Dental Operations Unpacked

Most DSOs think software will solve their problems.

The reality? Software implementation reveals them.

In this episode of Dental Operations Unpacked, Jake Larsen and Clint Berry sit down with Jill Nesbitt, Founder of Optimized Dental Consulting, to discuss why software transitions often uncover hidden operational issues, inefficient workflows, revenue cycle blind spots, and gaps in standardization.

Jill shares real-world examples of how implementation projects have helped DSOs discover collection problems, reporting inaccuracies, workflow breakdowns, and missed opportunities for growth. The conversation also explores why successful software adoption requires more than a go-live date—it requires change management, clear success metrics, training, and operational alignment.

Topics discussed:
• Why software implementation exposes operational truths
• Common mistakes DSOs make during software transitions
• Revenue cycle issues hidden inside existing workflows
• The role of standardization in same-store growth
• How AI and modern technology are changing DSO operations
• Creating meaningful success metrics beyond go-live
• Change management and adoption strategies that actually work

Whether you're a CEO, COO, Operations Leader, IT Director, or Revenue Cycle Manager, this episode provides practical insights for making technology investments successful.

#DentalDisruptors #DSO #DentalOperations #RevenueCycleManagement #DentalTechnology

What does it take for an office manager to become a true business leader?

In this episode, Katie Robinson, Director of Operations at Cook Dental Group, joins Jake Larsen and Clint Berry to discuss how dental organizations can empower office managers to drive performance, lead teams, and influence outcomes across every location.

Katie shares actionable insights on leadership development, delegation, KPI ownership, mentorship, accountability, and why clear expectations are critical for operational success.

This conversation is full of practical advice for DSOs and operators looking to build stronger leadership at the practice level.

The dental talent problem goes far beyond just “finding people.”

In this episode, Humberto Briceño joins us to break down what operators don’t understand about hiring, retention, candidate experience, and building strong dental teams for the long term.

From recruiting specialists and hygienists to creating better hiring systems inside DSOs, this conversation is full of practical insights for dental leaders navigating today’s hiring challenges.

🎧 Listen now to Dental Operations Unpacked.

Why do claims pile up so fast in dental practices?

And more importantly… why do they never seem to go away?

In this episode, we sit down with Sissy Mangrum to unpack the “silent cash leak” happening inside revenue cycle processes.

From eligibility mistakes to behavior-driven breakdowns, we explore why most practices are fixing symptoms instead of solving the real problem—and how that’s costing thousands every month.

We also cover:

• The true starting point of the revenue cycle
• Why 90% of denials are preventable
• The hidden cost of working denials
• How to improve efficiency without adding more people

If you’re in operations, billing, or leadership—this is a must-listen.

If you’re a dentist feeling stretched thin… you’re not alone.

In this episode of Dental Operations Unpacked, we sit down with Mike Baird, CEO of Accelerate Dental, to talk about what’s really changing in dentistry—and why the traditional solo model is getting harder to sustain.

From rising costs to insurance pressure, dentists today are being pushed into tough decisions: stay independent and carry the full burden… or join a DSO and give up control.

Mike breaks down a third option.

We dive into:

• Why solo practices are getting squeezed more than ever
• The real tradeoffs between independence and DSOs
• What most DSO models get wrong
• A new ownership model that keeps autonomy intact
• How dentists can scale without losing control

If you’re thinking about the future of your practice—or the future of dentistry—this conversation is worth your time.

Sales in dentistry has a bad reputation.

But what if the problem isn’t sales… it’s how we think about it?

In this episode of Dental Operations Unpacked, Jake Larson and Clint Berry sit down with Dr. Jason Gladwell (CEO of Gladwell Orthodontics) and Emily Abecasis (Senior Director of Operations at Lightwave Dental) to break down:

• Why sales feels uncomfortable in clinical environments
• The real reason patients don’t move forward with treatment
• How education—not persuasion—drives case acceptance
• The metrics every practice should be tracking
• Why your treatment coordinator role might be hurting your growth

This episode is a must-listen for operators, DSOs, and dental leaders looking to improve patient experience and unlock growth.

Most DSOs don’t have a data problem. They have a visibility problem.

In this episode of Dental Operations Unpacked, we sit down with Daniel Lopez Borge, Director of FP&A at FivePoint, to break down what it really means to become a financial operator inside a DSO.

From real estate in Costa Rica to investment banking at Goldman Sachs to leading finance inside a fast-growing DSO, Daniel shares a unique perspective on how operators can stop reacting to numbers—and start driving them.

Key takeaways:

Why your P&L might be controlling you (not the other way around)

The gap between reporting cycles and real operations

How to simplify financial tracking without overcomplicating KPIs

Why weekly check-ins matter more than monthly reports

The biggest mistake DSOs make when scaling financially

How to handle transitions during acquisitions and system changes

If you’re an operator, executive, or emerging DSO leader—this episode will change how you think about data, reporting, and performance.

👍 Like, subscribe, and share to help more operators level up.

Most leaders get stuck doing everything themselves.
But the real shift happens when you learn to step back and build others.

In this episode of Dental Operations Unpacked, we sit down with Sarah Martin, Regional Operations Manager at Ohio Kids Dental, who shares her raw and real journey from a 19-year-old college dropout to leading rapid multi-office growth.

She opens up about:

• Building a career in dental from the ground up
• Scaling teams across multiple locations
• Why leaders must become teachers, not doers
• How to identify and develop the right people
• Letting go of control (even when it’s hard)

If you’re leading teams, opening locations, or feeling stuck doing everything yourself, this episode is for you.

👉 Listen now and rethink how you lead.

#DentalOperations #Leadership #DSO #PracticeManagement #TeamDevelopment #HealthcareLeadership #ScalingTeams

Insurance doesn’t have to feel like chaos.

In this episode of Dental Operations Unpacked, we sit down with Taylor Ashcraft, Director of Operations at Accelerate Dental, to break down one of the most frustrating (and misunderstood) parts of dental operations: insurance and claims.

If your team feels like they’re constantly chasing denials, fixing errors, or waiting too long to get paid… this episode is for you.

Taylor shares a simple but powerful shift:
👉 Stop treating insurance like tasks. Start treating it like a system.

We cover:

• Why insurance processes break down across teams

• The difference between tasks vs. systems (and why it matters)

• What “clean claims” actually mean

• How to improve cash flow without adding more patients

• The real KPI that tells you if your system is broken (hint: it’s Days in AR)

• Practical ways to train teams and reduce errors

• Why checklists are your best friend

Plus, Taylor shares a real benchmark:
💡 A $2M practice running at 17–21 days in AR consistently.

If you’re an operator, office manager, or DSO leader, this is packed with actionable insights you can apply immediately.

Insurance relationships in dentistry are often viewed as transactional.

But strong payer partnerships can actually become a key driver of operational stability.

In this episode of Dental Operations Unpacked, Jake Larson and Clint Berry talk with Osher Zaafaran, Vice President of Payer Relations at The Smilist Management, a 130+ location DSO.

Osher shares how payer relations goes far beyond negotiating fees. From credentialing and claims support to escalation pathways and operational clarity, the relationships behind the scenes can make a major difference in how smoothly practices run.

They also discuss the growing role of technology and AI in credentialing, verification, and administrative workflows.

For DSOs and dental operators looking to scale effectively, this conversation highlights why collaboration, communication, and strong relationships with payers matter more than most realize.