Matt Hendrick on Building a DSO Where Support Beats Control
What does it really mean to build a dental support organization (DSO) around support, not control? In this episode of The Dental Economist Show, host CRO Mike Huffaker of Planet DDS, sits down with Matt Hendrick, co-founder of Elevate Dental Partners, to explore exactly that.
Hendrick came to dentistry not through the operatory, but through Goldman Sachs and private equity—and what he saw while evaluating DSO investments convinced him to build something better. Elevate’s model is designed for mid-career doctors who want meaningful partnership: true clinical and operational autonomy, personalized support, and a structure that puts doctors first from day one.
Rethinking the DSO Model
Tune in to hear how Hendrick and his team have grown to 35 practices while staying true to their founding mission, why the first 90 days post-partnership change as little as possible, and how Elevate is thinking about AI and technology as tools for freeing up doctors not controlling them. This episode is a masterclass in building a values-driven DSO that doesn’t trade culture for scale.
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.
Listen to the full episode:
