Q&A with Restfull COO
Rio Esqueda
Rio Esqueda has built a career in dentistry by being unafraid to take chances, ask questions, and challenge normal assumptions. Currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer for dental sleep software company Restfull, Rio is focused on leading a team that is set on building systems that can empower dentists to simultaneously be more successful and less stressed.
The following conversation was edited for clarity and length.
Tell us a bit about your background and what led you into dentistry.
I started my career as a performer but always felt the pull to be a business woman in a suit. I got my Masters in Healthcare Administration from UNLV, built experience managing systems in different industries, and went looking for a hospital career. While I was doing interviews, I stumbled upon a national DSO looking to expand their territory in Kansas City. Suddenly, I was in dentistry.
You’ve worked with some of the biggest brands in the industry. What made you decide to pursue innovation and work with smaller businesses?
I saw the move to International Academy of Sleep as an opportunity for personal growth. I knew with a smaller company there would be agility and the chance to try new things and Restfull is evidence of that.
What was your innovation “a-ha” moment?
When I met the team that ended up being the key creators of Restfull – namely Christie Fink and Mark Murphy – the “integrator” in me was ignited. I could instantly envision how to start pulling resources, prioritizing needs, and leveraging my people skills to set Restfull on a path to take the lead in billing intelligence and dental sleep specific software. When I can see the fire in others, it energizes me.
What appeals most to you about this intersection of healthcare and tech?
It offers the unique opportunity to create meaningful, tangible impact at scale. Technology gives us the tools to reimagine what’s possible in patient care, from improving access and outcomes to empowering clinicians and streamlining systems.
What makes it truly fulfilling is knowing that every innovation, every decision, has the potential to improve someone’s life. It’s a space where purpose and progress meet—and leading in that space means constantly listening, learning, and pushing forward, not just for efficiency, but for humanity.
What have been the biggest challenges you’ve faced as a leader in this space?
Doing the research and development and trusting my instincts has been a challenge, but one I have overcome with the right team in place. Confidence in the people you empower is key.
What gaps or inefficiencies in the dental industry are you most passionate about solving?
I like to see Dentists getting paid for the work they do. It is very hard to run a dental practice and fight with the insurance companies on whether or not the patient is “allowed” to have certain treatment completed.
I would like to see medical insurance companies make it simpler for dentists to receive payment on the medical care they provide.
What makes Restfull different from what’s already out there?
We are simplifying and streamlining the process for dentists to be able to not only treat patients with Sleep Apnea, but get reimbursed for it. Our goal is to expand outside of sleep, into surgical and other medical procedures done inside the dental practice.
How do you make sure you are staying in touch with the real-world needs of dental practices?
It’s a focus for our whole team. Everyone on the team makes the effort to stay informed on research and development, software updates, credentialing/provider enrollment updates, and dental laws per state. We make the necessary moves and changes and try to face them without fear.
What’s your leadership philosophy?
I do believe I should never ever ask someone to do something that I myself would not be WILLING to do or haven’t already done.
How do you build and motivate a team in such a specialized and fast-moving field?
In the words of Richard Branson, “Clients do not come first. Employees come first. Take care of your employees, they will take care of the clients.”
I believe this extends far past the financials. People want to feel safe to express themselves, grow, and give ideas. I work daily to create and encourage this type of environment.
What’s your biggest aspiration for Restfull?
I want to see Restfull help dentists receive reimbursement for more than just oral appliances. I want Restfull to grow into a dental practice medical billing machine.
What’s one piece of advice you wish you’d gotten early in your career?
Never be afraid to ask questions.
Learn more about what Rio is doing with Restfull by visiting https://restfull.com/. Follow her on LinkedIn for her thoughts on leadership, the dental industry, and life in business. Send her an email: Rio@Restfull.com.