The Orthopreneurs Podcast with Dr. Glenn Krieger

Latest Episodes:

The Direct Print 3D Aligner Advantage in Orthodontics w/ Mike Gordon / Greatest Hits Sep 02, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, I had Mike Gordon from 3DNA Dental to discuss the revolutionary impact of 3D printing technology in orthodontics.
With a background deeply rooted in IT, he sheds light on how 3D printing is transforming dental practices and shares insights on the latest advancements, particularly with direct print clear aligners.
Departing from traditional in-house aligners that involve multiple steps, including setting up a case, printing models, and post-processing, direct print aligners streamline the process significantly.
Mike provides insights into the cost per aligner, which ranges between $4 to $6 in material costs. Compared to the national average of $56 per aligner, the direct print technology presents significant cost savings for dental practices.
3DNA Dental provides comprehensive support and implementation services for dental practices venturing into 3D printing. The company's primary focus is on real, ongoing support for in-clinic adoption, ensuring a seamless integration of 3D printing technologies to dramatically cut lab costs and improve patient service times.
Tune in to learn more!
Key Takeaways
Intro (00:00)
About Mike Gordon and 3DNA Dental (01:40)
Direct print 3D aligners (06:21)
Key features of direct print clear aligners (10:47)
Cost implications and material properties (14:30)
Diverse applications of 3D printing (18:12)
Additional Resources
🔹 Connect with Mike Gordon
Website: https://3dnadental.com/
Email: mike@3dnadental.com
Phone No: 808-357-1323
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🔹 Register for the LAST OP SUMMIT (2025): https://opsummit2025.com/
🔹 For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/
🔹 Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OrthoPreneurs

How Core Values Should Drive Every Hiring & Firing Decision l 5MF Aug 29, 2025

Show notes

What if I told you that keeping one toxic team member could be quietly killing your culture—and your revenue?
In this 5 Minute Friday, I’m not talking about technology, marketing, or new systems. I’m talking about people—and how the wrong ones can undermine everything you’ve built. In a tough hiring market, it's tempting to overlook red flags. But if someone consistently violates your core values, they don’t belong in your practice. Period.
I’ll walk you through how I hire, fire, and lead based on a simple framework: core values. If your office tolerates dishonesty, drama, or mediocrity—even from that “indispensable” employee—it sends the wrong message to the rest of your team. This episode is your invitation to reclaim control, protect your culture, and prioritize the people who make your practice great.
“You will never, ever, ever regret firing that toxic employee in your practice.”
— Dr. Glenn Krieger
“Don't tolerate mediocrity. Underachievers tease us with their potential.”
— Dr. Glenn Krieger
Key Takeaways
Intro + what this episode is about (00:00)
Core values: define them, live them, hire from them (01:05)
Interview example: “Tell me the last time you had fun at work” (02:20)
The danger of tolerating bad fits (03:10)
Why your team thrives after letting toxic people go (04:05)
Nobody is truly indispensable—not even you (05:00)
Fire with kindness, but don’t delay the decision (06:10)
Final thoughts and your action item (07:05)
Additional Resources
I’ve seen firsthand how keeping the wrong person around too long can unravel a great team.
If you’re struggling with turnover, tension, or just tired of managing drama, this episode is your sign to reset. Define your core values. Make decisions around them. And if you haven’t already, grab one of the final tickets to Orthopreneurs Summit 2025 at opSummit2025.com—it’s nearly sold out. Let's build stronger teams, together.
- For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/
- Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OrthoPreneurs

Greatest Hits: Dr. Rebecca Bockow – Changing Lives & Practices with Airway Orthodontics Aug 26, 2025

Show notes

Dr. Rebecca Bockow is a highly skilled clinician who has achieved dual board certification as both a Periodontist and Orthodontist.
Her exceptional expertise and dedication have allowed her to build a thriving practice, even in a challenging market.
Dr. Bockow's success can be attributed to her ability to seamlessly integrate scientifically-based airway orthodontics into her practice, as well as her remarkable ability to balance a busy professional and personal life.
While airway orthodontics has gained some recognition and acceptance, it is important to acknowledge that there are orthodontists who remain skeptical about this approach.
Some orthodontists express skepticism due to what they claim is relatively limited scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of airway orthodontics.
They argue that more robust studies and long-term data are needed to establish the effectiveness and durability of these treatments.
I was one of these skeptics for a long time until Dr. Rebecca Bockow managed to open my eyes with the help of mainstream literature from places like Stanford, which is as compelling and legitimate as anything I've seen in orthodontics.
In this episode in our Greatest Hits series, we get the chance to hear Dr. Bockow take us through Airway Orthodontics, the literature behind it, how it differentiates your practice, and, most importantly, the life-changing impact it has on our patients.
Tune in!
Key Takeaways
Meet Dr. Rebecca Bockow (01:31)
The secret sauce to stand out and grow your practice (08:46)
Interdisciplinary cases to set you apart (10:30)
What exactly is Airway Orthodontics? (12:59)
Mainstream literature supporting Airway Orthodontics (20:04)
Airway skepticism in Orthodontics (25:40)
How Airway is a differentiator for your practice (29:04)
How to juggle a busy professional life and personal life (37:10)
Additional Resources
🔹 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

You Make Millions—But Are You Keeping It? l 5MF Aug 22, 2025

Show notes

What if I told you your accountant could be quietly costing you $150K or more every single year?

In this 5 Minute Friday, I’m getting straight to the point: making money is one thing—keeping it is another. If your CPA’s idea of “doing a great job” is just filing on time and avoiding an audit, you might be missing out on tens (or hundreds) of thousands of dollars in legally entitled savings. And no, this isn’t about aggressive loopholes or risky moves—it’s about strategy, awareness, and choosing the right financial team.

I share stories from my own past—like getting hit with a surprise $62K tax bill early in my career—and what I’ve learned since about smart, proactive tax planning. This episode is a wake-up call for every orthodontist earning strong revenue but walking away with far less than they should. If your overhead is reasonable, your collections are solid, and you’re still not seeing the wealth build? You’re going to want to hear this.

Quotes

"Build your practice as big or as small as you want—but keep every single penny you’re entitled by law to keep."
- Dr. Glenn Krieger

"Are you scared of an audit—or are you scared of leaving $50K on the table every year?"
- Dr. Glenn Krieger

Key Takeaways

Intro + why this message matters (00:00)
The CPA trap: doing the bare minimum isn’t enough (01:45)
Glenn’s $62K lesson and how it changed everything (03:30)
What questions to ask your accountant—today (05:10)
Why “audit risk” is often an excuse, not a reason (06:40)
Tools and terms to start asking about: Section 179, Opportunity Zones, R&D Credits (08:20)
Final thought: If you're taking home $1.5M, why not keep an extra $150K? (10:00)

Additional Resources

That’s why these conversations matter. If your CPA isn’t bringing new opportunities to the table, you’re leaving money on it. Join me at https://opSummit2025.com while tickets are still available. We won’t spend the weekend on tax code… unless you pull me aside and ask. But I promise—this event will more than pay for itself.
Go to https://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

Going From 15 Team Members To 3 and Doubling Productivity w/ Bob Skopek l Greatest Hits Aug 19, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, I am joined by one of the POWERHOUSES of the orthodontic practice, Dr. Bob Skopek.

He has practiced orthodontics for over 20 years in North Barrington, Illinois. His practice focuses on customer experience, exceptional clinical care, and business efficiency.

Talking of efficiency, he transitioned from a practice of 15 team members and 11 chairs to 3 team members and 3 chairs.

And guess what happened to his revenue after the transition….. it DOUBLED.

This is HUGE from an efficiency perspective, but how did he achieve this.

He credits a few things:

✅Learning to move teeth with plastic – (he is a top 1% Invisalign provider)

✅Remote monitoring through DentalMonitoring App

✅OrthoFi to do the heavy lifting (insurance and patient processing & collection, finance, follow up with patients, etc.)

✅Transitioning to an almost text-only office with the help of the Rhinogram App

This is a value-packed episode for anybody trying to be more efficient in their practice. Tune In

Key Takeaways

Meet Dr. Bob Skopek (01:38)

Doing great technical Ortho (08:06)

From 15 team members to 3 and doubling revenue (13:11)

Clear aligner orthodontic efficiency (14:46)

Remote monitoring to decrease office time (18:01)

How OrthoFi has helped Skopek orthodontics be more efficient (21:45)

Transitioning from a phone call to a texting office (26:38)

Remote new patient exams (29:54)

Running a practice entirely on technology (31:45)

Quotes
"But the biggest thing I found with OrthoFi is that I minimized staff so much. I used to have two financial coordinators and one part-time person on the phone with insurance companies" Dr. Bob Skopek
"We're a texting office. We've eliminated probably 90% or more of our phone calls. We communicate through our DentalMonitoring and Rhinogram apps" Dr. Bob Skopek
"We just kept saying it over and over, and now all of us don't say, give us a call, we say shoot us a text" Dr. Bob Skopek
Dr. Skopek on how they transitioned from phone calls to text messages.
"The first step for me if I'm going to do clear aligner orthodontics was I have to be able to do the same level of orthodontics that I can do with braces and wires" Dr. Bob Skopek
Dr. Bob Skopek is speaking at this year's https://opSummit2025.com register now while tickets are still available.
Go to https://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

Occlusion Isn’t Optional: Why Every Orthodontist Needs to Relearn This - 5MF Aug 15, 2025

Show notes

What if I told you that not understanding occlusion is quietly sabotaging your treatment outcomes—and your confidence?

In this week’s 5 Minute Friday, I’m revisiting a topic that too many orthodontists dismiss: occlusion. After a recent conversation with Bruce McFarlane (and reflections on chats with legends like Tom Pitts and Ron Roncone), I felt compelled to spotlight how deeply impactful understanding occlusion truly is. If you think it’s just for restorative docs—or you "get enough of it" through aligners—think again.

I share insights from my own training under some of the best in the field, including three years studying at the University of Washington. I break down real-world ortho challenges like posterior open bites, centric relation issues, and how the NTI appliance is causing more chaos than most realize. This episode isn’t a lecture—it’s a wake-up call. If you're not fluent in occlusion, you're not fully equipped to protect your patients… or your practice.

QUOTES

“Once you understand occlusion, your life is going to change.” - Dr. Glenn Krieger

“If you haven’t taken a Roth course or been to Coyce or Spear, don’t tell me you know occlusion.” - Dr. Glenn Krieger

Key Takeaways

Intro (00:00)
How orthodontists have dismissed occlusion over time (01:10)
Jerry Schultz, PK Thomas, and foundational lessons in occlusion (02:30)
Clinical consequences of posterior open bites (03:50)
Why understanding TMJ and facial types still matters (04:40)
The NTI appliance: a silent saboteur? (06:00)
Final challenge: If you really knew occlusion… would your treatment change? (07:00)

Additional Resources

If you want this kind of transformation for your own team, join me at the final Orthopreneurs Summit in Vegas this September. Go to opSummit2025.com and grab your seat today.

Payment plans are almost gone and passes are disappearing fast. This will be the most impactful event you’ll ever attend—don’t miss it.

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

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

One Orthodontist - Two Countries: Building a Binational Practice with Dr. Bruce McFarlane Aug 12, 2025

Show notes

The Truth About Aligners, Airway & Occlusion—From a Guy Who Practices in Two Countries

In this episode, I sit down with my good friend, Dr. Bruce McFarlane—one of the most respected names in digital orthodontics and someone who’s mastered the art of practicing seamlessly in two different countries. We dive deep into clear aligners, digital efficiencies, occlusion philosophy, and why airway awareness in children is no longer optional.

Whether you're just starting to build your aligner practice or you're scaling your ortho empire, Bruce’s insights will challenge what you think you know about clinical protocols, patient care, and long-term outcomes. This isn’t fluff—it’s a masterclass in doing ortho the right way.

QUOTES

"The teeth will tell you what they need—so stop asking aligners to do things they weren’t designed to do."

— Dr. Bruce McFarlane

"If you're not at least assessing the airway in children, you're not practicing 2025 orthodontics."

— Dr. Glenn Krieger

Key Takeaways

Intro (00:00)
Bruce’s dual-country practice model & digital workflow (04:10)
The evolution of clear aligners from 1997 to today (13:17)
Why he avoids excessive IPR and attachments (16:12)
The digital boutique model vs. the big-box practice (23:17)
How Bruce designs treatment from anywhere in the world (25:16)
His 3 biggest aligner treatment rules (19:48)
Airway awareness and its clinical impact on kids (30:02)
The future of occlusion & the ModJaw revolution (36:25)
Why poor occlusion is often behind the cases that keep you up at night (39:05)

If you’re ready to rethink how you approach aligners, occlusion, and the future of digital ortho, this episode is your roadmap.

👉 Share it with a colleague, and don’t forget to leave a review if this episode got you thinking.

Want more from Bruce? Check out his work at sddhc.com and consider making a trip to La Jolla (yes, seriously).

If you want this kind of transformation for your own team, join me at the final Orthopreneurs Summit in Vegas this September. Go to opSummit2025.com and grab your seat today.

Payment plans are almost gone and passes are disappearing fast. This will be the most impactful event you’ll ever attend—don’t miss it.

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

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

What Happens When You Say “Yes” More Aug 08, 2025

Show notes

What if I told you that you might be the one holding your practice back from its full potential?
In this week’s Five Minute Friday, I’m taking a hard—but necessary—look at how we as orthodontists resist the very things that could help us most. Whether it’s adopting AI, implementing stress-reducing systems, or even saying “yes” to a meeting that could reshape your future, too many of us fall into the trap of thinking we’ve already got it figured out.
This episode isn’t just about AI (though we talk about that too). It’s about mindset. It’s about execution. And it’s about learning to recognize when your own comfort zone has become your biggest obstacle. I’m asking you to reflect—brutally—on where you’re saying “no” to opportunities you should be embracing. Because at the end of the day, when you don’t act, you’re not just cheating yourself… you’re cheating your team, your patients, and your family.
“When you don’t execute, you’re not just cheating yourself. You’re cheating your team, your employees, and your family. It’s bigger than you.” - Chad Wright
“You could be your own worst nightmare in keeping you from getting what you need.” - Dr. Glenn Krieger
Key Takeaways
- Intro: Orthodontists & adoption resistance (00:00)
- Why we delay adopting proven innovations like AI (00:50)
- Leadership blind spots: "I know better" syndrome (02:30)
- EOS, Summit, and the next evolution: Vanguard Intensive (04:20)
- Execution vs. excuses—what’s really stopping you? (06:00)
- Are you the bottleneck to your practice growth? (07:45)
- Final challenge: Say “yes” more often (09:00)
Additional Resources
If you want this kind of transformation for your own team, join me at the final Orthopreneurs Summit in Vegas this September. Go to opSummit2025.com and grab your seat today.
Payment plans are almost gone and passes are disappearing fast. This will be the most impactful event you’ll ever attend—don’t miss it.
- For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/
- Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OrthoPreneurs

A New Less Aggressive Approach Towards Palatal Expansion in Adults w/ Dr. Ilya Lipkin | Greatest Hits Series Aug 05, 2025

Show notes

👉 Register for the OrthoPreneurs Summit (2025): https://opsummit2025.com
Traditional orthodontics has primarily focused on aligning teeth, often overlooking the broader impact on facial and airway development.
But this is quickly changing, with more and more orthodontists embracing their rightful roles as gatekeepers for sleep-disordered breathing.
In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Ilya Lipkin as we peel back the layers on why traditional orthodontic techniques are due for an update, especially when it comes to treating adult patients.
Dr. Lipkin has developed groundbreaking methods for palatal expansion in adults. His approach is less invasive and more patient-friendly, aimed at improving both dental aesthetics and airway health.
It's not just about straightening teeth; it's about breathing better, sleeping better, and ultimately living better.
Stay tuned and learn more from this pioneer, great clinician, and innovator.
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@orthopreneurs6803
⏱️ Key Takeaways ⏱️
Intro (00:00)
Meet Dr. Ilya Lipkin (00:34)
Innovative approaches to adult palatal expansion (03:50)
The connection between orthodontics and airway health (07:02)
Palate Expansion vs. tonsils and adenoids removal for airway health (13:56)
Educating the medical community on airway orthodontics (14:40)
Customizing orthodontic treatments based on patient factors (18:33)
Dr. Lipkin’s palatal expansion techniques and protocols (25:48)
Why you should take Dr. Lipkin’s course (39:46)
Additional Resources
🔹 Text Dr. Ilya Lipkin: at 201-394-8162 for more information about his course
🔹 Website: https://www.gotbraces.com/about-us/
🔹 Register for the Las 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
#Orthopreneurs #DrGlennKrieger #DrIlyaLipkin

From Order-Takers to Problem-Solvers: The Shift That Changes Everything Aug 01, 2025

Show notes

What if I told you your team is capable of solving your biggest practice problems—but you’ve never trained them to think that way?
In this 5 Minute Friday, I’m diving into a leadership shift that changed everything for my practice. After facing major team turnover, I had to rebuild—and I realized I’d spent years teaching people what to do, but not how to think. So I re-engaged with EOS tools, revisited how I run meetings, and started asking my team better questions. What happened next blew me away.
This episode isn’t about policies or procedures. It’s about mindset. I’ll walk you through how I restructured meetings, challenged my team with real “boulders” to move, and helped them unlock a level of creativity and problem-solving I didn’t know they had. If you’re still running the show solo or spoon-feeding solutions, this episode will challenge you to think differently—and help your team rise to their full potential.
Key Takeaways
Intro & team turnover reflections (00:00)
Rethinking team meetings and using EOS structure (00:40)
What are "boulders" and how do they create change? (01:25)
Why your team may not be thinking (and how to fix it) (02:10)
The difference between education and creativity (02:45)
Leading your team to solve problems on their own (03:30)
Wrap-up: When you train people to think, they surprise you (04:50)
Additional Resources
If you want this kind of transformation for your own team, join me at the final Orthopreneurs Summit in Vegas this September. Go to opSummit2025.com and grab your seat today.
Payment plans are almost gone and passes are disappearing fast. This will be the most impactful event you’ll ever attend—don’t miss it.
- For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/
- Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OrthoPreneurs

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