Dan Hosler on the De Novo Strategy to Rewrite Your Practice Growth

In today’s day and age, you can and must leverage the power of AI and data-driven decisions to scale your dental practice. In this episode of The Dental Economist Show, host CRO Mike Huffaker of Planet DDS sits down with Dan Hosler, CEO of Allied OMS, to explore strategic practice growth in the dental industry.
What you’ll learn:
- How to attract investment in the market by focusing on operational excellence and meaningful integration
- The two-pillar approach to successful practice integration: reducing provider headaches and cutting operational costs
- Why data-driven decision making is transforming oral surgery practices and how to implement daily reporting
- How to effectively implement AI solutions by breaking down business processes into measurable components
- The “maintenance marketing” principle for sustainable patient acquisition in oral surgery practices
- How to build successful surgeon recruitment programs through educational engagement and long-term relationship building
- Why establishing multiple banking relationships and exception-based reporting are crucial for multi-location practices
- The strategic approach to opening de novo practices and executing “aqua-novo” acquisitions for practice growth
This conversation offers actionable strategies for navigating the evolving dental industry landscape.
Episode Highlights
In this episode, Dan Hosler joins The Dental Economist Show to share game-changing insights on the practice management evolution. Here are some highlights from the show:
What makes integration strategy effective
Hosler reveals that successful business integration must either relieve provider headaches or reduce operational costs—ideally both. This dual-focus approach helps healthcare organizations avoid implementing changes that don’t deliver tangible value.
When evaluating potential integrations, leaders should first identify specific pain points for providers and quantifiable cost-saving opportunities. Organizations that apply this strategic filter can better prioritize initiatives and achieve measurable improvements in both provider satisfaction and financial performance.
Process-based AI implementation
Breaking down business operations into discrete processes is essential for successful AI integration in healthcare organizations. Hosler emphasizes the importance of identifying specific steps within each process that technology could enhance or automate.
Rather than attempting comprehensive AI transformation, focus on measurable improvements in targeted areas like revenue cycle management (RCM) or patient intake. This methodical approach allows practices to evaluate ROI clearly and scale successful implementations.
Sustainable referral growth strategy
The key to maintaining strong referral relationships is establishing systematic outreach processes that continue even when practice volumes increase. Hosler shares how his company demonstrates this by having dedicated marketing specialists conduct seven to ten referral source visits daily, coordinating educational events, and maintaining consistent communication channels.
Many practices make the mistake of reducing outreach efforts when they get busy, disrupting their referral pipeline. Creating a dedicated role for referral management ensures sustainable growth through both busy and slower periods.
Innovative recruitment through education
Hosler shares their successful approach to surgeon recruitment through educational residency dinners, focusing on providing genuine value rather than sales pitches. The approach demonstrates how focusing on authentic education and relationship-building yields better recruitment results than traditional promotional efforts.
By leading with value and education, organizations can build stronger connections with potential recruits while establishing themselves as trusted partners in career development.
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.