Dental Operations Unpacked

From Office Manager to Business Leader: Driving Performance Across Every Location

What does it take for an office manager to become a true business leader? In this episode, Katie Robinson, Director of Operations at Cook Dental Group, joins Jake Larsen and Clint Berry to discuss how dental organizations can empower office managers to drive performance, lead teams, and influence outcomes across every location. Katie shares actionable insights on leadership development, delegation, KPI ownership, mentorship, accountability, and why clear expectations are critical for operational success. This conversation is full of practical advice for DSOs and operators looking to build stronger leadership at the practice level.

The Talent Problem in Dentistry: What Operators Don’t Understand About Hiring

The dental talent problem goes far beyond just “finding people.” In this episode, Humberto Briceño joins us to break down what operators don’t understand about hiring, retention, candidate experience, and building strong dental teams for the long term. From recruiting specialists and hygienists to creating better hiring systems inside DSOs, this conversation is full of practical insights for dental leaders navigating today’s hiring challenges. 🎧 Listen now to Dental Operations Unpacked.

The Silent Cash Leak: Why Unworked Claims Pile Up So Fast and How to Prevent It

Why do claims pile up so fast in dental practices? And more importantly… why do they never seem to go away? In this episode, we sit down with Sissy Mangrum to unpack the “silent cash leak” happening inside revenue cycle processes. From eligibility mistakes to behavior-driven breakdowns, we explore why most practices are fixing symptoms instead of solving the real problem—and how that’s costing thousands every month. We also cover: * The true starting point of the revenue cycle * Why 90% of denials are preventable * The hidden cost of working denials * How to improve efficiency without adding more people If you’re in operations, billing, or leadership—this is a must-listen.

Stop Running the Practice Alone: A Better Model for Dentists

If you’re a dentist feeling stretched thin… you’re not alone. In this episode of Dental Operations Unpacked, we sit down with Mike Baird, CEO of Accelerate Dental, to talk about what’s really changing in dentistry—and why the traditional solo model is getting harder to sustain. From rising costs to insurance pressure, dentists today are being pushed into tough decisions: stay independent and carry the full burden… or join a DSO and give up control. Mike breaks down a third option. We dive into: * Why solo practices are getting squeezed more than ever * The real tradeoffs between independence and DSOs * What most DSO models get wrong * A new ownership model that keeps autonomy intact * How dentists can scale without losing control If you’re thinking about the future of your practice—or the future of dentistry—this conversation is worth your time.

Dentistry Needs to Get Over Its “Sales Complex

Sales in dentistry has a bad reputation. But what if the problem isn’t sales… it’s how we think about it? In this episode of Dental Operations Unpacked, Jake Larson and Clint Berry sit down with Dr. Jason Gladwell (CEO of Gladwell Orthodontics) and Emily Abecasis (Senior Director of Operations at Lightwave Dental) to break down: • Why sales feels uncomfortable in clinical environments • The real reason patients don’t move forward with treatment • How education—not persuasion—drives case acceptance • The metrics every practice should be tracking • Why your treatment coordinator role might be hurting your growth This episode is a must-listen for operators, DSOs, and dental leaders looking to improve patient experience and unlock growth.