What does it really mean to build a DSO that puts clinicians first? In this episode of The Dental Economist Show, host Mike Huffaker sits down with Dr. Victoria Yu, CEO of Elite Dental Partners, for a candid conversation about redefining what DSO partnership and ownership can look like. Dr. Yu brings a rare perspective having owned her own de novo practices, scaled dental operations inside Walmart, and now leading a growing DSO to explore how clinician-led leadership changes everything.


Tune in to hear how Elite Dental Partners is flipping the script on traditional DSO models through innovative ownership structures, deep investment in clinical education, and a people-first culture that starts before the first interview question is even asked. This episode is a masterclass in leading with purpose, building trust at scale, and why the best time to be in dentistry is right now.


#dentaleconomist #dsoleadership #clinicianfirst


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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction & Meeting Dr. Victoria Yu03:16 From De Novo Practice Owner to DSO CEO06:05 Balancing Clinical Autonomy with Business Accountability10:00 Lessons from Walmart Dental & Large-Scale Integration16:50 The First 90 Days: Leading with a People-First Lens22:09 Elite Dental Partners' Unique Ownership & Partnership Model27:57 Redefining What DSO Support Really Means32:32 Growth Strategy: Acquisition, De Novo & Partnership37:42 Patient Experience as a Competitive Advantage40:55 Why Now Is the Best Time to Be in Dentistry


Connect with the team:

👉 Mike Huffaker on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/huffaker/👉 Dr. Victoria Yu on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vsyu/👉 Elite Dental Partners Website: https://elitedentalpartners.com/👉 Planet DDS Website: https://planetdds.com/


You can also listen to our podcast here:


👉 Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3SeeOfY👉 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3tMmaO7👉 Fame Host: https://bit.ly/4aQNQ51
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