The DSO Hygienist with Christine Diehl

Christine Diehl

  "The DSO Hygienist" is a podcast dedicated to exploring the world of Dental Service Organizations (DSOs). Guests include industry experts and seasoned dental professionals sharing their experiences, expertise, and advice. This podcast delves into various aspects of a dental practice within the context of DSOs. Listeners can expect insightful discussions on topics such as best practices, emerging trends in the field, advancements in technology and techniques, career development opportunities, and the unique challenges and rewards of working within a DSO setting.  Whether you're a seasoned dental professional looking to stay updated on industry trends or a student aspiring to join the field, "The DSO Hygienist" offers valuable insights, tips, and inspiration to enhance your practice and career in the dynamic world of DSOs.

  1. DSO Due Diligence: The Tech Deal Breakers

    Jun 1

    DSO Due Diligence: The Tech Deal Breakers

    In this episode, Mike Huffaker breaks down why technology infrastructure has become one of the most heavily scrutinized areas of private equity due diligence in today’s DSO market. As buyers look beyond production numbers and EBITDA, they’re evaluating whether a DSO’s systems can scale, integrate, protect patient data, and support long-term growth. Mike shares the most common technology gaps that trigger concern during the sale process, how outdated systems can impact valuation, and the framework DSO leaders can use to identify hidden risks before they become costly negotiation points. From cybersecurity and reporting capabilities to operational efficiency and scalability, this conversation gives dental leaders a practical look at what private equity firms are really evaluating behind the scenes. If you’re preparing for growth, recapitalization, or a future exit, this episode offers insight into how the right technology strategy can strengthen both operational performance and enterprise value. Mike Huffaker is the Chief Revenue Officer for Planet DDS. With a remarkable track record, he spearheads both the sales and marketing divisions of this rapidly growing dental software solutions company. Huffaker brings invaluable insights into evolving trends in the dental industry. During his tenure, the company has achieved significant milestones, now proudly serving over 13,000 dental practices, including many large DSOs and emerging groups.  @thedsohygienist "Like" and "Subscribe" https://thedsohygienist.buzzsprout.com Follow me on LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/comm/mynetwork/discovery-see-all?usecase=PEOPLE_FOLLOWS&followMember=christine-diehl-rdh music credit:  "Seize the Day" by Andrey Rossi

    26 min
  2. Revenue Leakage Is Quietly Killing Dental Practices. Here’s How to Stop It

    May 19

    Revenue Leakage Is Quietly Killing Dental Practices. Here’s How to Stop It

    In this episode of The DSO Hygienist, we break down the hidden operational gaps quietly costing practices thousands every month, without most teams even realizing it. Helen Sublette is a dental executive and revenue cycle strategist with over 15 years of experience leading and scaling operations across multi-site dental organizations. As the Founder and CEO of Coastal Dental Professionals Consulting, she specializes in designing and optimizing revenue cycle systems, from insurance verification to analytics and A/R performance, helping practices eliminate revenue leakage and recover hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost production and collections. Known for her ability to turn complex operational challenges into structured, high- performing systems, Helen has built and led teams supporting dozens of practices, consistently improving accuracy, reducing denials, and driving measurable financial results. She currently serves as Co-Chair of the Professional Model Workgroup with the Dental Assisting National Board and is a speaker with the American Association of Orthodontists, where she educates on orthodontic billing, coding optimization, and revenue cycle strategy. At the core of her work is a people-first philosophy, Helen believes that sustainable success comes from strong relationships, aligned teams, and systems that empower people to perform at a high level. @thedsohygienist "Like" and "Subscribe" https://thedsohygienist.buzzsprout.com Follow me on LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/comm/mynetwork/discovery-see-all?usecase=PEOPLE_FOLLOWS&followMember=christine-diehl-rdh music credit:  "Seize the Day" by Andrey Rossi

    17 min
  3. Capital that Clocks In

    Apr 21

    Capital that Clocks In

    Clint Harris is a former cardiac medical sales rep turned full-time real estate investor who specializes in helping dentists, physicians, and busy healthcare professionals learn how to build passive income and diversify their revenue beyond clinical work. With 16 years in cardiac device and medical sales, Clint spent his career shoulder-to-shoulder with surgeons and providers inside operating rooms and procedural suites. He understands the schedule constraints, patient demands, and financial pressures that make traditional investing feel overwhelming for medical professionals. That’s exactly why he now focuses on educating healthcare providers on how they can create meaningful, reliable, truly passive income streams all without cutting back on their practice or clinical responsibilities. Today, Clint is a general partner at Nomad Capital and co-host of the Truly Passive Income podcast. He guides healthcare professionals in identifying passive investment opportunities so they can strengthen long-term financial stability, diversify away from single-source income, and create durable wealth that supports both their personal and professional goals. Clint’s investing background includes multifamily properties, high-end short-term rentals, and large-scale commercial conversions - such as transforming vacant big-box retail buildings into climate-controlled self-storage facilities across the Southeast. He has helped raise capital for more than $150 million in stabilized commercial assets.  Contact Clint at nomadcapital.us @thedsohygienist "Like" and "Subscribe" https://thedsohygienist.buzzsprout.com Follow me on LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/comm/mynetwork/discovery-see-all?usecase=PEOPLE_FOLLOWS&followMember=christine-diehl-rdh music credit:  "Seize the Day" by Andrey Rossi

    26 min
  4. Prep to Sell your Dental Practice

    Mar 12

    Prep to Sell your Dental Practice

    www.Prepitnow.com for free resource Dr. Ruth Mannschreck is a dentist, practice management strategist, and the Owner/Founder of Shoreline Strategies LLC. With over 30 years in private practice, Dr. Ruth has transformed her own business and now helps others do the same through her programs, Built To Run Itself, and the Prep It To Sell live virtual training program. Dr. Ruth built a successful dental practice from the ground up while raising two young boys, but everything changed when her daughter was born with complications and spent weeks in the NICU. This life-altering experience led her to reduce her practice hours from 40 to 25 per week. Despite the drastic change, the practice exceeded its previous revenue, while allowing her to be present with her family during a difficult time.  This shift in perspective led her to create a streamlined business model that focuses on strong systems, building a high-performing team, and fostering a magnetic company culture. She shares these strategies with practice owners to help them free up time and scale their operations efficiently. Dr. Ruth decided to sell her practice and it wasn’t until after selling did she realize how much opportunity (and money) she had left on the table … because she hadn’t gotten her practice READY to sell. She is passionate about helping others avoid the mistakes she made when selling her first practice. Motivated to help owners get their practice ready for sale, Dr. Ruth has made it her mission to guide entrepreneurs through the process, ensuring they capitalize on the full value of their practice. @thedsohygienist "Like" and "Subscribe" https://thedsohygienist.buzzsprout.com Follow me on LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/comm/mynetwork/discovery-see-all?usecase=PEOPLE_FOLLOWS&followMember=christine-diehl-rdh music credit:  "Seize the Day" by Andrey Rossi

    28 min
  5. Ascending with Intention: Executive Coaching & Career Transitions

    Feb 11

    Ascending with Intention: Executive Coaching & Career Transitions

    What happens when education, sales psychology, and executive coaching collide? In this episode, we sit down with Thomas Passalacqua, a certified Executive Coach with a rare, multidimensional career path—founding educator in NYC, award-winning dental manufacturing consultant, Director of Business Development for a multi-location dental group, and now founder of Ascend Professional Pathways LLC Thomas Passalacqua is a certified Executive Coach who specializes in customized professional & leadership development. With a master’s in education, Thomas started his career as a founding teacher in New York City. He then transitioned into dental manufacturing sales, where he was an award-winning consultant who trained and mentored other sales professionals. Transitioning again, Thomas was the director of business development for a growing dental group practice in the Northeast where he led sales and marketing for mergers & acquisitions. In his executive coaching and professional training platform, Ascend Professional Pathways LLC, he works with various industry leaders to help them gain clarity and reach the next level in their businesses and careers by overcoming doubts, fears, and uncertainty. @thedsohygienist "Like" and "Subscribe" https://thedsohygienist.buzzsprout.com Follow me on LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/comm/mynetwork/discovery-see-all?usecase=PEOPLE_FOLLOWS&followMember=christine-diehl-rdh music credit:  "Seize the Day" by Andrey Rossi

    27 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

  "The DSO Hygienist" is a podcast dedicated to exploring the world of Dental Service Organizations (DSOs). Guests include industry experts and seasoned dental professionals sharing their experiences, expertise, and advice. This podcast delves into various aspects of a dental practice within the context of DSOs. Listeners can expect insightful discussions on topics such as best practices, emerging trends in the field, advancements in technology and techniques, career development opportunities, and the unique challenges and rewards of working within a DSO setting.  Whether you're a seasoned dental professional looking to stay updated on industry trends or a student aspiring to join the field, "The DSO Hygienist" offers valuable insights, tips, and inspiration to enhance your practice and career in the dynamic world of DSOs.