1 00:00:00,240 --> 00:00:02,580 Imagine this. You're in the heart of Chicago 2 00:00:02,639 --> 00:00:05,059 mingling with the brightest minds in health IT. 3 00:00:05,279 --> 00:00:07,825 You've arrived at the 9th annual Health IT 4 00:00:07,904 --> 00:00:10,484 plus Digital Health plus RCM conference 5 00:00:10,785 --> 00:00:13,344 taking place October 1st through 4th at the 6 00:00:13,344 --> 00:00:15,525 luxurious Hyatt Regency Chicago. 7 00:00:15,939 --> 00:00:18,739 Picture the excitement as you collect countless business 8 00:00:18,739 --> 00:00:22,339 cards, forging invaluable connections with over 25 100 9 00:00:22,339 --> 00:00:23,804 executive level attendees. 10 00:00:24,364 --> 00:00:26,605 Feel the buzz of ideas flowing as you 11 00:00:26,605 --> 00:00:29,405 engage in meaningful conversations about the future of 12 00:00:29,405 --> 00:00:30,385 healthcare technology. 13 00:00:30,925 --> 00:00:34,250 Envision yourself attending sessions led by over 415 14 00:00:35,109 --> 00:00:36,009 elite speakers 15 00:00:36,469 --> 00:00:39,049 gaining insights that could transform your organization. 16 00:00:39,509 --> 00:00:43,015 From digital transformation and telehealth to clinician burnout 17 00:00:43,015 --> 00:00:43,835 and cybersecurity, 18 00:00:44,614 --> 00:00:47,094 each topic is designed to spark new ideas 19 00:00:47,094 --> 00:00:49,894 and provide actionable takeaways, but it doesn't stop 20 00:00:49,894 --> 00:00:53,000 there. Imagine sitting in a packed auditorium listening 21 00:00:53,000 --> 00:00:55,239 to motivating keynotes from some of the biggest 22 00:00:55,239 --> 00:00:56,219 names in sports. 23 00:00:56,520 --> 00:00:58,939 Four time Super Bowl champion Rob Gronkowski, 24 00:00:59,719 --> 00:01:03,695 WNBA champion and author Lisa Leslie, and NFL 25 00:01:03,755 --> 00:01:05,694 legend and ESPN analyst 26 00:01:06,075 --> 00:01:08,635 Eli Manning will be there sharing their stories 27 00:01:08,635 --> 00:01:10,974 and inspiring you to reach new heights. 28 00:01:11,275 --> 00:01:13,759 All around you, the future of Health IT 29 00:01:13,819 --> 00:01:15,840 unfolds, and you're not just a spectator, 30 00:01:16,219 --> 00:01:17,759 you're an active participant. 31 00:01:18,299 --> 00:01:20,560 Don't wait. You can find the event website 32 00:01:20,619 --> 00:01:22,984 and get registered by visiting beckershospitalreview.com 33 00:01:25,125 --> 00:01:27,924 and clicking on the events page. That's the 34 00:01:27,924 --> 00:01:28,424 beckershospitalreview.com 35 00:01:30,245 --> 00:01:31,225 events page. 36 00:01:31,989 --> 00:01:34,149 This is Laura Dierda with the Becker's Dental 37 00:01:34,149 --> 00:01:36,709 Plus DSO podcast. I'm thrilled today to be 38 00:01:36,709 --> 00:01:38,009 joined by Adam Rykicki, 39 00:01:38,310 --> 00:01:41,354 chief executive officer of Archway Dental Partners. Adam, 40 00:01:41,354 --> 00:01:42,435 it's a pleasure to have you on the 41 00:01:42,435 --> 00:01:43,414 podcast today. 42 00:01:44,034 --> 00:01:45,655 Well, thank you so much for having me. 43 00:01:46,194 --> 00:01:48,274 Now I'm looking forward to our discussion and 44 00:01:48,274 --> 00:01:49,920 really learning more about what you're doing at 45 00:01:49,920 --> 00:01:51,280 Archway. But before we dive in, can you 46 00:01:51,280 --> 00:01:52,719 tell me a little bit more about yourself 47 00:01:52,719 --> 00:01:53,540 and your background? 48 00:01:54,799 --> 00:01:55,299 Sure. 49 00:01:55,599 --> 00:01:57,359 As you said, I'm the, the CEO of 50 00:01:57,359 --> 00:01:58,560 Archway Dental Partners. 51 00:01:59,034 --> 00:02:01,454 We are fast growing, doctor led, multispecialty 52 00:02:01,915 --> 00:02:04,795 dental partnership organization here in New England. But 53 00:02:04,795 --> 00:02:06,555 we were actually the largest provider of care 54 00:02:06,555 --> 00:02:08,175 in the state of Connecticut, actually. 55 00:02:08,530 --> 00:02:10,709 Built that legacy over 53 years. 56 00:02:11,009 --> 00:02:12,849 Personally, I've been in dentistry for the last 57 00:02:12,849 --> 00:02:15,189 23 years, leading multispecialty, 58 00:02:15,729 --> 00:02:18,175 high quality organization. It's not too too dissimilar 59 00:02:18,235 --> 00:02:20,555 from Archway Dental Partners that in which I 60 00:02:20,555 --> 00:02:21,775 joined back in 2016. 61 00:02:22,155 --> 00:02:23,775 And I and I live here in Connecticut 62 00:02:23,835 --> 00:02:24,574 to help. 63 00:02:26,319 --> 00:02:29,040 Well, fantastic. That sounds like you've had just 64 00:02:29,040 --> 00:02:31,760 a really fascinating career, and, so I'm excited 65 00:02:31,760 --> 00:02:34,235 to learn more about your experience and really 66 00:02:34,314 --> 00:02:35,215 where you see things headed. 67 00:02:36,074 --> 00:02:37,514 1st and foremost, what are some of the 68 00:02:37,514 --> 00:02:39,594 biggest issues that you're following in dentistry right 69 00:02:39,594 --> 00:02:41,115 now? I know there's so much happening. It 70 00:02:41,115 --> 00:02:43,459 seems like an exciting and dynamic field, especially 71 00:02:43,459 --> 00:02:45,539 over the last couple years. So, you know, 72 00:02:45,539 --> 00:02:46,979 what is really top of mind for you 73 00:02:46,979 --> 00:02:47,639 right now? 74 00:02:48,659 --> 00:02:50,004 Sure. Yeah. Obviously, 75 00:02:50,384 --> 00:02:52,305 you know, the the labor market and its 76 00:02:52,305 --> 00:02:54,965 ebbs and flows have been both an opportunity 77 00:02:55,104 --> 00:02:58,064 and concerns of organizations across the economy. I 78 00:02:58,064 --> 00:03:00,420 do think that dentistry and health care as 79 00:03:00,420 --> 00:03:02,659 a whole, but dentistry specifically, has maybe been 80 00:03:02,659 --> 00:03:05,060 a little disproportionately affected by some of the 81 00:03:05,060 --> 00:03:07,460 labor market ups and downs. So, obviously, we 82 00:03:07,460 --> 00:03:09,074 we follow really closely, 83 00:03:09,854 --> 00:03:10,594 the availability 84 00:03:10,974 --> 00:03:13,215 and, of course, the cost of crucial team 85 00:03:13,215 --> 00:03:15,794 members like hygienists and support team 86 00:03:16,379 --> 00:03:17,599 all the way up to including, 87 00:03:18,060 --> 00:03:20,080 our doctor professionals as well. 88 00:03:20,540 --> 00:03:23,420 The wage inflation and availability of great people 89 00:03:23,420 --> 00:03:26,044 is definitely something that, is not just unique 90 00:03:26,044 --> 00:03:27,965 to dentistry, but, again, some place we've been 91 00:03:27,965 --> 00:03:28,944 hit pretty hard. 92 00:03:29,324 --> 00:03:30,685 We we just have to continue to be 93 00:03:30,685 --> 00:03:32,364 in the place that team members and clinicians 94 00:03:32,364 --> 00:03:33,805 actually wanna be a part of. And I 95 00:03:33,805 --> 00:03:35,939 think as we keep doing that, we'll we'll 96 00:03:35,939 --> 00:03:37,400 see that, those concerns, 97 00:03:37,939 --> 00:03:39,159 improve over time. 98 00:03:39,460 --> 00:03:41,620 The labor market is definitely a big piece 99 00:03:41,620 --> 00:03:43,014 of it. I think the second part of 100 00:03:43,014 --> 00:03:43,674 it is, 101 00:03:44,215 --> 00:03:45,354 kind of looking at 102 00:03:45,655 --> 00:03:47,435 what how technology 103 00:03:47,894 --> 00:03:48,394 can 104 00:03:49,094 --> 00:03:50,694 not be a hindrance to, but be a 105 00:03:50,694 --> 00:03:52,909 supportive aspect of what we do in dentistry. 106 00:03:53,290 --> 00:03:55,689 There's a lot of clinical and business technology 107 00:03:55,689 --> 00:03:57,689 that exists in the space today, and I 108 00:03:57,689 --> 00:03:59,370 think that our industry has gotten a little 109 00:03:59,370 --> 00:03:59,689 bit, 110 00:04:00,514 --> 00:04:02,114 a little bit confused and a little bit 111 00:04:02,114 --> 00:04:04,275 of overzealous with the utilization of some technology, 112 00:04:04,275 --> 00:04:05,794 and we wanna get that right and make 113 00:04:05,794 --> 00:04:07,634 sure that we're deploying the best types of 114 00:04:07,634 --> 00:04:09,474 technologies that are great for our doctors and 115 00:04:09,474 --> 00:04:11,770 our clinicians. And that takes a really kinda 116 00:04:11,770 --> 00:04:14,169 keen eye and and some strategic planning over 117 00:04:14,169 --> 00:04:14,669 time. 118 00:04:15,689 --> 00:04:16,970 That makes a lot of sense. And, you 119 00:04:16,970 --> 00:04:18,810 know, it really just has been interesting to 120 00:04:18,810 --> 00:04:20,541 see a lot of the technology that has 121 00:04:20,541 --> 00:04:23,387 come out, and really dive into figuring out 122 00:04:23,387 --> 00:04:26,550 what's makes the most difference, what's really worth 123 00:04:26,550 --> 00:04:29,081 that investment. I know every health care dollar 124 00:04:29,081 --> 00:04:31,230 is precious. So from your perspective, when you're 125 00:04:31,230 --> 00:04:33,310 looking at, you know, some of the and 126 00:04:33,310 --> 00:04:36,029 whether it's new technologies or, on the clinical 127 00:04:36,029 --> 00:04:38,305 side or or even the administrative side on 128 00:04:38,464 --> 00:04:40,404 automation and those kinds of things as well. 129 00:04:40,464 --> 00:04:41,444 How do you evaluate 130 00:04:41,904 --> 00:04:44,464 where to move forward, what to trial out, 131 00:04:44,464 --> 00:04:46,639 and where it really makes the most sense 132 00:04:46,639 --> 00:04:48,980 to invest some of your your, capital, 133 00:04:49,600 --> 00:04:51,379 for for the year? 134 00:04:52,800 --> 00:04:54,319 That's a good question. And I think that 135 00:04:54,319 --> 00:04:56,615 the the reverse of that is is what 136 00:04:56,675 --> 00:04:58,115 we may have been victim to in the 137 00:04:58,115 --> 00:05:00,214 industry over the past few years, which is 138 00:05:00,355 --> 00:05:02,455 buying the bright and shiny new toys. 139 00:05:02,889 --> 00:05:04,810 When when reality when when you integrate a 140 00:05:04,810 --> 00:05:06,810 new technology into a health care business, it 141 00:05:06,810 --> 00:05:09,689 has to be providing value above and beyond 142 00:05:09,689 --> 00:05:12,235 just its financial value, which is very important, 143 00:05:12,235 --> 00:05:14,074 of course, that it be productive. But is 144 00:05:14,074 --> 00:05:16,014 it adding to the satisfaction 145 00:05:16,394 --> 00:05:18,474 of the clinicians in the space? Is it 146 00:05:18,474 --> 00:05:19,454 actually improving 147 00:05:19,899 --> 00:05:21,579 clinical outcomes? And if it checks the three 148 00:05:21,579 --> 00:05:23,039 boxes of being productive, 149 00:05:23,819 --> 00:05:24,319 clinical 150 00:05:24,779 --> 00:05:26,620 improvements, what we can deliver as far as 151 00:05:26,620 --> 00:05:28,959 care goes, and improve the 152 00:05:29,365 --> 00:05:29,865 overall 153 00:05:30,644 --> 00:05:33,285 happiness and wellness of our clinical community, then 154 00:05:33,285 --> 00:05:36,024 it's something worthy of continuing that, kind of 155 00:05:36,970 --> 00:05:40,009 exploration. And there are from digital technologies to 156 00:05:40,009 --> 00:05:41,870 AI, a lot of these things that have 157 00:05:42,009 --> 00:05:44,250 circled us that can check all of those 158 00:05:44,250 --> 00:05:44,750 boxes, 159 00:05:45,129 --> 00:05:45,949 but they should. 160 00:05:46,875 --> 00:05:48,074 That makes a lot of sense, and, you 161 00:05:48,074 --> 00:05:50,014 know, it's helpful thought process. Now 162 00:05:50,394 --> 00:05:52,555 looking ahead, what are you most excited about 163 00:05:52,555 --> 00:05:54,334 for the future, and what makes you nervous? 164 00:05:55,480 --> 00:05:58,620 Sure. I I'm very excited by just 165 00:05:59,080 --> 00:06:02,279 overall growth opportunities that lie ahead of us, 166 00:06:02,279 --> 00:06:03,960 growth and other opportunities that lie ahead of 167 00:06:03,960 --> 00:06:06,574 us. Obviously, solidifying our presence here in the 168 00:06:06,574 --> 00:06:08,354 state of Connecticut is really exciting. 169 00:06:08,974 --> 00:06:10,574 You know, being the largest provider of care 170 00:06:10,574 --> 00:06:11,850 in the state is both 171 00:06:12,250 --> 00:06:14,250 exciting and and and, sure, a little bit 172 00:06:14,250 --> 00:06:15,610 of an ego trip. But we have a 173 00:06:15,689 --> 00:06:16,730 we have we have a lot of people 174 00:06:16,730 --> 00:06:17,689 to care for, and we have to make 175 00:06:17,689 --> 00:06:19,504 sure we keep doing that really well. But 176 00:06:19,504 --> 00:06:21,845 it's really exciting to conceive of 177 00:06:22,145 --> 00:06:23,285 expanding beyond 178 00:06:23,585 --> 00:06:25,925 our state and being in other nearby geographies 179 00:06:25,985 --> 00:06:27,504 where we could do the type of high 180 00:06:27,504 --> 00:06:28,485 quality care 181 00:06:28,879 --> 00:06:31,280 and the type of career building for our 182 00:06:31,280 --> 00:06:33,759 providers in other geographies that are similar to 183 00:06:33,759 --> 00:06:36,400 Connecticut, such as Massachusetts, New York, and and 184 00:06:36,400 --> 00:06:38,384 so on. So we're really excited about that. 185 00:06:39,264 --> 00:06:40,705 And and back to what we do just 186 00:06:40,705 --> 00:06:42,944 sky describing, I'm I'm excited to keep on 187 00:06:43,025 --> 00:06:45,425 unlocking these opportunities that allow us to do 188 00:06:45,425 --> 00:06:47,449 those other first for three things, which is 189 00:06:47,449 --> 00:06:49,209 improving the quality of care we deliver to 190 00:06:49,209 --> 00:06:51,850 patients and improving the type of a practice 191 00:06:51,850 --> 00:06:54,410 we offer our dentist to to put their 192 00:06:54,410 --> 00:06:55,230 career into. 193 00:06:56,009 --> 00:06:57,574 And we gotta keep uncovering those kind of 194 00:06:57,574 --> 00:06:59,654 opportunities, but it's a great focal point. And 195 00:06:59,654 --> 00:07:01,254 I and I love seeing these, 196 00:07:02,134 --> 00:07:04,694 growing new practices and new environments with happy 197 00:07:04,694 --> 00:07:07,117 doctors who are actually doing better care for 198 00:07:07,117 --> 00:07:09,183 patients. It's it's very exciting to see that. 199 00:07:09,183 --> 00:07:11,507 Things that I think would be, you know, 200 00:07:11,507 --> 00:07:13,875 continuing worries into the future, of course, you 201 00:07:13,875 --> 00:07:16,194 know, the labor market and inflationary environment we're 202 00:07:16,194 --> 00:07:18,115 in today is is something to keep a 203 00:07:18,115 --> 00:07:19,175 close eye on. 204 00:07:19,555 --> 00:07:21,930 The availability of great great people is never 205 00:07:21,930 --> 00:07:23,290 more important than it is in a high 206 00:07:23,290 --> 00:07:24,029 growth environment. 207 00:07:24,569 --> 00:07:26,170 And, of course, you know, it's we're not 208 00:07:26,170 --> 00:07:28,250 living in the most precedents of times, and 209 00:07:28,250 --> 00:07:30,495 we have to always watch what's going on 210 00:07:30,495 --> 00:07:31,795 in both in the macroeconomic 211 00:07:32,335 --> 00:07:34,514 and political arenas and how that might affect 212 00:07:34,655 --> 00:07:36,735 the, the scale of dentistry. So so definitely 213 00:07:36,735 --> 00:07:38,980 something that the state ladies are focused on. 214 00:07:39,939 --> 00:07:42,020 That's fascinating to hear. And, you know, especially 215 00:07:42,020 --> 00:07:43,720 as you talk about the workforce 216 00:07:44,259 --> 00:07:46,120 in trying to bring in talented 217 00:07:46,704 --> 00:07:48,225 folks and retain them as well. I can 218 00:07:48,225 --> 00:07:49,985 imagine a lot of our listeners are nodding 219 00:07:49,985 --> 00:07:51,665 their head in agreement and really see a 220 00:07:51,665 --> 00:07:53,685 lot of similar things that you are. So 221 00:07:54,069 --> 00:07:55,670 are there any adjustments that you've made at 222 00:07:55,670 --> 00:07:56,170 Archway, 223 00:07:56,870 --> 00:07:58,089 in response to 224 00:07:58,470 --> 00:08:01,290 the current job market, to really 225 00:08:01,670 --> 00:08:03,605 give you a sense of what it will 226 00:08:03,605 --> 00:08:06,584 take, to recruit and retain the best staff? 227 00:08:07,764 --> 00:08:10,004 Absolutely. I'll I'll I'll maybe share some one 228 00:08:10,004 --> 00:08:11,360 very important tidbit there. 229 00:08:11,919 --> 00:08:13,060 And and for the nonclinicians, 230 00:08:13,759 --> 00:08:15,539 not not the hygienists or the doctors. 231 00:08:16,000 --> 00:08:17,360 It it it became apparent to us a 232 00:08:17,360 --> 00:08:19,599 few years ago that the dental industry is 233 00:08:19,599 --> 00:08:20,819 gonna need to produce 234 00:08:21,354 --> 00:08:23,435 more of the candidates than it that it 235 00:08:23,435 --> 00:08:25,274 needs than it did in the past, which 236 00:08:25,274 --> 00:08:26,574 means that we may have to, 237 00:08:27,834 --> 00:08:31,079 recruit and hire talent from different different areas 238 00:08:31,079 --> 00:08:33,179 of expertise, like, say, customer service, 239 00:08:34,679 --> 00:08:37,285 that have hard to learn traits so that 240 00:08:37,285 --> 00:08:38,884 we can teach them the rest of it. 241 00:08:38,884 --> 00:08:40,245 So which means you have to be able 242 00:08:40,245 --> 00:08:42,884 to take someone who is a great deliverer 243 00:08:42,884 --> 00:08:44,644 of customer service, but turn them into a 244 00:08:44,644 --> 00:08:46,480 capable dental assistant, assistant, which means you have 245 00:08:46,480 --> 00:08:49,759 to produce all the training programs, collateral material, 246 00:08:49,759 --> 00:08:52,159 and support necessary to get that person from 247 00:08:52,159 --> 00:08:54,134 a to b. And doing that at scale, 248 00:08:54,134 --> 00:08:56,475 I think, is really important as the economy 249 00:08:56,534 --> 00:08:59,495 isn't necessarily producing the types of candidates we 250 00:08:59,495 --> 00:09:01,470 need on a regular basis and and and 251 00:09:01,470 --> 00:09:02,750 to the tune that we need them. So 252 00:09:02,750 --> 00:09:04,610 we have to be better at producing them. 253 00:09:05,950 --> 00:09:07,389 That makes a lot of sense. And, you 254 00:09:07,389 --> 00:09:08,804 know, I I think that's such a great 255 00:09:08,804 --> 00:09:11,284 tip and helpful way to process how you 256 00:09:11,284 --> 00:09:13,605 can meet some of the challenges and and 257 00:09:13,605 --> 00:09:15,845 still bring in, folks, you know, who have 258 00:09:15,845 --> 00:09:17,684 the right intangibles and then teach them the 259 00:09:17,684 --> 00:09:19,600 things you can teach them in order to, 260 00:09:20,160 --> 00:09:22,240 you know, fulfill the positions that you need. 261 00:09:22,240 --> 00:09:24,720 So that's fascinating to hear. Before we wrap 262 00:09:24,720 --> 00:09:26,639 up, I'm wondering what will be the most 263 00:09:26,639 --> 00:09:28,884 effective things that health care leaders will need 264 00:09:28,884 --> 00:09:30,164 in the next 2 to 3 years to 265 00:09:30,164 --> 00:09:30,825 be successful? 266 00:09:32,164 --> 00:09:34,345 Yeah. I think it's being being very thoughtful 267 00:09:34,565 --> 00:09:36,424 and focusing on adding value. 268 00:09:36,804 --> 00:09:38,679 It's kind of a topic we've been talking 269 00:09:38,679 --> 00:09:40,279 about around here for the last couple of 270 00:09:40,279 --> 00:09:42,860 years. When we are a high growth organization 271 00:09:43,320 --> 00:09:46,125 and you're either hiring a lot, you're acquiring 272 00:09:46,125 --> 00:09:46,945 a lot of practices, 273 00:09:47,485 --> 00:09:49,504 you're putting forth a lot of strategic initiatives, 274 00:09:49,804 --> 00:09:52,125 if you're not using the lens of, well, 275 00:09:52,125 --> 00:09:53,804 it has to add value to all of 276 00:09:53,804 --> 00:09:54,544 its participants, 277 00:09:55,059 --> 00:09:57,139 you might find yourself on the losing side 278 00:09:57,139 --> 00:09:59,059 of the coin versus the winning side. If 279 00:09:59,059 --> 00:10:00,899 you can say to yourself, well, this new 280 00:10:00,899 --> 00:10:02,980 practice, it's gonna add value to our patient 281 00:10:02,980 --> 00:10:05,444 demographic. It's gonna unlock access. It's gonna make 282 00:10:05,444 --> 00:10:06,184 my providers, 283 00:10:06,725 --> 00:10:09,044 happier to have be in a market they 284 00:10:09,044 --> 00:10:10,164 might wanna be in and the type of 285 00:10:10,164 --> 00:10:11,625 facility they wanna be in. 286 00:10:12,340 --> 00:10:14,420 If you and can we actually add value 287 00:10:14,420 --> 00:10:15,559 to entire equation? 288 00:10:16,100 --> 00:10:17,940 That's that's kind of the secret sauce, I 289 00:10:17,940 --> 00:10:20,440 think, going forward further into dentistry here. 290 00:10:20,825 --> 00:10:21,325 Every 291 00:10:21,705 --> 00:10:23,785 new recruit, are you adding value to them? 292 00:10:23,785 --> 00:10:25,945 Are they higher adding value to you? And 293 00:10:25,945 --> 00:10:27,865 a real focus on our ability to add 294 00:10:27,865 --> 00:10:29,565 value to all of those different circumstances 295 00:10:30,024 --> 00:10:30,524 is 296 00:10:31,049 --> 00:10:32,889 really the the the strategic focus that I 297 00:10:32,889 --> 00:10:33,710 think is necessary. 298 00:10:35,210 --> 00:10:36,889 That's amazing to hear. Thank you so much, 299 00:10:36,889 --> 00:10:38,649 Adam, for joining us on the podcast today. 300 00:10:38,649 --> 00:10:40,190 I really appreciate your time 301 00:10:40,634 --> 00:10:41,995 perspective, and I look forward to connecting with 302 00:10:41,995 --> 00:10:42,975 you again soon. 303 00:10:43,914 --> 00:10:45,294 You got it. Thank you so much.