The DSO Hygienist with Christine Diehl

Hosted by Christine Diehl

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Jun 2026

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About the show

"The DSO Hygienist" is a podcast dedicated to exploring the world of Dental Service Organizations (DSOs). Guests include industry experts and seasoned dental professionals sharing their experiences, expertise, and advice. This podcast delves into various aspects of a dental practice within the context of DSOs. Listeners can expect insightful discussions on topics such as best practices, emerging trends in the field, advancements in technology and techniques, career development opportunities, and the unique challenges and rewards of working within a DSO setting. Whether you're a seasoned dental professional looking to stay updated on industry trends or a student aspiring to join the field, "The DSO Hygienist" offers valuable insights, tips, and inspiration to enhance your practice and career in the dynamic world of DSOs.

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45 recent

June 1, 2026Episode 926 min

DSO Due Diligence: The Tech Deal Breakers

In this episode, Mike Huffaker breaks down why technology infrastructure has become one of the most heavily scrutinized areas of private equity due diligence in today’s DSO market. As buyers look beyond production numbers and EBITDA, they’re evaluating whether a DSO’s systems can scale, integrate, protect patient data, and support long-term growth.Mike shares the most common technology gaps that trigger concern during the sale process, how outdated systems can impact valuation, and the framework DSO leaders can use to identify hidden risks before they become costly negotiation points. From cybersecurity and reporting capabilities to operational efficiency and scalability, this conversation gives dental leaders a practical look at what private equity firms are really evaluating behind the scenes.If you’re preparing for growth, recapitalization, or a future exit, this episode offers insight into how the right technology strategy can strengthen both operational performance and enterprise value.Mike Huffaker is the Chief Revenue Officer for Planet DDS. With a remarkable track record, he spearheads both the sales and marketing divisions of this rapidly growing dental software solutions company. Huffaker brings invaluable insights into evolving trends in the dental industry. During his tenure, the company has achieved significant milestones, now proudly serving over 13,000 dental practices, including many large DSOs and emerging groups. @thedsohygienist"Like" and "Subscribe"https://thedsohygienist.buzzsprout.comFollow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/comm/mynetwork/discovery-see-all?usecase=PEOPLE_FOLLOWS&followMember=christine-diehl-rdhmusic credit: "Seize the Day" by Andrey Rossi

May 19, 2026Episode 817 min

Revenue Leakage Is Quietly Killing Dental Practices. Here’s How to Stop It

In this episode of The DSO Hygienist, we break down the hidden operational gaps quietly costing practices thousands every month, without most teams even realizing it.Helen Sublette is a dental executive and revenue cycle strategist with over 15 years of experience leading and scaling operations across multi-site dental organizations. As the Founder and CEO of Coastal Dental Professionals Consulting, she specializes in designing and optimizing revenue cycle systems, from insurance verification to analytics and A/R performance, helping practices eliminate revenue leakage and recover hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost production and collections.Known for her ability to turn complex operational challenges into structured, high-performing systems, Helen has built and led teams supporting dozens of practices, consistently improving accuracy, reducing denials, and driving measurable financial results.She currently serves as Co-Chair of the Professional Model Workgroup with the Dental Assisting National Board and is a speaker with the American Association of Orthodontists, where she educates on orthodontic billing, coding optimization, and revenue cycle strategy.At the core of her work is a people-first philosophy, Helen believes that sustainablesuccess comes from strong relationships, aligned teams, and systems that empower people to perform at a high level.@thedsohygienist"Like" and "Subscribe"https://thedsohygienist.buzzsprout.comFollow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/comm/mynetwork/discovery-see-all?usecase=PEOPLE_FOLLOWS&followMember=christine-diehl-rdhmusic credit: "Seize the Day" by Andrey Rossi

May 6, 2026Episode 735 min

The Invisible Expert Problem (And How to Fix It)

Janis Sadoyama has spent over 16 years helping founders, entrepreneurs, executives, and leaders architect aligned brands from the inside out. Her philosophy is that a powerful personal brand isn't something you create; it's something you excavate. You start from experience, from everything you've already lived and built and learned, and you bring it to the surface in a way that finally makes sense to the people who need you most. Janis specializes in working with what she calls "invisible experts," the highly qualified, deeply experienced people who are somehow still the best-kept secret in their industry, and she helps them build brands that create real autonomy, real authority, and a whole lot more of the right opportunities. She's the founder of Stratum Brand Partners and the host of The Launch My Brand Today Podcast.https://stratumbrandpartners.com/LAUNCH MY BRAND TODAYBuild a brand around what you want to be known for TAKE THE PERSONAL BRAND ARCHETYPE QUIZ – Discover what makes you stand out.@thedsohygienist"Like" and "Subscribe"https://thedsohygienist.buzzsprout.comFollow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/comm/mynetwork/discovery-see-all?usecase=PEOPLE_FOLLOWS&followMember=christine-diehl-rdhmusic credit: "Seize the Day" by Andrey Rossi

April 21, 2026Episode 626 min

Capital that Clocks In

Clint Harris is a former cardiac medical sales rep turned full-time real estate investor who specializes in helping dentists, physicians, and busy healthcare professionals learn how to build passive income and diversify their revenue beyond clinical work.With 16 years in cardiac device and medical sales, Clint spent his career shoulder-to-shoulder with surgeons and providers inside operating rooms and procedural suites. He understands the schedule constraints, patient demands, and financial pressures that make traditional investing feel overwhelming for medical professionals. That’s exactly why he now focuses on educating healthcare providers on how they can create meaningful, reliable, truly passive income streams all without cutting back on their practice or clinical responsibilities.Today, Clint is a general partner at Nomad Capital and co-host of the Truly Passive Income podcast. He guides healthcare professionals in identifying passive investment opportunities so they can strengthen long-term financial stability, diversify away from single-source income, and create durable wealth that supports both their personal and professional goals.Clint’s investing background includes multifamily properties, high-end short-term rentals, and large-scale commercial conversions - such as transforming vacant big-box retail buildings into climate-controlled self-storage facilities across the Southeast. He has helped raise capital for more than $150 million in stabilized commercial assets. Contact Clint at nomadcapital.us@thedsohygienist"Like" and "Subscribe"https://thedsohygienist.buzzsprout.comFollow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/comm/mynetwork/discovery-see-all?usecase=PEOPLE_FOLLOWS&followMember=christine-diehl-rdhmusic credit: "Seize the Day" by Andrey Rossi

March 31, 2026Episode 522 min

The Swedish Secret to Full Body Health Starting in Your Mouth.

Dr. Jessica Lederhausen is a Swedish-trained dentist, public health advocate, entrepreneur, and founder of The Lagom Method™, as well as the author of ORAL: The Swedish Secret to Full Body Health Starting in Your Mouth.She brings clarity to the mouth–body connection, empowering people to build lasting health through small, balanced daily habits, with a focus on breathing, sleeping, eating, and moving.Her approach is grounded in the belief that true well-being comes from both personal habits and the relationships that support us.Outside of this, Jessica enjoys spending time with her growing family, staying active, and continuing her lifelong love of learning.IG #jessicalederhausenWebsite: TheLagomMethod.comLinkedIn; JessicalederhausenBuy my book: https://www.thelagommethod.com/book-launchCoaching: https://www.thelagommethod.com/bootcamp-the-lagom-method@thedsohygienist"Like" and "Subscribe"https://thedsohygienist.buzzsprout.comFollow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/comm/mynetwork/discovery-see-all?usecase=PEOPLE_FOLLOWS&followMember=christine-diehl-rdhmusic credit: "Seize the Day" by Andrey Rossi

March 12, 2026Episode 427 min

Prep to Sell your Dental Practice

www.Prepitnow.com for free resourceDr. Ruth Mannschreck is a dentist, practice management strategist, and the Owner/Founder of Shoreline Strategies LLC. With over 30 years in private practice, Dr. Ruth has transformed her own business and now helps others do the same through her programs, Built To Run Itself, and the Prep It To Sell live virtual training program.Dr. Ruth built a successful dental practice from the ground up while raising two young boys, but everything changed when her daughter was born with complications and spent weeks in the NICU. This life-altering experience led her to reduce her practice hours from 40 to 25 per week. Despite the drastic change, the practice exceeded its previous revenue, while allowing her to be present with her family during a difficult time. This shift in perspective led her to create a streamlined business model that focuses on strong systems, building a high-performing team, and fostering a magnetic company culture. She shares these strategies with practice owners to help them free up time and scale their operations efficiently.Dr. Ruth decided to sell her practice and it wasn’t until after selling did she realize how much opportunity (and money) she had left on the table … because she hadn’t gotten her practice READY to sell. She is passionate about helping others avoid the mistakes she made when selling her first practice. Motivated to help owners get their practice ready for sale, Dr. Ruth has made it her mission to guide entrepreneurs through the process, ensuring they capitalize on the full value of their practice.@thedsohygienist"Like" and "Subscribe"https://thedsohygienist.buzzsprout.comFollow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/comm/mynetwork/discovery-see-all?usecase=PEOPLE_FOLLOWS&followMember=christine-diehl-rdhmusic credit: "Seize the Day" by Andrey Rossi

February 11, 2026Episode 326 min

Ascending with Intention: Executive Coaching & Career Transitions

What happens when education, sales psychology, and executive coaching collide?In this episode, we sit down with Thomas Passalacqua, a certified Executive Coach with a rare, multidimensional career path—founding educator in NYC, award-winning dental manufacturing consultant, Director of Business Development for a multi-location dental group, and now founder of Ascend Professional Pathways LLCThomas Passalacqua is a certified Executive Coach who specializes in customized professional & leadership development. With a master’s in education, Thomas started his career as a founding teacher in New York City. He then transitioned into dental manufacturing sales, where he was an award-winning consultant who trained and mentored other sales professionals. Transitioning again, Thomas was the director of business development for a growing dental group practice in the Northeast where he led sales and marketing for mergers & acquisitions. In his executive coaching and professional training platform, Ascend Professional Pathways LLC, he works with various industry leaders to help them gain clarity and reach the next level in their businesses and careers by overcoming doubts, fears, and uncertainty.@thedsohygienist"Like" and "Subscribe"https://thedsohygienist.buzzsprout.comFollow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/comm/mynetwork/discovery-see-all?usecase=PEOPLE_FOLLOWS&followMember=christine-diehl-rdhmusic credit: "Seize the Day" by Andrey Rossi

January 27, 2026Episode 222 min

The Future of Dental Assisting: Standards & Strategy

Atia Black, BSDirector, Business DevelopmentDental Assisting National Board (DANB)Atia holds a Bachelor of Science and a Women in Leadership certificate andbrings over 20 years of experience across clinical practice, operations, and business development in dentistry.For over 20 years, Atia has been passionate about the dental field. In her senior year of high school, she began her career chairside, assisting dentists and building a strong foundation in patient care. She worked as a dental assistant, sterilization manager, and office manager for a private dental practice, providing both clinical and operational support to the entire practice. This experience ignited a passion not only for patient well-being but also for the business side of dentistry.Atia went on to hold leadership roles in administration, management, and businessdevelopment at dental software organizations, including Dental Intelligence and most recently Method Procurement Technologies. In those roles, she built a proven track record in sales, securing dental software contracts with national organizations to implement practical solutions across multi-location practices.@thedsohygienist"Like" and "Subscribe"https://thedsohygienist.buzzsprout.comFollow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/comm/mynetwork/discovery-see-all?usecase=PEOPLE_FOLLOWS&followMember=christine-diehl-rdhmusic credit: "Seize the Day" by Andrey Rossi

January 7, 2026Episode 126 min

Evidence, Empowerment & Evolution Dental Hygiene Leadership & Clinical Growth

Dental hygiene leadership, clinical development, and preventive care take center stage as Lisa Hardill, RDH, shares evidence-based strategies shaping modern dentistry. From chairside care to DSO clinical leadership, this episode explores hygiene career growth, team collaboration, digital dentistry, and practice-wide impact.Lisa Hardill RDH, BHADM, PG Cert Lisa has been a registered dental hygienist since 2003, with experience spanning private practice, public health, and independent practice. In 2017, she expanded her career beyond the operatory, moving into dental sales and consulting with a focus on preventive products, practice growth strategies, implants, biomaterials, and digital dentistry. This diverse experience led to her current role in Clinical Development with a leading Dental Service Organization, where she supports hundreds of dental hygienists and teams across Ontario. Outside of her Clinical Development role, she serves as a Hygiene Coach with the Clear Aligner Leadership Bootcamp and as an Ambassador for both Women in Digital Dentistry and Dimensions of Dental Hygiene. Lisa also presents webinars and continuing education sessions across a variety of platforms, sharing practical, evidence-based strategies to help dental professionals elevate patient care and team collaboration. A passionate writer, Lisa runs strictlydentalpro — a blog dedicated to leadership, clinical insights and empowering dental hygienists in their professional growth. She is also completing a Master’s in Oral Health Promotion to continue developing as a writer, educator, and researcher. Find her on Instagram at lisahardill.rdh. @thedsohygienist"Like" and "Subscribe"https://thedsohygienist.buzzsprout.comFollow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/comm/mynetwork/discovery-see-all?usecase=PEOPLE_FOLLOWS&followMember=christine-diehl-rdhmusic credit: "Seize the Day" by Andrey Rossi

November 11, 2025Episode 1827 min

Scaling Smiles: How DSOs Can Leverage Clear Aligner Growth

In this episode of The DSO Hygienist, Dr. Avi Patel — dentist, educator, and founder of Clear Aligner Advisor — joins us to break down how multi-site organizations can:· Empower dentists to recognize and communicate aligner opportunities· Streamline workflows across multiple locations· Turn aligners into a scalable profit driverDr. Patel shares the systems, training, and mindset that transform clear aligners from “one more service” into a scalable profit center.If you’re leading clinical teams or managing growth across multiple locations, this episode is a must-listen. Dr. Avi Patel is a dentist, educator, and founder of Clear Aligner Advisor, based in New York.A graduate of NYU College of Dentistry, Dr. Avi experienced burnout early in his career.Discovering clear aligners transformed his life—within six months, he generated $250K inaligner production and regained his freedom and fulfillment.Today, he helps dentists and DSOs gain clarity, confidence, and consistency with alignersthrough his proven systems and courses, empowering them to grow their practices withoutadding chair time and to rediscover the joy in dentistry.@thedsohygienist"Like" and "Subscribe"https://thedsohygienist.buzzsprout.comFollow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/comm/mynetwork/discovery-see-all?usecase=PEOPLE_FOLLOWS&followMember=christine-diehl-rdhmusic credit: "Seize the Day" by Andrey Rossi