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. 6d ago

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. Jun 25

    Dykema DSO Conference Edition with Brian Colao

    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

    Dykema DSO Conference Edition with Brian Colao

  5. Jun 18

    Leslie Espinola on Why Most Dental Practices Fail for Business Reasons Not Clinical Ones

    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

    Leslie Espinola on Why Most Dental Practices Fail for Business Reasons Not Clinical Ones

  6. Jun 11

    Joe Feldsien on Why PDS Health Bet on the Mouth Body Connection Before Anyone Else

    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

    Joe Feldsien on Why PDS Health Bet on the Mouth Body Connection Before Anyone Else

  7. Jun 4

    Dr. Arwinder Judge on Developing Doctors and Driving Clinical Excellence Across Aspen Dental

    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

    Dr. Arwinder Judge on Developing Doctors and Driving Clinical Excellence Across Aspen Dental

  8. May 28

    Dr. Ankoo Raina on Why Dentistry Needs to Stop Recommending and Start Prescribing

    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

    Dr. Ankoo Raina on Why Dentistry Needs to Stop Recommending and Start Prescribing
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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
    134
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Dental Economist Show