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.
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Planet DDS Podcasts
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Andrew Smith on What’s in Store for DSOs in 2026
48:40
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48:40Have you ever thought about how DSOs have fundamentally shifted and redefined the dental market as a whole? In the latest episode of The Dental Economist Show, host Mike Huffaker sits down with Andrew Smith, CEO of the Association of Dental Support Organizations (ADSO), to explore the evolution of DSOs. What You’ll Learn: How to position your DSO f…
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Brian Colao on The DSO-Success Secrets of 2026 and Mistakes to Leave Behind in 2025
49:07
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49:07For many dental professionals, 2025 was the year of survival. And, thriving in 2026 is going to take a complete shift on every front - leadership, technology adoption and strategy. In the latest episode of The Dental Economist Show, host Mike Huffaker starts the new year by sitting down with Brian Colao, Director of the DSO Industry Group at Dykema…
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Practice Integration, Patient Convenience & Automation: The Year That Changed Dentistry (Part 2)
14:52
14:52
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14:52Practice integration, patient convenience and automation are all set to take over the dental landscape in 2026 (among other big trends) and we’re unpacking it all in the last episode of The Dental Economist Show of the year! Tune in as host, Mike Huffaker, brings back some of the show’s biggest hits, courtesy Eric Pastan, Mariz Tanious, Jeremy Live…
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IT, AI & Aesthetics: The Year That Changed Dentistry (Part 1)
12:32
12:32
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12:32As the year in dentistry comes to a close, there’s A LOT to unpack. Join us for a retrospective on the latest episode of The Dental Economist Show as host, Mike Huffaker reflects on some of the most thought-provoking insights, opinions and predictions we’ve witnessed on the series this year, courtesy industry experts Tom Barberio, Ryan Mingus, Greg…
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Fred Joyal on The Regret Economy & Why Not Trying Hurts More Than Failing
47:36
47:36
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47:36What if building genuine trust and boldness in how you connect with your patients is the main key to growing your dental practice? In this episode of The Dental Economist Show, host Mike Huffaker sits down with Fred Joyal, Co-Founder of 1-800-Dentists and author of “Superbold”, to explore why patient anxiety could be your biggest opportunity, how t…
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Dr. Manrina Rhode on How Personal Brand Built the World's Most Luxe Dental Clinic
38:43
38:43
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38:43What does it take to build the world’s most luxe dental clinic? Hustle, a killer personal brand and Manrina Rhode’s unbeatable strategies. In the latest episode of The Dental Economist Show with Mike Huffaker, Manrina, founder and CEO of DRMR Clinic in London's Knightsbridge, opens up her playbook on building a global luxury dental brand while mast…
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Pat Bauer on How Heartland Dental Scaled From 8 to 1,900 Practices Without Losing Soul: The 100th Episode
47:00
47:00
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47:00When a DSO legend like Pat Bauer, President and CEO of Heartland Dental, tells you to lead with kindness, you listen. In the 100th episode of The Dental Economist Show, Mike Huffaker and Pat explore Pat’s incredible journey from working at a gas station to building a DSO behemoth, the power of kindness, building sustainable organizational culture, …
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Stephenie Goddard on Why Vulnerable Leadership Scales Dental Businesses Faster
40:15
40:15
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40:15In today’s ever-evolving dental landscape, it can be hard to put a finger on one’s real competitive advantage. In this episode of The Dental Economist Show, host Mike Huffaker sits down with Stephenie Goddard, CEO of Glidewell Dental, to explore how to build a thriving culture in a rapidly evolving industry, why curiosity and humility matter more t…
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Nathan James on Taking the Leap, Trusting Dental Tech and Embracing the Future
37:13
37:13
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37:13Dental’s in flight mode when it comes to AI and it needs to step into embrace mode. In the latest episode of The Dental Economist Show, we explore why and how. Tune in as host Mike Huffaker sits down with Nathan James, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Product Design at Planet DDS, to explore the intersection of AI innovation, product strate…
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Dr. Chris Steven Villanueva on How MB2 Dental Keeps Growing Despite Market Shifts
43:27
43:27
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43:27Contrary to popular belief, keeping your eye solely on profit-making often limits a practice’s growth. In this episode of The Dental Economist Show, host Mike Huffaker sits down with Dr. Chris Steven Villanueva, founder and CEO of MB2 Dental, to explore what happens when dental organizations shift their focus to empowering practitioners instead of …
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Janet Hagerman on The Biggest Industry Taboos in Dental Sales & How to Break Them
37:09
37:09
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37:09Every dental practice is only as good as the number of people who know it is. In the latest episode of The Dental Economist Show, host Mike Huffaker sits down with Janet Hagerman, a leading voice in dental sales, DSO Fractional Chief Hygiene Officer and case acceptance coach, to explore the evolution of dental hygiene leadership and the art of ethi…
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How Chrissy Bridgeman Transformed Dental Billing Chaos Into 90% Clean Claims Success
13:18
13:18
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13:18Optimizing a dental organization’s revenue cycle takes more than software - it takes strategy, systems, and people. In this episode of The Dental Economist Show, host Mike sits down with Chrissy Bridgeman, CEO and Founder of MODPractice, who describes herself as both a “revenue cycle janitor” and an “engineer.” With years of hands-on experience cle…
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Alex Giannini on The $16,000 Lesson That Changed His Approach to Dental Management
15:08
15:08
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15:08Scaling a dental organization takes more than ambition - it takes alignment. In this episode of The Dental Economist Show, host Mike dives deep with Dr. Alex Giannini, who brings over three decades of experience in building and advising successful DSOs. From his accidental start as a solo practitioner managing payroll with a $16,000 mistake, to lea…
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Jeremy Livengood on Breaking Into Dental With a Bang: Strong Culture, Good People & Transparency
11:04
11:04
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11:04Being the new kid on the block can be a daunting affair - especially in today’s dental landscape. Not if you’re Jeremy Livengood, CEO of Seva Dental, though. He joins Mike Huffaker on the latest episode of The Dental Economist Show to explore the power of culture-first leadership, managing practice transitions with empathy, and implementing technol…
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Dan Hosler on The Real-Time Revolution & Why Daily Data Changes Everything
14:54
14:54
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14:54In today’s day and age, you can and must leverage the power of AI and data-driven decisions to scale your healthcare practice. In this episode of The Dental Economist Show, host Mike Huffaker sits down with Dan Hosler, CEO of Allied OMS, to explore strategic practice growth in today's market. What You’ll Learn: How to attract investment in today's …
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Saam Zarrabi, DDS on The 5 Communication Breakdowns Killing Your Practice Flow & How to Fix It
14:11
14:11
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14:11In the hustle and bustle of dentistry, it can be easy to lose sight of one simple yet crucial fact: Dentistry is a people’s business. In the latest episode of The Dental Economist Show, host Mike Huffaker welcomes Saam Zarrabi, DDS, CEO of Rodeo Dental, to explore scaling a dental practice from single-location operations to a thriving 50-office org…
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Peter Theurer on Dentist-Led vs. Finance-Led DSOs and the Blueprint for 26-Location Success
17:44
17:44
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17:44Building a fast-growing DSO isn’t just about capital or acquisitions - it’s about people. In this episode of The Dental Economist Show, host Mike sits down with Dr. Peter Theurer, CEO of Bridge Dental Group, to explore how he built a thriving 26-location dental service organization (DSO) in just two years through a doctor-focused partnership model …
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Leslie Soto on The Power of The Counter Intuitive ‘Face-to-Face’ Strategy of Patient Experience
11:56
11:56
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11:56What does it take to run a multi-speciality dental business successfully, without ever losing the ‘why’? In this episode of The Dental Economist Show, host Mike sits down with Leslie Soto, Vice President, Operations of Five Point Dental Specialists, to explore how to drive organic growth across 68 locations spanning oral surgery, orthodontics, and …
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Mike Friguletto on the Key Strategies to Recession Proof Your Practice
15:42
15:42
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15:42What if your dental practice was both recession-proof and tech-forward? Well, that would mean it’s set to thrive in today’s dentistry landscape. In this episode, host Mike Huffaker sits down with Mike Friguletto, CEO of Beacon Oral Specialists, to explore what it takes to scale a practice to 107 locations while maintaining strong referral relations…
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Steve Bilt on The Secrets Behind Building a Thriving Business in the Billion-Dollar Dental Industry
16:03
16:03
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16:03Dentistry is seeing some tough days - but is it worth sticking around and riding the wave of a $200 billion industry? In this episode of The Dental Economist Show, host Mike Huffaker sits down with Steve Bilt, CEO of Smile Brands, to explore the current state of the dental industry, strategies for sustainable growth, and the future of AI in dentist…
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Dr. Greg White on PepperPointe’s 50% Profit Growth Through Doctor Ownership
40:59
40:59
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40:59What if you could build a dental organization focused on preserving local practices while delivering exceptional growth? In this episode of The Dental Economist Show, host Mike Huffaker sits down with Dr. Greg White, President and CEO of PepperPointe Partnerships, to explore a unique doctor-owned DSO model that’s achieving 50% profitability increas…
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Tom Barberio on Why 70% of Dental Practices Are at Risk & What To Do About It
30:08
30:08
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30:08As dental practitioners, do you invest enough capital into protecting your practice with robust IT and security systems? The latest episode of The Dental Economist Show uncovers the reality of dental security today and why 70% of dental practices are at risk of a security breach. Tune in to hear host Mike Huffaker and Tom Barberio, Chief Informatio…
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Tim Perreira on Transforming Men's Mental Health, 3000 Miles at a Time
46:59
46:59
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46:59“Take care of yourself so you can take care of others,” is a common adage that everyone would do well to remember. Especially healthcare professionals. This episode of The Dental Economist Show examines healthcare and leadership through a different lens, as host Mike Huffaker welcomes Tim Perreria - Founder & Men’s Coach, PER Wellness and a mental …
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Brian Colao On What It Takes To Build an Industry-Defining Conference
43:47
43:47
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43:47What happens when the world goes to sleep? A legacy DSO conference gets built. Tune into the latest episode of The Dental Economist Show with host Mike Huffaker, as he welcomes Brian Colao, Director of Dykema's DSO Industry Group, and DSO big shot, to explore the upcoming Dykema Definitive DSO Conference. What You’ll Learn: How to maximize networki…
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Dr. Alex Sharp on Why Most Dental Marketing Fails & How To Crack the Code
47:11
47:11
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47:11In many cases, it helps to follow the roadmap to success laid down by those before us. In most cases, it helps to observe what people have done differently, and be inspired by the uniqueness of it all! The latest episode of The Dental Economist Show with host Mike Huffaker brings a dynamic conversation to the table as Mike sits down with Dr. Alex S…
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Len Schiavone on The $1.26T Consumer Debt Crisis & New Strategies for Dental Payment Success
49:34
49:34
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49:34This is the dream - put your core values front and centre, get culture right and watch your dental practice flourish. This is reality - dental practices get comfortable, complacent and resistant to change, causing them to stagnate. In the latest episode of The Dental Economist Show, host Mike Huffaker welcomes Len Schiavone, CEO of CORDENTAL Group,…
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Ben Baenen on The $8B Dental Insurance Problem Nobody's Talking About
37:46
37:46
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37:46For healthcare providers, insurance is a necessary business strategy. For patients, it’s stress inducing and often, unsupportive. In this episode, host Mike Huffaker sits down with Ben Baenen, Director of Healthcare and Life Sciences at West Monroe, to explore the evolving landscape of dental technology, real-time claims processing, and the impact …
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Mark Musso on How Setting the Tone Early On Leads Practices to Profitable Success
42:09
42:09
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42:09In any relationship, the foundation of trust makes or breaks the success and longevity of it. So, why should dental practices be any different? In the latest episode of The Dental Economist Show, host Mike Huffaker welcomes Mark Musso, CEO of Specialty Smile Partners, to explore leadership lessons from retail to dentistry, building trust in DSO par…
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Emily Letran on the 3 Key Metrics That Drive 7-Figure Dental Practices
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40:11Giving back is rarely seen as the road to success, but in Emily Letran’s case, that’s exactly what happened. In this episode of The Dental Economist, host Mike Huffaker sits down with Dr. Emily Letran, a remarkable dentist and now Executive Coach, who journeyed from being a refugee to establishing herself as a successful practice owner and philanth…
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The Counterintuitive Solution to Growing A Dental Empire with Frank Semo
41:24
41:24
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41:24Strategy without the skill to communicate it, is like a morning without a cup of coffee - doable, but it takes so much to get through the day. In the latest episode of The Dental Economist Show, host Mike Huffaker welcomes Frank Semo, COO of Oakwood Dental, to explore the evolution of modern dental practices and the strategies that bolster this evo…
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Why Focusing On The Patient Guarantees Dental Success with Mick Janness
38:29
38:29
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38:29Consistency may be key but how many of us really know where to find it? In this episode of The Dental Economist Show, host Mike Huffaker sits down with Mick Janness, CEO and Co-Founder of Oakpoint, to explore how his team grew a single practice to over 40 locations and the strategic approaches dental businesses need to adopt in order to find sustai…
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Kyle Guerin on the Strategic Advantage of Making Dentistry Less Self-Centred
40:32
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40:32What if we told you that how fast and how big your dental practice grows is directly proportional to the strength of your CSR function? Tune into the latest episode of The Dental Economist Show as host Mike Huffaker welcomes Kyle Guerin, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility at Henry Schein, for an invigorating conversation on the critical ne…
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Priyanki Amroliwala on Building a Winning Talent Strategy in Dental Recruitment
35:24
35:24
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35:24Recruitment in dentistry has never been easy and the challenges are only growing. In the latest episode of The Dental Economist Show, host Mike Huffaker welcomes Priyanki Amroliwala, Senior Manager of Talent Acquisition at Forty Two North Dental, to explore what really matters when it comes to building and keeping a strong dental team and thriving …
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Emmet Scott on the Entrepreneurial Mindset That Brings in $150 Million in Revenue
54:15
54:15
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54:15Dentistry gets a bad rep - for reasons known and unknown to us. But times are changing, for the better. In the latest episode of The Dental Economist Show, host Mike Huffaker welcomes Emmet Scott, CEO of the Dentist Entrepreneur Organization (DEO) and co-founder of Community Dental Partners, to explore the entrepreneurial mindset that elevates the …
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Mike White on How Perfect Bookkeeping Could Add $30M to Your Valuation
44:01
44:01
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44:01In the DSO world, as in life, financial disappointment can jeopardize growth, making a strategic and realistic approach to profit-making crucial to secure financial health for your business. In the latest episode of The Dental Economist Show, host Mike Huffaker welcomes Mike White, Principal at Clifton Larson Allen, to explore why proper financial …
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Elliot Zibel on How Data Can Retain 96% Of Your Doctors
54:00
54:00
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54:00Are the quality care metrics of dentistry being used the way they should? Surprisingly (or unsurprisingly), not. In this episode of The Dental Economist Show, host Mike Huffaker sits down with Elliot Ziebel, founder of ClariFi Health to explore how data-driven decision-making is transforming dental group operation - from leveraging AI for practice …
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Ophir Tanz on The Why, What and How of Getting Dental AI Right
58:05
58:05
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58:05With a landscape as dynamic as AI, it’s only natural that its applications in dentistry continue to evolve with a similar speed. In the latest episode of The Dental Economist Show, host Mike Huffaker welcomes Ophir Tanz, founder and CEO of Pearl, and an award-winning entrepreneur and AI innovator who is transforming the dental industry to explore t…
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Dr. Ben Winters on How to Turn 15-Second Videos into Multi-Million Dollar Dental Brands
1:01:25
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1:01:25What happens when social media (the limitless world of content) meets dentistry? A dentistry revolution takes place. In the latest episode of The Dental Economist Show, host Mike Huffaker welcomes the world’s most popular dental influencer (backed by 20M followers), Dr. Ben Winters aka The Bentist, Orthodontist at Wincrest Orthodontics for an eye-o…
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Tobi Bosede on the Technology that Can Disrupt the Dental Landscape
32:38
32:38
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32:38Today’s dentistry landscape finds itself at a high-potential juncture where AI and technology can be the disruptive solution to elevated patient care; only if you know how to leverage it. In the latest episode of The Dental Economist Show as host Mike Huffaker sits down with Tobi Bosede, Founder and CEO of DentalFynd and People of Color in Dental, …
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Dr. Mariz Tanious on the Quality Mindset that Elevates Patient Care and Business
44:51
44:51
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44:51The equation seems simple - quality patient care is driven by quality administration. And yet, too many DSOs underestimate the importance of the quality assurance department and its processes. Why is that? Tune in to the latest episode of The Dental Economist Show as host, Mike Huffaker, welcomes Dr. Mariz Tanious aka Dr. T, Chief Dental Officer at…
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Adam Richichi on Welcoming a New Era of Dental Leadership
47:23
47:23
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47:23Traditional dental practices and businesses are being met with a strong wind at the door, characterized by a critical need for fresh, innovative and respectful leadership. In the latest episode of The Dental Economist Show, host Mike Huffaker welcomes Adam Richichi, CEO of Archway Dental Partners, to explore scaling dental practices from the ground…
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Scotte Hudsmith on Growing 2 Practices to 200 and Getting it Right
45:51
45:51
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45:51The only way to learn is to do. And, Scotte Hudsmith’s journey of rapid and successful scaling personifies that. In the latest episode of The Dental Economist Show, host Mike Huffaker welcomes the Chairman and CEO of Specialized Dental Partners to explore the art of building successful dental platforms. What You’ll Learn: The key strategies for suc…
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Geoff Wayne on Working Smart and Growing Fast in Dentistry
44:20
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44:20Focused leadership strategies can transform the growth of your dental practice. But what do they look like? In the latest episode of The Dental Economist Show, host Mike Huffaker welcomes Geoff Wayne, CEO of Jefferson Dental and Orthodontics - seasoned medical leader - for a conversation full of actionable insights and practical strategies. Togethe…
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Eric Pastan on the Data Secrets Behind Operational Excellence
37:27
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37:27The parameters of success in dentistry are fairly straightforward - high standards of patient care, operational excellence and profitability. In the latest episode of The Dental Economist Show, Mike Huffaker welcomes Eric Pastan, Director, Skytale Group to unpack the strategic ways dental businesses can successfully scale, without compromising on o…
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Ryan Mingus on the M&A Way to Dentistry Success
35:08
35:08
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35:08On the latest episode of The Dental Economist Show, we’re exploring all the ways to be a part of a successful merger and acquisition, whether you’re looking to buy or sell. The world of dental practice acquisitions is seeing some interesting changes. Tune in to this episode for an in-depth look at those changes as host Mike Huffaker, sits down with…
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Vince Dilley on Dentistry Growth Strategies That Actually Work
43:17
43:17
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43:17The latest episode of The Dental Economist Show brings together the best of both worlds - exponential growth and meaningful impact. Join host Mike Huffaker as he welcomes Founder and CEO of Platinum Dental Services, Vince Dilley, for a dynamic conversation on the actionable ways one can identify the unique potential of independent practices and mak…
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Jill Nesbitt on Getting the Technology Right So You Can Get the Business Right
54:17
54:17
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54:17On the latest episode of The Dental Economist Show, host Mike Huffaker welcomes Jill Nesbitt, a seasoned expert in dental consulting and practice management and Independent Consultant at Optimize Dental Consulting for an eye-opening conversation on how technological implementation done right can transform dental businesses for the better. Together,…
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Mike Baird on Creating a Dental Ecosystem by Dentists, for Dentists
51:29
51:29
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51:29On the latest episode of The Dental Economist Show, host Mike Huffaker welcomes Founder and CEO of Accelerate Dental, Mike Baird - a serial entrepreneur and visionary leader with a remarkable track record of building and scaling transformative businesses in healthcare and technology. Through the engaging discussion, they cover eye-opening insights …
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Steve Bilt on the Mindset That Builds Legacies
50:25
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50:25On the latest episode of The Dental Economist Show, host Mike Huffaker sits down with Steve Bilt, CEO of Smile Brands - a pioneering organization in the world of dentistry, supporting nearly 700 offices across the US, known for their delivery of excellence in service and employee satisfaction. Together, they deep dive into the various facets of the…
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Dr. Maryam Beyramian on Harnessing the Power of Integrated Healthcare for Elevated Patient Care
32:52
32:52
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32:52In this episode of The Dental Economist Show, host Mike Huffaker is joined by Dr. Maryam Beyramian, founder and CEO of Westwind Integrated Health to explore the unique possibilities in dentistry today, through the lens of integrated healthcare. Together, they discuss themes, ranging from unique dentistry solutions to the impact of a truly positive …
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