Episode Notes

I just got back from a weekend in Wimberley, Texas, and what I witnessed at a little breakfast joint might change how you think about leadership, team training, and systems. In this 5 Minute Friday, I break down how a tiny café—with no consultants, no fancy software, and no orthodontic experience—ran circles around what I’ve seen in some of our most beautiful, expensive offices.

This episode isn’t about fancy technology or elaborate org charts. It’s about the basics: communication, training, and leadership. I share a personal story that made me stop and reflect on where most practices—including mine—drop the ball, and what you can do this week to start fixing it. If you think your systems are “dialed in,” this episode will challenge that belief—in the best way.

Key Takeaways

Intro & story setup (00:00)

The blind spots in your office systems (00:45)

What a small café taught me about elite communication (01:40)

Core values and how they drive everything (03:30)

The power of practice vs. performance zones (04:20)

Are you leading, or are you just delegating? (05:15)

Your office systems reflect your leadership—period (06:00)

Additional Resources

Want to connect with orthodontists who believe in lifting each other up?

Come to the final Orthopreneurs Summit in Las Vegas this September. Trust me—it’ll be the most impactful event you’ve ever attended.

Go to opSummit2025.com and grab your spot today.

- For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/

- Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OrthoPreneurs

Imagine a world where your orthodontic practice operates seamlessly, effortlessly catering to the needs of your patients while maximizing your team's productivity.

Sounds like a dream, right?

Well, brace yourself for a technological marvel that can turn this dream into a reality.

Chatbots, the AI-powered wizards of customer engagement, are revolutionizing the orthodontic industry. These intelligent assistants are more than just lines of code – they are the key to unlocking a whole new level of personalized interactions, streamlined processes, and skyrocketing growth for your practice.

If you're ready to discover the game-changing potential of integrating chatbots into your ortho practice, get ready to embark on an extraordinary journey that will reshape the way you connect with your patients, supercharge your marketing strategies, and propel your practice to the forefront of innovation.

In this episode, we explore the benefits of integrating chatbots into your ortho practice with insights from Matt Leitz, a seasoned entrepreneur specializing in marketing automation. Matt will speak at the upcoming Orthopreneur Summit about AI and Chatbots and unveil something special for our industry.

Remember, when it comes to integrating chatbots into your Ortho practice, the possibilities are limitless, and the rewards can be truly transformative.

Tune in to learn more!

Key Takeaways

- Meet Matt Leitz (00:28)

- Interactive customer experiences with chatbots (06:03)

- How AI bots save money (09:16)

- Solving the pain of generating leads in Ortho (14:55)

- Should AI bots pass the Turing test (17:43)

- The chatbot process flow in Ortho (21:05)

- Orthodontic digital co-diagnosis with AI (24:07)

- How we drop the ball with leads (31:52)

Additional Resources

🔹  Learn more about Chatbots: https://www.botbuilders.com/

🔹 Do You Want More Profits and Lower Stress? ... Register for the OrthoPreneurs Summit  2025: https://opsummit2025.com/

🔹 For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/

🔹 Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OrthoPreneurs

What’s the fastest way to ruin your professional reputation before you even get going?

It’s not bad clinical work.
It’s not weak marketing.
It’s how you treat the orthodontist down the street.

In this 5 Minute Friday episode, I’m tackling a topic that makes or breaks your name in a new town—and it’s not what most people focus on. Whether you're setting up shop in a saturated market or welcoming a new doc into yours, how you show up matters. I’ve seen new orthodontists torpedo their reputations before they’ve even opened their doors—and I’ve seen seasoned docs handle it with grace and generosity.

This isn’t about playing nice for appearances. It’s about protecting your name, your referrals, and your peace of mind. I’ll share a cautionary tale, break down the right way to launch in a new market, and issue a challenge to every orthodontist: Let’s build a profession that values reputation, kindness, and community over ego and competition.

Key Takeaways

Intro (00:00)
Why new orthodontists should make the first move (00:20)
The wrong mindset when entering a saturated market (01:10)
How to be gracious as the established doc (01:45)
A cautionary tale of disrespect (03:00)
Why badmouthing a colleague only hurts you (03:50)

My call for a more collaborative ortho community (04:50)

Additional Resources

Want to connect with orthodontists who believe in lifting each other up?

Come to the final Orthopreneurs Summit in Las Vegas this September. Trust me—it’ll be the most impactful event you’ve ever attended.
Go to opSummit2025.com and grab your spot today.

- For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/

- Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OrthoPreneurs

The world of orthodontics is rapidly evolving, with new technologies emerging all the time. While many doctors claim to have "digital practices," simply having the latest equipment doesn't automatically translate to a digital practice.

A truly digital orthodontic practice requires a fundamental shift in mindset and approach. It's about embracing a new way of thinking and leveraging technology to improve efficiency, customize treatment, and enhance the patient experience.

It's crucial to understand that digital workflows are a means to an end, not the end itself. The true power lies in transforming how you practice and the care you deliver.

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Alexander Waldman, an esteemed clinician and educator in orthodontics, recognized for his expertise and contributions to integrating digital solutions into orthodontic practices.

Dr. Waldman shares his journey to becoming an advocate for digital orthodontics and his thoughts on how technology can enhance patient outcomes, improve practice efficiency, and redefine what's possible in orthodontic care.

Dr. Waldman and I also talk about:

- Virtual assistants and the outsourcing of certain practice tasks

- Financial aspects of integrating new technologies

- Remote monitoring and virtual assistants

- Surgical orthodontics

Don't miss this episode for Dr. Waldman's insights on how a truly digital mindset can revolutionize the way we approach orthodontics.

Key Takeaways

Intro (00:00)
Dr. Waldman’s background and journey into ortho (00:44)
The role of digital technology in orthodontics (04:52)
Improving treatment efficiency and outcomes with digital ortho (08:59)
Virtual assistants and the outsourcing of certain practice tasks (21:35)
Why you need to raise your fees (29:22)
Surgical orthodontics as a differentiator (31:03)

Additional Resources

Books mentioned

- The Nightingale: https://www.amazon.com/Nightingale-Novel-Kristin-Hannah/dp/1250080401

- A Woman of No Importance: https://www.amazon.com/Woman-No-Importance-Untold-American/dp/0735225311

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- Elevate Your Orthodontic Practice with Remote Staffing: https://www.myorthova.com/

- Overcome Remote Monitoring Hurdles: https://remoteresponse.com/

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- Register for the Orthopreneurs Summit 2025: https://opsummit2025.com/

- For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/

- Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OrthoPreneurs

Struggling to keep up with the latest technology in your ortho practice? I get it—it can feel overwhelming. But today, I want to challenge you to think differently.

I recently had an interesting conversation with Philippe Salah, the CEO of Dental Monitoring, and let me tell you, these CEOs see the world in a way that many of us don't.

That episode is dropping soon but for now, I want to touch on the concept of scaling your practice with technology. Partial adoption of technology can actually hurt more than help, and going all-in with the right tools is the game-changer you need.

I'll break down how adopting various tech tools streamline your operations, save costs, and make your life easier.

Plus, I discuss the economic trends that are going to make hiring even more challenging in the coming years as the economy recovers.

If you're ready to scale your practice efficiently and prepare for what's coming, you won't want to miss this episode. Click to listen and learn how full tech integration can transform your practice.

Key Takeaways

Introduction (00:00)

Technology adoption in dental practices (00:59)

Strategic decisions in technology adoption (01:47)

The importance of full technology adoption (04:33)

Future of hiring and technology adoption (06:59)

OrthoPreneurs Summit 2025 (09:12)

Additional Resources

- Register for the OrthoPreneurs Summit 2025: http://opsummit2025.com/

- For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/

- Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OrthoPreneurs

I’ve seen firsthand how AI can improve communication and even enhance patient care in my practice. Although it’s making my life easier, I have come to learn that many orthodontists and their teams are still hesitant to fully adopt it.

The potential is huge, from creating content to improving communication with patients and managing your practice more effectively.

AI can help you and your team be more productive, make fewer mistakes, and work smarter. It is no longer a buzzword but a tool that can take your practice to the next level.

In this episode, I share simple ways you can start using AI today to improve your workflow, save time, and set your practice up for success.

Key Takeaways

Intro (00:00)

AI in everyday practice (00:34)

Few people use AI on a daily basis (01:28)

Use AI for tasks like content creation and communication (02:16)

You must encourage your team to adopt AI (04:18)

AI usage fun within a team (05:15) 

Additional Resources

- Register for the OrthoPreneurs Summit 2025: http://opsummit2025.com/

- For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/

- Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OrthoPreneurs

What if I told you your front desk is quietly costing your practice $500K or more every year?

In this Greatest Hits episode, I sat down with Brian Wright, founder of New Patient Group and WrightChat, who has helped some of the biggest names in orthodontics discover a surprising truth. Your greatest marketing investment isn’t pay-per-click... It’s your team.

From missed calls to untrained staff, Brian breaks down exactly how these invisible gaps are silently draining your profits and how you can fix them.

We talk about why experience beats advertising, how elite practices keep winning, and how to find those leaky buckets first before running expensive marketing campaigns.

🎧 Ready to stop the leaks and grow from within? Click to listen to the episode now.

Key Takeaways

Introduction to the episode and guest Brian Wright (00:00)

Brian's background and entrepreneurial journey (01:34)

Importance of patient experience in practice success (03:24)

Differentiating clinical skills from business skills (08:03)

Common objections to the work needed to grow a practice (14:12)

Overcoming biases and embracing innovation (20:16)

Costs vs investments in business (24:46)

WrightChat's services and their impact on practices (28:11)

The importance of continuous learning and coaching (35:22)

Additional Resources

- New Patient Group: newpatientgroup.com - For consulting and training services

- WrightChat: wrightchat.com - For managing new patient calls and follow-ups

- Register for the OrthoPreneurs Summit 2025: http://opsummit2025.com/

- For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/

- Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OrthoPreneurs

When was the last time you did something that scared the living daylights out of you? I’m talking about something that pushed you so far out of your comfort zone that you were not even sure you’d succeed.

If you’re only focusing on the easy stuff, you’re missing out on what truly changes you. It's not the things you’re already good at that will take you to the next level. It’s those audacious goals that scare the hell out of you.

In today’s episode, I’m encouraging you to take on something that you might fail at. Because it’s in that process that you’ll find growth.

Find it and take it on. Listen to this episode to find out why you should make time for something that pushes you beyond your limits.

Key Takeaways

Intro (00:00)

What scares you but pushes you to grow? (00:35)

Take on challenges with a high risk of failure (01:08)

The comfort crisis: value in process over outcome (02:02)

Doing things outside your comfort zone changes everything (03:12)

Focus on personal growth, not just external success (04:38)

Take on something you might fail at for the experience (05:06)

Additional Resources

- Register for the OrthoPreneurs Summit 2025: http://opsummit2025.com/

- For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/

- Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OrthoPreneurs

Tired of constantly feeling short-staffed in your orthodontic practice? In today’s episode, I'm joined by Dr. Dino Watt, an expert consultant in the orthodontic world and a true advocate for getting your hiring process right.

Dino’s approach to hiring is anything but traditional, and as a practice owner, you need to hear this. He’s not just about hiring fast; he’s about hiring smart.

He shares the keys to slowing down your hiring process, avoiding bad hires, and ultimately building a team that works with you, not against you.

We chat about the struggles orthodontic practices face when it comes to hiring, because let’s face it, finding quality employees today is harder than ever.

Dino walks us through why the current hiring process is outdated and how small tweaks to your approach can make all the difference.

You’ll hear why slow and steady wins the race when it comes to hiring and why firing quickly is just as important.

If you’ve been stuck in the hiring rut or dealing with turnover, you’re going to want to listen to this one. It’s packed with practical tips on finding the right fit for your practice, building a lasting team culture, and making sure your team is there for the long haul.

Key Takeaways

Intro (00:00)

Dino’s relationship coaching background (00:49)

Importance of balancing family and career (08:21)

Resilience and self-sufficiency for kids (13:53)

Effective hiring strategies (22:15)

Dino’s presentation at OP Summit 2025 (32:33)

The value of doctor appreciation events (35:02)

Additional Resources

- Dr. Dino Watt's Consulting: Dino Watt Consulting

- Dino Watt’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dinowatt/

- Dino Watt’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dino.watt/

- Dino Watt’s Email: [email protected]

- One Minute Manager Book: One Minute Manager

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- Register for the OrthoPreneurs Summit 2025: http://opsummit2025.com/

- For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/

- Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OrthoPreneurs

I need to have a little heart-to-heart with you. I know you care about your team. I know you want them to feel appreciated. But that pizza party you threw? That gift card? That holiday spa day? Yeah… it might not be doing what you think it’s doing.

In this episode, I’m walking you through the biggest leadership blind spot I see: assuming everyone feels appreciated the same way.

They don’t.

I’ll show you how love languages can be the secret weapon for truly connecting with your team in a way that matters to them, not you.

And I’m not talking about huge, expensive gestures. Sometimes a simple sentence or a short chat means more than any gift ever could.

This is one of those episodes that could seriously change the culture of your practice. Simple concepts. Huge results.

Press play and let’s talk about how to finally show appreciation in a way that lands. 

Key Takeaways

Intro (00:00)

Love languages in the workplace (00:37)

Gift giving vs. acts of service (01:22)

The downside of not learning love languages (02:48)

Find out what your team really wants (03:53)

Your team is worth it (05:08)

Additional Resources

- Register for the OrthoPreneurs Summit 2025: http://opsummit2025.com/

- For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/

- Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OrthoPreneurs