What does it really mean to build a DSO around support, not control? In this episode of The Dental Economist Show, host Mike Huffaker sits down with Matt Hendrick, co-founder of Elevate Dental Partners, to explore exactly that. Matt came to dentistry not through the operatory, but through Goldman Sachs and private equity—and what he saw while evaluating DSO investments convinced him to build something better. Elevate's model is designed for mid-career doctors who want meaningful partnership: true clinical and operational autonomy, personalized support, and a structure that puts doctors first from day one.
Tune in to hear how Matt and his team have grown to 35 practices while staying true to their founding mission, why the first 90 days post-partnership change as little as possible, and how Elevate is thinking about AI and technology as tools for freeing up doctors not controlling them. This episode is a masterclass in building a values-driven DSO that doesn't trade culture for scale.
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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction & Meeting Matt Hendrick01:36 From Goldman Sachs to Building a DSO04:31 Growing Up Entrepreneurial & The Leap to Build06:10 What 'Support, Not Control' Actually Means at Elevate10:49 Balancing Standardization With Doctor Autonomy16:39 The Ideal Practice Profile & Growth Strategy21:39 Building Credibility as a First-Time DSO Founder29:16 The First 90 Days Post-Partnership36:35 Culture, Values & What Keeps Elevate Together43:00 AI, Technology & What's Next for Elevate
Connect with the team: 
👉 Mike Huffaker on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/huffaker/👉 Matt Hendrick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-hendrick1/👉 Elevate Dental Partners Website: https://elevatedentalpartners.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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