🎙️ Dealmakers & Disruptors: Brian Colao  on the Future of DSOs

In this episode of The DSO Hygienist Podcast, host Christine Diehl welcomes Brian Colao, Director of the Dykema DSO Industry Group, for an unfiltered look into the inner workings of DSOs (Dental Support Organizations), legal strategy, and how the industry is evolving.

With over 30 years of legal experience and more than 700 dental clients worldwide, Brian shares how his day has evolved from courtroom arguments to commissioning drone shows, managing a 72-person team, and advising the largest DSOs in the country. Learn how DSOs balance business operations with clinical autonomy, and the key to successful dentist-DSO partnerships.

Topics covered include:

• The three pillars of a successful DSO model
• Legal and HR challenges of multi-site dental organizations
• Navigating practice transitions and affiliation expectations
• How to leverage technology to combat staffing shortages
• The future of consolidation, M&A markets, and AI in dentistry
• The rise of Dykema as a powerhouse legal brand in the DSO space

Whether you're a dental executive, group practice leader, or clinician entering the world of DSOs, this episode is packed with actionable insights, strategic foresight, and candid reflections from one of the most trusted legal minds in dentistry

 #DSO legal expert, #dental transitions, #Brian Colao interview, #Dykema DSO Group, #dental mergers and acquisitions, #practice affiliation challenges, #dental staffing, #group practice growth, #AI in dentistry, #DSO partnerships, #dental industry trends 2025 

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 From #63 to #3 in Local Search—Without Breaking the Bank 

When we first partnered with this dental practice, they ranked 63rd for the search terms that actually mattered. Barely 0.2% of relevant search traffic was landing on their site. 

That’s a digital ghost town. 

But instead of guessing, we used data. 

 We analyzed local competitors
  Assessed domain authority, content structure, backlinks
 Modeled exactly how much was enough to rank #3 (not #1—it wasn’t worth the cost) 

In just 3 months of implementation, and 12 months of runway, they hit that #3 spot. Just like we predicted. 📈 

 They’ve since opened two new locations.
  Their visibility is strong, predictable, and repeatable.
  And the investment? Modest. No guesswork. Just precision. 

We don’t run an agency anymore—but we do build models that help dental practice owners like you win without wasting marketing dollars. 

John Wanamaker famously said:
 “Half the money I spend on advertising is wasted; the trouble is, I don't know which half.”
We believe we’ve figured out which half that is. 

👉 Want to know where your opportunity is hiding? 

Justin Strong is the founder and CEO of Room 118, a data-driven dental research and marketing agency helping high-growth practices scale with precision. With 25 years of experience, including leadership roles at Fortune 100 companies and high-growth tech startups. He created the Dental Marketing Index to benchmark predictable performance across thousands of dental practices. Now leading the 2025 edition, Justin has restructured the Index around three core pillars: Market Visibility, Prospect Conversion, and Case Acceptance & Loyalty. Known for his strategic and analytical approach, he turns complex industry data into clear, actionable strategies that drive patient acquisition, revenue growth, and long-term success.

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 Dental implants are here to stay — but is your hygiene team equipped to care for them properly?
In this episode of The DSO Hygienist, we break down evidence-based implant maintenance protocols, common pitfalls, and what every hygienist needs to know to ensure long-term success for patients and practices.

Lynn Pencek brings a unique balance of industry knowledge, instructional design, and clinical experience. With a
twenty-plus year employment with Orascoptic, Lynn experienced working for a company owned by a solo dentist grow
into a Fortune 200 company.
As a member of the Nobel Biocare team, she helped offices bring in new technology and develop efficient
workflows for dental implant treatment. As a school manager with Hu-Friedy, she possesses a high level of knowledge
about instrument design. She has experience with surgical assisting, clinical workflows, digital case planning for guided
surgery, account and inventory management, marketing, and patient education for case acceptance.
Being a Dental Hygienist, Lynn wanted to learn more about the care and maintenance of dental implants than
what was provided. Lynn has a passion to unravel the questions and common misunderstandings dental hygienists have
about dental implant maintenance. Lynn has founded her company, “Practice at Your Best”.
Lynn started her clinical career as a graduate of Broome County Community College Department of Dental
Hygiene. She is a graduate of Thomas Jefferson University’s Department of Dental Hygiene and received her Master of
Science in Dental Hygiene from The University of Maryland School of Dentistry. Lynn has held Dental Hygiene faculty
appointments at Thomas Jefferson University and Community College of Philadelphia. She has served as a Corporate
Council member for Dimensions in Dental Hygiene, representing Nobel Biocare and Orascoptic. As a past president of
the Philadelphia Dental Hygiene Society and a ten-year attendee of Career Fusion, Lynn has spent her career helping
dental professionals explore options for having their best careers.

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Words That Work: 

Boosting Periodontal Case Acceptance Through Powerful Patient Communication

Danielle Avila, BSDH, RDH, and Laura Bettencourt, BSDH, RDH, bring over 30- years of clinical experience in the New England area to their roles as co-founders of L’Diamante Dental Coaching (LD Coaching). With a passion for fostering meaningful human connections, building strong relationships, and empowering individuals to advance in their careers, Danielle and Laura are dedicated to helping their clients gain the confidence and clarity they need to succeed. Both are avid learners, committed to continuous education, mentorship, and promoting a positive, growth-oriented attitude in all aspects of life. To connect with them, email [email protected].

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 What if lifesaving CPR skills could be taught just as powerfully through a screen as in person? Meet Debora and Darla, the CPR Sisters—two dynamic educators blending decades of experience in dentistry and training with cutting-edge virtual instruction. They’ve reimagined CPR education for the digital age, making it accessible, engaging, and just as effective from the comfort of home. In this episode, they share how they’re breaking barriers with virtual CPR, empowering everyday people to become confident first responders—wherever they are. 

For over 25 years, Debora and Darla, collectively known as the CPR Sisters, have been dedicated and passionate instructors as well as trainer instructors specializing in CPR and First Aid. Drawing on their backgrounds in dentistry and education, they have developed a unique teaching methodology that combines traditional instruction with innovative virtual approaches. Their educational philosophy emphasizes delivering lifesaving skills in a serious yet approachable manner, which has proven highly effective with their clients.

Throughout their careers, the CPR Sisters have actively participated in grassroots initiatives to install Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in areas frequented by children. They have also contributed to a $1 million grant initiative aimed at spreading CPR education nationwide and have consistently promoted the importance of CPR and the strategic placement of AEDs in public venues.

Their contributions to community health and safety have been recognized by various community organizations and the Nader Parman Memorial Fund. They aspire to inspire others through their proactive efforts. In their personal lives, Debora and Darla, who are siblings, enjoy traveling with their families and believe that the importance of family is fundamental to achieving both success and happiness. 

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Elijah Desmond, RDH

Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Dental Pitch Brokerage

Elijah Desmond is a powerhouse in the dental industry—a seasoned entrepreneur with seven successful company exits under his belt. As Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Dental Pitch Brokerage, Elijah leads a sell-side firm dedicated to helping dental professionals maximize the value of their practices and secure ideal exit terms. His unmatched experience in building, scaling, and exiting businesses makes him a trusted authority in practice transitions.

A two-time bestselling author, Elijah’s book Serial Entrepreneur: From Startup to Success serves as a blueprint for entrepreneurs looking to launch, grow, and exit with confidence. His ability to simplify complex business strategies into actionable steps has made him a sought-after mentor and speaker across the dental world.

Elijah has revolutionized dental education through groundbreaking ventures like Smiles at Sea and The Dental Festival, creating immersive CE experiences that combine learning, fun, and networking. His influential community, Trapped in an Op, supports over 25,000 dental professionals exploring non-clinical career alternatives.

Elijah is known for his motivational yet tactical approach—equipping dentists and dental specialists with the tools to optimize EBITDA, position for acquisition, and confidently navigate their journey from ownership to freedom. Whether you’re preparing to sell now or years down the road, Elijah is the strategic partner who ensures you don’t just sell—you win. 

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The Power of Courageous Conversations in the DSO world and beyond

This episode discusses the significant impact that unresolved conflict has on employees' time and mental well-being, whether they are in a dental support organization(DSO) or private practice. On average, employees spend four hours a week dealing with or thinking about conflict. The solution proposed is 'courageous conversations,' a framework designed to address issues nonjudgmentally and constructively. The episode highlights three key conversations leaders should master: vision-setting for future goals, coaching to support development, and courageous conversations to address misalignments. The benefits of scripted frameworks for consistency in communication are examined, and statistics are provided showing that 94% of employees report improvement with proper training. The overarching theme is that effective conflict resolution improves not only business outcomes but also the overall quality of human relationships and interactions.

https://www.lionspeak.net/courageous/

Katherine Eitel Belt, CSP, is Dentistry’s Unscripted Communications Coach!  

Founder and CEO of LionSpeak, Katherine is an international speaker, author, and performance coach, best known for helping professionals develop courageous, unscripted conversations with patients, clients, co-workers, and audiences.  Whether communicating from a treatment room, consult room, boardroom, or stage, audiences love her simple yet powerful formulas for delivering messages with clarity, courage, and inspiration. 

For 35 years Katherine has keynoted annual conferences in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., coached thousands of dental professionals in hundreds of practices, and consulted or presented for companies such as Care Credit, Henry Schein, Kois Center, Aurum Group, Patterson Dental, Dentsply Sirona, e-Assist, Seattle Study Club, Cain Watters, Pacific Dental Services, Dental Intel, and Philips Oral Healthcare.  

Katherine is a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), an earned designation of the National Speakers Association achieved by less than 17% speakers worldwide and she is one of only ten dental professionals to hold the certification.  She is a Spotlight-On-Speaking champion, Speaking Consulting Network founding member, past-president of the Academy of Dental Management Consultants, AADOM/ASCA member, faculty member for the Dental Business Institute and the Dental Speakers Institute, faculty instructor for the Texas Tech University Dental School in El Paso, Board Advisor Emeritus for Dental Entrepreneur Women (DeW), voted “2023 Speaker of the Year” at the Dental Festival and “Favorite Dental Speaker” by the 2023 Nifty Awards and the Linda Miles Spirit Award for her contributions to the dental industry.  

She was recently featured in the documentary film, Women Shaping Dentistry Tomorrow, and her latest book, Courageous Conversations, is scheduled for release in the Spring of 2025. 

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https://Drmoorhead.com

502-509-1570

Cell 606-748-0950

Schedule a 15 Minute Complimentary Consultation:

https://calendly.com/streamlined_practice/15min

Schedule a 30-minute complimentary meeting with Dr. Moorhead:

www.Calendly.com/streamlined_practice

William J. Moorhead DMD has developed and teaches systems and strategies for overcoming the challenging issues most practices face with absenteeism, turnover, lack of quick and adequate training, and high overhead.  

Sometimes affectionately referred to as “Dr. Checklist,” Dr. Moorhead speaks across the United States on topics related to systems management, clinical efficiency, dental technology, medical emergencies, treating anxious patients and leadership. Dr. Moorhead practices full time in Flemingsburg, Kentucky,  is co-founder of IV Sedation Training for Dentists LLC, and is also the founder and owner of StreamDent® software.

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Karese is a registered dental hygienist, myofunctional therapist, and leading innovator in integrative dental care, transforming the way dental service organizations (DSOs) approach growth and patient care. She founded The Myo Spot, a practice aimed at amplifying oral wellness to whole-body wellness. Through tele-therapy, she helps clients of all ages overcome tongue ties, TMJ disorders, sleep apnea, grinding, anxiety, and various breathing and orofacial dysfunctions. Passionate about education and self-help, she published Accomplished: How to Sleep Better, Eliminate Burnout and Execute Goals. When not working with clients globally, she spends time with her husband and four kids. 

https://dentalpitchbrokerage.com/

Sell your practice to the Right Buyer, with the Right Terms, and for more Money.

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Dina Lynch Eisenberg is a leading expert in conflict management and communication, serving as CEO of Happy Practice Consulting. With over 29 years of experience, she helps dental support organizations (DSOs) and single-practice dentists build trust, improve retention, and foster growth through effective conflict resolution. Her work enables teams to navigate difficult conversations that resolve issues while preserving relationships.

Dina has designed transformative conflict management programs for global organizations, including Coca-Cola, Genentech, and Twitter, where she developed the first Ombuds program for a social media platform. Her innovative approaches have earned her recognition as a Boston Business Journal “40 Under Forty” leader and a Lifetime Achievement Award in conflict management.

As an entrepreneur and author of Fiverr: The Essential Buying Guide, Dina’s expertise has been featured in Inc. and Entrepreneur magazines. She holds an Executive MBA from the Tuck School of Business and a Juris Doctor degree and has guest lectured at Harvard University, Harvard Law School, and taught graduate courses at UMass.

Through engaging workshops and consulting, Dina equips leaders with practical tools to create inclusive, bully-free workplaces. By partnering with Dina, dental leaders can transform their practices into thriving, collaborative environments designed for long-term success.

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