The Orthopreneurs Podcast with Dr. Glenn Krieger

Latest Episodes:

How AI Can Help Streamline Your Orthodontic Practice Workflow | Greatests Hits Apr 03, 2026

Show notes

Unless you've been living under a rock, you must have heard about the recent developments in Artificial Intelligence and its capabilities.
But have you tried using it in your orthodontic practice to help with some day-to-day tasks?
AI is undoubtedly a huge part of our technological future, and we better learn how to use it.
I have used it for writing job posts, responding to patients, creating emails, texts, performance reviews, policies and systems, social media posts, and more.
One thing to note with AI is that AI is only as intelligent as the person using it, so the more specific you are with what you're looking for, the better the outcomes will be.
Wondering how to incorporate AI into your practice? Tune in to learn more.
🔻SUBSCRIBE TO RECEIVE NOTIFICATIONS ON NEW VIDEOS🔻
@orthopreneurs6803
⏱️ Key Takeaways ⏱️
- Intro (00:00)
- Concerns around AI (00:26)
- How to use AI in your practice (01:32)
- Get better at prompts (02:27)
- Artificial intelligence is only as intelligent as you are (04:21)
Additional Resources
🔹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/OrthoPreneurs
#OrthoPreneurs #DrGlennKrieger #5minutefriday

Tongue Ties, Airway & Relapse: What Orthodontists Need to Know w/Kara Pfister Mar 31, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, I sit down with Kara Pfister, a speech-language pathologist and certified orofacial myofunctional therapist, to unpack one of the most misunderstood—and underutilized—areas in orthodontics: function. We break down what myofunctional therapy actually is, when you should be referring (and when you shouldn’t), and why working without a team is one of the biggest mistakes you can make in modern orthodontics.
If you’ve ever wondered why some cases relapse, why certain patients struggle with expansion or open bites, or how to actually build a referral network that improves outcomes—not just checkboxes—this episode will give you practical, real-world insight you can apply immediately. More importantly, it might completely change how you view your role as an orthodontist—not just as a tooth mover, but as a gatekeeper for long-term function and health.
Quotes
“We’re not just fixing speech—we’re often preventing bigger problems before they even start.”
— Kara Pfister
“If they release the tongue without addressing function… it’s like doing surgery on a hip and expecting someone to just walk again.”
— Kara Pfister
Key Takeaways
Intro (00:00)
Why orthodontists must act as “gatekeepers” for function (00:30)
What a myofunctional therapist actually does (01:17)
Why most speech issues aren’t being caught early enough (02:46)
The real causes: airway, tongue tie, and oral habits (14:35)
Why school speech screenings often miss these problems (13:04)
How to identify when to refer (31:22)
The truth about tongue ties—when they matter (29:53)
Why releasing a tongue tie without therapy fails (30:58)
Expansion vs. tongue tie timing—what comes first (36:17)
How improper function leads to relapse (34:49)
Building a referral team that actually works (40:51)
Where to find qualified myofunctional therapists (44:11)
Additional Resources
If you’re serious about improving outcomes—not just finishing cases—you need to stop working in isolation.
Start by building your team:
Find a qualified myofunctional therapist through https://iaom.com (International Association of Orofacial Myology)
Connect with specialists (ENTs, oral surgeons, therapists) who share your philosophy
And if you want to reach Kara directly:
👉 https://speech4fun.com
👉 Search Kara Pfister (5.0 Google reviews)
Because at the end of the day, the best orthodontists aren’t just great clinicians—they’re great connectors.
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/

The Science of Case Acceptance l 5MF Mar 27, 2026

Show notes

In this 5 Minute Friday, I’m breaking down the uncomfortable truth: we obsess over the science of brackets and wires, but most orthodontists have no scientific approach to the part of the practice that actually creates growth—how patients move from interest to “yes.” I’ll walk you through the funnel leaks I see everywhere: weak phone conversions, untrained trial closes, TCs who aren’t coached on objections, and doctors who accidentally tank conversions by staying in the room too long or saying the wrong thing.
And because I’m tired of watching practices bleed opportunity, I’m building something different: a focused event designed specifically to help doctors and key team members master every step of the funnel. If you want to grow ethically, confidently, and with a repeatable system (not “hope”), this episode will light a fire under you—in the best way.
Quotes
“Sales has science behind it. There are people who’ve studied this top to bottom and know exactly what gets people to say yes.”
— Dr. Glenn Krieger
“Do you have a scientific approach from A to Z—from the way you market, to how the phone is answered, to how the exam is handled, to how your TC closes? Or are you just hoping it works?”
— Dr. Glenn Krieger
Key Takeaways
Intro (00:00)
The “A–Z” scientific sales funnel (marketing → phone → lead handling → exam → close) (00:00)
Sales has science—proven triggers like scarcity and positioning (01:35)
Where orthodontic practices leak: phone scripts, trial closes, consult flow, objection handling (03:24)
Doctor behavior that can hurt conversions—and what to rethink (04:08)
Why most TCs aren’t trained to overcome objections scientifically (04:42)
The “Make More Money Meeting” concept + who should attend (05:08)
Instant implementation tip: TC sits next to patient when presenting fees (08:00)
If “sales” offends you, this isn’t your meeting—and that’s okay (09:03)
Additional Resources
I’ve seen firsthand how a scientific sales system can change a practice faster than any new bracket or marketing trend.
If you’re ready to stop guessing and start building a funnel that converts—from the first call to the signed contract—go check out the meeting I created for this exact purpose at ortho4m.com. Bring the people who touch your funnel (office manager, TC, key front desk). If spots are still open, grab them—because not everyone is going to fit in that room.
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/

Are You Asking the Wrong Question? w/Dr. Lou Chmura Mar 24, 2026

Show notes

Most orthodontists think they need a better system, better marketing, or better scripting.
What they actually need is clarity.
In this episode, I sit down with someone I deeply respect — Dr. Lou Chmura — and we go far beyond brackets, aligners, and production numbers. Lou has decades of clinical experience, but what makes him different is his deliberate, principle-driven thinking about life and practice. We talk about why so many orthodontists are more stressed than ever… despite practicing in one of the greatest professions in the world.
If you’ve ever found yourself chasing growth, comparing yourself to others, or wondering why success doesn’t feel as fulfilling as you expected — this conversation will hit home.
Quotes
“The practice is just a vehicle. If you don’t know what kind of life you want, you’ll build the wrong vehicle.”
— Dr. Lou Chmura
“If you can figure out your one thing — the thing that really matters to you — everything else organizes around it.”
— Dr. Lou Chmura
Key Takeaways
Why orthodontists are asking the wrong questions about success
Your school pedigree doesn’t matter — what you did yesterday does (02:05)
Revenue vs. take-home: Why production numbers can be misleading (04:30)
Why defining your life comes before defining your practice (12:00)
The danger of chasing someone else’s version of success (20:00)
The STEAR framework: How your thoughts create stress (42:00)
Why social comparison is sabotaging modern orthodontists (49:00)
Finding your “one thing” — and building everything around it (52:00)
Additional Resources
I’ve seen firsthand how easy it is for orthodontists to drift — to chase growth, add locations, increase production — without ever stopping to ask, “Is this actually the life I want?”
If you’re feeling pressure, burnout, or just a sense that something’s off… don’t fix your systems yet.
Fix your clarity.
Reach out to Lou at drlou@eggheadortho.com or visit eggheadortho.com and start the conversation. Even one hour of honest reflection can change the trajectory of your career.
You worked too hard to get here to build the wrong life.
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/

Why 8% Returns Might Be Destroying Your Retirement Plan l 5MF Mar 20, 2026

Show notes

In this Five Minute Friday, I break down one of the most misunderstood conversations in orthodontics: real return on investment and equity value in private equity-backed organizations.
After hosting bankers, CPAs, venture capital leaders, real estate experts, and private equity professionals at Vanguard, I walked away with one very clear realization: far too many orthodontists are being modeled at 6–8% annual returns — and that thinking alone can completely distort whether selling, affiliating, or holding makes financial sense.
This episode is not about convincing you to join an OSO or DSO. It’s about education. It’s about understanding equity, multiples, long-term capital gains, private equity performance benchmarks, and — most importantly — transparency. If someone refers you to a broker, a CPA, or an investment opportunity, you need to know what questions to ask. Because if you don’t understand how money truly compounds, you’re making decisions in the dark.
Quotes
“If my financial planner told me to plan on 8% per year for the rest of my life, I would fire them.”
— Dr. Glenn Krieger
“Always ask questions of people and find out — are there any relationships that you should be aware of?”
— Dr. Glenn Krieger
Key Takeaways
Intro (00:00)
Rethinking “Acceptable” Returns (01:20)
How Wealthy Investors Think (02:05)
Understanding Private Equity Multiples (05:10)
Capital Gains vs. Practice Income (08:30)
Transparency & Conflicts of Interest (10:40)
Additional Resources
If you’re even remotely considering selling, affiliating, recapitalizing, or exploring private equity — do not make a decision without understanding the math.
🟦 If you want to have an honest, no-pressure conversation about your situation, DM me directly. I’ve had hundreds of these conversations, and sometimes the right answer is “wait.” Sometimes it’s “grow more.” Sometimes it’s “move now.” But it should always be informed.
And if this episode opened your eyes, share it with another orthodontist who deserves to understand how their money can truly work for them.
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/

The Real Threat to Orthodontics (It’s Not What You Think) w/Dr. Jackie Demko Mar 17, 2026

Show notes

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/

The Hard Truth About Balance, Marriage & Practice Growth l 5MF Mar 13, 2026

Show notes

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/

Plant Now. Harvest Later. w/Dr. Luis Gutierrez Mar 10, 2026

Show notes

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/

Stop Guessing — Start Tracking Your Practice Growth l 5MF Mar 06, 2026

Show notes

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/

The Orthodontist’s Role in Sleep Apnea w/Anil Rama Mar 03, 2026

Show notes

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 mind
Sleep 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/

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

The Orthopreneurs Podcast with Dr. Glenn Krieger

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected