My dad just turned 80. Pretty big deal. He spent some time with us in Utah recently.
He still plays golf. He still works out. He’s still sharp.

My dad is consistent, disciplined, routine-based. But here’s what’s surprised me the last few years.

He’s adding new habits. Pedicures (yup, you heard that right). New gym and stretching routines. Testing supplements like mushrooms, collagen, and greens—anything for an edge.

And here’s the important part, he didn’t overhaul his life overnight (that’s not possible for this old dog). He’s layering in one thing at a time. Try something new. See if it helps. Keep what works. Move on if it doesn’t.

That layered approach is what keeps him thriving—it’s adaptability. A willingness to evolve, even at 80.

When it comes to technology evaluation lately, I’m seeing the opposite of evolution, stagnation.

Too many groups are evaluating solutions the same way they did 5 years ago—before the AI influx.

Sometimes these tactics can work. I mean, word of mouth is powerful—especially to find the best restaurants. But it can’t be the entire strategy especially in our world of tight margins.

Foundational, but too often ignored. You must start with the Problem (Paul Graham has preached this forever—founder of Y Combinator). But don’t stop there.

Here’s my framework—the 4 Ps:

➡️ People — Who’s behind the tech? Do they understand dental? Are they dental-focused, not scattered across verticals? Can the product scale? What’s the technology behind it?

➡️ Problem — What real challenge does it solve? EBITDA, operations, patient experience? Are these headwinds worth investing in now?

➡️ Product — Does it actually work? Is it easy to implement? Measurable results? Easy for your teams to adopt? Because it can be shiny and exciting, but if your teams won’t use it, good luck.

➡️ Proximity — Where’s their talent? Are they close to innovation hubs like NY, SF & UT? Would you bet on a skier from Park City in the Winter Olympics… or one from Iowa?

My dad at 80 is thriving because he adapts. He’s open to new habits but filters them through what will actually help him live better and longer.

That’s the exact mindset DSOs need when choosing technology.
Not just tradition. Not just shiny objects.

Adaptability—with clarity.
That’s how we build systems with partners that last.

👉 Contact me—let’s talk about this. I want to learn from what you’re seeing, and help push technology adoption toward real outcomes from what I’m experiencing.

Check out where I’m going, where I’ve been and what I’ve seen.

What a Real Estate Conference Taught Me About DSO’s — Stepped out of the dental bubble and into real estate — turns out both industries are drowning in AI tools but starving for strategy.

The State of AI in DSO’s: Noise, Pilots & the Push for ROI — The State of AI in DSOs: noisy, messy, stuck between learning and doing — but the upside is too big to ignore.

👉 Interesting read on the Top Healthtech Startup Ideas for 2025 — AI, wearables, telemedicine, and more shaping a $900B market.

⚠️ A Lancet study shows clinicians may actually lose skills when relying too much on AI. For DSOs, it’s a reminder: adoption needs balance — tools should enhance, not replace, clinical judgment

👉 Epic’s “healthcare intelligence” push shows AI is moving beyond pilots into enterprise adoption. For DSOs, the question is the same: how do you align vendor tools, economics, and workforce readiness with real ROI and will PMS platforms evolve.

From Paper Charts to President: Rondi Michaux on Family Roots and DSO Growth

Rondi Michaux shares her journey from humble beginnings with paper charts to leading as President at Espire Dental. We talk about the family values that shaped her, the lessons learned along the way, and her perspective on building and growing dental organizations today.

Check it out here…

Have ideas, questions, or tech you want me to explore? Just reply and let’s chat.

- Matt