"Yesterday's solo practitioner is today's dentist entrepreneur."

In this episode of Beyond The Operatory, host John Stamper is joined by Bill Neumann, co-founder of Group Dentistry Now, to explore the massive structural shifts reshaping the dental profession. Operating as the "Switzerland" of the industry, Bill shares his unique vantage point on the evolving relationship between private practices, emerging DSOs, and dental manufacturers.

Driven by a landscape of higher interest rates and a cooling M&A market, the era of rapid consolidation has given way to a heavy focus on "same-store growth". Bill breaks down the eye-opening data behind the decline of the solo practitioner, the explosion of regional "dentist entrepreneurs," and why offering equity is now essential to retain top clinical talent. Finally, they discuss the ongoing HR crisis and how practices can leverage AI without falling victim to "tech overload".

In this episode, we cover:

• 00:00:00 Inside the DSO Shift with Bill Neumann of Group Dentistry Now
• 00:04:24 The Birth of Group Dentistry Now: How a lack of positive content around group practices led to a premier industry resource with over 250 podcast episodes and 10,000 weekly subscribers.
• 00:09:39 The M&A Slowdown: Why the top 100 DSOs went from a staggering 24% growth rate down to 4%, and how groups are pivoting to digest their acquisitions.
• 00:13:48 The Decline of the Solo Practice: Analyzing ADA data that shows solo, one-doctor practices dropping from 65% of the market in 1999 to just 33% in 2025.
• 00:18:40 The Partnership Mandate: Why emerging groups (3-10 locations) are thriving, and why pathway-to-partnership programs are critical for clinician loyalty.
• 00:23:08 The Vendor Shift: How dental manufacturers have had to pivot from marketing solely to clinicians to selling to C-suite executives and procurement boards.
• 00:33:24 Solving the HR Crisis: Overcoming "The Great Resignation" and navigating "tech overload" by focusing on one core operational issue per quarter.

About the Guest: Bill Neumann is the CEO and Co-Founder of Group Dentistry Now, the leading media outlet and educational resource dedicated to DSOs and dental group practices. 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.

In this episode of Beyond the Operatory, host John Stamper sits down with Dr. Ed Lin, a renowned orthodontist and international lecturer based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. With over 26 years of experience, Dr. Lin shares his unique journey from being one of the first dentists mentored by Heartland Dental founder Dr. Rick Workman, to building a high-tech, boutique orthodontic practice.

Dr. Lin dives deep into the fundamentals that haven’t changed—like the necessity of functional occlusion—while addressing the massive shifts in how patients research treatments using AI and digital reviews. We also discuss the "controversial" side of aligners, the rise of 3D printing, and why the orthodontist must act as the "quarterback" for restorative dental teams.

In this episode, we cover:

• 00:00:00 The Evolution of Orthodontics: Trust, Tech, and Teamwork with Dr. Ed Lin
• 00:08:34 Consultation Philosophy: Why Dr. Lin disagrees with "one-step" treatment consultations and prefers a second visit for complex cases.
• 00:12:04 The AI Reality Check: Using AI tools like Overjet and Pearl as indicators, not absolute truth, and the role of "Dental Monitoring" in eliminating unnecessary office visits to save time for both patients and the practice.
• 00:15:34 3D Printing vs. Milling: Why 3D printing provides more accurate margins and less material waste than traditional milling.
• 00:18:34 General Dentist & Specialist Relations: How to utilize Zoom and digital records to improve communication between restorative dentists and orthodontists.
• 00:26:13 The "Mini-MBA" Lessons: How mentorship from Dr. Rick Workman shaped Dr. Lin's understanding of teamwork and business fundamentals.

About the Guest: Dr. Edward Y. 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.

He serves on the clinical advisory board for SureSmile and is a Key Opinion Leader for American Orthodontics, Imaging Sciences International, Desktop Health, uLab Systems, and Hu-Friedy. He is also a past member of the technology committee for the American Association of Orthodontists and an honorary member of the South African Society of Maxillo-Facial Oral Surgeons.

Dr. Lin has lectured for orthodontic residency programs worldwide and authored numerous articles in leading dental and orthodontic journals. He serves on the editorial boards of OrthoTown and Orthodontic Practice. In his community, he volunteers with the Northeast Wisconsin Community Dental Clinic and has served on the boards of the Breast Cancer Family Foundation and Cerebral Palsy Center.

Your obituary won't list your bank statements—it will list the lives you touched.

In this episode of Beyond the Operatory, host John Stamper welcomes back Ken Mathys for a vulnerable conversation about the "human side" of the dental business. After decades as a CPA and controller, Ken shares his personal transformation from a "Type-A Bean Counter" to a people-first leader.

They discuss why financial success is a lagging indicator of a healthy culture, how to build a "Dream Team" that anticipates problems before you do, and the delicate art of sharing financial goals with your staff (without making them feel like just a number).

In this episode, we cover:

• 00:00:00 Building Your Dream Team: How to Hire for Character & Train for Skill
• 00:02:15 Confessions of a Former Controller: Ken’s transition from a rigid "numbers guy" to a leader who understands the value of empathy.
• 00:05:50 The North Star: Why setting a clear vision is the only way to get your team to row in the same direction.
• 00:08:25 The Two Pillars of Leadership Ken highlights the importance of being tuned into staff as individuals and ensuring they know exactly where they stand.
• 00:11:55 The Private Equity Question: Can you maintain a "family feel" in a DSO environment? (Ken says yes, if you demand latitude).
• 00:14:40 Honor the Past: How to take over a practice without alienating the legacy staff who built it.
• 00:16:45 Managing Change & Communication How to lead a team through transitions by engaging them in the plan and rewarding successes beyond just monetary incentives.
• 00:19:40 Sharing the Numbers: A safe way to introduce financial transparency to your team without overwhelming them.
• 00:22:15 Defining the "Dream Team": Why the best teams don't ask "What should I do?"—they just handle it.
• 00:25:30 Pay for Performance Transitioning a practice from longevity-based pay to a performance-based model with clear expectations and pay ranges

About the Guest: 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.

"The era of buying your way to profitability is over. Welcome to the new reality of the DSO space." 

In this episode of Beyond The Operatory by Dental City, host John Stamper welcomes back Brian Colao, Director of the DSO Industry Group at Dykema, to dissect the macroeconomic forces that have reshaped the dental industry. 

From the "Great Resignation" and soaring inflation to the interest rate spikes that triggered an M&A drought, Brian breaks down how these changes have forced the industry into an "unnatural state." With the days of cheap capital and hyper-inflated valuations behind us, Brian discusses how this affects Private Equity, the reality of delayed recapitalizations, and why the "Costco model" of deep operational understanding is the only way forward for dental organizations. 

In this episode, we cover:

• 00:00:00 The Macroeconomic Shift and Its Impact on the DSO M&A (Mergers & Acquisitions) Space
• 00:04:40 The Year of "What Didn't Happen": Why the expected M&A recovery of 2025 stalled out due to stubborn interest rates and inflation.
• 00:08:45 The M&A Drought & Future Outlook: Why the market saw a massive slowdown in transactions and why Brian predicts a slow, steady recovery through 2028.
• 00:11:05 The "Dry Powder" Reality: Why Private Equity won't just blindly pour unprecedented capital into dentistry anymore.
• 00:13:25 Dentistry's "Unnatural State": Why the inability to pass rising costs onto patients (unlike a plumber or electrician) makes innovation the only true equalizer.
• 00:16:45 The "Recap" Crunch: The tension building between dentists waiting for their second equity event and PE groups desperate to recycle their funds.
• 00:21:10 The New Normal for Multiples: Why the days of 15x-16x multiples are over and what solo practices and groups can realistically expect today.

About the Guest:

Brian Colao is the [SS1] (#_msocom_1) 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. Brian is also the architect behind the annual Dykema DSO Conference, the largest and most influential event in the DSO industry.

Patients don't just want a dentist; they want a partner who cares about their health more than the bottom line.

In this episode of Beyond the Operatory, host John Stamper and leadership expert Betsy Mitchell discuss the rapidly changing expectations of today's dental patient.

In a world where Amazon delivers in two hours, patients now expect their dental experience to be seamless, transparent, and personalized. Betsy breaks down how to move from "selling" treatment plans to "partnering" with patients on their health journey. They also explore why being a "community leader"—sponsoring the soccer team, supporting the arts—is one of the most powerful marketing strategies you can deploy.

In this episode, we cover:

• 00:00:00 What Patients Want in a Dental Practice (& What to Avoid)
• 00:03:22 The Wow Factor: Why dental patients share negative experiences 10x more than positive ones—and how to flip the script.
• 00:04:19 Framing the Message: How to prepare for a patient's reaction before you deliver difficult news.
• 00:07:29 The Menu of Choices: A strategy for getting patients to "Yes" by offering manageable options instead of a single expensive plan.
• 00:08:53 Building Trust: Moving away from "Technological Gobbledygook" to speak a language patients actually understand.
• 00:10:26 Community Leadership: Why being visible in your town (sponsoring events, supporting charities) builds immense trust before a patient even walks in the door.
• 00:14:00 Leading Through Uncertainty: How to be a voice of stability and health advocacy in your community during uncertain times.

About the Guest: 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.

Live from the Chicago Midwinter Meeting: Bridging the Gap with AI, 3D Printing & Worry-Free Workflows (Part 2)

In the conclusion of our special live series from Chicago, Beyond the Operatory is behind the scenes with the industry’s leading innovators. Host John Stamper explores the "next wave" of dentistry—where high-tech AI meets human trust, and 3D printing becomes a standard, simple reality for the local practice.

In this Part 2 episode, we dive into the data-backed success of AI in patient communication, the critical importance of handpiece maintenance to protect your investments, and how ergonomic breakthroughs are literally extending the careers of dental professionals. Whether you’re looking to "refer in" specialist expertise or simplify your restorative workflows, these rapid-fire insights from the Midwinter floor will give you the edge you need for 2026.

In this episode, we cover:

• 00:00:00 Live from Chicago: Part 2
• 00:02:33 Worry-Free Warranties & Maintenance
• 00:03:53 Dental 3D Printing Made Easy
• 00:05:09 Beyond Anesthesia: Bioceramic Innovation
• 00:06:09 The New Name in Innovation: Solventum
• 00:08:16 "Refer In" the Ortho Expertise
• 00:09:54 Bridging the AI Trust Gap
• 00:10:44 Extending Clinician Careers

About the Guests:

This episode features a powerhouse lineup of industry experts live from the Chicago Midwinter floor, starting with Derek Balzart from NSK, who breaks down the secret to 7-year handpiece longevity through proper maintenance. Carmen Costa from DMG demystifies the 3D printing learning curve, explaining how any team member can master the workflow. Jeff Benton from Septodont shares the deep R&D behind their bioceramic success and the "game-changing" patient comfort of Buffer Pro.

The conversation continues with Mark Cotton, who discusses the transition of 3M Healthcare into the standalone brand Solventum and their latest water-based varnish innovations. Matt Stout, CEO of BeSmyle, introduces a collaborative model that allows GPs to provide board-certified orthodontic care right in their own practices. We also hear from Kimball Payne from Pearl on how AI data from over 5,000 offices is building immediate patient trust, and Tony Holm from Ansell, who highlights how ergonomically certified gloves are clinically proven to reduce hand fatigue by 30%.

Live from the Chicago Midwinter Meeting, Beyond the Operatory brings you rapid-fire insights from leading dental manufacturers to answer one question:

What’s changing in dentistry right now, and what should practices be paying attention to?

In this special Part 1 episode, host John Stamper uncovers trends shaping the modern operatory, from innovations that cut procedure time by up to 40% to products that reduce costs without compromising care.

You’ll hear directly from the companies behind the tools, materials and systems dentists rely on.  They share what they’re seeing in the industry, what’s working for practice success, and where practices may be leaving efficiency and profit on the table.

In this episode, we cover:

• 00:00:00 Live from Chicago
• 00:01:30 Systems & Accountability
• 00:02:46 Shaving 40% Off Procedure Time
• 00:03:27 The Cost-Saving Surprise
• 00:04:11 The Articaine Advantage
• 00:05:11 The Magic of Structural Color
• 00:05:45 Quality and Comfort Gloves
• 00:06:19 New Compliance Frontiers
• 00:06:54 Identify, Prevent, Restore

Don’t miss Part 2 next week for even more insights!

About the Guests: This episode features an impressive lineup of industry experts live from the Chicago Midwinter floor, starting with Kate Reinert from Zirc, who discusses the vital role of education and system integrity in dental practices. Sandra Hirsch from Zyris shares how their isolation technology significantly reduces procedure time, while Yasmin Rahmani from Hexa Dental reveals how their high-quality restorative line offers a 20% cost savings for clinicians. The conversation continues with Deborah Laird from Pierrel the maker of Orabloc, who explains the superior shelf life of their articaine, and Michelle Chan from Tokuyama, who breaks down the science of "structural color" in Omnichroma. Rounding out the guest list are Bobby Sorrentino from Halyard, discussing the quality and comfort of their dental gloves , Kelley Birschbach from ProEdge, announcing their expansion into sterilization monitoring , and Cara Hall-Nogiec from GC America, who focuses on the "Identify, Prevent, Restore" philosophy for optimal patient health.

Is your practice culture accidental, or is it intentional?

In this episode of Beyond the Operatory, host John Stamper sits down with leadership expert Betsy Mitchell to tackle the buzzword that everyone uses but few define: Culture.

They discuss why culture is actually the "personality" of your business, how to manage the fear that comes with industry changes (like AI), and why maintaining your identity becomes harder the more successful you get. Betsy also shares the powerful "Geese Analogy" for team alignment—because if one person veers off course, the whole formation suffers.

In this episode, we cover:

• 00:00:00 Maintaining Practice Identity While You Grow
• 00:01:50 Defining Culture: Why culture is simply the "personality" and "lived values" of your practice.
• 00:03:52 The Bane of Culture: How to manage fear and anxiety during times of rapid industry change.
• 00:06:16 The Geese Analogy: Why alignment is critical and what to do when a team member flies out of formation.
• 00:09:01 Whack-a-Mole: The difficult balance between striving for clinical excellence and managing operational reality.
• 00:12:14 Walking in Their Shoes: A simple exercise to ensure your culture remains patient-focused.
• 00:14:36 The Success Paradox: Why growing your practice often threatens your identity, and how to stop it.

About the Guest: 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.

Does that staff member have 20 years of experience, or 1 year of experience 20 times?

In Part 2 of our Buying a Dental Practice series, host John Stamper and consultant Ken Mathys move from the "big picture" practice evaluation to the specific due diligence required to close the deal.

They dive deep into the specific numbers you need to request, why "low overhead" is often a red flag for neglected equipment, and how to model cash flow scenarios (Best, Probable, and Worst Case) to ensure you can service your debt. Ken also explains why "People Diligence" is often the hardest—but most critical—part of the transaction.

In this episode, we cover:

• 00:00:00 Mastering Due Diligence & Risk Management
• 00:01:54 Revenue Stream Diligence: Analyzing 5-year trends to see if growth is coming from fee increases or actual patient volume.
• 00:08:04 The "Overhead" Myth: Why you should ignore the generic "overhead" percentage and look at Fixed vs. Variable costs.
• 00:11:46 People Diligence: How to evaluate pay scales, internal leaders, and whether the team has "progressive experience".
• 00:16:42 Brand Diligence: Assessing reputation, online reviews, and patient churn rates.
• 00:21:22 Cash Flow Modeling: Why "Cash is King" and how to stress-test your financial model against a "Worst Case" scenario.
• 00:24:51 Managing Risk: Identifying external threats (like a local factory closing) and internal threats (key staff leaving).

About the Guest: 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.

The P&L tells you what the practice did, not what you will do.

In this episode of Beyond the Operatory, host John Stamper sits down with veteran practice consultant Ken Mathys for Part 1 of a deep dive into purchasing a dental practice.

Buying a practice in 2026 is vastly different than it was twenty years ago. It requires looking through the lens of an entrepreneur, not just a clinician. Ken walks through the critical "building blocks" of evaluation—from analyzing the practice’s brand and service mix to understanding why a seller's Profit & Loss statement might be misleading for a new buyer.

In this episode, we cover:

• 00:00:00 The Ultimate Evaluation Checklist
• 00:07:13 The Many Hats of Ownership: Why buying a practice means instantly becoming the Brand Manager, HR Director, and CFO.
• 00:08:25 Brand vs. Marketing: Understanding that "Brand" is what the community feels about the practice, not just the logo.
• 00:10:41 The Service Line Trap: Why expanding clinical services too quickly can hurt your standard of care and profitability.
• 00:18:59 Financial Basics: The critical difference between a Balance Sheet (snapshot) and a P&L (video).
• 00:28:01 "What You See Is Not What You Get": Why a healthy P&L might just reflect a model that works for the seller, not you.
• 00:33:36 Seller Readiness: How to determine if the seller is emotionally ready to let go (and why deals fail when they aren't).

About the Guest: 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.