The Orthopreneurs Podcast with Dr. Glenn Krieger

• The Romanian Orthodontist AND BeeKeeper w/ Dr. Elena Black

  In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Elena Black, a Romanian-born orthodontist practicing in Virginia, who shares one of the most unexpectedly moving conversations we’ve had on the podcast. From her journey through dental school in Romania, to training under the legendary Dr. Gianelly at Boston University, to becoming a small-town practice owner and passionate beekeeper—Elena’s story is equal parts inspiring, honest, and deeply human.We talk about the challenges of starting over in a new country, the cultural dynamics of being a female orthodontist in a Southern town, and what it's like to manage 11 bee colonies just for the love of it. You'll hear about her humble beginnings, her reverence for education, and how watching bees helped her reconnect with mental peace after the stress of COVID. If you're looking for a reminder that you are more than your practice, this episode is it.Quotes“Dr. Gianelly was the kind of teacher who’d say: ‘You’ll find your answer on page 3, upper left corner of that AJODO issue.’ He wanted us to think, not just follow.”— Dr. Elena Black“Beekeeping is my way to serve the world without needing anything back. I just go out at night and say hello to my bees.”— Dr. Elena BlackKey TakeawaysIntro (00:00)Training under Dr. Gianelly & what made him special (02:16)From Romania to Boston: the winding road through Japan (07:33)Practicing in the South as a female orthodontist with an accent (11:12)Building a practice from scratch—literally waiting on her husband’s location (06:23)Introducing digital scanners and aligners in her market (12:37)Why dental school in Romania starts at age 18—and how it compares to the U.S. (14:57)Beekeeping 101: 11 hives, 11 queens, zero stress (20:45)What bees can teach us about leadership, resilience, and peace (22:51)How she makes honey, keeps it separate, and shares it with friends (25:32)Why beekeeping saved her sanity after COVID (30:12)Additional ResourcesIf you’ve ever felt like your identity is just your practice, Elena’s story is your wake-up call. Whether it's beekeeping, jiu-jitsu, or just watching cows graze—you need something that's just for you.Want to get in contact with Dr. Elena Black? Visit Lynchburg Orthodontics:https://lynchburgorthodontics.com Register for Ortho Vanguard: https://www.opvanguard.com - For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/- Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/

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• +1 Daily Habit That Can Transform Your Life l 5MF

  What if I told you that transforming your entire life doesn’t require a massive overhaul—but just a simple +1 each day?In this powerfully personal episode, Dr. Glenn Krieger draws from his life, his global speaking experiences, and decades of wisdom to teach a practical, honest, and transformational framework for building a meaningful life—one tiny improvement at a time. Whether you're running a thriving ortho practice or juggling family, fitness, and focus, this is a grounded guide to recalibrating your mental, emotional, and professional state.Through stories, mindset frameworks, and practical tools, Dr. Krieger outlines how self-awareness, intentional imbalance (at the right times), and consistent micro-improvements can lead to exponential personal and professional growth.QUOTES“Life doesn't change in ginormous leaps. It's little steps. A plus one. That's it.”— Dr. Glenn Krieger“If you're struggling, if you need help, just reach out to me. Helping orthodontists achieve their best lives—that's my A+.”— Dr. Glenn KriegerKey TakeawaysIntroWhy life balance matters—but isn’t always possibleHow to assess your life using 6–10 categoriesThe +1 Mindset: one tiny shift dailyWhy your “10” will change as you growMental health, therapy, and proactive well-beingWhy this matters for your dream practice and life Additional ResourcesIf you're feeling stuck, scattered, or simply want to start living more intentionally—this episode is your playbook. Try the “+1” method for one week and watch the compound impact unfold.🔹 Interested in Dr. Krieger’s upcoming coaching program designed to create life-changing results in both your practice and personal life? DM him directly to get on the early interest list.Register for Ortho Vanguard: https://www.opvanguard.com - For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/- Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/

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• The Orthodontist Who Loves Clinchecks — And Does Them For You w/ Dr. Maggie Barnard

  On this episode, I chat with Dr. Maggie Barnard, an ortho from Nova Scotia who went from managing two large practices to creating a side business that solves one of the biggest pain points in modern orthodontics: Invisalign clinchecks. After spending years doing dozens of setups every night—not just for herself, but for her associates too—Maggie realized something: she was really good at it, and even better, she actually enjoyed it.So she launched MGC Align, a boutique clincheck service where she handles each case herself—no AI, no assistants, just another orthodontist with experience, precision, and obsessive attention to detail. In this episode, we explore her startup journey, the origin of the hilariously named “MGC Align,” her post-practice career, and what it takes to stay sharp—on and off the court (yep, she's also a competitive tennis player).Whether you're burned out by clinchecks or curious how another doctor is creating value with a side hustle, this one’s a gem.QUOTES“I literally spent two hours every night doing clinchecks—for myself and all the associates. That’s when I realized… this is what I want to offer others.”— Dr. Maggie Barnard“I think orthodontists forget—we’re problem solvers at heart. Clinchecks are just puzzles. And I happen to love solving them.”— Dr. Maggie BarnardKey TakeawaysIntro (00:00)Maggie’s origin story: from GP to ortho practice owner (02:44)Growing two big offices through mentorship and opportunity (04:19)Selling to an OSO and transitioning out (06:30)The clincheck problem: why she launched MGC Align (07:00)What makes her service unique (17:41)How she tailors setups to each doctor’s preferences (18:49)Why she never uses AI or techs—just her own hands and brain (19:20)The training and CE behind her protocols (20:00)How to get started and turnaround time (22:32)Clincheck setups in 2–3 days—including revisions (23:13)Additional ResourcesIf clinchecks are eating up your nights—or causing friction in your practice—stop doing them yourself. Maggie’s service, mgcalign.com, lets you hand off your setups to someone who actually enjoys the work and knows what excellent outcomes look like.👉 Reach out to her directly at [email protected] or message Maggie B.A. on Facebook.Register for Ortho Vanguard: https://www.opvanguard.com - For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/- Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/

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• The Picasso Rule: Why Your Ortho Fee Should Be Higher l 5MF

  In this Five Minute Friday, I challenge orthodontists to rethink their mindset around fees, value, and confidence. Are you charging based on time, or on the value you deliver? Do you feel hesitant to raise fees because you fear what patients might say—or worse, because your treatment coordinator feels uncomfortable presenting them?I share two legendary pricing stories—one involving Picasso, the other Henry Ford—and what they teach us about expertise, perception, and worth. I also tell the story of how a respected peer pushed me to rethink what I charge for surgical ortho cases—and why you should, too. If you want to be seen as the clinical expert you are, it starts with owning the value you bring to the table and making sure your team believes in it too.QUOTES“You’re not doing braces in 18 months—you’re doing it in the 11 years of training and the decade or two of experience that followed.”– Dr. Glenn Krieger“If your TC sees $6,000 as more money than they’ve ever had in the bank, that fee will feel uncomfortable—and your case acceptance will suffer.”– Dr. Glenn KriegerKey TakeawaysIntro: Time-based vs. value-based fees (00:00)Why orthodontists struggle with charging what they’re worth (01:10)The Picasso and Henry Ford pricing stories (02:00)Understanding the return on your educational investment (03:25)Why surgical cases deserve a five-figure fee (04:20)How your TC’s money mindset affects case acceptance (05:35)Action step: Align confidence between doctor and TC (06:40)Additional ResourcesI’ve seen firsthand how undercharging can undermine your brand, your confidence, and your case acceptance.If you're ready to present your fees with clarity, alignment, and conviction—start by having an honest conversation with your TC. And if you're ready to scale your mindset and practice with less stress and more impact, stay tuned for the 2026 Ortho Vanguard. Want in? DM me for details.Register for Ortho Vanguard: https://www.opvanguard.com - For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/- Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/

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• Unlocking Efficiency: The Benefits of Remote Monitoring in Practices

  In this episode, Dr. Glenn Krieger, Doug Shaw, and Jenna Glass discuss the evolution and implementation of remote monitoring in orthodontic practices. They explore the benefits, challenges, and common mistakes associated with remote monitoring, emphasizing the importance of communication and patient engagement. The conversation highlights the efficiency gained through outsourcing dashboard management and the cost-effectiveness of remote monitoring systems. The episode concludes with insights on maximizing practice efficiency and the future of remote monitoring in orthodontics.QUOTES"The whole purpose of remote monitoring is to make your schedule lighter, but allow you closer oversight of your patient care." — Dr. Doug Shaw"Your patients don’t want more appointments—they want better communication and fewer interruptions to their lives." — Dr. Glenn KriegerChapters:00:00 Introduction to Remote Monitoring02:55 The Evolution of Dental Monitoring05:54 Implementing Remote Monitoring in Practice09:06 Challenges and Solutions in Remote Monitoring11:50 Insights from Managing a Large Patient Base14:55 Common Mistakes in Remote Monitoring17:48 Improving Patient Communication20:57 The Role of Team Dynamics in Monitoring23:34 Best Practices for Effective Monitoring28:16 Enhancing Patient Care Through Efficient Systems28:47 The Role of Remote Monitoring in Orthodontics31:11 Addressing Cost Concerns in Remote Monitoring32:47 Maximizing Team Efficiency and Capacity34:30 Managing Patient Communication Effectively38:52 The Importance of Acknowledgment in Patient Interactions39:40 Understanding Remote Response Services44:45 Reallocating Resources for Better Patient Care50:06 The Future of Remote Monitoring in DentistryAdditional ResourcesI’ve seen firsthand how outsourcing dashboard management with Remote Response not only reduced our team's stress, but gave me more time back—and made our patients happier. If you're using remote monitoring but don’t know what’s really going on under the hood, let us do a free dashboard audit. No pressure, just clarity. Reach out to [email protected] Visit Remote Response: https://www.remoteresponse.com Register for Ortho Vanguard: https://www.opvanguard.com - For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/- Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/

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