Influential Dental

“Everything in every company I’ve been in begins and ends with people.” Paul Keel leads Envista, the company behind more than 30 dental brands, including Nobel Biocare, Ormco, DEXIS and Kerr.

In this episode of Influential Dental, he sits down with Julieanne O’Connor and Michael Keeter to explain why, over time, he sees people and culture as the only competitive advantages that last.

Paul talks about the path that brought him back to dentistry after 16 years at 3M, including leading its Specialty Dental business. He describes three shifts changing the profession: digitization, AI across scan, plan and treat, and connected clinical workflows. He also explains why he believes the best ideas in dentistry still come from clinicians.

The conversation then turns to leadership itself. Paul covers Carol Dweck’s growth mindset research, the mentors who shaped him, why he builds teams with people who don’t think like him, and the advice he keeps coming back to: be yourself.

For any dentist leading a team, a practice or their own growth.

Presented by American Dental Institute & Influential Dental

Chapters

00:54 — Paul’s path back to dentistry

03:35 — What “people first” really means

11:38 — Digitization, AI and connected workflows

17:59 — Growth mindset and the people who shaped him 27:02 — How he builds a leadership team

36:54 — Customer-led innovation and what’s next

40:31 — Being yourself as a leader

How do you protect a culture while a company grows fast? Mike Huffaker, Chief Revenue Officer at Planet DDS, joins Julieanne O’Connor and Michael Keeter to share a career that went from a paper route to selling high-end men’s shoes, and then to tech sales at 34, when he took about a 75% pay cut.

Mike Huffaker shares the principles behind his revenue team: success is not a zero-sum game, you sell with integrity, and toxic behavior is never worth the revenue. He also talks about setting honest expectations before the sale and why Planet DDS doesn’t use non-competes. The conversation also gets personal, from boundaries with family and golf to the trait he credits most for his success: curiosity.

Influential Dental is recorded in collaboration with the American Dental Institute.

📢 Learn more about the American Dental Institute:

 🌐 www.americandentalinstitute.com 

 📸 instagram.com/adi.americandentalinstitute 

 📘 facebook.com/americandentalinstituteorlando

📢 Learn more about Influential Dental:

🌐 influentialdental.co

📸 instagram.com/influentialdental

What does it take to lead through an industry that is changing faster than ever?

In this episode of Influential Dental, Julieanne O’Connor and Michael Keeter sit down with Charbel Louis Karam, CEO of SPEKTRA, for a conversation about leadership, innovation, and what the next chapter of dentistry may require from all of us.

Charbel’s perspective was shaped long before he entered dentistry. From aerospace manufacturing to more than 5,500 hours as a commercial pilot, including medevac and search-and-rescue operations, his career taught him how to make decisions when the information is incomplete, manage risk, and stay calm when the stakes are high.

That experience now influences how he approaches transformation in dentistry.

Together, they explore why the industry needs to become more comfortable with change, how digital technology can create a better experience for both clinicians and patients, why collaboration may matter more than competition, and why the playbook that brought dentistry this far may not be the one that takes it forward. Also they take the opportunity to share BIG NEWS!

It’s a conversation about where dentistry is going, and the people willing to help shape what comes next.

Influential Dental is recorded in collaboration with the American Dental Institute.

📢 Learn more about the American Dental Institute:

 🌐 www.americandentalinstitute.com 

 📸 instagram.com/adi.americandentalinstitute 

 📘 facebook.com/americandentalinstituteorlando

📢 Learn more about Influential Dental:

🌐 influentialdental.co 📸 instagram.com/influentialdental

What makes a professional community truly valuable?

In this episode of Influential Dental, Julieanne O’Connor and Michael Keeter sit down with Greg Tice, COO of Seattle Study Club, for a conversation about the role community plays in learning, growth, and longevity in dentistry.

Greg reflects on more than 30 years with Seattle Study Club and shares why education alone rarely changes behavior. The conversation explores the importance of learning alongside others, creating space for honest conversations, staying open to different perspectives, and maintaining the human connection behind dentistry.

They also discuss change, AI, burnout, mindset, influence, and why the people around us can have such an important impact on the professionals we become.

A conversation about dentistry — but also about the people, relationships, and environments that help us keep growing.

Influential Dental is recorded in collaboration with the American Dental Institute.

📢 Learn more about the American Dental Institute:

 🌐 www.americandentalinstitute.com 

 📸 instagram.com/adi.americandentalinstitute 

 📘 facebook.com/americandentalinstituteorlando

📢 Learn more about Influential Dental:

🌐 influentialdental.co

📸 instagram.com/influentialdental

Recorded live at Dykema, this episode of Influential Dental features Jeanne Cook, founder of Dental Savings Connect, and Mitch Olan, a longtime leader in the DSO space.

Jeanne and Mitch look back on a professional relationship that spans nearly four decades. Jeanne shares how she began cleaning and sterilizing at a dental office before working her way through operations and eventually becoming Vice President of Operations at Dental Care Alliance.

Mitch takes us through the early years of Dental Care Alliance, from consulting with dental practices to helping build and grow the organization during the early development of the DSO model.

Together, they discuss mentorship, loyalty, creating opportunities for people to grow, and the lessons that come from building organizations through decades of change.

Jeanne also introduces Dental Savings Connect, the company she created to help private practices, DSOs, and GPOs improve procurement, compliance, and vendor relationships. Mitch shares how he continues to support growing companies through board and advisory roles.

Influential Dental is recorded in collaboration with the American Dental Institute.

📢 Learn more about the American Dental Institute:

 🌐 www.americandentalinstitute.com 

 📸 instagram.com/adi.americandentalinstitute 

 📘 facebook.com/americandentalinstituteorlando

📢 Learn more about Influential Dental:

🌐 influentialdental.co

📸 instagram.com/influentialdental

Recorded live at Dykema, this episode of Influential Dental features Ali Hyatt, Chief Customer & Growth Officer at Henry Schein One.

Ali joins Julianne O’Connor and Michael Keeter to share the path that took her from consumer marketing and telehealth to dental technology, and how her background in creativity, data, and customer behavior continues to shape the way she leads.

The conversation explores the rapid evolution of dental technology, the growing role of AI in practice management, and why meaningful innovation begins with understanding the everyday challenges dental teams face. Ali also shares her approach to customer experience, quick decision-making, transparent partnerships, and building around a shared vision.

Plus, we discover the person behind the leadership role, including the story of her first sprint triathlon.

Influential Dental is recorded in collaboration with the American Dental Institute.

📢 Learn more about the American Dental Institute:

 🌐 www.americandentalinstitute.com 

 📸 instagram.com/adi.americandentalinstitute 

 📘 facebook.com/americandentalinstituteorlando

📢 Learn more about Influential Dental:

🌐 influentialdental.co

📸 instagram.com/influentialdental

In this episode of Influential Conversations, Robert Woolley of HuFriedyGroup joins us for a conversation about leadership, culture, innovation, and the future of dentistry.

Robert shares how his experiences across different countries, companies, and cultures have shaped the way he approaches leadership today. From building diverse teams and creating a values-centered work environment to moving beyond products and focusing on solutions that improve patient care, the conversation explores what meaningful leadership can look like in the dental industry.

He also reflects on work-life integration, the importance of surrounding yourself with people who bring different strengths to the table, and why the opportunities ahead in dentistry are only beginning.

This episode marks the beginning of Influential Conversations, a new series of short conversations with leaders, educators, and professionals helping shape the dental industry.

Recorded live at Dykema, this is a short conversation with plenty to think about for anyone working to grow as a leader, clinician, or professional in dentistry.

In this episode of Influential Dental, Julieanne O’Connor and Michael Keeter sit down with Dr. Michael Forde for a thoughtful conversation on burnout, leadership, and the culture that shapes dentistry from the inside out.

What begins with Dr. Forde’s journey through prosthodontics, music, mentorship, and Mayo Clinic evolves into a deeper discussion about the roots of dental training, the pressure many clinicians carry, and why psychological safety matters in practices, organizations, and patient care.

Together, they explore how old models of “toughness” still influence the way dentists are trained and led, and why the future of dentistry may depend on building cultures where people can speak up, grow, and perform at a high level without losing themselves in the process.

Disclaimer: This episode was recorded while Dr. Michael Forde was serving as Chief Clinical Officer at Paradigm. His role has since changed.

📢 Learn more about the American Dental Institute:

 🌐 www.americandentalinstitute.com 

 📸 instagram.com/adi.americandentalinstitute 

 📘 facebook.com/americandentalinstituteorlando

📢 Learn more about Influential Dental:

🌐 influentialdental.co 📸 instagram.com/influentialdental

In this episode of Influential Dental, Julieanne O’Connor and Michael Keeter welcome back Brian Colao back to the show for a conversation ahead of Dykema DSO.

Brian shares what makes Dykema one of the most important gatherings in the DSO space, from high-level networking and industry-leading conversations to the event’s focus on history, leadership, technology, AI, and the future of dental organizations.

The conversation also explores why human connection remains at the center of dentistry, even as innovation continues to reshape the industry. Plus, Julieanne, Michael, and Brian discuss the special Dykema issue of Influence Magazine and what attendees can expect from this year’s event.

For anyone connected to DSOs, dental leadership, or the future of dentistry, this episode offers a look inside the conversations shaping the industry.

Topics discussed: Dykema DSO, DSO leadership, the future of dental organizations, DSO history, AI in dentistry, dental technology adoption, human connection, dental team culture, private equity, M&A, networking, Influence Magazine, and the trends shaping the dental industry.

📢 Learn more about the American Dental Institute:

 🌐 www.americandentalinstitute.com 

 📸 instagram.com/adi.americandentalinstitute 

 📘 facebook.com/americandentalinstituteorlando

📢 Learn more about Influential Dental:

🌐 influentialdental.co

📸 instagram.com/influentialdental

In this episode of Influential Dental, Julieanne O’Connor and Michael Keeter sit down with Matt Ornstein, owner of Oak Dental Partners and co-founder of Dental Pitch Brokerage, for a practical conversation about wealth creation, practice ownership, and the future of dentistry.

Matt brings a unique perspective from real estate, entrepreneurship, DSOs, and dental practice transitions, sharing what dentists should understand about building long-term value in their practices. From owning real estate and understanding EBITDA to preparing for a future sale, he explains why the business side of dentistry matters more than many clinicians realize.

The conversation also explores how AI, new patient acquisition, case completion, and technology are reshaping the way dental practices grow. Matt shares advice for young dentists, practice owners, and entrepreneurial clinicians who want to make smarter decisions today while building a stronger future.

Whether you own one practice, are part of a growing group, work within a DSO, or are just starting your journey in dentistry, this episode offers a grounded look at how dentists can think about growth, value, and wealth with more clarity and intention.

Topics discussed: Dental practice ownership, EBITDA, dental real estate, AI in dentistry, new patient acquisition, DSO growth, practice transitions, dental entrepreneurship, exit strategy, and wealth creation in dentistry.

📢 Learn more about the American Dental Institute:

 🌐 www.americandentalinstitute.com 

 📸 instagram.com/adi.americandentalinstitute 

 📘 facebook.com/americandentalinstituteorlando

📢 Learn more about Influential Dental:

🌐 influentialdental.co

📸 instagram.com/influentialdental