The pursuit of peak productivity in dentistry is not about working faster — it’s about working smarter. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Eric Tobler, Dentist of Stonehaven Dental and Mortenson Dental Partners, and Dr. Bruce Baird, Co-Founder at Productive Dentist Academy, to unpack how clinicians can unlock the coveted “$1,000-an-hour” schedule and what it really takes to achieve that level of efficiency. From comprehensive diagnosis to case acceptance, from block scheduling to leveraging AI, they share practical strategies to elevate both clinical care and business performance.

Converting leads into lifelong patients is more than just a process. It’s about alignment, insight, and execution. In this episode, we explore how leading DSOs tackle the challenges of lead management and the patient experience. Daniel Mirsky, SVP and Chief Information Officer of Sage Dental, and Heidi Arndt, Founder and CEO of Evolve Dental Advisors, discuss operationalizing soft skills, breaking down clinical silos, and building sustainable growth engines for DSOs.

Data dashboards aren’t enough — growth today requires actionable insights delivered to the people doing the work. In this episode, hosts Amol Nirgudkar and A.J. Peak welcome Elliot Zibel, Founder and CEO of ClariFi Health, and Mick Janness, CEO of Oakpoint, to explore how modern DSOs can move from static reports to real-time decision-making. Together, they break down the tools, strategies, and KPIs that move the needle and explain why solving data infrastructure early can unlock EBITDA and drive long-term scalability.

Regulatory mistakes don’t just slow deals — they can kill them. In this episode, we sit down with Brian Colao, Member and Director of the Dental Service Organizations Industry Group at Dykema, to unpack the legal foundations every DSO operator must get right before thinking about a 10X exit. With three decades of experience and over 1,700 deals under his belt, Brian shares how to avoid costly compliance pitfalls and prepare your organization for a successful transaction.

Procurement often feels like a cost center, but when approached strategically, it becomes a powerful lever for growth. In this episode, we examine how procurement evolves when doctors are included in the conversation. Leigh Feenburg, CEO of Advanced Dental Brands, and Mark Greenstein, EVP and Chief Growth Officer of Heartland Dental, share insights shaped by both startup-style scaling and enterprise-level optimization.

Artificial intelligence, attribution gaps, and a push for better patient lifetime value are reshaping today’s marketing landscape. In this episode, we hear from three senior leaders tackling these complex issues head-on. We sit down with Sherianne James, CMO of Heartland Dental; Ivan Stamenov, Operating Partner of Varsity Healthcare Partners; and Sudha Vetri, Founder and CMO of Subscribili, to unpack real-world strategies for scaling DSOs and improving marketing efficiency. We explore practical ways to align marketing investments with business outcomes in a fast-changing ecosystem.

Scaling a healthcare organization means more than opening new doors — it demands a strong culture, sustained doctor relationships, and a clear mission that doesn’t get lost as the business grows. 

In this inaugural episode of “Healthcare 100,” we bring together three of the industry’s most respected leaders to discuss scaling healthcare. We hear from Steve Bilt, Co-Founder and CEO of Smile Brands Inc.; Pat Bauer, President and CEO of Heartland Dental; and Mary Pham, Founder and CEO of Lollipop Pediatric Dentistry, as they explore the fundamentals of organizational culture, leadership communication, and adapting through disruption.