The Dental Economist Show

Planet DDS
  • 5.0 (13)
  • Management
  • Updated Weekly

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.

  1. 3d ago

    Chris Moxon on How BCG Sees the Future of the DSO Market

    What will separate the next generation of winning DSOs from the roll-up models of the past? In this episode of The Dental Economist Show, host Mike Huffaker speaks with Chris Moxon, Managing Director and Partner at Boston Consulting Group, about the future of the dental market, DSO consolidation, and the operational foundations required for sustainable growth. Chris shares BCG’s data-led perspective on why dentistry remains a compelling market: resilient underlying demand, a significant number of patients still outside the care system, and growing recognition of the connection between oral and overall health. He explains how preventative care, salivary diagnostics, and better patient communication can improve treatment acceptance while creating better outcomes. The conversation also explores the realities of consolidation. Chris explains why dental is unlikely to consolidate like pharmacy, why de novo growth depends on more than capital and real estate, and why strategic acquisitions need a clear clinical and operational rationale. He also discusses lender-controlled platforms, specialty growth, clinician incentives, and why the doctors with the greatest clinical autonomy may be working inside the best-run DSOs. Episode chapters 00:00 Clinical autonomy inside well-run DSOs 00:17 Introduction 08:03 The case for growth in dentistry 15:10 The future of DSO consolidation and de novo growth 22:06 Strategic acquisitions, specialty, and lender-controlled platforms 35:02 The platform playbook: operations, incentives, and clinical autonomy 42:24 AI, treatment acceptance, and the connected patient journey Connect with the team: 👉 Mike Huffaker on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/huffaker/ 👉 Planet DDS: https://planetdds.com/ 👉Chris Moxon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moxon/ 👉 Boston Consulting Group: https://www.bcg.com/ You can also listen to our podcast here: 👉 Apple Podcast: https://shorturl.at/ikORx 👉 Spotify: https://shorturl.at/SMInC 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.

    Chris Moxon on How BCG Sees the Future of the DSO Market

  2. Aug 13

    David Murphy on What Buyers Are Really Looking for When They Evaluate a DSO

    What separates a DSO that is ready for a successful capital event from one that is not? In this episode of The Dental Economist Show, host Mike Huffaker speaks with David Murphy, Managing Director at Moelis & Company, about the M&A market, capital strategy, and what dental operators should be building today to maximize their options tomorrow. David explains the role of an investment bank, when DSO leaders should begin building advisor relationships, and how to evaluate the right banking partner. He breaks down the trade-offs between debt and equity financing, why the dental M&A market is beginning to recover after a challenging period, and how higher—but more predictable—costs of capital are changing deal structures. The conversation also explores what buyers look for in diligence: durable organic growth, clinician retention, accurate financial reporting, integrated technology, disciplined de novo performance, and high-quality EBITDA. David shares why well-integrated businesses with strong operational performance are positioned to take market share, why specialty platforms continue to command a premium, and how AI could become a major growth and margin opportunity for dental organizations. Connect with the team: 👉 Mike Huffaker on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/huffaker/👉 Planet DDS: https://planetdds.com/ 👉 David Murphy on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-murphy-a7841462/👉 Moelis & Company: https://www.moelis.com/ You can also listen to our podcast here: 👉 Apple Podcast: https://shorturl.at/ikORx👉 Spotify: https://shorturl.at/SMInC 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.

    David Murphy on What Buyers Are Really Looking for When They Evaluate a DSO

  3. Aug 11

    Special Edition: Steve Bilt & Andrew Smith on the Colorado Ruling That Every DSO in America Should Be Watching

    What happens when a state dental board introduces rules that could fundamentally change how DSOs support dental practices? In this special breaking-news episode of The Dental Economist Show, host Mike Huffaker speaks with Andrew Smith, CEO of the Association of Dental Support Organizations (ADSO), and Steve Bilt, Co-Founder and CEO of Smile Brands, about Colorado’s newly adopted dental-board rules and the ADSO’s legal challenge. The conversation explores the practical effect of restrictions on DSO-held leases and clinical equipment, as well as the potential disciplinary exposure for dentists whose arrangements are deemed noncompliant. Andrew and Steve explain why they believe the rules exceed the dental board’s authority and could create serious financial burdens for dentists already operating under established support arrangements. They also discuss the wider implications for patient access, affordability, Medicaid participation, clinical autonomy, capital investment, and the future of the DSO model nationwide. With the rules scheduled to take effect in January 2027, the episode examines the legal and legislative paths ahead—and why every DSO operator should be paying attention. Connect with the team: 👉 Mike Huffaker on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/huffaker/👉 Planet DDS: https://planetdds.com/ 👉 Andrew Smith on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewmulherinsmith/👉 Association of Dental Support Organizations: https://theadso.org/ 👉 Steve Bilt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-bilt-782835b/👉 Smile Brands: https://www.smilebrands.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.

    Special Edition: Steve Bilt & Andrew Smith on the Colorado Ruling That Every DSO in America Should Be Watching

  4. Aug 6

    Rahma Samow on Simplifying Care Delivery and Growing ClearChoice Into a Platform of Hope

    What does it take to make complex dental care more accessible, efficient, and patient-centered? In this episode of The Dental Economist Show, host Mike Huffaker speaks with Rahma Samow, President and CEO of ClearChoice Dental Implant Centers, about her journey from medical technology to dental care leadership and the transformation she has led at ClearChoice. The conversation explores four structural challenges Rahma identified at ClearChoice: patient acquisition, financing, case acceptance, and treatment delivery. She discusses how the organization diversified its marketing, expanded financing options, introduced greater treatment choice, modernized clinical workflows, and reduced treatment timelines from as long as a year to approximately 60 to 90 days in some centers. Rahma also shares ClearChoice’s larger mission: becoming a platform of hope for patients who have lost confidence, struggle to eat, or feel they must hide from the world. Looking ahead, the organization is working toward impacting one million lives by 2030 while thoughtfully introducing AI and strengthening its technology infrastructure. Connect with the team: 👉 Mike Huffaker on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/huffaker/ 👉 Planet DDS: https://planetdds.com/ 👉 Ramah Samow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahma-samow/ 👉 ClearChoice: https://clearchoice.com/us/en You can also listen to our podcast here: 👉 Apple Podcast: https://shorturl.at/ikORx 👉 Spotify: https://shorturl.at/SMInC 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.

    Rahma Samow on Simplifying Care Delivery and Growing ClearChoice Into a Platform of Hope

  5. Jul 30

    Stephen Thorne on Moving Dentistry From Sick Care to Preventive Healthcare

    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.

    Stephen Thorne on Moving Dentistry From Sick Care to Preventive Healthcare

  6. Jul 23

    Dr. Farzeela Rupani on Taking Dentist Churn From 60 Percent to 11 Percent in Three Years

    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

    Dr. Farzeela Rupani on Taking Dentist Churn From 60 Percent to 11 Percent in Three Years

  7. Jul 9

    Reimaginging RCM - Paul Kaiser and Drew Hamilton

    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-hamilton/ 👉 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

    Reimaginging RCM - Paul Kaiser and Drew Hamilton

  8. Jul 2

    Keith Miller on What Dentists Should Ask Before Partnering With a DSO

    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

    Keith Miller on What Dentists Should Ask Before Partnering With a DSO
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Planet DDS
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    139
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Dental Economist Show

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