Influential Dental

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 many clinicians carry, a...

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 organizations.

The conversation ...

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 dentists should understand abou...

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 shares why dentistry can no lo...

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 early cavities.

Together, th...

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 influence is built through consistency...

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 and career growth. It explores what it...

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 Dental Team
Hosted by Michae...

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, embracing change, and using your pla...

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 leadership, why dentists learn more fr...

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. This conversation explores influ...

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 behind the Global Medical-Dental AI Summi...

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 professional performance, why many high achi...

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 capabilities, particularly in pediatric dentistry, ...

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, they unpack what makes strong pa...

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 be at the center of decis...

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, as Dr. Avi says, you can’t lose...

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 about his journey from early im...

In this episode ofInfluential 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 how she’s bringi...