DSO Market Trends & The Dental Leadership Summit: What’s Coming, What’s Changed, & What to Expect

Is your DSO still scaling without solving staffing, culture, and technology adoption or are you ready to learn from the groups that already figured it out?In this episode of the Dental Leadership Summit Podcast, host Ralph Tomandl sits down with David Howard, HR for Health’s Director of Group Practice Sales and Partnerships, for a candid market update and a behind-the-scenes look at the evolution of the Dental Leadership Summit itself.David brings a front-row perspective from months on the road visiting practices, conferences, and DSO leaders across the country. His observations on staffing, culture gaps, acquisition scarcity, and AI adoption reflect what’s actually happening in the market, not just what’s being talked about on stage.We Break Down:Why staffing and hygienist retention remain the top operational challenge for DSOs of every sizeHow culture gaps are quietly showing up in EBITDA even before a DSO is formally structuredWhy acquisition targets are scarce and what that means for practice valuations right nowThe three types of DSO leaders when it comes to AI adoption  and why the “still on paper” group is running out of timeHow outside-industry hires are bringing fresh energy and challenging the “we’ve always done it this way” cultureWhy the Dental Leadership Summit is shifting back to a workshop-style format and what that means for attendeesHow the Leadership Labs in Dallas are proving the concept ahead of the September summit in AustinWhat emerging DSOs with 2–30 locations can actually learn from groups like Heartland DentalHow the summit selects speakers and partners based on problem-solving fit, not just sponsorshipWhether you’re a solo practice owner just starting to scale, an emerging DSO leader navigating your first acquisitions, or an operator trying to get a real return on your technology investments, this episode gives you a direct line into what’s working, what’s not, and where the industry is heading, straight from someone in the rooms where it’s happeningChapters00:00 — No One Has the Guts to Ask That01:17 — DSO Market Update: What’s Changed in the Last 12 Months03:01 — The Staffing Slug: Is Talent Acquisition Getting Any Easier?05:25 — Culture Gaps and EBITDA: Where the Problem Really Shows Up08:04 — Blind Spots: Public Perception and the DSO Reputation Challenge10:06 — Three Types of DSO Leaders on AI Adoption14:06 — Shifting Gears: The Story Behind the Dental Leadership Summit18:14 — Why Workshop Style Beats 500-Person Panels20:10 — Leadership Labs: Proving the Concept Before Austin25:33 — What Emerging DSOs Actually Learn From HeartlandThe 2026 Dental Leadership Summit is happening in Austin, Texas this September 16–18. With Pat Bauer headlining as a featured speaker, an all-female panel joining the lineup, and a roster of operators and innovators who are actually in the trenches of building successful group practices, this year's summit is shaping up to be the most compelling one yet. Designed for emerging DSO leaders with 2–30 locations, the workshop-style format means you won't just sit through presentations, you'll leave with real frameworks, real conversations, and real relationships that move your business forward. If you're serious about scaling the right way, Austin is where you need to be. Register today at https://dentalleadershipsummit.com/register!