Influential Dental

What makes a professional community truly valuable? In this episode of Influential Dental , Julieanne O’Connor and Michael Keeter sit down with Greg Tice, COO of Seattle Study Club, for a conversation about the role community plays in learning, growth, and longevity in dentistry. Greg reflects on more than 30 years with Seattle Study Club and shares why education alone rarely changes behavior. The...

Recorded live at Dykema, this episode of Influential Dental features Jeanne Cook, founder of Dental Savings Connect, and Mitch Olan, a longtime leader in the DSO space. Jeanne and Mitch look back on a professional relationship that spans nearly four decades. Jeanne shares how she began cleaning and sterilizing at a dental office before working her way through operations and eventually becoming Vic...

Recorded live at Dykema, this episode of Influential Dental features Ali Hyatt, Chief Customer & Growth Officer at Henry Schein One. Ali joins Julianne O’Connor and Michael Keeter to share the path that took her from consumer marketing and telehealth to dental technology, and how her background in creativity, data, and customer behavior continues to shape the way she leads. The conversation ex...

In this episode of Influential Conversations , Robert Woolley of HuFriedyGroup joins us for a conversation about leadership, culture, innovation, and the future of dentistry. Robert shares how his experiences across different countries, companies, and cultures have shaped the way he approaches leadership today. From building diverse teams and creating a values-centered work environment to moving b...

In this episode of Influential Dental , Julieanne O’Connor and Michael Keeter sit down with Dr. Michael Forde for a thoughtful conversation on burnout, leadership, and the culture that shapes dentistry from the inside out. What begins with Dr. Forde’s journey through prosthodontics, music, mentorship, and Mayo Clinic evolves into a deeper discussion about the roots of dental training, the pressure...

In this episode of Influential Dental, Julieanne O’Connor and Michael Keeter welcome back Brian Colao back to the show for a conversation ahead of Dykema DSO. Brian shares what makes Dykema one of the most important gatherings in the DSO space, from high-level networking and industry-leading conversations to the event’s focus on history, leadership, technology, AI, and the future of dental organiz...

In this episode of Influential Dental, Julieanne O’Connor and Michael Keeter sit down with Matt Ornstein, owner of Oak Dental Partners and co-founder of Dental Pitch Brokerage, for a practical conversation about wealth creation, practice ownership, and the future of dentistry. Matt brings a unique perspective from real estate, entrepreneurship, DSOs, and dental practice transitions, sharing what d...

In this episode of Influential Dental , Dr. Edward Zuckerberg joins Michael Keeter and Julieanne O’Connor for a conversation about one of the most important shifts happening in dentistry today: the connection between oral health and whole-body health. From periodontal bacteria and systemic inflammation to saliva testing, oral cancer detection, AI, and the future role of the dentist, Dr. Zuckerberg...

In this episode of Influential Dental , Julieanne O’Connor and Michael Keeter sit down with Dr. Haley Abivardi and Dr. Goly Abivardi , the visionary sisters behind vVARDIS. From their early work treating children to building Switzerland’s first fear-free DSO, Dr. Haley and Dr. Goly share the deeply personal journey that led them to create a new category in dentistry: non-invasive restoration for e...

In this episode of Influential Dental , Dr. Alex Sharp joins Julieanne O’Connor and Michael Keeter for a conversation about influence, community, and why dentistry is at its best when it is treated as a team sport. Dr. Sharp shares his journey from dental school to podcasting, consulting, and building a full-arch implant DSO rooted in trust, mentorship, and shared purpose. He discusses how influen...

This episode features a thoughtful conversation with Tom Olsen about leadership, humility, relationships, and the values that shape a lasting career in dentistry. From the importance of trust and mentorship to the impact of family, faith, and genuine connection, Tom reflects on the experiences that have guided his journey through decades in the dental industry. This episode goes beyond business an...

In this shorter episode of Influential Dental , hosts Mike Keeter and Julieanne O’Connor switch up the usual format and turn the conversation toward each other. Instead of welcoming a guest, this episode offers a light and engaging exchange between the voices behind the podcast, giving listeners a different perspective on the show and the people who lead these conversations. About the Influential...

Recorded live at ADI 2025, Dr. Jumoke Adedoyin joins Influential Dental for a conversation about growth, authenticity, influence, and the journey of becoming more fully yourself. She opens up about leadership, major life transitions, personal challenges, faith, family, and what it means to stop shrinking and step into a new season with clarity. This episode is a reflection on finding your voice, e...

In this episode, Dr. Naved Fatmi shares a no-nonsense perspective on failure, growth, and what success really looks like in dentistry today. He reflects on building multiple practices, learning the hard way, trimming back instead of scaling endlessly, and choosing alignment with life, family, and personal values over comparison and external pressure. The conversation touches on vulnerability in le...

What does it really mean to be influential in dentistry? In this episode, we go far beyond clinical skills and social media presence. We talk about building real trust with patients, using humor to create connection, and why authenticity matters more than image. Dr. DiTolla opens up about his personal journey — from professional growth to personal struggles, recovery, and the power of community. T...

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Kianor Shah to explore a rare journey that bridges clinical dentistry, global influence, and emerging technology. From practicing in more than 300 dental offices to collaborating with some of the most respected voices in the profession, Dr. Shah reflects on the mindset, curiosity, and leadership philosophy that shaped his path. We also explore the vision behin...

Our guest, Dr. Matthew James , shares insights from decades of work in personal transformation, psychology, and mindset training. The conversation touches on burnout, anxiety, habit change, leadership pressure, and the emotional demands that come with caring for others, topics that deeply resonate within dentistry. Throughout the episode, we discuss how unresolved emotional patterns impact profess...

In this episode of Influential Dental, hosts Julieanne O'Connor and Michael Keeter interview Ophir Tanz, the founder and CEO of Pearl. They discuss Ophir's extensive background in AI and computer vision, his journey into the dental industry, and the transformative impact of Pearl's technology on dental practices. The conversation covers the importance of AI in enhancing diagnostic capa...

In this episode, Michael Keeter and Julieanne O’Connor sit down with Dr. Lincoln Harris and Kim Toovey of Ripe Global for a candid conversation about redefining how dentists learn, grow, and stay inspired in an ever-evolving field. They explore the path to influence in dentistry, the urgent skills gap affecting clinicians worldwide, and the real challenges DSOs face behind the scenes. Together, th...

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Aman Kaur, founder of Women in DSO and a leader whose impact reaches far beyond titles. What starts as a conversation about building an organization turns into something deeper: a look at mentorship, leadership, culture, and the real challenges shaping dentistry today. You’ll hear Dr. Kaur’s story of growing up in the DSO world, why she believes women should b...

Dr. Avi Patel shares his honest journey as a dentist, from early frustrations in practice to finding clarity and balance through clear aligners, therapy, and daily habits that support mental health. He talks about how meditation, journaling, and self-reflection helped him build confidence, create purpose, and redefine success in dentistry. A thoughtful conversation about growth, mindset, and why,...

In this episode of Influential Dental , we sit down in New York City with Dr. Ned Restom , one of Australia’s leading voices in implant dentistry and co-founder of the renowned Australasian Implant Academy (AIA) . Known for merging surgical precision with a pilot’s discipline, Dr. Restom shares how the same mindset that keeps him safe in the sky drives excellence in the operatory. He opens up abou...

In this episode of Influential Dental , hosts Julieanne O’Connor and Michael Keeter sit down with Allison Alexander — VP at Darby, board member of Women in DSO , and founder of Figment Creative — to explore what happens when creativity, culture, and courage meet the dental industry. From her beginnings in the fashion and bridal world to reshaping the way dental brands communicate, Allison shares h...

In this episode of Influential Dental , we sit down with Erich Kreidler, President of SprintRay , for a conversation that goes far beyond technology. From his early life in Bolivia to leading one of the fastest-growing companies in dentistry, Erich shares how purpose, values, and innovation have shaped his journey. He opens up about the lessons he learned from his parents, why he left everything b...

Joining us online from Lisbon, Dr. Ana Ferro Head of Surgery at MALO CLINIC Lisbon, shares how seeing problems as challenges —and then simplifying them into clear, reproducible protocols—can help more clinicians deliver predictable full-arch care. She discusses the team culture that shaped her early years working alongside Prof. Paulo Malo, why mentorship (from models → cadavers → supervised live...