This is our final episode of the Dental Disruptors Podcast for 2025.
In this short year-end wrap-up, we reflect on the past season, share some of our favorite episodes and moments, and talk honestly about what we’ve learned after nearly 30 episodes. From passionate discussions about data access and innovation to memorable guest conversations and live recordings, this year was all about learning and connection.
We also announce what’s coming in 2026, including a new direction for the podcast and a rebrand to Dental Operations Unpacked. Going forward, we’ll be putting a bigger spotlight on dental operators and the real work happening behind the scenes to help organizations grow and operate better.
Thank you to every guest, listener, and supporter who made this year possible. We’re just getting started.
Happy holidays, and we’ll see you in the new year.
In this episode, Jake and Clint sit down (again!) with Bonnie Thompson, COO of Forest Family Dentistry and one of this year’s Top Operational Leaders in Dentistry.
Bonnie shares how she went from 16-year-old dental assistant to COO, how she uses EOS, KPIs and technology to scale five (soon seven) locations, and why culture and alignment matter more than ever for DSOs.
Jake Larsen and Clint Berry launch a new Dental Disruptors series honoring the operators who keep DSOs running behind the scenes.
In this episode, they sit down with Brandi Carter, Director at Sage and one of this year’s industry award winners, to unpack how she led her market to 14.5% year-over-year growth without adding new doctors or locations.
Brandi shares her journey from RV sales into dental, the “Lead From the Front” moment that shaped her leadership style, and how she now manages 150+ team members across nine offices.
You’ll hear how she:
Built a culture where people feel genuinely cared for
Replaced “death by deliverables” with high-impact 1:1s
Designed a new patient welcome call process that raised show rates and case acceptance
Used behavior and culture—not just KPIs—as the lever for growth
Thinks DSOs should rethink how they treat and retain dental assistants
Balances SOPs and standardization with disruption and quick pilots
Sees 3D printing as a game changer for same-day dentistry and patient experience
If you’re an operator, regional, or DSO leader trying to grow without burning people out, this conversation is full of practical ideas and mindset shifts you can use right away.
In this episode of Dental Disruptors, hosts Jake Larsen and Clint Berry sit down to unpack one of the biggest debates in the dental industry — data ownership.
They discuss:
Why most dental practices still use on-premise systems
The push from companies like Henry Schein, Patterson, and Open Dental to control cloud data
How developer fees are quietly increasing costs for DSOs
The recent Vyne vs. Henry Schein lawsuit and why it could reshape the industry
What this means for your practice’s access, analytics, and future with AI
Whether you’re a DSO leader, operations exec, or dental tech vendor — this conversation will give you a deeper understanding of how data access could define the next decade of dentistry.
#DentalDisruptors #DentalData #DSO #DentalTechnology #Dentistry
Key takeaways
Lagging vs. leading: Production/collections reflect the past. Coach daily behaviors that create tomorrow’s results.
EPIs > vanity metrics: Measure empathy (names used, wait time, clarity, felt-heard scores) alongside revenue.
Right data, right level: Not every role needs P&Ls. Share metrics that inform their behaviors, not anxiety.
Happy teams = happy patients: Engagement scores correlate with patient satisfaction; fix systems, not people.
Tech audit: Prune tools that add clicks without adding care. Simplicity accelerates adoption and results.
Janet’s path: hygienist → hygiene director for 100+ locations → fractional CHO
Building a best-in-class perio program and regional hygiene leadership model
Case acceptance: mindset, questions, emotional + logical alignment
Why soft skills matter more as tech advances
Culture you can live and measure across locations
Starting points: coaching, org chart, HR/handbook compliance, KPI tracking
AI voice is finally good enough to handle real dental scheduling—multi-kid, reschedules, emergencies, the works. Dr. Miles Beckett (MD turned serial founder) shares Flossy’s journey from a dental discount marketplace to “Fiona,” an AI receptionist that answers calls, books new patients, reschedules, triages, and lifts after-hours conversion. We dig into latency, PMS integrations, scheduling logic, onboarding, and what DSOs must measure to stop leaking marketing dollars.
Fiona handles: answer, new bookings, reschedule/cancel, FAQs, emergency triage.
Differentiator: hyper-custom scheduling logic per treatment type + PMS integration.
Onboarding uses PMS data + LLM analysis of historical patterns to draft rules, then QA.
Typical buyer journey: start after-hours → add overflow → selective daytime coverage.
Mindset shift: not replacing humans—first capture missed demand, then augment teams.
#Dental #DSO #DentalTech #DentalOperations #PatientExperience #AI #VoiceAI #PracticeManagement #Scheduling #HealthcareTech
Meet Jay Hogan and Dr. A from Perfect Fit Ortho—a “virtual orthodontist” model that helps GPs and DSOs say yes to more clear-aligner cases while freeing chair time. They’re scanner- and aligner-agnostic, do the design/setup for you, provide time estimates, help with financing, and monitor cases weekly—so you can keep revenue in-house without adding visits.
In this episode:
Why “virtual orthodontist” beats “sell you an aligner”
Fast triage: 15-minute chairside consults
Remote weekly monitoring (catch non-compliance early)
Open more chair time while increasing case starts
What “software can’t show” in setups (orthodontist-driven staging)
DSO playbook: present to existing patients, not just new ones
Live from the Dental Operations Symposium in Frisco, TX, we grabbed “cliffnotes” with five standout leaders:
• Bonnie Thompson — COO, Forest Family Dentistry (Austin)
• Leslie Soto — VP of Operations, FivePoint Dental Specialists
• Suzanne Jackson — Executive Leader, Rodeo Dental (multi-state ops)
• Ray Caruso — CEO, Lone Peak Dental Group
• Teresa Williams — CFO & COO, Dental Express; Coach at Dental Science Alliance
We hit: interviewing & performance reviews that build culture, tactical → strategic career jumps, communication that moves teams, beliefs that shape leadership, and reframing “production” as patient care with simple, daily KPIs.
👉 If you’re building or scaling a DSO/DPO, this one’s gold.
In this episode of Dental Disruptors Podcast, Jake Larson and Clint Barry sit down with Emily, CEO & Co-Founder of OS Dental. Emily shares her journey from dental accountant to leading a fast-growing SaaS company that’s changing how DSOs and group practices use their data.We dive into:The evolution of dental analytics over the past decadeWhy most groups still struggle to trust their dataHow OS Dental pulls together PMS, finance, payroll, marketing, and more into one validated source of truthThe importance of data validation and customization for every role in a dental organizationWhere dental data is headed next with AI, automation, and predictive analyticsWhether you’re a DSO leader, operations director, or tech-curious clinician, this episode gives you a clear look at the future of dental data.
#DentalDisruptors #DSO #DentalTech #DentalAnalytics
In this episode of Dental Disruptors, Jake Larsen and Clint Barry share their takeaways from the 2025 Dykema conference. From the dominance of vendors on the floor, to the rising buzzword of “AI strategy,” to what it really takes to succeed at Dykema as a vendor or DSO—this candid conversation breaks down what makes the event unique. They also reflect on networking, sales processes, and even debate whether “AI strategy” is a real thing or just buzzword bingo.
We took the Dental Disruptors Podcast on the road to the Dykema conference — one of the largest dental events in the U.S. — and did something completely different.
Instead of our usual format, we hit the floor and asked industry leaders one question:
💡 “What’s the most disruptive thing you’re seeing in dentistry today?”
From AI-powered diagnostics and centralized operations to solving staffing shortages and navigating rising costs, our guests share real, actionable insights you can use to stay ahead.
Featuring:
🎧 Tune in for quick-hit wisdom from some of the brightest minds in the dental industry.
#DentalDisruptors #Dykema #DSO #DentalInnovation #AIinDentistry #DentalLeadership
From door-to-door sales and call centers to owning 30+ dental practices . Vince’s story is anything but typical. In this episode, he shares how he bought his first business with just $2,500 in the bank, scaled through seller financing, and built Platinum Dental Services by focusing on underperforming practices with untapped potential. We talk growth strategies, call center systems, AI’s impact on DSOs, and the perseverance needed to survive the “title loan to make payroll” years. If you’re in the DSO space or just love a true underdog business story, this one’s for you.
The future of dentistry is arriving faster than anyone expected.In this special episode of Dental Disruptors, hosts Jake Larson and Clint Barry dive into one of the most jaw-dropping tech developments in dental care: a robot-performed crown procedure by perceptive.io in Colombia.They explore what this means for the dental industry, how AI and robotics are transforming treatment timelines, and why 15-minute crowns might be the new norm. They also chat about how this compares to Matt McGrath’s “sci-fi” vision of the future—and how it’s not so far-fetched anymore.Don't miss this look into the future of clinical tech, AI, and how DSOs can start preparing now.
#DentalDisruptors #DentalTech #DSO #DentalInnovation #FutureOfDentistry #AIinDentistry #CrownProcedure #PerceptiveIO #OralHealth #RoboticsInDentistry #DentalLeadership #DSOEvolution
In this episode of the Dental Disruptors Podcast, we sit down with Dallin from AccruDent, who shares his unique journey into the DSO world—starting at age 17—and how he went from front desk receptionist to tech and data expert.
Dallin and his father, Ken, co-founded AccruDent, a company helping DSOs implement accrual-based accounting—a crucial shift that brings financial clarity, enables confident decision-making, and unlocks opportunities for scaling and acquisition.
We discuss:
What accrual accounting actually is (in simple terms)Why most DSOs delay the switch—and why they shouldn't
How proper financial visibility can raise your EBITDA and attract PE
How technology is making this transformation faster, easier, and more affordable
If you're part of an emerging DSO, planning to scale, or preparing for acquisition, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.
#DentalDisruptors #DSO #DentalAccounting #DentalFinance #AccrualAccounting #DentalTech #EBITDA
In this episode of Dental Disruptors Podcast, we sit down with Matt McGaw, founder of DSO Compass, to talk about leadership, technology, and the future of DSOs.Matt shares lessons from his journey working with companies like Dentsply, Carestream, and Align, why startups inside big companies shaped his approach, and how DSO Compass helps bridge the gap between tech vendors and DSOs.We also dive into what the dental experience might look like by 2030: from self-driving cars taking patients to appointments to AI handling insurance calls and even robot hygienists.If you're part of an emerging DSO or in the dental tech world, this episode will give you real, practical insights.🔗 Learn more about DSO Compass: https://dsocompass.comDon’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you find this valuable!#DentalDisruptors #DSOCompass #DentalTech #DentalLeadership #DSOPodcast
In this episode of Dental Disruptors, Jake and Clint sit down with Charles Moser—former multi-practice owner, leadership consultant, and current National Dental Director at Liberty Dental Plan. Charles shares his remarkable journey from clinician to executive, highlighting the mindset shift required to lead at scale.
We dive deep into:
Why leadership is the true multiplier in DSOs and tech startups
What happens when leadership is missing
How to make culture your operating system
Practical hacks for embedding core values into your team
The importance of self-awareness, humility, and hiring smart people
Why every leader needs a coach
Whether you're scaling a DSO, leading a tech team, or building culture from scratch—this conversation is a masterclass in modern leadership.
👉 Learn more about Charles: https://www.dentalsciencealliance.com
What is a data warehouse—and why is it becoming essential for DSOs?
In this episode of the Dental Disruptors Podcast, hosts Jake Larson and Clint Barry break down the concept of a data warehouse in simple terms. They explain how centralizing data from multiple systems can help multi-location dental groups eliminate manual reporting, gain real-time insights, improve KPIs like lead conversion, and lay the foundation for AI-powered operations.
You'll hear real-world examples of DSOs who saved time, improved doctor payout processes, and made smarter business decisions—all by leveraging a unified data warehouse.
Whether you’re scaling your group, struggling with spreadsheet chaos, or looking to future-proof your data strategy, this episode is for you.
🦷 Topics covered:
What is a data warehouse (vs. a reporting tool)?
Benefits of centralizing practice, financial, and phone data
The role of data warehouses in enabling AI
Common pitfalls when building your data infrastructure
How data impacts DSO valuation and acquisitions
#DentalDisruptors #DSO #DentalDSO #DentalAI #datawarehouse #businessintelligence datascience #dataanalytics #ai
In this episode of the Dental Disruptors Podcast, hosts Jake Larson and Clint Barry sit down with Sarah Ruberg, dental marketing expert and founder of Our Thrive Tribe, to talk all things branding, LinkedIn, and relationship building in the DSO space.
Sarah shares actionable tips on:
Building a personal brand without self-promotion
How startups can stand out and connect with DSOs
The hidden power of LinkedIn engagement
Why photos (not graphics) win on social
The best kind of content to post as a startup founder
If you’re a founder, sales leader, or exec in the dental industry wondering how to grow your presence without being “salesy,” this episode is packed with gold.
📢 Subscribe to Dental Disruptors for more expert insights every week.
#DSO #DentalMarketing #LinkedInBranding #DentalStartups #SarahBerg #DentalDisruptors #PersonalBrand
In this episode of the Dental Disruptors Podcast, Dr. Brad Hughes, founder of Vision Dental Partners, dives deep into how culture plays a crucial role in driving disruption and growth in the dental industry. From building a team that aligns with core values to making culture the competitive advantage, Dr. Hughes shares his journey of scaling his dental practice and creating a thriving work environment.
Discover how the right culture can fuel success, improve patient experiences, and help navigate tough times. Tune in to learn how focusing on people-first principles has helped Dr. Hughes build a brand that stands out in an increasingly commoditized industry.
Listen now for actionable insights on leading with culture and growing your dental practice to new heights!