In this special post-Dykema episode of The DSO Technology Show, co-hosts Matthew McGaw and Brian A. Colao revisit Matt's published recap of Dykema 2026, breaking it down line by line. Along the way, they challenge assumptions, share behind-the-scenes context, and discuss what really stood out from this year's conference.

From record attendance and AI fatigue to vendor differentiation, tech stack complexity, and the evolving expectations of DSO leaders, the conversation goes beyond a typical conference recap. Whether you attended Dykema or followed from afar, this episode offers an insider's perspective on the trends, conversations, and takeaways shaping the future of the industry.

In this episode, SOTA Cloud’s CTO Dustin Johnson and VP of Revenue Ryan Chan reveal how cloud-based, AI-enhanced imaging is revolutionizing dental practices by replacing slow legacy systems with seamless, multi-location connectivity. They break down game-changing innovations like automatic image optimization, AI-driven retake detection, and upcoming agentic AI features, while sharing concrete frameworks for rapid data migration and change management. Listeners will discover how standardizing on a cloud platform boosts case acceptance, improves staff satisfaction, and future-proofs clinical workflows.

Key Highlights:

• Data ownership and interoperability are strategic assets in healthcare technology.
• Modern software design prioritizes user experience to drive adoption.
• Standardization transforms organizational behavior and revenue streams.
• Cloud-based infrastructure enhances resilience and scalability.
• AI-driven automation reshapes clinical and administrative efficiency.
• Strategic early adoption accelerates competitive advantage.
• Future-proofing requires embracing agentic AI and scalable platforms.

In this episode of the DSO Technology Show, we explore innovative strategies to enhance dentist productivity without increasing hours, leveraging simulation training, and optimizing procedure mixes. Dr. Lincoln Harris, founder and CEO of Ripe Global, discuss how technology and training can transform dental practice efficiency and profitability.

Key Highlights:

• The challenge of increasing dentist hours in DSOs amid autonomy and motivation issues
• Ripe Global's approach to boosting productivity through simulation training
• The importance of communication and sales skills in dentistry
• The economic impact of dentist productivity on DSOs' profitability
• Strategies for utilizing procedure mix and case complexity to maximize revenue
• The role of training in reducing procedural errors and increasing skill competency
• The growing importance of scale and consolidation in the dental industry
• How to attract and train new dentists to meet increasing demand
• The significance of soft skills and confidence in procedure success
• Practical tips for dental teams to implement high-repetition training and procedural efficiency

True growth in dentistry isn't just about expanding your footprint—it’s about mastering execution. In this episode, Ali Hyatt, Chief Customer and Growth Officer at Henry Schein One, joins us to break down eye-opening insights from the recent Catalyst Report.

She challenges the myth that scale automatically equals success, revealing how the top 10% of DSOs are using data and agentic AI to drive clinical consistency, boost patient retention, and accelerate payments.

Key Highlights:

• Scale doesn't equal success; smarter execution does
• AI-driven workflows improve patient outcomes and operational efficiency
• Real-world examples of AI in dental operations
• Importance of mastering core business practices for sustainable growth
• Putting Doctors First: Why dentists are the foundation of practice success, and how aligning new technology with clinical workflows is essential to prevent burnout and secure provider buy-in.

Dental practices often lose revenue and time to tedious administrative tasks. Parag Javari and Amber Day of VoiceCare AI join us to discuss how their platform automates insurance verifications, reducing errors and freeing staff to focus on patient care.

Key Highlights:

• Mass Efficiency: Execute 10,000+ insurance verifications daily with 99.7% accuracy.
• Seamless Integration: Works directly with your practice management software and payer APIs.
• Operational Benefits: Drastically cut costs, improve compliance, and boost profitability.
• Future-Ready Tech: Discover how multimodal AI and "bot-to-bot" communication are transforming dental workflows.

Whether you run a private practice or a DSO, this episode is essential for leaders looking to replace burnout with automation and amplify the human touch in patient care.

Is your RCM costing you millions? Learn how to stop the financial leak through intelligent automation. We’re joined by Zentist’s Ato Kasymov to discuss transforming dental practice workflows for the modern era.

We cover:

• Cutting manual billing tasks by up to 85%
• Achieving over 97% accuracy in insurance collections
• Shifting from reactive to proactive revenue management
• Scaling faster and reducing costs with innovative tech
• Enhancing patient financial experiences

Perfect for dental CEOs, CFOs, and operations leaders focused on growth and profit. Unlock the secrets to elevating your practice today.

This episode dives into the evolution of practice management systems (PMS) for dental organizations, emphasizing the importance of scalable, secure, and integrated cloud solutions. We feature insights from Mike Huffaker, CRO of Planet DDS, on modern technology platforms like Denicon that are designed for growth and security.


We Cover:
• The myth of all-in-one PMS solutions and the reality of fragmented software environments
• Evolution from paper charts to digital and cloud-based practice management
• Key differences between traditional server-based and modern cloud PMS systems
• The importance of engine robustness in scaling DSOs, including over 17 clients with 100+ locations
• Security standards such as SOC 2 Type 2 and multi-region cloud architecture for high availability
• Enterprise controls for large scale operations, including fee schedules, insurance rules, and data governance
• Open API ecosystems enabling flexible integration with best-in-class point solutions
• The significance of standardized operations and data integrity for business valuation and growth
• Change management strategies for large-scale PMS implementation, including planning and data migration
• Upcoming innovations at Planet DDS: Dental OS Desktop, RCM Hub, AI leverage, and future platform enhancements

Explore how 3Disc is transforming dental diagnostics with AI and clinician-driven innovation, directly from industry leader Marie-Laure Pouchet. Learn about the latest features, clinical impacts, and future directions of their cutting-edge intraoral scanner.

We cover:
• The importance of dental expertise in product development
• Innovation behind 3Disc’s AI-enhanced intraoral scanner
• Features and benefits of the OVO3 and OVO3 Plus models
• How diagnostics and visualization increase case acceptance
• Global adoption and manufacturing of 3Disc’s technology
• The future of AI-driven dental diagnostics and preventive care

In this episode, we sit down with Amol to talk about Patient Prism and what it takes to actually make AI work inside dental organizations.

We cover:
• What Patient Prism does and where it delivers the most value
 • The current noise around AI and what leaders should actually pay attention to
 • Where things stand with his DSO and group practice clients today
 • Why onboarding and implementation determine success more than the technology itself
 • What really happens after a contract is signed
 • Why a signed LOI is not the finish line and what comes next

In this episode, we explore Pearl AI and what makes it one of the most talked-about platforms in dental technology right now.

We cover:
• What Pearl AI actually does and how it works in clinical settings
 • Where Pearl sits in the market compared to other AI tools
 • Capabilities and use cases many people still do not realize exist
 • Why McKenzie is so passionate about technology
 • Where AI adoption across DSOs and private practices may be heading next