Mark Musso on the Power of Building Dental Practice Trust
In any relationship, the foundation of trust makes or breaks the success and longevity of it. So, why should dental practices be any different? In the latest episode of The Dental Economist Show, host CRO Mike Huffaker of Planet DDS welcomes Mark Musso, CEO of Specialty Smile Partners, to explore leadership lessons, building trust in DSO partnerships, and navigating a changing industry.
What you’ll learn:
- The foundational business principles to transition successfully from corporate leadership to healthcare management
- The “Trust Triangle” framework for building lasting relationships between DSOs, doctors, and patients
- Why transparency and early communication are crucial for successful doctor partnerships
- The strategic approach to implementing standardized systems while maintaining clinical autonomy
- Why people development and mentorship are crucial for sustainable organizational growth
- The balanced approach to exploring AI and new technologies in dental practices
- Why centralized support services need to remain flexible to accommodate local practice needs
- How to maintain sustainable growth in dental practices amid changing economic conditions
Tune in for a reminder on why it’s vital to set the tone early on and start building the foundation of trust from Day 1, in dentistry and in life.
Episode Highlights
In this episode, host Mike Huffaker and Mark Musso of Specialty Smile Partners discuss foundational ways to build trust with one’s dental practice, between DSO partnerships, and most importantly, with customers. Here are some highlights from the show:
Building trust in your dental practice
Musso shares how Target’s “fast, fun, and friendly” mantra translates into dental practice management through his concept of “clearing the runway” for team success. The foundation of successful dental organizations rests on creating an environment where clinical teams can focus entirely on patient care while business operations run smoothly in the background.
Leaders must actively remove obstacles and provide resources that enable their teams to deliver exceptional patient experiences, allowing them to grow sustainably while maintaining high standards of care across their dental practices.
Setting clear expectations from day one
Musso emphasizes the critical importance of transparency and setting clear expectations at the very beginning of any partnership or hiring process. Rather than promising perfection, Snickers and slushies, successful dental organizations should openly discuss both opportunities and challenges, creating an environment where team members feel comfortable raising concerns early, helping build authentic relationships based on mutual understanding.
Regular check-ins and open dialogue help maintain alignment between organizational goals and individual expectations, fostering long-term success.
Moving with the dental evolution
Musso discusses how dental practices must evolve beyond traditional service models to thrive in today’s changing marketplace. With household savings at historic lows and shifting demographics affecting patient volumes, successful practices are exploring creative ways to expand services and leverage technology.
The key is identifying opportunities that align with existing capabilities while meeting emerging patient needs, whether through expanded treatment options, teledentistry, or AI-enabled care delivery. Organizations that embrace innovation while maintaining focus on sustainable growth position themselves for long-term success.
What the next dental practice model looks like
Musso shares his excitement about the dental industry’s growth potential, particularly in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics where DSO consolidation remains under 15%. This fragmentation creates opportunities for organizations that can help independent practices access advanced technology and operational expertise while maintaining clinical autonomy.
Forward-thinking groups are using their scale to accelerate adoption of new technologies and best practices across multiple locations. This collaborative approach benefits both providers and patients by combining clinical excellence with business efficiency.
About The Dental Economist Show
Don’t miss insightful conversations with industry experts on the latest trends and top strategies to grow your DSO or dental group. Tune in to The Dental Economist Show each week as we meet at the intersection of profit and purpose.
