The Orthopreneurs Podcast with Dr. Glenn Krieger

Hosted by Dr. Glenn Krieger

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Jun 2026

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About the show

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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June 16, 202650 min

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 TakeawaysIntro (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 ResourcesODO (On Demand Orthodontist)🌐 https://ondemandorthodontist.comA 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/

June 12, 20268 min

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 TakeawaysIntro: 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 ResourcesIf 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/

June 9, 202634 min

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 TakeawaysIntro (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 ResourcesLearn More About DIBS AIIf 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.comSteve 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/

June 5, 20266 min

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 TakeawaysIntro: 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/

June 2, 202643 min

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 TakeawaysIntro (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 ResourcesIf 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.comInterested in Orthopreneurs? 👉 https://www.orthopreneurs.comIf 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/

May 29, 20267 min

How Do People Feel After Interacting With You? l 5MF

What if I told you the way you treat people when nobody’s watching says more about your leadership than anything happening inside your practice?In this Five Minute Friday, I’m asking a question that might sting a little: Are you a pain in the ass? As orthodontists, leaders, employers, and colleagues, we spend a lot of time thinking about clinical outcomes, systems, and production—but not always enough time thinking about how people feel after interacting with us.This episode is about self-awareness, humility, and becoming the kind of person others actually enjoy being around. I share why the small moments matter most: how you speak to a server, how you respond when things don’t go your way, how you show up online, and whether your interactions leave people better or worse than before. My challenge is simple: at the end of every day, ask yourself what you did well—and how you could have done it better.💬Quotes“This isn’t about how much community service you do. This is about how you act when nobody’s watching.”— Dr. Glenn Krieger“At the end of the day, when you put your head on the pillow, what did you do well today? And how could you have done it better?”— Dr. Glenn Krieger🎯 Key TakeawaysIntro: Are you a pain in the ass? (00:00)How your behavior impacts the people around you (01:07)High-maintenance vs. self-aware leadership (01:28)Why seeking to understand matters (03:12)The people who need this message most may be in denial (03:23)How upbringing shapes behavior—and why we can unlearn it (04:37)What really counts as doing good in the world (05:52)Two questions to ask yourself every night (07:22)🟦 Additional ResourcesI’ve seen firsthand how self-awareness can change the way we lead, communicate, and show up for the people around us.So tonight, before you go to sleep, ask yourself: What did I do well today? And how could I have done it better? Start there—and watch how your relationships, leadership, and life begin to change. - 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/

May 26, 20261 hr 1 min

AI Is About to Change Orthodontics Forever w/ Mike Vidikan

🎙️ What if I told you the biggest shift in orthodontics over the next 3 years may have nothing to do with brackets, aligners, or scanners… and everything to do with AI?I’ve seen firsthand how AI can improve communication, streamline workflows, and completely change the way we run our practices. But this episode goes far beyond “write me a patient email.” Mike Vidikan and I sit down for a deep dive into the current state of artificial intelligence—from AI-generated videos and autonomous agents to the very real possibility of orthodontists building their own software, automations, and virtual employees.If you’ve been curious, overwhelmed, skeptical, or excited about AI, this episode will help you better understand what’s real, what’s hype, and why ignoring this technology may be the biggest mistake practice owners make over the next decade.💬Quotes“AI is literally allowing us to innovate almost every aspect of what we do in our life—whether it’s home life or business life—it just allows us to innovate faster.” — Mike Vidikan“The beautiful thing about AI now is your imagination becomes the limit… not the technology.”— Mike Vidikan🎯Key TakeawaysIntro & why AI matters to orthodontists right now (00:00)How quickly AI is evolving—and why 2026 feels different (03:06)The future of orthodontic-specific software and custom automation (07:35)Why prompting matters more than people realize (16:37)The major AI platforms orthodontists should know about (19:41)ChatGPT vs Claude vs Gemini vs Grok vs Perplexity (20:55)AI-generated presentations, documents, and content creation (23:41)Why creating presentations manually is becoming obsolete (32:36)AI video generation and the future of media creation (35:12)How Orthopreneurs almost built a Ready Player One virtual summit (41:14)What AI “agents” are and how they could replace repetitive office tasks (49:19)The future of robotics and automation in orthodontics (54:00)Could robots eventually place brackets? (56:01)Why Mike believes AI will create more opportunities—not fewer jobs (58:42)The importance of staying curious and adaptable as technology evolves (1:01:22)🟦 Additional ResourcesIf you’re still treating AI like a gimmick—or assuming it’s something you’ll “learn later”—this episode is your wake-up call. The orthodontists who embrace these tools now will have a massive advantage in efficiency, communication, marketing, and decision-making over the next few years.Start experimenting. Start learning. Start paying attention.And if you’re not already part of the Orthopreneurs community, now’s the time.👉 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/

May 22, 20268 min

The 3-Step Marketing Plan Every Orthodontist Needs l 5MF

What if I told you your marketing budget isn’t the problem — your tracking is?In this Five Minute Friday, I’m breaking down the three things every orthodontic practice needs to make marketing actually work: a plan, a reliable way to track where patients came from, and a clear understanding of ROI. Too many practices are throwing money at PTAs, community events, online ads, referral gifts, and sponsorships without knowing what’s truly producing starts.I’ll show you the exact question I ask every new patient, why your TC needs to hear the answer, and how a simple spreadsheet can help you stop guessing and start investing smarter. When you know where your growth is coming from, you can double down on what works, fix what doesn’t, and grow your practice with far more confidence.Quotes“You need to have a marketing plan. You need to write things down about how you’re going to market.” — Dr. Glenn Krieger“You will not be guessing where you should be spending your money. You will be spending it smartly, and your practice will grow as a result.” — Dr. Glenn Krieger🎯 Key TakeawaysIntro (00:00)Why most mature practices need intentional marketing (00:42)Step 1: Build a real marketing plan (01:08)Step 2: Ask patients how they actually found you (01:38)Why the doctor should help identify the real referral source (03:00)Step 3: Track ROI by marketing source (04:46)How to decide where to double down (05:00)The 3-part marketing formula: plan, track, measure ROI (06:28)Airway meeting announcement and invitation (06:56)🟦 Additional ResourcesIf you want to stop guessing where your marketing dollars should go, start with three simple steps: build the plan, ask the question, and track the ROI. And if you’re interested in learning how orthodontists can responsibly play a role in airway and sleep-disordered breathing, DM me about the December airway meeting before it sells out. - 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/

May 19, 202610 min

Orthodontic Smile Design Treatment Planning w/ Dr. David Sarver | Greatest Hits

What if I told you the key to better esthetic results isn’t just looking at teeth—but learning to see the face first?In this episode of The Orthopreneurs Podcast, I’m joined by the legendary Dr. David Sarver for a masterclass-level look at interdisciplinary smile design and lifetime esthetics. As we revisit his course, Smile Projection: A New Concept in Smile Design, Dr. Sarver gives us a different way to think about orthodontic treatment planning—one that starts with the face, not just the occlusion.We talk about why the lateral and oblique views matter so much, how smile projection changes the way we evaluate maxillary incisor position, and how orthodontists can take good cases and make them truly exceptional. If you want to create better, quicker, more esthetic outcomes for your patients, this episode will help you see the smile in a completely new way.💬 Quotes to Remember“We have to start seeing the smile from the face first—not just from the teeth.” — Dr. David Sarver“The lateral view changes everything when you’re trying to understand true smile projection.” — Dr. David Sarver🎯 Key TakeawaysIntro (00:00) Dr. David Sarver’s course at Orthopreneurs University (00:51) What Smile Projection really means (01:21) Why the lateral/oblique view matters so much (04:21) How orthodontists can turn good cases into exceptional cases (05:59)🟦 Additional ResourcesIf you want to elevate your esthetic outcomes and start treatment planning with a true face-first approach, check out Dr. Sarver’s course here:Smile Projection: A New Concept In Smile Design — https://orthopreneurs.com/courses/smile-projection/- For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/- Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OrthoPreneurs

May 15, 20266 min

How to Extend Grace to Others When Aggrieved | 5-Minute Friday | Greatest Hits

I recently came across a social media incident that really bothered me.The long and short of it was that someone organizing an event had received a nasty email full of colorful language from one of the would-be attendees.They proceeded to take a screenshot of the email without the full context and posted it on their social media. They included the person's email, place of work, and other such detail.This got me thinking…Nobody is perfect. People are going to screw up, even those close to you.What will your reaction be? Will you get all worked up and do something to embarrass or destroy them?I would much rather you gave them grace. Just let it go.Quotes:"Give grace to people when they screw up, reach out to somebody with whom you're estranged if you can, and give grace." - Dr. Glenn Krieger"You're going to run into people in your life who will piss you off. And you know what, it's okay to let it go." - Dr. Glenn KriegerKey TakeawaysA social media incident that really bothered me (00:47)Give a little more grace (01:48)It's okay to let it go (02:54)Give grace to people when they screw up (05:37)Additional Resources- For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/- Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ #Orthopreneurs #DrGlennKrieger #5minutefriday