"Sometimes you just have to start and make mistakes. Overplanning is never something that benefits you."

Welcome to a special summer highlight episode of Beyond the Operatory, brought to you by the team at Dental City. We are taking a brief two-week summer break from our regular scheduling to bring you a curated masterclass featuring the best clinical, operational, and macroeconomic insights from the first half of 2026.

In this highlight reel, we reflect on the rapidly changing dental landscape—from how forward-thinking distributors and manufacturers are finding new ways to connect with practices to the major cultural shift toward internal accountability and patient satisfaction driving practices forward. We also dive into structural changes in the industry, including the consolidation of traditional solo practices, navigating post-COVID macroeconomic conditions, and how artificial intelligence is completely changing how patients find and choose their dentists.

Beyond the Operatory will return with brand-new, full-length guest episodes starting on July 17th! 

In this episode, we cover:

Chapters

• 00:00:00 Welcome: Beyond the Operatory 2026 Summer Highlights Recap
• 00:00:23 Jordan Lorenz: The Transformation of Content & Connecting with Dental Practices
• 00:02:33 Betsy Mitchell: Celebrating Clinical Satisfaction & The Power of Team Roles
• 00:04:50 Ken Mathys: Navigating Debt, Career Planning, and Solo Practitioner Trends
• 00:05:38 Brian Colao: Post-COVID Macroeconomics, Inflation, and Same-Store Growth
• 00:08:40 Bill Neumann: A 12-Year Retrospective on DSO Consolidation & Dental Support Organizations
• 00:13:03 Dr. Ed Lin: Technology in Dental Schools & Navigating the Educator Tech Gap
• 00:14:17 Conclusion: Regular Weekly Guest Episodes Return July 17th!

Meet the Guests

Jordan Lorenz is the Chief Executive Officer at Dental City. With extensive experience in dental distribution, he focuses on transforming traditional business frameworks into modern, content-driven B2B connection channels.

Betsy Mitchell has over 25 years of experience in the dental industry, specializing in leadership development, team dynamics, and practice management strategies. Notably, she served as the Vice President of Organizational Development for the Green Bay Packers, allowing her to bring elite sports management strategies to the world of dentistry.

Ken Mathys is the founder of Dental Practice Advisors and has spent over three decades helping dentists master the business systems behind their clinical work. He specializes in leadership, operations, and practice transitions.

Brian Colao is the Director of the DSO Industry Group at Dykema. He is widely regarded as one of the foremost authorities on dental support organizations (DSOs) and has served as counsel to hundreds of dental organizations nationwide.

Dr. Ed Lin, DDS, MS, is an industry-respected orthodontist and internationally recognized speaker on advanced 3D orthodontic technologies, including SureSmile®, 3D imaging, intraoral scanning, 3D printing, and clear aligner treatment.

Bill Neumann is the CEO and Co-Founder of Group Dentistry Now. With over two decades of experience in the dental space, Bill has uniquely positioned his platform to provide news, education, and insights to dental professionals navigating the shifting landscape of practice consolidation.