The Orthopreneurs Podcast with Dr. Glenn Krieger

Dr. Glenn Krieger
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  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
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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. 1D AGO

    The Real Threat to Orthodontics (It’s Not What You Think) w/Dr. Jackie Demko

    Most orthodontists are worried about OSOs, GP competition, or clear aligner companies. But what if the real disruption is AI, automation, staffing shortages, and the fact that our traditional practice model may not survive the next 10–15 years unchanged? In this episode, I sit down with my longtime friend and St. Louis orthodontist Dr. Jackie Demko — a third-generation orthodontist, EOS implementer, AI early adopter, and longevity enthusiast. Jackie brings a rare mix of loyalty, operational discipline, and future-focused thinking. We talk about building culture that actually works, why core values aren’t fluff, how AI can completely reshape the orthodontic practice model, and what we should be doing right now to stay ahead. This is not a doom-and-gloom episode. It’s a wake-up call — and a roadmap. If you care about protecting your practice, building something sustainable, and staying energized for the long haul, you’ll walk away with both practical ideas and a broader perspective. Quotes “If big corporations are running on core values and systems, why wouldn’t we? Why would we think we’re smarter than that?”  — Dr. Jackie Demko “Anything that’s repeatable in your practice should be automated. If you’re still doing it manually, you’re already behind.”  — Dr. Jackie Demko Key Takeaways Intro (00:00) Three-generation orthodontics & the $100K practice mindset (02:05) Why core values aren’t optional (06:32) Culture as your operational blueprint (07:30) AI in the orthodontic practice — right now (16:05) The Holy Grail: the fully automated ortho practice (18:17) The real existential threat to orthodontics (25:30) Why every orthodontist needs an exit strategy (28:20) Longevity & performance optimization (30:52) Additional Resources What if I told you your biggest opportunity right now isn’t increasing production — it’s increasing clarity? If you haven’t defined your core values… if you aren’t experimenting with AI… if you don’t have a future-proof strategy for staffing and automation… you’re not behind — but you are exposed. Start small: Define your 3–5 core values. Explore EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System). Experiment with AI in your new patient workflow. Think seriously about automation before staffing becomes your bottleneck. And if this episode resonated, share it with a colleague who’s thinking about the future — not just next month’s collections. Register for the Make More Money Meeting: https://ortho4m.com/home  - For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/ - Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/

    48 min

  2. 5D AGO

    The Hard Truth About Balance, Marriage & Practice Growth l 5MF

    In this episode of Five Minute Friday, I’m challenging you to look in the mirror and ask a hard question: Are you truly investing in your professional growth — or are you coasting? After hosting Ortho Vanguard and launching the Make More Money (R4M) meeting, I noticed something powerful: the most successful orthodontists are the ones who keep showing up. They travel. They join groups. They seek mentorship. They shorten the learning curve instead of waiting 15 years to “figure it out.” I share some tough love in this episode — about CE requirements, about prioritizing growth, and about the uncomfortable reality that many of us are putting more intentional time into parenting than into leadership, management, and marriage. This isn’t about guilt. It’s about awareness. If you want elite results, you have to do what the elite are doing. Growth doesn’t happen by accident — it happens by exposure, implementation, and relentless commitment. Quotes “If your practice isn’t where you want it to be, you have to look in the mirror and ask yourself what’s more important — growing your practice or being home at 5:15 for soccer practice.”  — Dr. Glenn Krieger “If you want to get to a place where nobody’s been, you’ve got to do what nobody else is doing.”  — Dr. Glenn Krieger Key Takeaways Intro (00:00) Why the same successful doctors keep showing up (00:30) The CE wake-up call (04:09) Balancing practice, parenting, and marriage (05:00) The spouse support conversation (06:20) Additional Resources I’ve seen firsthand how consistent exposure to high-level rooms changes practices — and lives. The doctors attending Vanguard and R4M aren’t the ones struggling most. They’re the ones already doing well — and refusing to slow down. If you’re serious about shortening your learning curve, scaling your practice, and living with intentional balance, join us at the Make More Money (R4M) Meeting in Nashville. And here’s your homework: book at least one out-of-town CE event for next year. Put it on the calendar. Then have the conversation with your spouse. Elite results require elite commitment. Register for the Make More Money Meeting: https://ortho4m.com/home  - For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/ - Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/

    8 min

  3. MAR 10

    Plant Now. Harvest Later. w/Dr. Luis Gutierrez

    Most orthodontists think the only path to freedom is scale. Bigger practice. More chairs. More locations. More production. Dr. Luis Gutierrez proves that’s simply not true. Luis isn’t running a $20M operation. He doesn’t work five days a week. He doesn’t grind 60-hour weeks. Instead, he planted intentional seeds early — paid off nearly $800,000 in student debt aggressively, invested relentlessly in CE, chose a smaller community, kept overhead disciplined, and built systems that support the life he wanted. And now? He’s harvesting. In this episode, Luis shares how he went from dental school in Peru to rebuilding his career in the U.S., opening a startup in a small New Mexico town, and creating a lifestyle most orthodontists only talk about. This isn’t about hype. It’s about planning. It’s about discipline. And it’s about designing your practice around your life — not the other way around. If you’re early in your career… overwhelmed by debt… or wondering whether private practice is still worth it — this episode will reset your mindset. Quotes “Failure to plan is planning to fail.”  — Dr. Luis Gutierrez “It’s so much fun to harvest what you planted years ago.”  — Dr. Luis Gutierrez Key Takeaways Why lifestyle design — not production numbers — is the real goal.Moving to a small town and “owning it” (13:04)Paying off $800,000 in student loans aggressively (10:43)Why living like a resident for a few years changes everything (10:43)Working only three clinical days per week (18:20)Taking 14 vacations in one year — with intention (18:29)Investing in 10 CE courses per year for 10 straight years (25:10)Building systems to eliminate blind spots (26:54)Why private practice is still absolutely viable (24:17)The planting vs. harvesting mindset (30:10) Additional Resources If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure how to build the life you actually want — start by asking yourself: What seeds am I planting right now? Am I investing in myself? Am I designing my practice… or just reacting to it? If this episode resonated with you, share it with another orthodontist who needs to hear it. And if you want help building your plan — reach out. You don’t have to figure it out alone. Register for the Make More Money Meeting: https://ortho4m.com/home - For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/ - Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/

    34 min

  4. MAR 6

    Stop Guessing — Start Tracking Your Practice Growth l 5MF

    In this episode of Five Minute Friday,  I dive deep into one of the most overlooked growth levers in orthodontics: tracking your marketing ROI with precision. After three flat or down years in the industry, many practices are feeling stuck. I challenge you to look inward. Are you truly tracking where patients come from? Are you deploying capital intentionally? Or are you just “doing marketing” without a measurable strategy? Quotes “Again, you need to track everything… The key will be deploying your capital in an effective way to get a consistent return on investment.” — Dr. Glenn Krieger “Hi, I’m Glenn Krieger. Nice to meet you. By the way — how did you find us?”  — Dr. Glenn Krieger Key Takeaways Intro (00:00) Why Flat Growth Is Happening (01:30) The Marketing Deployment Problem (02:05) The One Question Every Doctor Should Ask (03:00) Tracking ROI Like a Real Business (04:30) Stop Wasting Capital (05:30) Leadership Alignment Matters (06:15) Additional Resources I’ve seen firsthand how intentional tracking and disciplined marketing deployment can transform a stagnant practice into a growth machine. If you’re serious about increasing revenue while maintaining peace of mind, you need systems — not guesses. That’s exactly why the Make More Money Meeting in Nashville this October exists. This isn’t fluff. It’s marketing, sales, and ROI strategy you’ve never seen before — and it’s limited to 250 doctors and key team members. If registration is open, grab your seat. If you’re unsure how to find it, DM me directly. Stop hoping marketing works. Start knowing it works. Register for the Make More Money Meeting: https://ortho4m.com/home  - For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/ - Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/

    7 min

  5. MAR 3

    The Orthodontist’s Role in Sleep Apnea w/Anil Rama

    I know this episode may ruffle feathers. That’s okay. If you’ve ever felt skeptical about sleep and airway, overwhelmed by the noise online, or frustrated by sensational claims from bad actors — this conversation is for you. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Anil Rama — neurologist and Stanford-trained sleep medicine physician — to zoom out and look at the bigger picture. Not from an orthodontic silo. Not from a social media debate. But from a multidisciplinary, science-based lens. Quotes “Sleep apnea isn’t the disease — it’s often the symptom of something bigger.” — Dr. Anil Rama “If orthodontists don’t step into this space responsibly, someone else will — and they may not understand craniofacial growth the way we do.” — Dr. Glenn Krieger Key Takeaways Why this conversation requires an open mindSleep apnea as a symptom — not just a diagnosis (07:01)The orthodontist’s role: quarterback or team member? (09:26)Why expansion alone is never the whole answer (14:19)The danger of practicing in silos (24:35)How a WatchPAT test can transform your diagnostic awareness (41:19)Why many ENTs still miss airway-driven sleep issues (44:51)The brain impact of sleep-disordered breathing (34:03)Why humility — not ego — moves this field forward (59:14) Additional Resources 🛌 WatchPAT Home Sleep Apnea Test WatchPAT — Home Sleep Study Device (ZOLL Itamar) 👉 https://www.itamar-medical.com/patients/watchpat-home-sleep-testing/ 📌 Dr. Anil Rama & Sleep Medicine Sleep and Brain — Anil Rama, MD bio 👉 https://www.sleepandbrain.com/anil-rama-md Register for the Make More Money Meeting: https://ortho4m.com/home  - For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/ - Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/

    1h 3m

  6. FEB 27

    The Real Reason Your TC Room Is Leaking Money l 5MF

    Have you ever really looked at where the money is leaking from your practice? In this 5-Minute Friday, I take a deep dive into one of the biggest problems plaguing orthodontic practices—and it’s happening right inside your TC room. The issue? Case acceptance. You might think you're doing well, but just a 5% improvement in conversion could mean hundreds of thousands in added revenue. Yes, hundreds of thousands. And the kicker? Most orthodontists—and their treatment coordinators—aren’t trained on how to actually close. Not just talk. Close. Get the “yes.” As Alec Baldwin said in Glengarry Glen Ross, “Get them to sign on the line which is dotted.” Quotes “There’s nothing dirty about talking about money in the practice. If you believe your patients are best served by you treating them—get them closed.” — Dr. Glenn Krieger “One more start per week at $5,000 is $240,000 a year—and there's almost no extra cost. That’s free money you're leaking if you're not closing.” — Dr. Glenn Krieger Key Takeaways Intro – Why case acceptance is broken (00:00) How ‘leaky’ front desks and TC rooms cost you starts (00:45) The real math behind one extra start per week (01:50) Why doctors staying too long in the exam hurts case acceptance (03:35) The importance of training your TC to handle objections (04:55) Why sales skills protect your income, your team, and your sanity (06:00) Overview of the “Make More Money” meeting (06:45) Additional Resources If you believe your patients are best served by being treated in your practice, then learning how to close cases ethically and confidently is not optional—it’s essential. Start by tightening every step of your sales funnel, training your TC properly, and getting out of your own way in the consult room. If you want to go deeper, keep an eye out for my Make More Money Meeting, where we’ll break down the entire process—from marketing to objections to secondary income streams—in a way you’ve never seen before. DM me if you want details or availability. Register for the Make More Money Meeting: https://ortho4m.com/home - For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/ - Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/

    8 min

  7. FEB 24

    Unlocking Orthodontic Success: Culture, Leadership, and Sales w/Brian Wright

    I’ve seen firsthand how practices double production, retain team members long-term, and charge more than their competitors—not because they bought more ads, but because they built a culture that people want to be part of. In this episode, I sit down with Brian Wright, founder of New Patient Group, serial entrepreneur, and one of the sharpest business minds working in orthodontics today. We go deep into what truly separates average practices from elite ones. And spoiler alert—it’s not brackets, aligners, or even clinical skill alone. If you’ve ever struggled with team turnover, price shoppers, inconsistent case acceptance, or feeling stuck at the same production number year after year… this episode will challenge your thinking in the best possible way. Quotes “If you’re struggling with team issues, it’s not an HR problem. It’s a leadership problem.” — Brian Wright “There’s a difference between being a business owner and being an entrepreneur. Entrepreneurs implement ideas even when everyone else says no.” — Brian Wright Key Takeaways How elite practices “destroy competition” without talking about competition (01:00) Entrepreneur vs. business owner mindset shift (13:00) Why orthodontists misuse the word “scale” (16:00) The real reason price shoppers exist (24:00) Why culture—not advertising—is the true growth engine (29:00) Expense vs. investment: The accounting mistake killing growth (20:00) How leadership determines team retention (33:00) Why good orthodontics alone won’t justify premium fees (39:00) What iconic practices do differently than everyone else (44:00) Additional Resources Growth doesn’t start with ads. It starts with leadership. Are you running a practice… or are you building a business? And if you’re serious about becoming the latter, start investing in yourself the way elite entrepreneurs do. NPG Iconic: https://iconic.newpatientgroup.com  Brian Wright: https://newpatientgroup.com/book-brian-wright/  Register for the Make More Money Meeting: https://ortho4m.com/home  - For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/ - Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/

    49 min

  8. FEB 20

    Mastering the Marketing Pyramid in your practice l 5MF

    I’ve had the privilege of working with some of the world’s greatest marketing minds—Gary Vaynerchuk, Todd Brown, Russell Brunson—and let me tell you, the deeper I go, the more I realize how most orthodontists, myself included, haven’t been taught how to market effectively. In this episode of 5 Minute Friday, I walk you through a powerful framework I’ve learned: marketing as a pyramid. At the bottom of that pyramid are people who don’t even know they have a problem, and at the top are the ones ready to take action. But here’s the catch—most of us are marketing to the wrong level of awareness, with the wrong message, in the wrong place. That’s costing us real money. Quotes “When you put a $500 discount in front of people who don’t even know their kid needs ortho, you’re wasting money—and missing the mark.”  — Dr. Glenn Krieger “Pair the message you’re sending with the awareness they have of your office. That’s how you make marketing work.”  — Dr. Glenn Krieger Key Takeaways Intro & Why Money Talks (00:00) The Marketing Pyramid Explained (01:10) Different Awareness Levels & What to Say to Each (02:15) Why Most Discounts Fall Flat (05:20) A Real-World Breakdown: $500 Off Doesn’t Work Here’s Why (05:40) The “Make More Money” Meeting Announcement (06:45) 8–10 Proven Ways to Boost Case Acceptance & Revenue (08:15) Why You Must Bring a Team Member (08:55) Additional Resources If you’ve ever wondered why your practice isn’t growing the way it should—despite all the ads and discounts—this is your wake-up call. 🚨 The Make More Money Meeting is coming. A day-and-a-half deep dive into marketing, funnel optimization, objection handling, and case conversion strategies that actually work. Bring one or two of your key team members and walk away ready to grow. Register for the Make More Money Meeting: https://ortho4m.com/home - For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/ - Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/

    9 min
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4.7
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74 Ratings

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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