Orthodontic Products Podcast Orthodontic Products

Dr Roger P. Levin, founder and CEO of the practice management consulting firm Levin Group, joins the podcast to discuss the findings of the Third Annual Orthodontic Practice Survey. The joint project between Orthodontic Products and Levin Group looks at how practices fared in the last year—surveying everything from production, practice overhead, patient volume, referral sources, starts and orthodontic fees, appointment intervals, remote monitoring, and the challenges facing orthodontic practices. 

Five key takeaways from this discussion: 

1. Orthodontic production dropped slightly in 2023 but the industry remains relatively stable.
2. Rising overhead costs, especially related to staffing, need to be offset by increasing production through better systems and strategies.
3. Staffing challenges are a major issue for orthodontic practices and retaining existing staff is important.
4. Referral sources are diversifying and practices need varied marketing approaches targeting different referral channels.  
5. Remote monitoring will likely play a larger role in orthodontics going forward, changing patient visit intervals and practice management.

Orthodontists will walk away from this conversation with insight into the issues and trends facing their industry and Levin’s advice on how to proactively organize the orthodontic practice for future economic growth. As he puts it, take advantage of today’s relative stability to set your practice up to thrive amidst any future instability.  

Orthodontic Products podcast host Alison Werner spoke with Oliver Gelles, chief marketing officer at OrthoFi, to explore shifts in orthodontic patient demographics and financial strategies. The focus was particularly on the rise in adult orthodontic patients and the economic factors influencing patient decisions.
Gelles highlighted the volatile orthodontic market dynamics, notably the surge in adult patient starts in 2021—spurred by temporary economic stimuli—which sharply contrasted with a downturn in 2022. Despite a general decline in patient starts by 3.5%, Gelles pointed out that the decrease was not solely due to economic reasons but also to changes in consumer behavior and practice management strategies.
One significant trend discussed was the increase in adult patients, from 25% to almost 35% within their tracked groups, particularly influenced by the economic landscape and orthodontists' financial demands. Gelles criticized some orthodontists' approach of requiring substantial upfront lab fees for treatments like aligners during economic downturns, which he believes disproportionately impacts case starts.
Additionally, Gelles and Werner discussed the demographic and behavioral aspects of adult patients, notably Millennials and Gen Z. Unlike children, whose orthodontic needs are often anticipated by parents, adult orthodontic decisions are usually more spontaneous and influenced by personal life events. Gelles emphasized the importance of immediate engagement and flexible financial options to convert these patients at the point of decision.
The podcast also covered the recent partnership between OrthoFi and Align Technology, which facilitates spreading lab fees over several months, easing financial pressures on patients and practices alike. This adjustment aims to boost patient intake by mitigating upfront costs.

In the latest episode of the Orthodontic Products podcast, Tony Peniche, director of innovation at Peniche and Associates, talks about the ways that practices can get the most out of their marketing and branding budgets.
Peniche talks about how his firm succeeds in achieving an 85% case acceptance rate and how orthodontists can stop wasting money on purchases that are either overpriced or unproven to work.
Peniche addressed critical issues surrounding expenditure oversight and effective resource allocation. He emphasized the importance of the establishment of dedicated credit lines for marketing expenditures to uphold transparency and fiscal accountability. Additionally, Peniche underscored the necessity of scrutinizing expenditures on branded promotional items, urging practices to explore cost-efficient procurement channels directly from manufacturers.
Later he spoke about the pivotal role of harmonizing contemporary digital marketing methodologies with time-honored interpersonal approaches. By harnessing modern online approaches like social media and leveraging traditional relationship building methods, practices can strike a balance between modernization and personalized engagement.
Peniche also advocated for trusting in the process when working with a consultant and coming up with innovative methods to improve patient engagement and efficiency within a practice. He also encouraged practice owners to really consider who they were putting in crucial patient-focused positions where a positive interaction could be key to achieving more starts.

In a recent episode of the Orthodontic Products podcast, Chuck Stapleton, the vice president and general manager for dental at 3D Systems, offered compelling insights into the future trajectory of 3D printing within orthodontics.
Stapleton, an authority in the field, underscored the pivotal role of 3D printing technology in dental applications, citing its steady growth and continuous innovation as drivers for both the company and the broader industry.
During the podcast, Stapleton explained the recent advancements in 3D printing technology, emphasizing the synergistic progress in hardware and materials. These advancements have resulted in faster, more accurate, and efficient printing processes, poised to revolutionize orthodontic practices.
The conversation also turned toward a discussion on in-office 3D printing and its impact on orthodontic workflows. Stapleton outlined the benefits, including reduced turnaround times for orthodontic appliances, improved patient comfort, and overall enhanced treatment outcomes.
Moreover, the conversation delved into specific orthodontic applications of 3D printing, ranging from large-scale manufacturing for aligners to emerging uses of metal printing for specialized items. Stapleton highlighted the potential of in-house 3D printing labs to produce a variety of orthodontic devices, such as aligners, retainers, and indirect bonding trays, streamlining the treatment process for practitioners and patients alike.
Looking ahead, he said he expected significant developments in materials and automation within the next decade, anticipating faster, stronger, and more efficient printing processes. While acknowledging the potential for in-office 3D printing to become more widespread, he emphasized the continued relevance of large-scale manufacturing for efficiency and scale.
Stapleton's insights shed light on the transformative potential of 3D printing in orthodontics and offered practitioners guidance as they navigate the integration of this cutting-edge technology into their practices.

Measles is in this news. With the recent outbreak reported in Florida and new cases in Michigan, Orthodontic Products podcast host Alison Werner spoke to infection prevention expert Jackie Dorst, RDH, BS, about what you need to know to keep the staff and patients safe. 

In this episode, Jackie provides: 
a backgrounder on measles,a list of symptoms, including the one orthodontic staff are uniquely positioned to spot, a breakdown of who is at risk,a reminder of the steps you can take to protect staff and patients from airborne diseases, guidance on what to do if you have an exposure in your office, and information on where to learn more. Resources mentioned in this episode: 
CDC Measles Main Page: https://www.cdc.gov/measles/index.htmlCDC Measles Healthcare Providers page: https://www.cdc.gov/measles/hcp/index.htmlCDC COCA Call - We Must Maintain Measles Elimination in the United States: Measles Clinical Presentation, Diagnosis, and Prevention: https://emergency.cdc.gov/coca/calls/2023/callinfo_081723.aspCDC COCA Call PowerPoint Slide Presentation: https://emergency.cdc.gov/coca/ppt/2023/081723_slides.pdf

Trey Lawrence will take up the reins as CEO of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) on March 1. Ahead of that, he joined the Orthodontic Podcasts podcast to talk to host Alison Werner about the role he’s stepping into and the work of advancing the association’s strategic plan. Lawrence covers the AAO’s advocacy and legal efforts, continued implementation of the Strategic Plan, and what members can expect from the upcoming Annual Session in New Orleans. He also talks about the relationship he wants with members—from residents in their first year to senior doctors approaching retirement.