where the smartest minds in dental business come to talk strategy! The Dental Economist Show with Mike Huffaker is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
Dental 365 has grown from a two-practice operation to over 170 locations across the Northeast not by following the traditional DSO playbook, but by deliberately rewriting it. In this episode of The Dental Economist Show, host Mike Huffaker sits down with Dr. Scott Asnis, founder and CEO of Dental 365 and Premier Care Dental Management, for a wide-ranging conversation about what dentistry truly owes its doctors and patients. Tune in to explore how Dr. Asnis' clinician-first philosophy shaped a scalable yet patient-centered organization, why frictionless experience and clinical transparency are his non-negotiables, and how emerging technologies like saliva testing and AI imaging are opening a new golden age of predictive, wellness-focused dentistry. #dentaleconomist #dsoleadership #patientadvocacy If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, like, and comment📱 Chapters: 00:00 Introduction & Meeting Dr. Scott Asnis 02:26 From Private Practice to Building Dental 365 05:42 The Patient Moment That Sparked a Movement 10:22 Why Dental Gets the Patient Experience Wrong 14:06 The Standard of Care as a Competitive Advantage 20:09 Geographic Strategy & Staying in Your Lane 23:00 Doctor Alignment, Profit Sharing & Transparency 32:42 Periodontal Disease & the Oral-Systemic Connection 39:52 The Golden Age of Dentistry & Emerging Technology 46:22 Private Equity, Culture & What's Next for Dental 365 Connect with the team: 👉 Mike Huffaker on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/huffaker/ 👉 Dr. Scott Asnis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-scott-asnis/ 👉 Dental 365 Website: https://dental365.com/ 👉 Planet DDS Website: https://planetdds.com/ You can also listen to our podcast here: 👉 Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3SeeOfY 👉 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3tMmaO7 👉 Fame Host: https://bit.ly/4aQNQ51 Want to be a guest on The Dental Economist Show? If you're a growth-focused leader in the dental business world or someone shaping its future through technology, consulting, or innovation we want to hear from you. Submit your interest here: https://forms.gle/BjAmyYLsFgNJBf8f8 Whether you're leading a DSO, building the next big dental SaaS tool, or redefining patient experience, this show is where the smartest minds in dental business come to talk strategy! The Dental Economist Show with Mike Huffaker is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
What does it really mean to build a DSO that puts clinicians first? In this episode of The Dental Economist Show, host Mike Huffaker sits down with Dr. Victoria Yu, CEO of Elite Dental Partners, for a candid conversation about redefining what DSO partnership and ownership can look like. Dr. Yu brings a rare perspective having owned her own de novo practices, scaled dental operations inside Walmart, and now leading a growing DSO to explore how clinician-led leadership changes everything. Tune in to hear how Elite Dental Partners is flipping the script on traditional DSO models through innovative ownership structures, deep investment in clinical education, and a people-first culture that starts before the first interview question is even asked. This episode is a masterclass in leading with purpose, building trust at scale, and why the best time to be in dentistry is right now. #dentaleconomist #dsoleadership #clinicianfirst If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, like, and comment📱 Chapters: 00:00 Introduction & Meeting Dr. Victoria Yu 03:16 From De Novo Practice Owner to DSO CEO 06:05 Balancing Clinical Autonomy with Business Accountability 10:00 Lessons from Walmart Dental & Large-Scale Integration 16:50 The First 90 Days: Leading with a People-First Lens 22:09 Elite Dental Partners' Unique Ownership & Partnership Model 27:57 Redefining What DSO Support Really Means 32:32 Growth Strategy: Acquisition, De Novo & Partnership 37:42 Patient Experience as a Competitive Advantage 40:55 Why Now Is the Best Time to Be in Dentistry Connect with the team: 👉 Mike Huffaker on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/huffaker/ 👉 Dr. Victoria Yu on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vsyu/ 👉 Elite Dental Partners Website: https://elitedentalpartners.com/ 👉 Planet DDS Website: https://planetdds.com/ You can also listen to our podcast here: 👉 Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3SeeOfY 👉 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3tMmaO7 👉 Fame Host: https://bit.ly/4aQNQ51 Want to be a guest on The Dental Economist Show? If you're a growth-focused leader in the dental business world or someone shaping its future through technology, consulting, or innovation — we want to hear from you. Submit your interest here: https://forms.gle/BjAmyYLsFgNJBf8f8 Whether you're leading a DSO, building the next big dental SaaS tool, or redefining patient experience, this show is where the smartest minds in dental business come to talk strategy! The Dental Economist Show with Mike Huffaker is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
From private practice on Nantucket to the C-suite of one of the nation's most innovative DSOs, Dr. Cindy Roark has built a career defined by curiosity, clinical excellence, and a relentless drive to make dentistry better. In this episode of The Dental Economist Show, host Mike Huffaker sits down with Dr. Roark SVP and Chief Clinical Officer at Sage Dental and member of the Harvard School of Dental Medicine Board of Fellows for a wide-ranging conversation on clinical innovation, AI-powered diagnostics, and the future of dental technology. Tune in to explore how she evaluates emerging tools, why she believes the role of Chief Clinical Officer should be a growth driver and not just a compliance function, and what real-world innovations she's betting on to transform patient care at scale. From radiographic AI and chairside 3D printing to wisdom tooth ablation and the untapped potential of dental-medical integration, this episode is packed with insight from a leader who has seen it all and isn't done pushing the industry forward. #dentaleconomist #clinicalinnovation #dentaltechnology If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, like, and comment📱 Chapters: 00:00 Introduction & Meeting Dr. Cindy Roark 01:46 From Tennessee to Nantucket: The Making of a Clinician 03:28 Why She Went Back to Harvard Mid-Career 05:15 What the CCO Role at Sage Dental Actually Looks Like 08:00 Balancing Clinical Autonomy With Operational Consistency 14:00 AI Radiographs: Then, Now, and the Tipping Point Ahead 19:50 Chairside 3D Printing and the Keurig Crown Revolution 26:51 Innovations Worth Watching: Ablation, Braces & Beyond 32:36 Separating Real Innovation From Social Media Snake Oil 36:26 The Dental-Medical Integration Opportunity We're Missing Connect with the team: 👉 Mike Huffaker on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/huffaker/ 👉 Dr. Cindy Roark on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindy-roark-dmd 👉 Sage Dental Website: https://sagedental.com/ 👉 Planet DDS Website: https://planetdds.com/ You can also listen to our podcast here: 👉 Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3SeeOfY 👉 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3tMmaO7 👉 Fame Host: https://bit.ly/4aQNQ51 Want to be a guest on The Dental Economist Show? If you're a growth-focused leader in the dental business world or someone shaping its future through technology, consulting, or innovation—we want to hear from you. Submit your interest here: https://forms.gle/BjAmyYLsFgNJBf8f8 Whether you're leading a DSO, building the next big dental SaaS tool, or redefining patient experience, this show is where the smartest minds in dental business come to talk strategy! The Dental Economist Show with Mike Huffaker is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
