Dental Leadership Summit Podcast

Dental Leadership Summit
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Entrepreneurship

The Dental Leadership Summit Podcast is the official podcast of the Dental Leadership Summit, the industry’s premier gathering for decision-makers shaping the future of dentistry. Each year, the Summit brings together practice owners, DSO executives, founders, and industry partners for a retreat-style experience focused on strategic growth, operational excellence, and meaningful peer connection. It’s where leaders step away from day-to-day operations to think long-term about capital strategy, acquisitions, people systems, compliance, technology, and scalable infrastructure. This podcast extends those conversations beyond the stage Hosted by the team behind the Dental Leadership Summit, each episode features operators, CEOs, investors, compliance experts, and growth strategists discussing what’s actually working in today’s DSO and multi-location landscape. We cover: • Scaling without breaking culture • HR and compliance as leadership strategy • Capital markets and acquisition readiness • Technology, systems, and operational clarity • Building organizations that last AI beyond the hype: practical application, operational leverage, and responsible implementation This isn’t theory. It’s applied leadership for dental groups navigating their next phase of growth. Expect honest dialogue, strategic frameworks, and shared experiences from those scaling practices, navigating acquisitions, strengthening people systems, and redefining what sustainable growth looks like in dentistry. If you value depth over hype and peer-driven insight over transactional content, you’re in the right place. Learn more about this year’s Dental Leadership Summit, happening September 16–18 at the stunning Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa. Join the industry’s top decision-makers for three days of strategic conversations, peer-led insight, and leadership-level clarity in a retreat-style setting designed for depth and connection. Explore the full agenda and secure your seat at dentalleadershipsummit.com.

Episodes

  1. Jun 19

    Healthcare Practice Lending Explained: How Banks Evaluate Growth, Risk & Smart Expansion

    Are you growing your healthcare practice strategically or just taking on debt because someone approved it? In this episode, HR for Health CEO, Ali Oromchian, dives into healthcare practice lending with Krystle Clark from Bank of America Practice Solutions, to discuss what banks really look for when financing dentists, physicians, veterinarians, and emerging group practices. Krystle shares how traditional healthcare lending differs from private equity funding and why “fast approvals” don’t always mean smart decisions. As technology accelerates underwriting and lending processes, borrowers face a new risk: scaling too quickly without the right operational foundation. We discuss: How banks evaluate startup practices vs multi-location groupsWhat underwriters actually look for in financial statementsWhy structure and team matter more than rapid expansionThe danger of growing too fast without operational infrastructureHow lending relationships evolve as practices scaleWhy not every borrower is ready for expansion financingThe difference between transactional lending and long-term banking partnershipsHow technology is changing (but not replacing) thoughtful underwriting If you’re a dentist, physician, veterinarian, or healthcare entrepreneur looking to open, acquire, or expand a practice, this episode will help you understand how to prepare for lending conversations, avoid common mistakes, and build a financial foundation that supports sustainable growth. Chapters 00:00 Warp Speed Lending & Risk 02:21 Traditional Lending vs Private Equity 04:29 How Banks Evaluate Growth 07:09 Cheap Money & Weak Foundations 08:16 What Lenders Look For 10:47 Not Every Borrower Is Ready 13:43 Growing Too Fast: A Real Example 16:31 Building a Long-Term Lending Relationship 20:18 Technology in Modern Healthcare Lending Scaling a dental organization is challenging, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. Join us September 16–18 at the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa for the Dental Leadership Summit, where the industry's top decision-makers come together for three days of candid conversations, practical insights, and leadership-level strategy. Leave with the clarity, connections, and ideas needed to lead your organization through its next stage of growth. Register today at DentalLeadershipSummit.com/register and use the code DLSPODCAST10 for an exclusive 10% discount.

  2. Jun 12

    Scaling Practices: Culture, AI & Patient Experience Lessons from Providence Dental

    Scaling Dental Practices with Culture, AI & Patient Experience: Leadership Lessons from Providence Dental What if the real key to scaling a dental practice isn’t more locations, but stronger culture, better systems, and a redesigned patient journey? In this episode, Phil Cassis, CEO of Providence Dental, shares his journey growing up in a dental family and building a multi-location dental organization rooted in culture, patient experience, and disciplined growth. We explore what it really takes to scale in today’s dental environment where reimbursements are flat, costs are rising, case acceptance is under pressure, and burnout is real. Phil discusses: Why culture is the foundation of sustainable growthHow patient journey mapping increases case acceptanceThe role of staff training in improving treatment acceptance ratesHow to evaluate acquisitions beyond just financial performanceWhy leadership maturity matters more than rapid expansionThe risks of growing too fast without infrastructureHow AI and technology can support and not replace teamsNavigating headwinds like flat reimbursements and staffing shortages You’ll also hear how Providence evaluates potential partnerships, what red flags to look for during expansion, and why chemistry and values alignment are non-negotiable in growth. If you’re a dental practice owner, emerging group leader, or healthcare entrepreneur trying to scale responsibly while protecting culture and patient trust, this episode offers a practical look at leadership, systems, and long-term thinking. Chapters 00:00 Career Path & Dental Family Background 04:15 Patient Experience & Value-Based Care 06:31 Building a Culture That Prevents Burnout 08:16 AI, Technology & Team Empowerment 10:06 Evaluating Acquisitions & Culture Fit 13:36 Industry Headwinds & Flat Reimbursements 15:41 Improving Case Acceptance Rates 18:06 Patient Journey Mapping Explained 21:06 Leading Through Pressure & Growth Resources HR for Health https://hrforhealth.com/about Providence Dental Partners https://providencedentalpartners.com/ Dental Leadership Summit https://dentalleadershipsummit.com/ -- Scaling a dental organization is challenging, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. Join us September 16–18 at the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa for the Dental Leadership Summit, where the industry's top decision-makers come together for three days of candid conversations, practical insights, and leadership-level strategy. Leave with the clarity, connections, and ideas needed to lead your organization through its next stage of growth. Register today at DentalLeadershipSummit.com/register and use the code DLSPODCAST10 for an exclusive 10% discount.

  3. Jun 5

    DSO Market Trends & The Dental Leadership Summit: What’s Coming, What’s Changed, & What to Expect

    Is your DSO still scaling without solving staffing, culture, and technology adoption or are you ready to learn from the groups that already figured it out? In this episode of the Dental Leadership Summit Podcast, host Ralph Tomandl sits down with David Howard, HR for Health’s Director of Group Practice Sales and Partnerships, for a candid market update and a behind-the-scenes look at the evolution of the Dental Leadership Summit itself. David brings a front-row perspective from months on the road visiting practices, conferences, and DSO leaders across the country. His observations on staffing, culture gaps, acquisition scarcity, and AI adoption reflect what’s actually happening in the market, not just what’s being talked about on stage. We Break Down: Why staffing and hygienist retention remain the top operational challenge for DSOs of every sizeHow culture gaps are quietly showing up in EBITDA even before a DSO is formally structuredWhy acquisition targets are scarce and what that means for practice valuations right nowThe three types of DSO leaders when it comes to AI adoption  and why the “still on paper” group is running out of timeHow outside-industry hires are bringing fresh energy and challenging the “we’ve always done it this way” cultureWhy the Dental Leadership Summit is shifting back to a workshop-style format and what that means for attendeesHow the Leadership Labs in Dallas are proving the concept ahead of the September summit in AustinWhat emerging DSOs with 2–30 locations can actually learn from groups like Heartland DentalHow the summit selects speakers and partners based on problem-solving fit, not just sponsorship Whether you’re a solo practice owner just starting to scale, an emerging DSO leader navigating your first acquisitions, or an operator trying to get a real return on your technology investments, this episode gives you a direct line into what’s working, what’s not, and where the industry is heading, straight from someone in the rooms where it’s happening Chapters 00:00 — No One Has the Guts to Ask That 01:17 — DSO Market Update: What’s Changed in the Last 12 Months 03:01 — The Staffing Slug: Is Talent Acquisition Getting Any Easier? 05:25 — Culture Gaps and EBITDA: Where the Problem Really Shows Up 08:04 — Blind Spots: Public Perception and the DSO Reputation Challenge 10:06 — Three Types of DSO Leaders on AI Adoption 14:06 — Shifting Gears: The Story Behind the Dental Leadership Summit 18:14 — Why Workshop Style Beats 500-Person Panels 20:10 — Leadership Labs: Proving the Concept Before Austin 25:33 — What Emerging DSOs Actually Learn From Heartland The 2026 Dental Leadership Summit is happening in Austin, Texas this September 16–18. With Pat Bauer headlining as a featured speaker, an all-female panel joining the lineup, and a roster of operators and innovators who are actually in the trenches of building successful group practices, this year's summit is shaping up to be the most compelling one yet. Designed for emerging DSO leaders with 2–30 locations, the workshop-style format means you won't just sit through presentations, you'll leave with real frameworks, real conversations, and real relationships that move your business forward. If you're serious about scaling the right way, Austin is where you need to be. Register today at https://dentalleadershipsummit.com/register!

  4. May 12

    HIPAA, OSHA & HR Compliance: Why Doing the Minimum Will Cost You More

    Is your practice doing just enough to get by on compliance or building the foundation that actually protects it? In this episode, HR for Health's David Howard sits down with Matt DiBlasi, co-founder of Abyde, to break down why compliance isn’t just about avoiding fines. It’s a genuine growth strategy for healthcare practices. Matt shares the founding story of Abyde, built on the belief that HIPAA and OSHA compliance should be as simple as filing your taxes. He explains how a comprehensive, software-driven compliance program can streamline workflows, energize staff, and differentiate your practice from every competitor down the street. The conversation covers: Why one CC instead of BCC triggered a state attorney general investigationHow the Alcoa story proves compliance drives profitability — not the other way aroundThe TurboTax model: making HIPAA navigable without a law degreeWhy most practices think they’re compliant and aren’tThe real cost of templated policies vs. a dynamic compliance programHow AI is becoming the next major compliance challenge for dental practicesWhy you can’t have HR done right without compliance and vice versa If you’re a dental practice owner, DSO leader, or healthcare operator, this episode will help you understand why doing compliance right the first time is always cheaper than fixing it later. Chapters 00:00 – Introduction & What Is Abyde? 00:51 – If Abyde Were a Dental Procedure 01:48 – Compliance Horror Stories: The CC Breach 03:21 – Founding Abyde: TurboTax for HIPAA 06:51 – Compliance as a Growth Strategy, Not Just Risk Avoidance 07:16 – The Alcoa Story: How Safety Drove Profitability 09:36 – Abyde’s Standout Feature: Dynamic Policy Generation 10:54 – The Comprehensive Compliance Approach Practices Are Missing 12:25 – The Biggest Compliance Challenge Coming: AI 14:44 – The Real Cost of Getting Compliance Wrong

  5. Apr 9

    Patient Trust in Dentistry: Why Google Reviews Don’t Tell the Full Story w/ Jill H. & Carolyn Brown

    Do Google reviews really tell you whether patients trust your dental practice? In this episode of the Dental Leadership Summit Podcast, Carolyn Brown joins HR for Health Chief Growth Officer, Jill Hasselmann, to discuss one of the most overlooked drivers of growth in dentistry: trust. Carolyn is a dentist with a background in public health who has spent years working with providers, payers, and dental organizations to improve transparency, reputation, and patient experience across the industry. Jill and Carolyn explore why traditional reputation signals like online reviews often fail to reflect the real patient experience and why dental leaders need better ways to measure what patients and teams actually feel inside a practice. They also discuss how team culture, patient experience, and leadership decisions shape long-term reputation, and why practices that grow without systems for feedback often lose touch with what patients are actually experiencing. Jill and Carolyn discuss: Why Google reviews don’t accurately measure patient trustHow trust changes as dental practices scaleWhy patient experience and team experience are closely connectedHow leadership culture influences recruiting and retentionThe role of Net Promoter Score (NPS) in understanding patient feedbackHow AI tools can help practices capture real insights from patients and teams If you're a dentist, practice owner, or healthcare leader, this conversation offers practical insights into building a practice that patients trust and teams want to work in. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:15 Carolyn Brown’s Background in Dentistry & Public Health 02:18 Truth or Trash: Do Google Reviews Mean Patient Trust? 05:08 Why Trust Gets Harder as Practices Grow 09:21 Why Reputation Is More Than Online Reviews 11:24 Recruiting & Retention Through Trust 16:23 How Team Turnover Impacts Patient Trust 21:20 Using AI to Understand Patient Feedback 23:24 Net Promoter Score in Dental Practices 27:55 An Unpopular Opinion About Dental Growth 29:43 Workforce Shortages & Team Recognition

  6. Feb 12

    Tax Minimization & Wealth Building for Doctors with Ali Oromchian and Carson Henderson

    Are you building real financial independence or just earning a high income without a long-term tax strategy? In this episode, we break down practical wealth-building and tax minimization strategies for doctors and high-income professionals. Carson Henderson (CPA and wealth advisor) explains how integrating tax planning and investment management can dramatically impact long-term financial independence. The conversation covers retirement planning strategies 401(k), Roth IRA, Traditional IRA, Roth conversions), the Rule of 72, asset location for tax efficiency, and why starting early matters more than investing aggressively. We also explore advanced tax strategies including tax loss harvesting and Opportunity Zone investing and how these tools can help offset capital gains from selling a medical practice, real estate, or other large assets. If you're a doctor, practice owner, or high-income professional, this episode will help you understand: How to reduce taxes legallyHow to structure retirement accounts correctlyThe difference between employee vs owner retirement strategiesWhy emotional investing destroys long-term returnsHow small tax improvements can significantly extend retirement Whether you're early in your career or preparing to sell a practice, you'll walk away with a clearer understanding of how to build wealth strategically, not just accumulate income. Chapters 00:00 – Why High Earners Still Struggle With Financial Freedom 00:17 – Why Most Doctors Overpay in Taxes (And Don’t Realise It) 03:22 – The Biggest Wealth Mistake Doctors Make 05:00 – Where Your Investments Should Actually Sit (Tax Strategy 101) 07:16 – The 62-Year-Old With Millions… Sitting in Savings 10:06 – The Rule of 72: How Your Money Secretly Doubles 15:04 – Employee vs Owner: Different Retirement Playbooks 22:26 – Tax Loss Harvesting Explained (Offset Capital Gains Legally) 27:00 – Opportunity Zones: A Hidden Way to Reduce Capital Gains Tax 32:06 – The Emotional Investing Trap (Why Fear Costs You Millions)

  • 6 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The Dental Leadership Summit Podcast is the official podcast of the Dental Leadership Summit, the industry’s premier gathering for decision-makers shaping the future of dentistry. Each year, the Summit brings together practice owners, DSO executives, founders, and industry partners for a retreat-style experience focused on strategic growth, operational excellence, and meaningful peer connection. It’s where leaders step away from day-to-day operations to think long-term about capital strategy, acquisitions, people systems, compliance, technology, and scalable infrastructure. This podcast extends those conversations beyond the stage Hosted by the team behind the Dental Leadership Summit, each episode features operators, CEOs, investors, compliance experts, and growth strategists discussing what’s actually working in today’s DSO and multi-location landscape. We cover: • Scaling without breaking culture • HR and compliance as leadership strategy • Capital markets and acquisition readiness • Technology, systems, and operational clarity • Building organizations that last AI beyond the hype: practical application, operational leverage, and responsible implementation This isn’t theory. It’s applied leadership for dental groups navigating their next phase of growth. Expect honest dialogue, strategic frameworks, and shared experiences from those scaling practices, navigating acquisitions, strengthening people systems, and redefining what sustainable growth looks like in dentistry. If you value depth over hype and peer-driven insight over transactional content, you’re in the right place. Learn more about this year’s Dental Leadership Summit, happening September 16–18 at the stunning Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa. Join the industry’s top decision-makers for three days of strategic conversations, peer-led insight, and leadership-level clarity in a retreat-style setting designed for depth and connection. Explore the full agenda and secure your seat at dentalleadershipsummit.com.

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