Let's flip the script! Typically, Dr. Leon Klempner and Amy Epstein pose the tough questions, delving into the latest trends and innovations that shape the world of orthodontics. But on this special episode of The Golden Age of Orthodontics, they're in the hot seat! With their podcast nearing an incredible 1.5 million views, they've invited Alison Werner, the sharp editor-in-chief of Orthodontic Products, to turn the tables and get their story.

Tune in as Alison uncovers the journey of "People in Practice" and how this father-daughter duo built a platform dedicated to helping orthodontists not just survive, but truly thrive in this golden age. Remember, as Dr. Leon always says, “There has never been a better time to be an orthodontist!”

IN THIS EPISODE:

• (00:00) Intro: Let's Flip The Script!
• (03:30) Meet Alison Werner
• (05:00) The genesis of starting the Golden Age of Orthodontics, renaming it to reflect a thriving industry and achieving nearly 1.5 million views
• (10:33) Father-daughter duo in business and the dynamics of family working together
• (14:03) Differentiating client practices with digital tools, focusing on patient benefits and favorite guests
• (26:02) The different types of orthodontic practices that People + Practice serves
• (30:03) The shift from DIY marketing to professional guidance
• (32:23) Subscribe to Orthodontic Products magazine

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• The podcast's shift from "Survival Guide" to "Golden Age of Orthodontics" signifies a reframe from merely coping with industry changes to recognizing and leveraging opportunities for growth and prosperity.
• Effective orthodontic marketing hinges on highlighting patient benefits derived from technology, not just the technology itself. The focus should be on the improved experience, not only the advanced equipment.
• People + Practice offers specialized digital marketing strategies designed to meet the distinct needs of orthodontic practices at every stage—from startups and those undergoing transitions to established practices seeking renewed growth and even those preparing for sale. In today's rapidly evolving orthodontic landscape, professional guidance is essential as relying on outdated methods or untrained staff is no longer sufficient to compete and ensure sustained growth effectively.

RESOURCE LINKS

People + Practice - Website

Leon - Email

Amy - Email

People + Practice - Email

Ep. 67 - Is Align Technology Still Committed to Orthodontists

Ep. 72 - Protect Your Practice With Trey Lawrence

Ep. 63 - Practice Embezzlement, What You Need to Know With Financial Forensic CPA David Harris

Ep. 59 - The Past, Present and Future of Orthodontics with Chris Benson

Are you ready to elevate your orthodontic practice while sidestepping legal pitfalls? Curious about harnessing AI ethically or managing patient challenges with confidence? Dive into this episode of The Golden Age of Orthodontics with hosts Dr. Leon Klempner and Amy Epstein, joined by Trey Lawrence, CEO of the AAO. We explore essential strategies for today’s orthodontists: navigating the complexities of social media to avoid HIPAA violations, crafting airtight informed consent processes to shield against malpractice, and responding to negative reviews without escalating risks. Trey shares critical advice for new grads on spotting contract red flags, like misleading non-compete clauses, and offers best practices for dismissing disruptive patients while protecting your staff and practice. Plus, we tackle the ethical and legal questions surrounding AI’s growing role in diagnosis, treatment planning, and marketing. There’s never been a better time to be an orthodontist—tune in to stay informed and thrive!

IN THIS EPISODE:

• (00:00) Protecting your practice isn't optional, it's essential
• (07:27) Discussion of being an introvert and the impact that has on professionals
• (12:35) Common legal blind spots for orthodontists are HIPAA violations and Social Media Litigation
• (17:38) Trey Lawrence advises new grads or young associates on interviewing and job offers
• (20:39) HIPAA laws on negative reviews, malpractice and informed consent
• (30:38) Should you dismiss a patient, and if so, what is the best practice
• (35:52) What legal and ethical questions should orthodontists consider regarding AI

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Orthodontists often overlook HIPAA violations on social media, such as disclosing patient information without consent, like naming patients or showing them in posts without proper authorization.
• Young orthodontists should avoid mislabeled independent contractor agreements and unclear non-compete clauses, especially in multi-location practices, and seek affordable legal review before signing.
• Avoid defending yourself online to prevent HIPAA violations; instead, use a curated response like, "There's been a misunderstanding, please contact our office," to begin an offline conversation.
• Ensure informed consent involves direct doctor-patient interaction or at least an offer to discuss with the doctor, and document this process to strengthen legal defense against malpractice claims.

RESOURCE LINKS

People + Practice - Website

Leon - Email

Amy - Email

People + Practice - Email

AAO - Website

Trey Lawrence - The Orthattorney - Instagram

GUEST BIO:

The AAO is thrilled to announce Trey Lawrence's appointment as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective March 1, 2024. Mr. Lawrence, a proven executive at the AAO, has successfully led the association’s advocacy and legal efforts and is poised to lead the organization to its next chapter of growth and innovation.

“Trey Lawrence was a clear choice, and we are thrilled to have him take on the role as CEO,” said Myron Guymon, DDS, MS, AAO President. “We are confident that he is the...

What if you could cut appointment times nearly in half and reduce total visits without sacrificing results? On this episode of The Golden Age of Orthodontics, Dr. Leon Klempner and Amy Epstein talk with Dr. Brandon Owen, founder of KLOwen Braces, about the power of digital customization, indirect bonding, and how to ease your practice into next-gen efficiency. Don’t miss this conversation to explore how tech changes the game for patients and doctors, direct-printed brackets, and self-ligating systems. Remember, there has never been a better time to be an orthodontist!

IN THIS EPISODE:

• (00:00) Introduction
• (05:43) Dr. Owen shares his experience with digital customization and indirect bonding
• (13:27) How do you customize if you are not printing a bracket
• (18:55) Easing a practice into accepting this workload shift as advantageous
• (26:33) Dr. Owen talks about two different pathways of implementation
• (33:48) The system cuts the number of visits from 18 to 10
• (38:50) Discussion of the self-ligating (SL) bracket

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Combining customized appliances with digital indirect bonding dramatically streamlines treatment. By digitally planning bracket placement and tailoring prescriptions to individual tooth morphology, orthodontists can reduce treatment time, save visits (up to seven in some cases), and minimize chair time and adjustments—ultimately improving patient and doctor experiences.
• Instead of printing custom brackets, KLOwen’s system is customized using advanced digital planning tools. This allows orthodontists to reverse engineer ideal outcomes and apply precise bracket positioning and prescriptions without expensive manufacturing, making the technology more accessible for every patient, not just those willing to pay a premium.
• The real value in custom fixed appliances and aligner technology isn’t just about faster treatment; it’s about easier and more efficient appointments. By minimizing hands-on doctor time and leveraging remote monitoring, orthodontists can drastically reduce unnecessary in-office visits and reduce their own clinical burden.

RESOURCE LINKS

People + Practice - Website

Leon - Email

Amy - Email

People + Practice - Email

KLOwen Braces - Website

Dr. Owens - Email

GUEST BIO:

Brandon Owen, DDS, MS, is President and Founder of KLOwen Braces and a practicing orthodontist at the Owen Orthodontic Center in Lakeway, TX. He won the OrthoInnovator Award in 2019 from the American Association of Orthodontists, Honorable Mention for the AAO OrthoInnovator Award in 2024, and has created eight original patents and numerous continuation patents.

Dr. Owen is a Board-Certified Orthodonticist and a member of the Angle Society. He also consults for over a dozen digital orthodontic companies and conducts research at the University of Alberta on the OSIM as an adjunct faculty member. Dr. Owen named his company KLOwen in memory of his oldest son, Keller Logan Owen, who passed away suddenly in 2011.