AADGP 2026
Schedule
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
3:00 - 5:00 PM
Welcome to Texas! AADGP 2026 Registration
Welcome to AADGP 2026 — Saddle Up for Success!
Find us and grab your name badge before we kick off AADGP 2026
5:00 - 8:30 PM
Get your Texas on! Resort Crawl
Visit the hosted hospitality suites for a variety of experiences to get your TEXAS on and kick off your networking!
Thursday, February 5, 2026
Setting the Stage for Success!
Join us for our exciting opening workshops, designed to provide you with valuable continuing education opportunities at this year’s meeting! We are committed to enhancing your professional growth and ensuring you stay at the forefront of the industry. These workshops will cover a range of topics tailored to your needs, featuring expert speakers and interactive sessions that foster learning and collaboration.
Don’t miss out on the chance to elevate your skills and connect with fellow professionals. We can’t wait to see you there!
8:30 - 11:30 AM
Clinician to CEO
Your Roadmap to Leadership, Freedom & Rising to the Top
Session Description and Learning Objectives
PRESENTED BY:
Diwakar Sinha, Founder & CEO of Polaris Healthcare Partners
Dr. Vivek Solanki, Polaris Clinical Coach & Group Practice Owner
Protect What You’ve Built – Powerful Strategies for Asset Protection & Tax Savings
Revenue Cycle Strategies In Action
Session Description & Learning Objectives
PRESENTED BY: Mortenson Dental Partners
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
12:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Exhibit Hall Lunch sponsored by Legally Mine
Presentation: Powerful Asset Protection and Estate Planning: Securing Your Legacy for Lasting Security
Presented by: Dan McNeff, CEO, Legally Mine
1:15 - 1:45 PM
AADGP Presents: The State of the Industry
Bill Becknell, CEO of Mortenson Dental Partners
Bill Becknell is recognized as a leader in the dental industry because of his proven ability to scale, innovate, and lead with purpose within one of the largest and most respected employee-owned dental groups in the U.S., with 140+ practices across multiple states—Mortenson Dental Partners.
As CEO, Mortenson has grown sustainably without compromising clinical autonomy or patient care quality—a balance many DSOs struggle to achieve.
He is a credible voice on how to scale without selling out and is known for his big-picture thinking—drawing lessons from other industries and applying them to dentistry.
1:45 - 2:30 PM
Exhibit Hall Break
2:30 - 3:45 PM
PAYER SUMMIT - SESSION 1
Cracking the Code: How Independent Dental Groups Can Win in PPO and Insurance Contract Negotiations
PRESENTERS:
Melissa Wagner, President & CEO, DenteMax
Karen Wever, Chief Dental Officer, BCBS of IL, MT, NM, OK, TX, Dental Network of America
Independent dental groups are navigating unprecedented pressure from PPOs and shifting reimbursement models — but the right strategies can turn the tables. This session pulls back the curtain on why negotiations are so challenging and gives you a practical framework to strengthen your position. Through data-driven insights, a pro/con debate of PPO vs. fee-for-service models, real-world case studies, and a hands-on action planning workshop, you’ll learn how to use analytics, leverage market dynamics, and apply proven negotiation tactics to secure better contracts and improve profitability. Perfect for leaders who want to take control of payer relationships and build a more sustainable financial future.
3:45 - 4:15 PM
Exhibit Hall Break
6:00 - 8:00 PM
Taste of Texas Hoe Down!
Put on your boots and grab your hat—we’re throwing a modern-cowboy, Texas-style hoedown that’s all about good vibes, big laughs, and unforgettable connections. Think high-energy meets down-home charm: a little country swagger, a little city polish, and a whole lot of reasons to have fun.
We’re talking music, mingling, and moments that feel like a warm Texas sunset on the open range. So saddle up and join the party—where the only thing you need to negotiate is who’s leading the next two-step.
Friday, February 6, 2026
Saddle up for Strategy - Day 2
Day 2 is where we tighten the cinch, roll up our sleeves, and get to work. These hands-on workshops are built for dental leaders ready to ride further, think sharper, and run their practices with the confidence of a seasoned trail boss.
We’ll break down real-world strategies, sift through tough operational challenges and map out clear paths that help your practice run smoother than a fresh-oiled saddle. Expect lively discussion, practical tools, and straight-shootin’ insights you can take back to the ranch and put to work right away.
By the end of the day, you’ll walk out with a toolkit full of strategies, a roadmap built for your terrain, and the grit to lead your practice like a true Texas cowboy—steady, savvy, and ready for whatever rides your way.
8:00 - 9:00 AM
Exhibit Hall Breakfast - Sponsored by Dentalxchange
9:00 - 10:30 AM
Scaling Smarter: Crafting Business Plans that Drive Maximum Value
Session Description and Learning Objectives
PRESENTED BY:
Diwakar Sinha, Founder & CEO of Polaris Healthcare Partners
Dr. Vivek Solanki, Polaris Clinical Coach & Group Practice Owner
Bridging the RCM Gap: Modernizing the DSO Payer Connection
Session Description and Learning Objectives
PRESENTED BY:
Eric Gallegos, VP of Innovation and Growth, InsideDesk
Align, Measure, Elevate: Building High-Performing Dental Hygiene Teams
Session Description and Learning Objectives
PRESENTED BY:
Jessica Walker, CRDH, MBA, Aligned Dental Partners
Margins That Matter: Why Profitable Growth Starts with Your Accounting Function
10:30 - 11:00 AM
Exhibit Hall Break
11:00 AM- 12:00 PM
Smart Tax Strategies for Group Practice Owners
Inside Mortenson Dental Partners, the largest Doctor and ESOP Owned DSO
Session Description and Learing Objectives
PRESENTED BY:
Mortenson Dental Partners
Bill Becknell, CEO
Jeff Reibel, President & CFO
Britt Bostick, DDS, Chief Dental Officer
Power Your Practice with Conversational AI
Your Get-Out-of-HIPAA-Jail Free Card - a Three-Pronged Approach to HIPAA Compliance
Print to Profit: Mastering In-House Nightguard Production
12:00 - 1:00 PM
Exhibit Hall Lunch
1:00 PM- 2:00 PM
Buying or Selling a Dental Group: What to Know About Dental M&A
Shadow Friction: Spot It, Solve It, See the ROI
2:00 PM- 3:00 PM
The Profit Multiplier: Elevating Patient Experience and Leadership to Grow Your Practice
Session Description and Learning Objectives
PRESENTED BY:
Thomas Passalacqua, Certified Executive Coach, Ascend Professional Pathways
From Click to Case Acceptance: Transforming Inquiries into Loving & Loyal Patients
The First Six Hours: Why Cyber Incidents Become Business Events
Session Description and Learing Objectives
PRESENTED BY:
Chad Johnston, Head of Growth and Partner Success, Sunset Technologies
The New Valuation Reality: Market Shifts, Exit Planning, and Buyer Expectations
3:00 - 3:30 PM
Exhibit Hall Break
3:30 - 4:30 PM
Closing Session: Panel Discussion
Three Very Distinct Group Practice Models - Facilitated by: Bill Neumann, Group Dentistry Now
Panelists:
Bill Becknell, CEO, Mortenson Dental Partners
Pete Swenson, CEO, Park Dental Partners
Dr. Chris Steele, Park Dental Partners
John McClure, Aligned Dental Partners
Course Description:
As CEO, Mortenson has grown sustainably without compromising clinical autonomy or patient care quality—a balance many DSOs struggle to achieve.
He is a credible voice on how to scale without selling out. and is known for his big-picture thinking—drawing lessons from other industries and applying them to dentistry.
He’s not just managing Mortenson—he’s actively shaping the conversation around:
The role of DSOs
The future of clinical autonomy
Sustainable, values-based growth in healthcare
Course Description:
| Session | Description / Key Focus |
| Welcome, Introductions & Setting the Stage | Overview of current dental market trends: consolidation, insurer power, and the independent practice squeeze. Attendee poll: “What’s your biggest contracting challenge?” |
| Understanding the Landscape: Why Contract Negotiation Is So Difficult | Deep dive into the structural barriers facing independent groups — limited leverage, opaque contracts, and administrative complexity. Includes visual flowchart of payer relationships. |
| Deconstructing PPO and Fee-for-Service Models - pro con debate style | Review how PPOs set reimbursement rates, the role of network leasing, and how FFS practices maintain pricing control. |
| Break & Networking | Attendees to connect by region or group size for discussion. |
| Data as Your Leverage: Turning Analytics into Negotiating Power | Demonstrate how to analyze payer mix, utilization rates, and profitability by plan. Case example: How a group renegotiated fees by showing value-based outcomes. |
| Six Core Strategies for Negotiation Success | Interactive segment covering: 1️⃣ Aggregating power via IPAs/GPOs 2️⃣ Using data & analytics 3️⃣ Conducting contract audits 4️⃣ Building payer relationships 5️⃣ Optimizing fee schedules 6️⃣ Diversifying revenue beyond insurance |
| Case Study & Group Discussion | Real-world success story: Followed by open Q&A. |
| Action Planning Workshop | Participants outline a 3-step “Negotiation Roadmap” for their own practice using a provided worksheet. |
| Closing & Key Takeaways | Recap major points, resources for next steps (consultants, data tools, legal experts), and post-session survey. |
Becoming a true dental industry leader requires more than exceptional clinical skill; it demands vision, systems, and the courage to evolve from clinician to CEO. This 3-hour seminar provides a clear roadmap to help dental entrepreneurs efficiently scale their organizations, elevate their teams, and create the freedom to lead strategically, or step back entirely when the time is right.
Discover what it takes to be in the top 10% of dental group practices. Learn proven strategies to scale your enterprise, strengthen brand differentiation, and outperform your peers. This section focuses on building the operational and leadership foundation that supports growth without losing your clinical culture or identity.
Growth doesn’t stop once you acquire or build new practices - it’s only the beginning. Explore how to align clinical standards, elevate quality care across multiple locations, and develop associates and partners into confident leaders. Build systems that sustain excellence and empower your team to drive the organization forward.
Whether your goal is long-term ownership, gradual transition, or a full exit, this session reveals how to build real enterprise value. Learn how to structure partnerships, equity, and leadership roles to ensure continuity and maximize valuation while allowing you to move away from the day-to-day if you choose.
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Learn how to differentiate and scale your dental group practice into the top 10% of the market.
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Develop strong clinical and leadership frameworks that support sustainable growth.
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Cultivate associates and partners who take ownership and lead effectively.
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Understand how to structure your organization for legacy, freedom, and financial success.
Course Description:
This three-hour symposium is designed for dentists who want to protect their practice and personal assets while reducing legal and financial risk. Learn proven asset protection strategies and legal structures that help deter lawsuits and safeguard your wealth. Led by the CEO of Legally Mine, the session also covers advanced tax strategies used by top tax attorneys to help dentists lower income taxes. You’ll leave with practical insights to protect your assets and secure long-term financial peace of mind.
Learn how to:
1. Maintain the focus of your practice on improved patient care rather than malpractice defense.
2. Structure your practice for lawsuit protection and prevention, improving overall operations management of the practice.
3. Protect practice and professional assets from lawsuits through applied risk managements techniques.
4. Understand basic practice management tools that can help decrease unnecessary loss of revenue.
Course Description:
Creating meaningful wealth opportunities for providers and all team members is crucial to success.
Learning Objectives:
• RCM Best Practices from credentialing to denials management
• RCM automation opportunities that scale from posting to robot process automation and AI tools
• Just received a payer audit notice…now what?
Course Description:
High-performing dental hygiene teams are not accidental—they are the result of clear leadership, intentional alignment, and well-defined systems. This leadership-focused session explores how hygiene leaders can create consistency, accountability, and excellence within their departments by aligning clinical standards, measuring what matters, leveraging technology effectively, and leading with consistent communication.
Attendees will gain insight into the leader’s role in setting expectations, supporting clinical calibration, and using data to guide decision-making rather than emotion or assumption. The session will also address how technology can be positioned as a leadership tool to enhance efficiency, elevate patient care, and support team alignment—rather than as a source of inconsistency or resistance.
Designed for hygiene leaders, practice owners, and managers, this presentation provides practical strategies to elevate team performance while fostering trust, clarity, and professional growth. Participants will leave with actionable leadership tools they can implement immediately to strengthen their hygiene teams and support long-term practice success.
At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:
1. Identify leadership strategies that support clinical alignment and consistency across the dental hygiene team.
2. Evaluate key hygiene metrics that inform performance, accountability, and strategic decision-making.
3. Apply technology intentionally as a leadership tool to improve efficiency, communication, and patient care.
4. Implement consistent communication frameworks that reinforce expectations, build trust, and elevate team performance.
Course Description:
Dental practices are facing rising labor costs, staffing shortages, missed calls, and increasing patient expectations for instant access -- all while trying to grow production and protect margins. Conversational AI is emerging as a practical solution to these challenges, but most practices struggle to separate hype from real, measurable impact.
In this TED Talk, Alex Cohen, Co-Founder & CEO of Hello Patient, breaks down how modern dental practices are integrating their EHR systems with conversational AI to automate appointment scheduling, patient inquiries, recall campaigns, and outbound engagement across voice, text, and chat.
Alex will demonstrate how conversational AI can improve schedule utilization, reduce administrative burden, increase booking rates, and ensure no patient call or message goes unanswered. Attendees will leave with a practical understanding of how AI fits into day-to-day dental operations, what metrics matter most, and how to evaluate AI platforms for real ROI -- not just novelty.
Course Description & Learning Objectives
- Develop a blueprint for growing your DSO that will eliminate dependency on external investors.
- Creating meaningful wealth opportunities for providers and all team members
- Keep your providers holistically engaged
- Creating meaningful wealth opportunities for providers and all team members
- Building a comprehensive support platform (new RCM, HR, Compliance, etc)
Course Description & Learning Objectives
As DSOs scale, inefficient payer communication becomes a major barrier to revenue performance. This workshop explores how modern payer connections close critical RCM gaps by simplifying and streamlining communication between DSOs and payers.
Attendees will learn how stronger connectivity improves visibility, reduces friction, accelerates payments, and eases the administrative burden on RCM teams. Walk away with practical insights into building cleaner, faster, and more reliable payer relationships that support sustainable growth.
- Understand the role payer connectivity plays in closing key RCM gaps for DSOs
- Identify common communication breakdowns between DSOs and payers and their impact on revenue performance
- Explain the benefits of modern payer connections, including improved visibility, faster turnaround times, and reduced administrative burden
- Evaluate strategies and tools that simplify and streamline payer–DSO communication
- Apply practical approaches to improve collaboration with payers and support a more efficient, scalable revenue cycle
Course Description & Learning Objectives
Identifying the holes in your sensor strategy will bring peace to your clinical staff and your bank account.
- Avoid common pitfalls with digital sensors
- Sensors suck, but you need them :)
Course Description & Learning Objectives
This 60-minute CE workshop reframes cybersecurity incidents as business events rather than IT problems. The session focuses on what happens in the first six hours after a cyber alert, why response timing determines outcomes, and how early action protects operations, finances, patient data, and reputation.
Session Objectives
• Help attendees understand why the first six hours after a cyber incident are critical
• Explain how delayed response increases financial, operational, and reputational risk
• Clarify the role of 24/7/365 monitoring and live response in changing outcomes
• Position cybersecurity as a leadership and operational responsibility
Course Description:
This is a shark tank-style workshop. Registrants are invited to bring a one-page business plan (form provided in advance by Polaris) for group input and modification. The best plan from each table is then presented in a 5-minute format and the winning table, by audience vote, receives prizes. This activity provides immediate feedback and directly addresses the uncertainty owners feel. Fresh perspectives and input from Polaris experts give attendees the guidance and confidence to launch impactful plans for growth and success!
Course Description:
In today’s competitive dental landscape, growth alone isn’t enough—profitable growth is what separates thriving dental groups from those stuck in survival mode. This session will show how the accounting function is more than just bookkeeping—it’s the engine that protects margins, fuels strategic decisions, and sustains scalability. We’ll break down how disciplined accounting practices uncover hidden profit leaks, provide clarity around unit economics, and align your revenue cycle with accurate financial reporting. Attendees will walk away with practical strategies to strengthen their accounting foundation, improve visibility into true profitability, and build confidence to grow with intention.
Course Description:
Every doctor wants to pay the least amount of tax possible—but most don’t know if they’re truly maximizing their deductions. For dentists in group practices, this challenge becomes even more complex. With multiple partners, uneven collections, and shared expenses, it's easy for tax-saving opportunities to fall through the cracks. This course is designed specifically for group practice owners who want to take control of both their personal and practice-level tax planning. We’ll cover advanced strategies for managing deductions with multiple partners, addressing unequal profitability, and preparing for major upcoming tax law changes.
Learning Objectives:
- Minimize both personal and practice-level tax liability
- Implement smart deduction strategies across multiple partners
- Handle profits in a fair and tax-efficient way
- Prepare for key tax law changes that could significantly affect your planning
- Boost tax-deductible retirement savings and long-term wealth building
- Unlock opportunities for tax-free income
Course Description:
Explore the financial and operational advantages of transitioning nightguard and bite splint production from outsourced labs to in-house 3D printing. This workshop provides a step-by-step guide to evaluating ROI, understanding equipment and material costs, and enhancing patient satisfaction through same-day delivery.
PLUS: Watch a live design and print demonstration of a nightguard during the session—real-time insight into how it works in your practice.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this session, attendees will be able to:
• 💰 Understand the cost comparison between outsourcing and in-house production of nightguards.
• 📈 Calculate the return on investment (ROI) for 3D printing equipment and materials.
• 💡 Identify potential savings and new revenue opportunities by bringing fabrication in-house.
• ⏱️ Assess the impact of reduced turnaround time on patient satisfaction and operational efficiency.
• 👀 Experience a live demonstration of nightguard design and 3D printing during the session.
• 🌟 Explore additional uses for 3D printing in dentistry (e.g., surgical guides, dentures, temps) as future value-adds.
Course Description:
Whether you’re preparing to sell your dental group or planning to grow through acquisition, understanding the legal, financial, and operational aspects of dental mergers and acquisitions is key to a successful outcome. In this session, attorney and healthcare entrepreneur Justin Marti will walk attendees through the current landscape of dental M&A and offer practical insights on preparing for a sale, navigating DSO interest, and structuring partnerships that work.
Key takeaways from this session will include:
How to prepare your dental group or practice for sale—from financial readiness to operational optimization
What buyers are looking for in today’s market, and how to position your practice to attract them
How to scale in preparation for a future sale or acquisition
The role of DSOs in dental M&A and how to evaluate DSO offers
What to expect during the sale process: timeline, deal structure, due diligence, and negotiation tips
Key legal considerations in dental M&A: contracts, liabilities, and compliance pitfalls
Post-sale planning: how to transition out (or stay on) in a way that protects your interests
Current trends and valuations in the dental M&A market
This session is ideal for practice owners considering a sale within the next 1–5 years, buyers looking to expand through acquisition, and anyone navigating a transition or partnership opportunity.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand how to prepare a dental practice for sale by evaluating financials, optimizing operations, and identifying key value drivers that attract qualified buyers or DSOs.
- Gain insight into the dental M&A process from both the buyer’s and seller’s perspectives, including deal structures, timelines, and common legal and financial pitfalls.
- Learn how to evaluate and structure successful partnerships—whether with associates, private buyers, or DSOs—to support long-term growth, smooth transitions, and aligned incentives.
Course Description:
Your uptime depends on IT Security (defense), Cyber Insurance (safety net), and HIPAA Compliance (governance).
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the Three Pillars of Protection
- Explain how IT security, cyber insurance, and HIPAA compliance impact your business
Course Description:
The path to the C-suite in dentistry isn’t always clear — and for women, it can be even more complex. This dynamic panel brings together female CEOs, founders, and executives who have built, led, or scaled successful group dental practices. They’ll share their journeys, lessons learned, and honest insights on leadership, equity, and opportunity in an industry that’s rapidly evolving.
From navigating partnerships and private equity to building culture and confidence, this session will inspire every attendee to define their own version of leadership success — whether they aspire to run a practice,
Session Title & Description:
From Chaos to Clarity: Building a Brand That Fuels Growth for Your Dental Group
Running a dental group isn’t just about scaling operations — it’s about building trust with patients, attracting top-tier team members, and standing out in a crowded market. In today’s competitive environment, group practice owners who treat branding as “just marketing” miss out on its power as a core business growth driver.
In this session, Sarah Ruberg, CEO of Our Thrive Tribe and 2025 Dental Socials DSO Influencer of the Year, will guide attendees through how an authentic personal and organizational brand becomes the foundation for attracting loyal patients, retaining staff, and closing stronger vendor and payer partnerships.
Session Title & Description:
Smarter Dentistry: What Data can Reveal About Billing Errors and Practice KPIs
Using insurance verification data from practices across the country, this session highlights the most common billing and verification pitfalls impacting dental organizations today. Discover which insurance carriers generate the highest number of coverage warnings, which warnings most often lead to lost revenue or delayed collections, and how tracking these insights has improved practice efficiency and financial performance. Attendees will gain a data-driven understanding of where revenue leakage occurs and how technology is helping eliminate errors before they impact patient care or the bottom line.
Session Title & Description:
Open Wide for AI: A Look Inside the Tech-Powered Dental Practice of 2050
Step into the future where AI assistants greet patients by name, robots handle routine cleanings, and your team never misses a call or follow-up because your AI assistant already handled it. That world isn’t science fiction or fantasy. Some of it is already being built now. Join Dr. Miles Beckett, CEO & co-founder of Flossy, as he takes the audience on a journey to explore what the dental office will look like in the year 2050. Discover how technology is reshaping the business and art of dentistry, from the front desk to the operatory. Learn how today's innovations and revolutionary breakthroughs in advanced imaging, conversational AI, and robotics are laying the groundwork for the fully connected, tech-powered practice of tomorrow. A former medical doctor turned serial tech entrepreneur, Miles will demystify AI in this engaging, practical, and visionary session, and shares what practices can do to start adapting today to transform patient communication, operations, and profitability — without losing the human touch. Through real-world examples and actionable insights, he'll separate hype from reality and show how any practice, large or small, can start building toward a smarter tomorrow. Attendees will walk away having a better understanding of how to future-proof their practice and what early, low-risk steps they can take now to stay competitive in the decades ahead.
Session Description:
How to prepare for my largest decision: not being the boss.
Learning Objectives:
- Be able to create an exit strategy from start to finish on when to prep, how, and when to exit.
- Be able to identify systems that work and when to administer them.
Session Description:
This interactive and facilitated workshop focuses on leadership development as practice owners aim to improve key aspects of two main objectives:
1) Improving the quality of the patient’s experience throughout your practice.
2) Increasing profitability by uncovering roadblocks to growth and identifying key areas of improvement.
Through a series of collaborative and social exercises, you will work alongside other practice owners to navigate 6 key activities to discover strategies and solutions that are best for you, your team, and your patients. You will assess and identify methods that could have a direct impact on the quality of the patient’s experience within your practice, which can ultimately lead to higher profits. These activities include increasing your leadership capabilities, analyzing your staff’s performance and identifying improvements, threading your vision and goals into the fabric of the patient’s journey, and building accountability to ensure success. Participants will gain relevant tools and initiatives to apply along with a workbook with customized solutions and ideas; come ready to actively participate and leave energized and organized!
Learning Objectives:
• Gain insights into how to improve the quality of the patient’s interaction throughout your practice within key moments of their visit. Key interactions include treatment, administration, and flow throughout your office.
• Discover what may be preventing growth within your practice. Areas of consideration include staff interaction, approach to treatment, leadership influence, and overall goals of the practice.
• Identify key opportunities for increasing profits within the practice. Areas of opportunity can include vision alignment throughout your team, employee engagement, being an effective leader to drive accountability, and better serving the patient.
Key takeaways:
• Construct and uphold the mission, vision, and core values for your practice.
• Establish what makes your practice unique and how to measure success.
• Better alignment between your staff and the goals of your practice and improve employee engagement.
• Create methods on how to better improve a patient’s experience within your practice.
• Overcome challenges and roadblocks that may be preventing your practice from growing.
• Improve your leadership skills and abilities to manage your staff to drive the practice to success.
• Identify both the specific initiatives and solutions needed to accomplish your priorities to improve your practice’s performance.
Session Description:
Silent friction erodes profit faster than supply costs. U.S. employees lose 2.8 hours a week wrestling conflict, a $359 billion payroll leak, while an unfilled dental-assistant seat can drain over $30 000 in productivity.
In 90 minutes you will trace those leaks, watch a Talkola role-play of a pay-raise standoff, and leave with a one-page fix ready for Monday’s huddle. Seats are limited—bring a real pain point and work it through.
In 90 minutes you will trace those leaks, watch a Talkola role-play of a pay-raise standoff, and leave with a one-page fix ready for Monday’s huddle. Seats are limited—bring a real pain point and work it through.
Learning Objectives:
- Compute real dollars lost to conflict in your practice so you can defend a culture budget at your next finance meeting.
- Pinpoint your top friction hotspots with the Friction Radar so you can remove one bottleneck within seven days.
- Coach through a Talkola simulation and read its safety score so you can give managers concrete, data-backed feedback.
- Draft a 24-hour micro-action plan so you can cut temp staff hours and keep key people before the next payroll run.
Session Description:
Marketing gets patients to click, but what happens next determines whether they ever sit in your chair. Too often, promising leads are lost in the gap between initial inquiry and case acceptance. In fact, nearly half of new patient inquiries go unanswered or receive delayed responses — costing practices valuable opportunities and lifetime patients.
This talk will uncover the critical mindset shift required for practices to help them focus on converting interest into action.
No software demos. No sales pitch. Just clear, actionable steps to strengthen your front-end systems and maximize your marketing investment.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify where most practices lose momentum
- Learn how how to optimize first impressions
- Create simple strategies that turn initial clicks into consultations and consultations into treatments and treatments into loyal patients.
Session Description:
Description: Join Dan McNeff of Legally Mine for a powerful session that will equip you with the legal and financial strategies needed to protect your business and preserve your wealth. Learn how to structure your legal entities to reduce your risk of lawsuits, protect both high- and low-risk assets, and unlock significant tax savings. Discover how to take control of your financial future with tools used by some of the world’s most successful companies. Walk away with practical steps to safeguard your practice, minimize exposure, and keep more of what you earn.
William (Bill) Becknell joined Mortenson Dental Partners in 2014, initially serving as the chief strategic officer, president of dental teams. He became a member of the Mortenson Dental Partners Board of Directors in 2017 and chief executive officer in 2018. Bill was previously the director of store operations for North America at PPG Industries. During his tenure at PPG, the business grew from 357 locations to 867 locations across the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Prior to PPG, Bill was manager of store operations for Kroger’s Mid-South Division, a 156-store chain serving Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois and Tennessee. Bill holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and completed the Executive MBA program at University of Pittsburgh Katz School of Business. He enhanced his leadership and executive education through programs at the University of Notre Dame and Kellogg School of Business
Mr. Jeffrey Reibel has been President and Chief Financial Officer for Mortenson Dental Partners since January of 2026, while serving as Chief Financial Officer since joining the Company in August of 2019. Prior to joining MDP, he served as the Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer for LHC Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: LHCG) following a multi-billion dollar merger of equals with Almost Family, Inc. (NASDAQ: AFAM) where Mr. Reibel was Chief Accounting Officer and Vice President of Finance and a key member of the management team that rapidly grew Almost Family. In 2007, he founded a software company and served as its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer until its sale in 2010. He found his affinity for healthcare growth companies while working as a certified public accountant for 12 years at Ernst & Young LLP serving clients ranging in size from small entrepreneurial start-up companies to a $40 billion Switzerland based international conglomerate. Mr. Reibel graduated from Bellarmine University.
Dr. Britt Bostick lives in Lubbock, Texas, and is a graduate of Texas Tech University and Texas A&M School of Dentistry. He has 37years of clinical practice, growth, and management experience in large group dental practices. Dr. Bostick is the Chief Dental Officer of Mortenson Dental Partners, one of the largest doctor and employee-owned dental groups in the US, and has also served as Founder / Regional President, VP of Clinical Affairs, and currently as Chief Dental Officer. Dr. Bostick has been instrumental in creating and implementing the Yes Philosophy, the Top Docs development program, and the Hire to Retire for Dentists program.
Dr. Bostick and his Wife, Patti, enjoy being outdoors and spending time with their four children and seven grandchildren.
With over 30 years in Finance, including 9 years at Mortenson Dental Partners, I bring deep expertise in dental revenue cycle management (RCM). For 8 years, I have led RCM initiatives, navigating the shift toward increased automation and centralization. My strategic focus on network optimization and fee negotiation has yielded significant results, including an increase in negotiated fees by over $10 million in the past two years. I’m passionate about making work easier for our practice teams so that they can focus on what matters most…. The patient experience.
Eric Gallegos, a native of South Texas, brings over 25 years of sales experience and more than a decade of expertise in the dental industry to his role as VP of Innovations and Growth at InsideDesk.
Hailey is an accomplished leader with over 10 years of experience in healthcare and dental practice management, specializing in payer strategy and contract optimization. As Manager of Payer Strategy and Management, she has a proven track record of negotiating and streamlining payer contracts to drive operational efficiency and deliver significant revenue gains for her organization.
With a strong background in practice management, Hailey brings deep expertise in payer relations, reimbursement models, and performance improvement. Her strategic approach to contract analysis and payer partnerships has enhanced financial outcomes while supporting sustainable growth in patient care operations.
Dan McNeff is the CEO of Legally Mine and a nationally recognized expert in asset protection and tax strategy. With over 20 years as an entrepreneur, Dan has helped thousands of professionals, including dentists, protect their assets and reduce their tax burden. Outside of the office he plays guitar and sings, has teed up on golf courses around the world, and loves learning about the black bear. Dan is a dynamic speaker, and is known for delivering practical, eye-opening strategies audiences can use immediately.
Jessica Walker is a Senior Consultant and Coach with Aligned Dental, bringing nearly 30 years of experience in the dental industry, including 20 years as a practicing dental hygienist. Her background spans administration, chairside assisting, hygiene, education, and clinical leadership, giving her a comprehensive understanding of how strong systems and clinical excellence drive practice success.
Jessica specializes in coaching dental hygiene teams to increase production while maintaining a strong focus on high clinical standards, patient-centered care, and long-term sustainability. Through clear expectations, practical workflows, and individualized coaching, she helps teams build confidence, consistency, and measurable results.
She has served as faculty in both dental hygiene and dental assisting programs and is an ADEX Clinical Board Examiner. Jessica is known for her engaging, practical approach and her ability to translate strategy into real-world application for clinical teams.
Aaron DeCorte is the VP of Sales and Marketing at JAZZ Imaging, bringing over 25 years of experience in sales, sales management, and marketing. Since joining the company just before the launch of the SOLO sensor in 2016, he has helped shape the JAZZ brand into the fastest-growing sensor company in the U.S. Aaron’s expertise in digital radiography began with DEXIS in 2002, where he advanced from District Sales Manager to Regional Sales Manager. His experience at Silicon Valley startups and in virtual training has honed his ability to drive innovation and growth. Aaron is passionate about combining technology and customer-focused strategies to deliver outstanding solutions in dental imaging.
Alex Cohen is the co-founder and CEO of Hello Patient, a conversational AI platform that automates appointment scheduling, reminders, patient inquiries, and outbound engagement across voice, text, and chat. Integrated with EHR and practice-management systems, Hello Patient reduces administrative burden, improves patient access, and ensures no call or message goes unanswered — driving higher schedule utilization while reducing cost-to-serve.
Prior to founding Hello Patient, Alex led consumer and product teams at Carbon Health, where he scaled patient-facing digital experiences during a period of rapid national expansion. A repeat founder and active angel investor in tech and healthcare startups, Alex combines deep product expertise with a passion for solving operational challenges in healthcare delivery.
My focus as VP, Partner Success, revolves around fostering enduring partnerships and securing new business development opportunities. My tenure has been marked by a commitment to excellence in key account management, which is evidenced by our team's success in nurturing strategic relationships and expanding our professional network.
Prior to this role, as Director of Strategic Accounts, I honed my skills in relationship building, ensuring that our partners consistently received unparalleled support and service. This dedication to partner success is not just a professional mandate, but a personal mission to facilitate exceptional dental care through innovative solutions and collaborative growth.
Wes Lyon, CPA, CFP, President & CEO, McGill and Lyon Dental Advisors
Wes is the President & CEO of McGill and Lyon Dental Advisors, co-editor of The McGill & Lyon Dental Advisory, and a Tax, Business, and Financial Planning Advisor. He is a prominent speaker known for weaving entertainment and laughs into serious topics that help doctors slash taxes, maximize profits, and reach financial freedom. Whether Wes is speaking, writing, or consulting, he strives to make sure doctors keep as much of their money as possible, shielding them from taxes and excess overhead. Wes joined John K. McGill and Company as a Tax, Business, and Financial Planning Advisor, working his way up to Partner. Wes purchased the consulting business from John McGill in 2022 and has served as President and CEO ever since. He prides himself on providing the best advice possible while ensuring his clients truly implement the necessary changes to eliminate their financial headaches.
Diwakar Sinha, Founder & CEO, Polaris Healthcare Partners
Diwakar is the Founder & CEO of Polaris Healthcare Partners, and holds a bachelor’s from The Ohio State University. With over two decades in healthcare finance, Diwakar served at Sky, Bank of America, Leaf, Group Financial and most recently at East West Bank, where he was vice president of healthcare sales. Diwakar is passionate about healthcare practice success and when not supporting deals, can be found at industry events talking about the latest trends in M&A, dental practice optimization and financial performance for emerging groups with a desire to accelerate growth. Diwakar has a daughter and is an avid cyclist, hiker, and foodie.
Greg Essenmacher, GnA Consult
Greg Essenmacher is a leading expert in Fixed Full Arch dentistry, helping transform implant practices into Full Arch powerhouses. As the founder of GnA Consult, Greg has been focused for nearly a decade on the Fixed Full Arch market, using tailored solutions and cross-functional collaboration; he maximizes clients’ potential with his expertise, which includes optimizing patient acquisition costs, coaching for lead calls, and improving treatment case acceptance. His insights on actionable steps enhance the practice’s ability to convert Full Arch cases, increasing their valuation and improving EBITDA.
Thomas Passalacqua, Certified Executive Coach, Leadership Development, & Facilitated Learning Specialist
Thomas Passalacqua is an accomplished sales professional and educator as well as a certified executive coach. Previously being a highly successful teacher and accomplished sales representative in the competitive New York City marketplace, Thomas applies skills such as organization, effective planning, and consistency to achieve the highest results possible. Currently leading business development and acquisitions for a fast-growing group practice within the Northeast, Thomas utilizes an expansive network and acquired sales experience to help the company grow and provide needed support for partner clinicians.
Thomas is a passionate leader with a devotion to empowering others to succeed, developing successful programs and initiatives, and finding effective strategies to drive company growth. Being a highly driven team player who is resourceful and having strong communication and interpersonal skills, Thomas created Ascend Professional Pathways to help others in their own professional journeys. He aims to elevate others to maximize their potential and find ways to directly influence success in their roles. Thomas is driven with an unwavering passion for enabling others to succeed and grow beyond their current capabilities.
Graduating from Hofstra University with a master's in education, Thomas started his career creating programs and starting new schools. Transitioning into direct sales and business development, Thomas achieved President's Club for exceeding his sales goals and started to train and mentor other sales professionals and now helping to grow a healthcare management company. Thomas is applying all of his experience and acquired skills to train and support other sales professionals as well as helping leaders navigate their success through executive coaching and training.
Dina Lynch Eisenberg, JD, EMBA, CO-OP, CEO, Happy Practice Consulting
Dina’s professional journey is marked by innovation and a deep commitment to positive change. She blends a dynamic mix of cutting-edge consulting strategies with three decades of experience across industries working with organizations like St. Jude's Children's Hospital, Polaroid, Coca Cola, Bolthouse Farms and Twitter, where she developed their Ombuds program and served as the inaugural Ombuds program and served as the inaugural Ombuds. Through her proprietary, AI powered practice gym, Talkola, leaders master hard conversations without breaking a sweat and transform the way their organizations approach communication and conflict management.
Justin Marti, Esq., Marti Law Group
Justin Marti is an attorney and the founder of Marti Law Group specializing in healthcare law and Mergers and Acquisitions. He guides practice owners and buyers across multiple healthcare verticals with legal foundations and strategies to propel businesses forward.
A seasoned entrepreneur, Justin co-founded a dental group at 25 years old, grew it to over 45 locations across four states, and sold it in a private equity transaction. He then pivoted to law, using his extensive experience to help clients navigate scaling and selling their businesses.
Justin’s experience building a fifty million dollar organization gives him the rare ability to think like a true entrepreneur and business operator. It has led to his own philosophy embedded in the firm’s ethos: he thinks of himself as an "advisor first, attorney second."
At Marti Law Group, Justin and his team have represented hundreds of medical practice owners, buyers, and sellers through the M&A process, building MSOs and DSOs, navigating compliance, and more. Under Justin’s leadership, Marti Law Group has acquired industry-leading expertise in multiple healthcare sectors including medical aesthetics, dental, optometry, behavioral health, veterinary, and more.
Justin earned his JD from Western New England School of Law and a Bachelor of Finance from University of Connecticut. He lives in Connecticut with his family.
Sarah Ruberg, CEO, Our Thrive Tribe
Sarah Ruberg is the CEO and Head Unicorn behind Our Thrive Tribe, where she helps DSOs and industry partners grow with bold strategies and authentic relationships. With over a decade of experience in dentistry, marketing, and hospitality, Sarah has become a recognized leader in dental marketing and social media strategy.
Patrick Arnold, Senior Manager, Elliott Davis
Patrick specializes in providing clients in the dental and medical industry with fractional CFO and fractional controller services to support financial management and sustainable growth. He draws on his expertise in management reporting, strategic planning, and optimizing financial processes and structures to provide specialized service to Dental Support Organizations (DSOs) and Medical Support Organizations (MSOs). Patrick prides himself on providing valuable insights into key performance indicators, financial trends, and areas for improvement to empower organizations to make data-driven decisions and effectively allocate resources to maximize profitability and operational efficiency. By collaborating with leadership teams to define clear goals, develop comprehensive action plans, and monitor progress towards achieving desired outcomes, Patrick delivers strategic growth opportunities and formulates strategies that leverage specific strengths of dental and medical practices to help organizations expand and achieve long-term success.
Nate Thompson, Founder & CEO, Triumphant Partners
Nate Thompson is a Healthcare Practice Advisor and a Practice Valuation Expert with experience on both the buying and selling sides of practice transitions. He works closely with med spa owners, dentists, dental support organizations, MSOs, private equity firms, and investors with practice acquisitions, mergers, buy-ins, and dispositions.
Nate began his career in the industry with the world’s largest provider of dental transitions, healthcare services, and consulting, providing him with national experience in practice acquisitions, sales, capitation, revenue enhancement, and growth strategies. He won many awards for his dedication and helping his clients increase their business revenue, placing them in a solid position to partner or transition. He has also worked extensively with one of the largest and fastest-growing Dental Support Organizations in the United States. This experience granted him an extensive understanding of how large private equity firms evaluate practices and their purchasing requirements. It gave him invaluable insight into the transitional buying and selling process, which has proven inestimable for his clients.
With certification and experience in Mergers and Acquisitions, Nate is an authority in practice valuations, sales, buy-ins, and acquisitions. He has a deep understanding of the inner workings surrounding healthcare practices, including med spa, dental, operational and financial management, strategic planning, and growth strategies.
His success over the years led Nate to partner with his previous sell-side advisory firm, where he greatly expanded their national footprint. Within his first full year, Nate helped them triple the number of practices sold while quadrupling their revenue.
Nate enjoys sports, traveling, socializing, and spending time with his two beautiful daughters and his dog, Chip.
Derek Giddon, DDS, CEO & Cofounder, Airpay
Derek Giddon, DDS practiced dentistry for over a decade, experiencing firsthand how insurance verification challenges slowed workflows, drained cashflows, and impacted patient care. Driven to solve these inefficiencies, he founded AirPay, a leading dental software for automated insurance verification, proactive insurance warnings, and detailed plan breakdowns.
Miles Becket, MD, CEO & Co-Founder
Dr. Miles Beckett is a former medical doctor turned serial tech entrepreneur with two successful exits. He started as a surgery resident before leaving medicine to co-create lonelygirl15, YouTube’s first viral web series. After building and selling a media company, he returned to healthcare as the founder & CEO of Silversheet, a credentialing platform later acquired by AMN Healthcare. Today, he's the CEO & co-founder of Flossy -- the conversational AI software platform behind Fiona, the first dental AI receptionist. Miles and his team are pioneering how conversational AI can transform the dental front office. Under his leadership, Flossy helps practices answer more calls, schedule more patients, and run leaner, more profitable operations. Widely recognized for his expertise at the intersection of healthcare and technology, Miles is a thought leader on how AI is reshaping the future of dentistry. He's also an active tech investor and advisor in Los Angeles.
Matt Diblasi, President & CEO, Abyde
Matt is an entrepreneur with a deep passion for transforming the healthcare space through practical, forward-thinking solutions. He is driven by a desire to tackle real challenges and create meaningful change that truly makes a difference.
Tim Hines, President, Briteline Dental Lead Management
Tim Hines is the President of Briteline Dental Lead Management, where he helps dental practices drive growth through innovative lead conversion strategies and human-first communication. A four-time entrepreneur, global keynote speaker, and business coach, Tim empowers professionals and organizations to accelerate success through collaboration, innovation, and influence.
As a career marketing expert, Tim brings a bold, energetic perspective to navigating change and sparking results. He is also the author of The Marketing Starter: How an Entrepreneurial Spirit Will Make You a More Savvy Marketer and host of The Marketing Starter Podcast, where he champions the idea of thinking like a founder—no matter your role.
And just to keep things interesting, Tim is also a trained stand-up comedian and a licensed marriage minister. (Yes, he’s performed both on stage and at the altar)
Vivek Solanki, DDS., Clinical Coach, Polaris Healthcare Partners
Dr. Vivek Solanki is a group practice owner and Polaris Healthcare Partners Clinical Coach, where he combines clinical expertise with a passion for mentoring dental professionals to help leaders in periodontics, implant dentistry, general and specialty group dental practices achieve high standards of care. Currently, he is the CEO and co-owner of a group of multi-specialty practices in the Greater Tampa Bay Area. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology and a member of the American Academy of Periodontology, Academy of Osseointegration, American Dental Association, California Dental Association, and Florida Dental Association.
He began his academic journey with a B.S. in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Florida, followed by a D.D.S. from Howard University in Washington, D.C. Dr. Solanki completed a two-year general practice residency at the Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and then pursued three years of specialized training in periodontics and implant dentistry at the West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Hospital, serving as chief resident at both institutions. As an active participant in the academic community, he frequently lectures at local hygiene schools and serves as a mentor for the associate dentists and specialists in his group practices. Outside the office, Dr. Solanki enjoys photography, cooking, exercising, and traveling with his wife.