The Orthopreneurs Podcast with Dr. Glenn Krieger

Dr. Glenn Krieger
  • 4.7 (74)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

What does it mean to become an Orthopreneur? Hi there! My name is Dr. Glenn Krieger and I believe that in today’s competitive world, the orthodontic and dental communities should be collaborative. And I've created Orthopreneurs so that we can move towards that goal together. Orthodontists are smart people. You’ve accomplished a lot to get where you are, but chances are you never got a formal education in how to run the most effective and lowest stress practice possible. Don’t sweat it! Because we’ve got your back... Being an Orthopreneur means that you’re a part of a community. A community that brings peers together to become the best clinicians and the best business owners they can be. Becoming an Orthopreneurs means you never ever need to practice alone. Join the FREE Facebook group by simply applying:https://www.facebook.com/groups/OrthoPreneurs

  1. 3d ago

    Your Practice Isn’t Full—You Have a Bottleneck l 5MF

    What if I told you your practice doesn’t need more chairs, more days, or more team members—it needs you to find the bottleneck that’s quietly killing your capacity? In this episode of Five Minute Friday, I’m talking about something most orthodontists don’t spend nearly enough time thinking about: throughput and capacity. After a recent Orthopreneurs RD Blueprint webinar, I wanted to share a key concept that can completely change the way you look at growth in your practice. Too many orthodontists assume they need to hire another assistant, add another day, bring in an associate, or change the schedule when the real issue is much simpler: there’s a bottleneck somewhere in the system. Whether it’s scheduling, new patient flow, TC capacity, remote monitoring, or clinical chair time, your job as the leader is to identify the constraint, solve it, and then move to the next one. 💬Quotes “Never, ever, ever deal with another aspect of that system until the bottleneck itself has been solved.”  — Dr. Glenn Krieger “You have a maximum production number you can hit with the resources you currently have, and we know for a fact you are nowhere near that number.” — Dr. Glenn Krieger 🎯 Key Takeaways Intro (00:00) The Blueprint series and why business-school concepts matter in orthodontics (00:26) What throughput and capacity mean for your practice growth (01:15) Why bottlenecks must be solved before adding more resources (01:40) The scheduling mistake that makes practices think they’re at capacity (02:04) Why hiring another assistant or adding another day may not solve the real problem (02:28) New patient flow, TC capacity, and hidden constraints (03:25) Remote monitoring as a capacity unlock (04:18) Why most practices are nowhere near their true production potential (05:29) How measuring patient flow can reveal major inefficiencies (06:18) Find the bottleneck, fix it, then move to the next one (07:18) 🟦 Additional Resources If this podcast has helped you think differently about your practice, your systems, or your leadership, do me a favor: text two or three orthodontist friends right now and tell them to check out The Orthopreneurs Podcast. That’s how this community grows—and it’s what allows me to keep bringing you conversations that help you build a better practice and a better life. - Airway Meeting: https://web.orthopreneurs.com/arizonasleepandairway2026 - For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/ - Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/

    8 min

  2. 6d ago

    Fractional Executives: The Growth Hack for Orthodontists w/ Zach Nathan

    Zach spent over a decade in the corporate world at American Airlines before helping build a multi-location healthcare company from the ground up. Along the way, he discovered that many growing businesses don’t need another employee—they need access to the kind of executive-level expertise that helps organizations scale, solve problems, and avoid costly mistakes. Whether it’s finance, operations, marketing, HR, or strategy, Zach explains how fractional C-suite leaders can provide the guidance and experience most practices can't afford to hire full-time. If you've ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure how to get your practice to the next level, this conversation will help you identify the blind spots that may be holding you back—and show you a practical way to overcome them. 💬Quotes “I was the CEO, but I was really the chief everything officer. I was the CFO and the CMO and the janitor and the receptionist—I was wearing too many hats.”  — Zach Nathan “Businesses reach a point where they need expertise they can’t afford full-time. That’s exactly where fractional leadership creates value.”  — Zach Nathan 🎯 Key Takeaways Intro (00:00) Why most orthodontists have business blind spots they don’t realize exist (00:51) Zach’s journey from American Airlines executive to healthcare entrepreneur (02:49) What a fractional CFO is—and how it transformed his business (04:06) Why growing businesses need expertise before they can afford full-time executives (06:27) The costly mistake of hiring the wrong leadership role too early (08:50) How fractional leaders help business owners make better strategic decisions (10:53) What a fractional COO can do for an overwhelmed practice owner (18:16) When it makes sense to bring in a fractional CMO (22:16) Why marketing strategy is different from marketing execution (24:10) The role of fractional HR leadership and hiring better people (30:16) How Sweet Leap matches businesses with vetted executive talent (13:18) What orthodontists should expect to invest in fractional leadership (16:44) 🟦 Additional Resources If you’re feeling stretched too thin, struggling with growth decisions, or simply wondering what’s possible with the right leadership support, Zach offers a complimentary Fractional Fit Meeting to help determine whether fractional leadership is right for your practice. 🌐 Website: https://www.suiteleap.com 🔗 LinkedIn: Zach Nathan Whether you need help with operations, finance, marketing, HR, or overall business strategy, Sweet Leap can connect you with experienced executive talent without the cost of a full-time hire. - Airway Meeting: https://web.orthopreneurs.com/arizonasleepandairway2026 - For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/ - Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/

    35 min

  3. Jun 19

    Fractional CEO vs. Full-Time CEO: What Orthodontists Need to Know l 5MF

    What if I told you the CEO your practice “needs” might actually be the most expensive mistake you’re about to make? In this Five Minute Friday, I’m challenging orthodontists to think carefully before hiring a CEO, COO, or high-level executive for their practice. Too many doctors hit $2–3 million in production, feel stretched, and assume the next move is bringing in a $250K–$300K leader. But in most cases, you’re not ready for that—and you probably don’t know how to hire that person yet. Instead, I break down why a fractional C-suite executive may be the smarter move. Whether you’re dealing with capacity issues, technology decisions, growth opportunities, or confusion about whether to expand into satellites, this episode will help you think like a business owner—not just an orthodontist. You’ll walk away with a clearer sense of when to ask for executive-level help, what kind of help you actually need, and why growing your main practice may be far better than chasing expansion too soon. 💬Quotes “Think long and hard when you think you’ve reached an inflection point in your practice where you want to bring a CEO in. Chances are you’re not ready for it.” — Dr. Glenn Krieger “If you’re doing $2 million or $3 million a year, you should not be thinking about bringing somebody into your practice to pay them $200,000 or $300,000 a year.” — Dr. Glenn Krieger 🎯 Key Takeaways Intro (00:00) Why most practices aren’t ready for a full-time CEO (00:07) What fractional C-suite executives actually do (00:44) Why orthodontists often make poor business decisions around technology (01:22) Dental Monitoring as an example of C-suite thinking vs. orthodontist thinking (01:48) When a CEO-level hire starts to make sense financially (03:18) Why $2–3 million practices should avoid $250K executive hires (04:00) Why growing your main practice may beat opening satellites (05:27) How a fractional C-suite advisor can help you see blind spots (07:34) 🟦 Additional Resources I’ve seen firsthand how the wrong executive hire can create more stress, more overhead, and less clarity—not more growth. Before you bring in a CEO, COO, or high-level executive, think carefully about where your practice really is and what kind of help you actually need. If you’re at an inflection point and want help thinking through fractional C-suite support, DM me. I have no financial interest in the company I mentioned, but I’m happy to make a connection or help you think through the decision. - Airway Meeting: https://web.orthopreneurs.com/arizonasleepandairway2026 - For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/ - Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/

    9 min

  4. Jun 16

    The Future of Ortho – On Demand Orthodontist (ODO) Technology w/ Dr. Alyssa ┃Greatest Hits

    What if I told you the secret to building a thriving orthodontic practice isn't just clinical excellence—it's creating a culture where your team wants to build their future with you? I've met a lot of orthodontists over the years, but few embody positivity, leadership, continuous learning, and team development quite like Dr. Alyssa Carter. In this episode, we dive into what it's like to build a successful orthodontic practice in a small Texas town, why investing in your people matters more than ever, and how creating opportunities for growth can transform both your team and your practice. Alyssa shares her journey from growing up in rural Texas to becoming one of the most respected clinicians and lifelong learners in our profession. We discuss leadership, efficiency, delegation, remote monitoring, aligner systems, CE, team retention, and why today's team members need more than just a job—they need a vision for their future. If you're looking to improve your culture, elevate your systems, and become a better leader, this episode is packed with practical insights you can implement immediately. 💬Quotes "I want someone that wants to make this practice their career, and do anything that they think they can do for the practice—we'll make it happen. But that's their dream."  — Dr. Alyssa Carter "If you walk around trying to live life by the 2% of people who will hurt you, you'll never be happy. Focus on the 98% of things that can go right."  — Dr. Alyssa Carter 🎯 Key Takeaways Intro (00:00) Growing up in a small Texas town and returning home to practice (02:05) The unique advantages—and challenges—of practicing where you were raised (04:40) Why continuous education is one of the greatest investments you can make (11:06) How CE keeps you humble, motivated, and constantly improving (12:51) The power of positivity and focusing on the 98% that goes right (16:12) Leadership lessons: looking in the mirror before blaming others (16:51) Building a culture where team members see orthodontics as a career (30:34) Creating efficient systems that reduce stress and improve outcomes (32:47) How remote monitoring and AI are transforming orthodontic workflows (33:25) Using technology to uncover hidden inefficiencies in treatment (34:15) Why delegation is critical for scaling your practice (21:04, 40:51) Alyssa's role in orthodontic product development and innovation (38:05) Introducing ODO (On Demand Orthodontist) and the future of treatment planning support (39:46) The importance of mentorship, relationships, and giving back to the profession (44:18) 🟦 Additional Resources ODO (On Demand Orthodontist) 🌐 https://ondemandorthodontist.com A platform designed to help orthodontists streamline treatment planning, remote monitoring workflows, and reduce screen time through expert-supported systems. Connect with Dr. Alyssa Carter 📱 Reach out through Facebook or connect with her at industry meetings and events throughout the year. If you're feeling overwhelmed by staffing challenges, struggling to build a culture that retains great people, or looking for ways to make your practice more efficient, this episode is a must-listen. Take one idea from Alyssa's playbook this week: ✔ Invest in your team's growth.  ✔ Audit one inefficient system in your practice.  ✔ Commit to learning something new that makes you a better leader. Small improvements compound—and as Alyssa demonstrates, the most successful practices are built by leaders who never stop growing. - Airway Meeting: https://web.orthopreneurs.com/arizonasleepandairway2026 - For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/ - Join our FREE Facebook group here:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/

    51 min

  5. Jun 12

    You Can Disagree With Me — And I’ll Still Like You l 5MF

    What if I told you disagreeing with another orthodontist doesn’t mean you have to dislike them? In this Five Minute Friday, I’m talking about something that shows up way too often in our profession: disagreement turning into division. Whether it’s OSOs, airway, clinical philosophy, politics, or anything else, too many people assume that if we don’t see things the same way, we can’t respect each other — and I think that’s a huge mistake. I’m not pro-OSO, anti-OSO, pro-airway, or anti-airway. I’m pro-education. My goal has always been to help orthodontists get the right information, talk to the right people, and make decisions that fit their practice, their patients, and their lives. In this episode, I share why opinions should never define someone’s character, why education beats absolutism, and why we all need more good people in our lives — even when we disagree. 💬Quotes “I am not pro-airway. I’m pro proper diagnosis and helping people get through things.” — Dr. Glenn Krieger “If someone’s a good person, let it all go by the wayside. Be friends. Get to know them.” — Dr. Glenn Krieger 🎯 Key Takeaways Intro: Why disagreement matters (00:00) Why Dr. Krieger doesn’t dislike people for having different opinions (00:48) The difference between being pro-education and being pro- or anti-anything (02:21) Why orthodontists need to make informed decisions, not emotional ones (02:48) Airway, CBCTs, and the importance of proper diagnosis (03:23) Why personal attacks are different from professional disagreement (05:10) The danger of defining people by their opinions (06:01) Why good people are worth keeping in your life (06:49) 🟦 Additional Resources If you want to talk about OSOs, airway, practice decisions, or anything else in orthodontics — even if you disagree with me — reach out. DM me on Facebook and just say hi. I love these conversations, and I’m always happy to help where I can. And if you’re interested in joining us at an upcoming Orthopreneurs event, check out the waitlist for 4M in October or the airway meeting in Arizona this December. - Airway Meeting: https://web.orthopreneurs.com/arizonasleepandairway2026 - For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/ - Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/

    8 min

  6. Jun 9

    Don't Be a Turkey: The Future of Orthodontics w/ Steven Gardner

    🎙️ What if I told you one of the biggest bottlenecks in your orthodontic practice isn't your staff—it's your resistance to technology? In this episode, I sit down with Steve Gardner, Founder and President of DIBS AI, to discuss why orthodontics continues to lag behind other industries when it comes to adopting technology—and why that's costing doctors far more than they realize. We dive deep into digital indirect bonding, AI-powered treatment planning, staffing challenges, and what the future of orthodontics may look like as artificial intelligence continues to evolve. More importantly, this conversation isn't really about software. It's about mindset. Steve and I tackle the uncomfortable truth that many orthodontists say they want more freedom, less stress, and better systems—but often resist the very technologies that can help them achieve those goals. Whether you're a braces-heavy practice, an aligner-focused office, or somewhere in between, this episode will challenge the way you think about efficiency, delegation, and the future of clinical care. 💬Quotes "The bonding appointment alone will pay for DIBS. That's what our latest data is showing." — Steve Gardner "Don't be a turkey. Learn how to fly. All the excuses you have—there are no excuses." — Steve Gardner 🎯 Key Takeaways Intro (00:00) How Steve Found Orthodontics Instead of Law School (00:48) The Evolution of DIBS AI (03:25) Why Orthodontics Still Struggles with Digital Adoption (06:39) The Staffing Crisis in Orthodontics (06:39) Money Comes and Goes—Time Only Goes (09:00) The "Turkey vs. Eagle" Mindset (10:28) Digital Bracket Placement vs. Traditional Bonding (14:21) Can Digital Braces Rival Aligners? (17:04) What DIBS AI Actually Does (20:15) The Future of AI in Orthodontics (29:01) Why Every Practice Should Explore Digital Workflows (34:32) 🟦 Additional Resources Learn More About DIBS AI If you're looking to improve efficiency, reduce chair time, create more consistent bracket placement, and embrace a truly digital workflow, Steve encourages orthodontists to take a closer look at DIBS AI. 🌐 Website: https://dibbsai.com Steve and his team offer demonstrations, workflow consultations, training, and support to help practices successfully implement digital indirect bonding. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to The Orthopreneurs Podcast, leave a review, and share it with a colleague who's ready to stop working harder and start working smarter. - Airway Meeting: https://web.orthopreneurs.com/arizonasleepandairway2026  - For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/ - Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/

    35 min

  7. Jun 5

    If Aligners Aren’t Working for You, Watch This l 5MF

    What if I told you the reason you’re getting better finishes with braces might have nothing to do with the technology—and everything to do with your training? In this Five Minute Friday, I tackle one of the biggest mindset debates in orthodontics today: Are aligners actually inferior… or are most orthodontists simply undertrained in how to use them? After seeing a recent discussion sparked by Dr. Kyle Fagala in The Digital Orthodontist, I felt compelled to jump into the conversation and challenge some assumptions many of us still carry. If you’ve ever felt frustrated with aligners, questioned whether they can really produce elite finishes, or found yourself defaulting back to braces because they “feel safer,” this episode will push you to ask a hard question: Is the limitation really the appliance… or is it the training? 💬Quotes “If you give me Class I, Class II, growing, non-growing, extraction cases, I will give you a better result with aligners every time, at the same time, if not less.” — Dr. Glenn Krieger “Do you genuinely believe that aligners are not as good… or do you believe they are as good, you’re just not as well trained?”  — Dr. Glenn Krieger 🎯 Key Takeaways Intro: The braces vs. aligners debate (00:00) Why most orthodontists still feel more comfortable with braces (00:33) Dr. Krieger’s 80% aligner practice philosophy (01:06) Why aligners create less stress, fewer emergencies, and happier patients (02:26) The precision advantage of aligners vs. wire bending (02:57) Why some elite orthodontists still use “finishers” after braces (03:40) The real issue: training vs. technology (04:32) Why going “all in” on technology changes profitability and outcomes (05:19) Final challenge: Are you resisting growth or pursuing mastery? (05:38) 🟦 Additional Resources  I’ve seen firsthand how aligners can completely transform not only clinical outcomes, but the stress level, efficiency, and scalability of an orthodontic practice.  If you truly believe aligners aren’t as good as braces, ask yourself why. And if the answer is training, then commit to getting better. The future of orthodontics belongs to doctors willing to evolve, adapt, and master the tools available to them—not just rely on what feels familiar. And if you’re enjoying the podcast, do me one favor: tell three friends about it. That’s how we continue growing this community and helping more orthodontists build the practices—and lives—they truly want. - Airway Meeting: https://web.orthopreneurs.com/arizonasleepandairway2026 - For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/ - Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/

    7 min

  8. Jun 2

    Dental Monitoring CEO Philippe Salah on Innovations in Orthodontics and Remote Patient Care

    In this episode, we dive into where remote monitoring is headed next—and trust me, the future is closer than you think. We discuss FDA-approved remote STL generation, AI-driven treatment adjustments, real-time patient monitoring, and a world where aligner refinements may become largely automated in the background. More importantly, we talk about how orthodontists can use technology to reclaim their most valuable asset: time. Whether you're already using DentalMonitoring or you're still skeptical about remote care, this episode will challenge the way you think about patient visits, treatment efficiency, staffing, and the role technology will play in the next decade of orthodontics. 💬Quotes “The problem for an orthodontist is not that a problem happened. The problem is discovering it too late.”  — Philippe Sala “We are a triage service. We tell you: focus on the bad and spend less time on the good.”  — Philippe Sala 🎯 Key Takeaways Intro (00:00) Meet Philippe Sala and the vision behind DentalMonitoring (03:18) Why orthodontics doesn’t need a perfect appliance—it needs better visibility (05:07) The real cost of discovering treatment problems too late (06:01) How remote monitoring changes patient management and practice efficiency (06:57) The “triage” model: spend more time on patients who need it most (11:58) What Monitoring+ is and why 3D treatment monitoring changes everything (14:12) The future of weekly STL models and dynamic treatment tracking (15:00) FDA-approved remote STL generation from patient scans (17:23) How at-home scans can be used for retainers, aligners, and appliances (18:00) The future of automated aligner refinements and continuous treatment updates (19:07) The vision of achieving true one-set aligner finishes (20:53) How DM Insights helps orthodontists benchmark performance (23:37) Using data to improve hygiene, compliance, debonds, and treatment outcomes (24:24) Turning practice analytics into actionable patient interventions (27:18) Why technology adoption is really about buying back time (31:51) The staffing crisis and why orthodontists must prepare now (39:20) How remote care can improve quality while reducing stress and overhead (42:31) 🟦 Additional Resources If you've been wondering whether remote monitoring is worth the investment, this episode provides a roadmap for what orthodontics may look like over the next several years. Learn more about DentalMonitoring:  👉 https://www.dentalmonitoring.com Interested in Orthopreneurs?  👉 https://www.orthopreneurs.com If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another orthodontist who's looking to improve efficiency, enhance patient care, and future-proof their practice. - Airway Meeting: https://web.orthopreneurs.com/arizonasleepandairway2026 - For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/ - Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/

    44 min
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4.7
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About

What does it mean to become an Orthopreneur? Hi there! My name is Dr. Glenn Krieger and I believe that in today’s competitive world, the orthodontic and dental communities should be collaborative. And I've created Orthopreneurs so that we can move towards that goal together. Orthodontists are smart people. You’ve accomplished a lot to get where you are, but chances are you never got a formal education in how to run the most effective and lowest stress practice possible. Don’t sweat it! Because we’ve got your back... Being an Orthopreneur means that you’re a part of a community. A community that brings peers together to become the best clinicians and the best business owners they can be. Becoming an Orthopreneurs means you never ever need to practice alone. Join the FREE Facebook group by simply applying:https://www.facebook.com/groups/OrthoPreneurs

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