DSO Compass Off Script is a candid, conversation-driven podcast hosted by two dental industry veterans Matthew McGaw and Clayton Russell, exploring what’s really happening behind the scenes in dental and healthcare organizations.
Each episode breaks from the usual talking points to focus on real stories, real challenges, and real insights from the people building, investing in, and innovating within the DSO ecosystem.
Owners Need Coaches Too: Dr. Corey Hastings of Blue Sage on Mentors, Ownership, Tech, & Bills Mafia
Dr. Corey Hastings, founder and CEO of Blue Sage Dental Group, joins Matt and Clayton to share how he grew from one pediatric dental practice into a multi-location, dentist-owned group. He discusses creating a meaningful path to ownership for associates, building the systems and leadership needed to scale, and removing barriers to care for kids and families. Dr. Hastings also shares candid lessons on acquisitions, continuous learning, and why successful practice owners need to grow beyond their clinical skills.
Key Highlights:
How Blue Sage grew from one practice to a multi-location group.
Why scaling beyond 4–5 offices requires new systems and leadership.
Why Dr, Hastings prefers de novos over acquisitions.
What it really takes to prepare associates for ownership.
How Blue Sage is expanding access to pediatric dental care through a surgery center and school partnerships.
23 Sept 2026
The PMS Wars – What a $50M Investment in Dental PMS Means for the Industry
Matthew and Clayton examine Archy’s $50 million Series C and what it could mean for dental practice management software, DSOs, and AI-native technology. They discuss the future of legacy PMS platforms, the challenges facing point solutions, and why vendors should prioritize cross-functional planning before launching year-end pilots.
Archy raises $50M in Series C funding, signaling growing momentum in dental tech.
AI-native PMS platforms could challenge legacy systems and expand into the DSO market.
Point solutions face growing pressure as PMS platforms become more integrated.
Dental tech consolidation could create new opportunities for organic growth.
Q4 pilots can still work when implementation is fast and value is measurable.
DSOs should assess their tech stack now to prepare for next year.
27 Aug 2026
How to Use Technology to Fix the Provider Efficiency Problem
Dr. Scott Dudley explores why dental groups may be measuring the wrong things, arguing that provider efficiency and behavior matter more than case acceptance alone. With Matt and Clayton, he discusses the challenges around hiring and ownership, the role of technology in changing provider behavior, internal benchmarking, and how preventive care can drive better patient outcomes and long-term economics. A practical conversation on building more efficient, resilient dental organizations.
Key Highlights
Provider behavior is the real bottleneck
Case acceptance ≠ quality
Internal benchmarks create an advantage
Technology must solve problems
Ownership is losing appeal
Prevention drives better economics
14 Jul 2026
The Mid-Year Tech Outlook: Why Expected Industry Boom Fell Flat in 2023
Most dental industry insiders see this year as stagnant, but Clayton Russell and Matt McGaw reveal the real trends reshaping the market. From AI underperforming in dental use cases to shifting DSO priorities, this episode explains what’s changing and how smart leaders are adapting.
Key Highlights:
AI expectations are outpacing real-world results.
Timing matters in industry decisions.
Authentic relationships beat hard selling.
Build vs. buy is shifting fast.
Security and trust are essential.
Sharing failures helps everyone learn.
Collaboration drives stronger growth.
2 Jun 2026
Why Your Tech Implementation Might Be Dooming your DSO and the Launch of Relay
Forget everything you think you know about implementing new dental technology — this episode exposes the hidden pitfalls that can turn promising innovations into industry graveyards. If you're a dental leader, tech vendor, or DSO deciding what to build or buy, you can't afford to miss this.
Key Highlights:
Critical steps to successful tech implementation
Importance of vendor-sales alignment and realistic timelines
Engagement strategies that make or break tech success
Why speed to impact is the true metric of a tech solution’s value
How larger enterprises are asking smarter questions about pilots and integrations
The role of tech literacy, behavioral change, and stakeholder alignment
21 Apr 2026
Tech Moving Faster Than Trust
Trust is huge inside a dental practice and a DSO. We discuss this and how fast technology is moving and it's impact on culture.
Other topics discussed:
Too many tech projects, not enough capacity
AI creating pressure without clear outcomes
Where implementation breaks down
Why trust with doctors actually determines success
Shadow AI starting to show up inside orgs
10 Mar 2026
What makes a great dental conference, how DSOs are approaching AI, and the ecosystem shift.
In this episode we discuss:
Why some dental conferences create real value while others fall flat
The rise of targeted User Conferences
Why operational strategy needs to come before technology
The shift toward ecosystem partnerships instead of building everything internally
The role private equity plays in major technology decisions
5 Feb 2026
Get in the Field or Get Surprised
Matthew and Clayton break down why most tech pilots in DSOs don’t go well and what changes the odds. They talk transparency, field reality, setting expectations, and why DSOs and vendors need to keep measuring whether the core product is still delivering as stacks grow.
7 Jan 2026
A Noisy Year in Dental Tech And What’s Next
A quick, grounded conversation on the state of dental technology. We look back on a crowded year, the shift from AI hype to real-world execution, and why the best tech should quietly support operators, doctors, and patients. We close with what we’re watching as dental tech heads into 2026.
4 Nov 2025
Off Script (Reboot): PE, Pilots & the Push for Openness
In this first episode of DSO Compass Off Script, Matthew McGaw and Clayton Russell kick things off with a casual catch-up and a few topics that are shaping the dental landscape right now.
We cover:
➡️ California’s new law tightening private equity and MSO oversight
➡️ The latest public vs. private DSO moves — Dentalcorp and Park Dental
➡️ Vendor promises and pilots — what’s performative vs. what actually works
➡️ PMS and data integration — why access and openness still hold back innovation
Real conversations. Real opinions. No script.
31 Jul 2025
Running the Dental Offense: Clayton Russell’s Journey from QB to Operator
How sports, structure, and strong routines shaped a calm and consistent DSO leader.
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