"What goes in the mouth and stays in the mouth. It's not always about price. It's also about time." – Rhonda Durante

In this episode of Beyond the Operatory, hosted by John Stamper and brought to you by Dental City, Rhonda Durante, Founder of DSO Connect, explains how dental practices can navigate rising operational costs, declining insurance reimbursements, and increasing supply chain complexity without sacrificing clinical outcomes. The conversation explores how manufacturers, distributors, and practice leaders can work together to deliver quality products at competitive pricing while maintaining treatment consistency.

The discussion dives into product standardization, bundled purchasing programs, clinician education, continuing education opportunities, and patient take-home revenue strategies. Rhonda Durante argues that successful procurement decisions should be based on total operational value, including reduced procedure steps, manufacturer support, training resources, and patient satisfaction rather than unit price alone.

In this episode, we cover:

• 00:00:00 Why Product Value Beats Sticker Price
• 00:02:03 Meet DSO Connect Founder Rhonda Durante
• 00:03:49 Quality Products vs House Brands
• 00:05:00 Rising Costs and Procurement Challenges
• 00:06:06 Creating Value Through Manufacturer Partnerships
• 00:07:24 Why Dental City Stood Out
• 00:09:08 The Importance of Manufacturer Feedback
• 00:11:15 Education, CE Credits, and Clinical Growth
• 00:12:34 New Revenue Opportunities Through Resale
• 00:13:40 What Excites Rhonda About Dentistry's Future
• 00:15:40 Technology, Transparency, and Vendor Relationships

About the Guest:

Rhonda Durante is the founder of DSO Connect and has more than 40 years in dentistry and 32 years working within the DSO space. Throughout her career she has worked as a territory representative, dealer representative, and manufacturer partner. Today she helps connect manufacturers, distributors, and dental organizations through pricing programs, education initiatives, bundled purchasing opportunities, and strategic partnerships focused on maintaining quality while controlling costs.

Shop Dental City’s September Specials: (https://dentalcity.com/category/3825/september-specials)

In this episode of Beyond the Operatory, host John Stamper sits down with Dr. Ryan Walsh and Dr. Michael Miyasaki to discuss how objective ATP testing is changing the way clinicians evaluate root canal cleanliness. The conversation focuses on the Vista Apex Endocator®, a chairside diagnostic device that measures ATP levels remaining inside the canal system after instrumentation and irrigation.

The guests explain how clinicians traditionally relied on technique and experience to determine whether canals were adequately disinfected. With the Endocator®, practices can obtain a cleanliness score in approximately 10 seconds, helping identify missed anatomy, residual tissue, bacterial contamination, or other procedural challenges before obturation. The result is improved clinical confidence, stronger patient communication, and potentially more predictable healing outcomes for both general practitioners and endodontists.

Product Spotlight:

Chairside confidence starts with consistent verification. Endocator® by Vista Apex gives your clinical team a measurable way to confirm canal cleanliness before treatment completion.

Shop Vista Apex’s Endocator® here: (https://dentalcity.com/product/22792/vista-apex-endocator-chairside-device-kit?DC00022792)

In this episode, we cover:

• 00:00:00 Why Clinicians Need Objective Endodontic Data
• 00:01:24 Meet Dr. Ryan Walsh & Dr. Mike Miyasaki
• 00:03:25 The Problem: You Can't Visually Confirm Cleanliness
• 00:05:28 How ATP Testing Works Chairside
• 00:09:10 The 80-Score Wake-Up Call
• 00:10:52 Real-Time Clinical Feedback in 10 Seconds
• 00:13:00 Communicating Objective Data to Informed Patients
• 00:15:55 The GP Perspective on Confidence & Case Acceptance
• 00:19:18 The "Hallelujah Moment" for Skeptical Clinicians
• 00:23:24 Easy Workflow Integration
• 00:26:38 Final Takeaways: From Subjective to Objective Endodontics

About the Guests:

Dr. Ryan Walsh - Board-certified endodontist at Advanced Endodontics of Texas, adjunct assistant professor at Texas A&M College of Dentistry, published researcher, lecturer, and member of the Journal of Endodontics Scientific Advisory Board.

Dr. Michael Miyasaki - General dentist, educator, clinician, and Chief Dental Officer for Vista Apex Solutions with nearly four decades of clinical experience focused on restorative dentistry, aesthetics, prevention, and practice growth.

"It's not rocket science. None of this is rocket science. All of it is based on basic human behavior." – Betsy Mitchell

In this episode of Beyond the Operatory, host John Stamper sits down with leadership expert Betsy Mitchell to explore one of dentistry's biggest challenges in 2026: leading teams through constant change. From DSO integration and regulatory shifts to technology adoption and staffing shortages, dental practices face a growing number of operational pressures that require adaptive leadership rather than rigid management.

The conversation focuses on practical strategies that help dental owners, office managers, hygienists, and team leaders create stability during uncertainty. Key lessons include managing ambiguity, preventing burnout, improving employee retention, building psychological safety, communicating with transparency, and creating frameworks that help teams remain resilient while dentistry continues to evolve.

In this episode, we cover:

• 00:00:00 Why Leadership Matters During Change
• 00:01:07 Welcome & Episode Overview
• 00:02:32 DSO Integration and Practice Growth Decisions
• 00:05:01 Regulatory Changes Affecting Dentistry
• 00:07:25 Technology Overload and Innovation Fatigue
• 00:11:00 Leadership Versus Resistance
• 00:11:15 Managing Staff Shortages and Burnout
• 00:14:23 Employee Retention Strategies
• 00:15:19 Practical Change Management Frameworks
• 00:17:35 Celebrating Small Wins During Change
• 00:20:04 Why Dental City's Culture Stands Out
• 00:22:28 The Future of Dentistry and Innovation

About the Guests:

Betsy Mitchell is a leadership consultant, executive coach, and longtime advisor to dental organizations. Throughout this series, she shares expertise on culture, leadership development, organizational change, employee retention, and creating resilient teams during periods of uncertainty.

Shop Dental City’s September Specials: (https://dentalcity.com/category/3825/september-specials)

In this special episode of Beyond the Operatory, host John Stamper sits down with John, Jordan, and Riley from Dental City, a dental supplies distributor, during the 2026 Dykema Conference, to discuss the realities of dental group growth, DSO expansion, manufacturer partnerships, and the infrastructure required to keep dental practices supplied with the products they need. The conversation highlights how consolidation continues to reshape the profession, creating new pressure around forecasting, inventory management, dental supply distribution, procurement, and supplier accountability.

The discussion also explores Dental City's investments in robotics, warehouse automation, vertical lift technology, and scalable logistics systems that support the distribution of dental supplies and products nationwide. Leaders explain how accurate inventory positioning, real-time integrations, same-day fulfillment, and strategic manufacturer partnerships help practices—from independent offices to rapidly expanding DSOs, maintain reliable access to the dental products they depend on every day. A key takeaway is that successful growth requires operational systems that reduce chaos before scale amplifies it, supported by dependable dental supply distribution and strong manufacturer relationships.

In this episode, we cover:

• 00:00:00 Dykema 2026 and Dental Industry Growth
• 00:02:02 Dental City's CEO Announcement
• 00:04:32 Building True Strategic Partnerships
• 00:04:36 Why Every DSO Is Different
• 00:05:47 The Reinvention of Dentistry
• 00:06:09 Warehouse Automation and Robotics
• 00:06:33 Integrating with Growing DSOs
• 00:07:56 Manufacturer Partnerships Explained
• 00:08:45 Delivering Products in Two Days
• 00:09:55 Inventory Forecasting Challenges
• 00:10:48 Scaling Without Supply Chain Chaos
• 00:13:06 Why Dental Leaders Should Attend Dykema

About the Guests:

John Mathys is the co-owner of Dental City. He’s helped guide the company's strategic investments in automation, technology integrations, and distribution infrastructure to support future growth.

Jordan Lorenz is the new CEO of Dental City, focused on strategic growth, DSO partnerships, special markets, and strengthening operational integration across expanding dental organizations.

Riley Berg is Dental City’s Business Development Manager. She’s a leader within Dental City's special markets initiatives, helping DSOs and group practices align goals, supplier partnerships, forecasting strategies, and scalable procurement systems.

Shop Dental City’s September Specials: (https://www.dentalcity.com/category/3825/september-specials)

"Technology will help the end product. But it's not only technology. The technique is important to take advantage of that technology."

Prosthodontist Dr. Roberto Macedo shares how he achieves predictable restorative outcomes using standardized adhesive cementation protocols and Kulzer's ISM Universal Plus cement system. Drawing on more than 25 years of clinical experience, Dr. Macedo explains why long-term success in restorative dentistry comes from combining proven products, repeatable workflows, and team-wide consistency rather than constantly changing materials. In this episode of Beyond the Operatory, hosted by John Stamper and proudly brought to you by Dental City, a dental supplies distributor, listeners gain practical insights into simplifying restorative procedures while improving clinical efficiency and reliability.

The conversation explores how clinicians evaluate restorative materials, standardize inventory, reduce procedural complexity, and improve efficiency through integrated cementation systems like Kulzer's iCEM® Universal Plus. Key takeaways include reducing inventory complexity, minimizing material waste, increasing productivity, and selecting trusted manufacturer-backed products that support long-term clinical success and patient satisfaction.

In this episode, we cover:

• 00:00:00 Welcome to Beyond the Operatory
• 00:02:40 Why Materials Dictate Technique
• 00:04:21 Selecting Materials With Confidence
• 00:05:20 Why Dr. Medo Chose Adhesive Cementation
• 00:07:40 Understanding iCEM® Universal Plus Technology
• 00:10:33 Practical Tips for Faster Adoption
• 00:13:20 The Business Case for Standardization
• 00:15:00 What Patients Actually Care About
• 00:19:12 Evaluating New Dental Technologies
• 00:23:04 Technology vs Technique

About the Guest:

Dr. Roberto Macedo, DDS, MS is a prosthodontist and the owner of RM Advanced Center for Cosmetic Dentistry in St. Petersburg, Florida. With more than 25 years of clinical experience, Dr. Macedo focuses on prosthodontics, adhesive dentistry, restorative protocols, and clinical workflow standardization.

Product Spotlight:

Kulzer’s iCEM® Universal Plus is a resin-based adhesive cement for the bonding of indirect dental restorations, prosthetic devices, and dental cores.

Shop iCEM® Universal Plus: https://dentalcity.com/product/22895/kulzer-icem-universal-plus-syringe

"We're not doing it for the systems part. We're doing it to operate efficiently so we actually reduce stress in the practice." – Ken Mathys

In this episode of Beyond the Operatory, hosted by John Stamper and proudly brought to you by Dental City, Ken Mathys breaks down the operational frameworks that separate high-performing dental practices from those constantly fighting fires. From strategic planning and annual business reviews to KPI tracking and daily huddles, this conversation provides a practical roadmap for practice owners who want greater predictability, healthier teams, and stronger financial outcomes.

Listeners will learn how to establish measurable goals, communicate expectations clearly, deliver timely feedback, and create accountability systems that build a winning culture. The discussion also explores formula bonuses, monthly reporting, delegation, and leadership lessons that help dentists spend less time managing chaos and more time serving patients.

In this episode, we cover:

• 00:00:00 Introduction to Dental Business Management
• 00:02:15 Why Strategic Planning Matters
• 00:06:18 Building an Annual Business Plan
• 00:11:12 KPIs Every Practice Should Track
• 00:16:09 Assigning Ownership and Accountability
• 00:17:24 Formula Bonuses and Performance Systems
• 00:19:52 Daily Huddle Best Practices
• 00:21:27 Celebrating Team Success
• 00:25:15 Structure Creates Predictability
• 00:26:55 Leadership Lessons From Ken Mathys
• 00:27:04 The Importance of Timely Feedback
• 00:28:55 Final Takeaways

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.

Product Spotlight:

Standardizing glove inventory reduces ordering complexity, eliminates clinical interruptions, and helps assistants and hygienists maintain consistency throughout the day.

Shop Dental City Nitrile Exam Gloves: (https://dentalcity.com/category/1223/nitrile-powder-free)

"A $1,000 annual maximum once covered 13 to 14 crowns. Today, it may only cover one crown."

In this episode of Beyond the Operatory, host John Stamper sits down with Gary Takacs, widely known as dentistry's "Podfather," to examine the growing movement toward reduced PPO dependence and fee-for-service dentistry. Drawing from more than 45 years of experience and exposure to over 1,800 dental practices, Gary explains why many offices are reevaluating insurance participation and why a reported 78% of dentists surveyed considered resigning from at least one PPO plan.

The discussion explores stagnant insurance annual maximums, patient perception of dental benefits, financial pressure created by PPO discounts, and strategies practices can use to develop stronger patient relationships. Gary also highlights a key operational reality: many patient complaints and negative reviews stem not from clinical care, but from financial confusion surrounding insurance coverage and reimbursement.

In this episode, we cover:

• 00:00:00 Welcome to Beyond the Operatory
• 00:01:15 Meet Dentistry's Original Podcaster
• 00:03:25 Why 78% of Dentists Are Considering PPO Changes
• 00:04:55 The Fear of Leaving Insurance Networks
• 00:05:40 Changing Workforce Trends and Patient Demographics
• 00:08:15 How Insurance Shapes Patient Expectations
• 00:09:55 Who Really Benefits from Today's Insurance Model?
• 00:12:50 Building Stronger Patient Relationships
• 00:14:12 Membership Plans and Patient Financing Options
• 00:15:15 The Chapters
  • 00:00:00 Welcome to Beyond the Operatory
  • 00:01:15 Meet Dentistry's Original Podcaster
  • 00:03:25 Why 78% of Dentists Are Considering PPO Changes
  • 00:04:55 The Fear of Leaving Insurance Networks
  • 00:05:40 Changing Workforce Trends and Patient Demographics
  • 00:08:15 How Insurance Shapes Patient Expectations
  • 00:09:55 Who Really Benefits from Today's Insurance Model?
  • 00:12:50 Building Stronger Patient Relationships
  • 00:14:12 Membership Plans and Patient Financing Options
  • 00:15:15 The $1,000 Annual Maximum Reality Check
  • 00:17:05 Insurance Reform and Legislative Momentum
  • 00:20:40 Preparing Your Practice for Reduced PPO Dependence
  ,000 Annual Maximum Reality Check
• 00:17:05 Insurance Reform and Legislative Momentum
• 00:20:40 Preparing Your Practice for Reduced PPO Dependence

About the Guest:

Gary Takacs is known throughout dentistry as the "Podfather," Gary launched the first dental podcast and has spent more than 45 years helping practices improve operational performance, patient relationships, and business systems. He brings firsthand experience from working with over 1,800 dental practices across the United States.

Shop Dental City August Specials: (https://dentalcity.com/category/3798/august-specials)

"70% of restorations that we now place today are replacements for existing restorations."

In this episode of Beyond the Operatory, hosted by John Stamper and proudly brought to you by Dental City, Dr. Neville Hatfield joins Michael Jeffery, Director of Product & Strategy at Pulpdent, to discuss the role of bioactive restorative materials in modern dentistry. The conversation explores recurring restoration failures, adhesive margin breakdown, remineralization science, and why clinicians are increasingly looking beyond passive materials toward therapeutic restorative solutions.

The discussion also examines patient expectations, AI-driven healthcare research, implant education trends, and the evolution of restorative materials from traditional composites to bioactive systems like ACTIVA. Listeners gain practical insight into how manufacturers and clinicians collaborate to identify workflow challenges, improve treatment outcomes, and meet the expectations of increasingly informed patients.

In this episode, we cover:

• 00:00:00 Introduction & Podcast Welcome
• 00:03:52 What Bioactivity Means in Restorative Dentistry
• 00:09:34 Explaining Bioactive Restorations to Patients
• 00:11:46 Product Launch: ACTIVA Bulk Flow
• 00:13:25 Evolution of Composite Materials & Innovation
• 00:24:49 AI, Patient Expectations & Dentistry's Future
• 00:29:52 Final Thoughts & Wrap-Up

About the Guests:

Dr. Neville Hatfield

Private-practice clinician practicing five days per week in Northern New Jersey. Dr. Hatfield is recognized for his focus on restorative materials science, evidence-based clinical decision-making, and adoption of bioactive treatment philosophies that prioritize long-term patient outcomes.

Michael Jeffery

Director of Product & Strategy at Pulpdent. Michael works at the intersection of R&D, clinician feedback, and product innovation, helping guide the development of restorative materials focused on patient benefit and clinical efficiency.

Featured Product: ACTIVA BioACTIVE Bulk Flow

According to Pulpdent's product strategy team, ACTIVA Bulk Flow expands the company's bioactive treatment system by providing a low-viscosity, self-leveling restorative option that prioritizes both clinician efficiency and patient benefit.

Why Practices Should Consider Standardization

• Supports bioactive restorative philosophy
• Simplifies restorative decision-making
• Helps reduce workflow variation between providers
• Creates consistency across operatories
• Aligns restorative protocols with preventive dentistry goals

Shop ACTIVA BioACTIVE Bulk Flow here: https://dentalcity.com/product/22385/pulpdent-activa-bioactive-bulk-flow

"You're not taking money from them [patients] to gain more production for your office. You're doing care for them to get them into a healthier state." — Brenda Alberts

In this episode of Beyond the Operatory, host John Stamper sits down with Brenda Alberts, RDH, MS, Dental Hygiene Program Director at Midstate Technical College, to explore one of dentistry's most debated topics: the relationship between patient care, treatment acceptance, and production. Brenda explains why hygienists should view their role through a clinical health lens rather than a financial lens and why patient education remains the foundation of ethical treatment acceptance.

The conversation covers hygiene wages, burnout, patient communication, career growth, and the technologies that improve case acceptance. Brenda shares practical strategies for discussing periodontal disease, using intraoral cameras and visual diagnostics, creating stronger dentist-hygienist partnerships, and helping patients make informed decisions about their care.

In this episode, we cover:

• 00:00:00 Introduction: Patient Care vs. Production
• 00:03:12 Reframing Production Around Patient Outcomes
• 00:08:25 Patient Education and Periodontal Pocketing
• 00:12:45 How Technology and Intraoral Cameras Drive Acceptance
• 00:17:03 The Hygiene Wage Debate: Are Hygienists Worth the Money?
• 00:22:25 What Separates High-Value Hygienists from Mediocre Ones
• 00:28:00 Practice Culture, Leadership, and Retaining Hygienists
• 00:31:30 Preventing Burnout and Managing Team Dynamics
• 00:35:05 Addressing the "Dead-End Career" Misnomer
• 00:38:00 Final Actionable Takeaways for Dentists and Hygienists

About the Guest: Brenda Alberts, RDH, MS, is the Dental Hygiene Program Director at Midstate Technical College in Wisconsin. Before transitioning into academia, Brenda spent over three decades in private practice. She has served as a CODA site visitor, contributed directly to the statewide expanded functions curriculum development task force, and is a certified Expanded Functions Dental Assistant (EFA).

Product Spotlight: Patient Education & Diagnostic Visualization Tools

One of the strongest operational insights from this episode is that visual education drives treatment acceptance. When patients see radiographs, intraoral photos, and clinical findings on-screen, conversations become collaborative rather than confrontational. Brenda describes how visual tools encourage patients to ask questions and take ownership of their oral health.

To let your tools do the talking, keeping high-touch diagnostic equipment and lines protected between patients is critical. Standardizing your operatories with Dental City 3-Way Barrier Sleeves provides a clear, reliable infection barrier for X-ray sensors, syringe handpieces, Cavitrons, and jet polishers. These disposable, single-use sleeves slide on effortlessly without pre-cut holes, protecting your sensitive tech so hygienists can focus on patient care rather than tedious cleanups.

Shop Dental City 3-Way Barrier Sleeves here: https://dentalcity.com/product/20073/dental-city-3-way-barrier-sleeves

“Time is money, but in dentistry, it’s chair time—and that’s everything.”

In this episode of Beyond the Operatory, host John Stamper sits down with Brian Mergentime, Director of Dealer Partnerships at Solmetex, to unpack one of the most overlooked drivers of practice performance: waterline compliance, efficiency, and environmental responsibility. What starts as a conversation about EPA regulations quickly evolves into a bigger truth—every minute your operatory is down costs more than you think.

From amalgam separation to waterline maintenance and vacuum efficiency, Solmetex has built a full “water in, through, and out” ecosystem designed to eliminate inefficiencies, reduce risk, and simplify compliance. The result? Less time spent troubleshooting equipment and more time delivering patient care—without compromising safety or regulatory standards.

In this episode, we cover:

• 00:00:00 Why Waterline Efficiency Impacts Practice Profitability
• 00:04:30 The EPA Dental Rule and What It Means for Your Practice
• 00:09:00 How Solmetex Built a “Water In, Water Out” System
• 00:14:00 Improving Suction and Vacuum Line Performance
• 00:19:00 Simplifying Waterline Maintenance and Compliance
• 00:24:00 Patient Safety, Marketing, and the “Safe Water Office” Advantage

About the Guest:
Brian Mergentime Director of Dealer Partnerships at Solmetex, Brian brings over 20 years of dental industry experience, specializing in dealer relationships, compliance solutions, and operational efficiency. He leads strategic initiatives across domestic and international markets, helping practices implement solutions that improve environmental responsibility while reducing operational complexity.

Product Spotlight: Turning Compliance Into a Competitive Advantage

One of the biggest operational risks discussed in this episode is unplanned downtime caused by poor maintenance, inefficient systems, or compliance gaps. The Solmetex NXT Hg5 Amalgam Separator directly addresses this by delivering a fully closed-loop system—from collection to recycling and certification—so your practice remains compliant without adding administrative burden.

Pair that with PowerScrub Vacuum Line Cleaner, which actively removes debris (not just maintains flow), and Citrisil Shock Tablets, which eliminate biofilm and ensure waterline compliance, and you create a complete system that protects uptime, efficiency, and patient confidence.

For practices ready to reduce risk and streamline operations:
Shop Solmetex NXT Hg5 Amalgam Separator here: https://dentalcity.com/product/18756/solmetex-nxt-hg5-amalgam-separator