The CareStack Podcast

The Doers Podcast | Episode 19 | Jason Gardner, Founder | alphaSource

How can dental practices hire faster without losing the human connection? In Episode 19 of The Doers Podcast, host Dan Hall sits down with Jason Gardner, Founder of alphaSource, to talk about how AI is changing the way dental practices and DSOs screen candidates, reduce repetitive admin work, and free up teams to focus on people. Jason shares how his background as an operations leader in an emerging DSO led him to build alphaSource, an AI-powered employee screening tool designed to remove the tedious parts of hiring while giving leaders a clearer picture of each candidate. In this episode, they discuss: • Why hiring and candidate screening can become a major operational bottleneck • How AI can automate repetitive screening tasks • Why human connection still matters in dental practices • How technology can help teams focus more on patients and people • What AI could look like in dentistry over the next 18 to 24 months • Jason’s journey from dental operations to founding a tech company • Why removing mundane work can create better experiences for both staff and patients Jason also shares his perspective on where AI is headed, why it is becoming more human-like, and how dental organizations can use technology to support teams rather than replace them. If you are a dental leader, practice owner, office manager, DSO operator, or someone interested in AI in dentistry, this episode offers a practical look at how technology can improve hiring, operations, and team performance. 📌 Connect with Jason Gardner LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-matthew-gardner [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-matthew-gardner/]

The Doers Podcast | Episode 10 | David O'Reilly, Sales Manager | Erickson Dental Technologies

How should dental practices approach technology in a rapidly evolving landscape? In Episode 18 of The Doers Podcast, host Dan Hall sits down with David O'Reilly, Sales Manager at Erickson Dental Technologies, to break down the real challenges practices face when managing software, systems, and scaling operations. With experience supporting over 1200 dental practices across the US, David shares how technology has evolved and what practices should focus on today to reduce stress, improve efficiency, and enable growth. This episode dives into: • How dental technology has evolved over the past 30 years • The biggest tech challenges practices face today • Why integration between systems is becoming critical • How practices should evaluate software and vendors • The shift toward all-in-one platforms and unified workflows • The growing role of AI in dental operations and patient experience • How to scale without letting technology become a bottleneck David also shares insights on how practices can simplify decision-making, reduce operational stress, and focus more on patient care by choosing the right technology stack. If you're a practice owner, office manager, or part of a growing dental organization, this episode offers practical guidance on navigating technology decisions with confidence. 📌 Connect with David O'Reilly LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-oreilly29/

The Doers Podcast | Episode 17 | Hootan Shahidi | ProspHire

What does it take to build a business, scale it, exit successfully, and start again with purpose? In Episode 17 of The Doers Podcast, Dan Hall sits down with Hootan Shahidi, Senior Manager at ProspHire, to unpack his journey from entrepreneurship to enterprise consulting. Hootan shares how he built a medical billing company from the ground up, scaled it over 11 years, and successfully exited in 2024 before transitioning into helping DSOs adopt and implement technology at scale. From accidental beginnings in dental billing to driving large-scale transformations, this episode dives into the realities behind growth, burnout, and making intentional career decisions. Key topics covered: • How one rejected claim led to building a business • Scaling a company over 11 years and navigating an exit • Why balancing business and clinical operations is critical • Transitioning from entrepreneur to enterprise consulting • Implementing technology across large DSOs • The importance of focus, specialization, and timing • Aligning career decisions with personal priorities Hootan also shares how his work has helped practices unlock access to care for patients, highlighting the deeper impact behind operational and financial systems in healthcare. If you are building, scaling, or rethinking your next move, this episode offers real insights from someone who has done it end to end. 📌 Connect with Hootan Shahidi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hootan-shahidi-6b87014/

The Doers Podcast | Episode 16 | Nicole Phillips, Elite Dental Partners

What does it take to build leaders across a growing dental organization? In this episode, Dan Hall sits down with Nicole Phillips from Elite Dental Partners to explore how high-performing DSOs develop talent, improve performance, and scale effectively. Nicole shares how structured learning, real-time data, and emerging technologies like AI are transforming how teams grow inside modern dental organizations. You’ll learn:  • The difference between a high performer and a leader  • How to identify and develop future leaders  • Why learning must be tied to measurable outcomes  • How dashboards and data drive accountability  • The role of AI in scaling training and development  • Why ownership and mindset are critical for leadership Whether you’re a practice owner, team leader, or aspiring to grow within a DSO, this episode offers practical insights you can apply immediately.

The Doers Podcast | EP 15 | Victoria Yu, Elite Dental Partners

Welcome back to The Doers Podcast, where host Dan Hall sits down with the leaders who are building, scaling, and transforming dentistry from the ground up. In this episode, Dan is joined by Victoria Yu, CEO of Elite Dental Partners, one of the fastest-growing dental support organizations in the United States. Victoria brings deep experience in leadership, operations, and building scalable systems that empower clinicians and support long-term practice growth. Throughout the conversation, Victoria shares how Elite Dental Partners is redefining what responsible DSO growth looks like. Rather than focusing solely on acquisitions, the organization is building infrastructure that prioritizes people, leadership development, and operational excellence. The discussion explores: • Why leadership begins with surrounding yourself with great people • How Elite Dental Partners supports clinicians through training and development • The importance of culture in scaling multi-location dental organizations • How DSOs can align incentives between clinicians and business leadership • The role of technology and operational discipline in modern dental groups • Why communication and transparency are essential during periods of rapid growth Victoria also introduces a bold concept aimed at giving clinicians greater ownership in the practices they help build — a model designed to create stronger alignment between doctors, leadership teams, and long-term patient care. If you’re a dental practice owner, associate dentist, DSO leader, or someone interested in the future of dental leadership and organizational growth, this episode offers valuable insights from someone shaping the next generation of dental organizations. Watch the full episode and discover what it takes to scale dentistry while keeping people at the center of every decision.