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The Orthopreneurs Podcast with Dr. Glenn Krieger
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
The Orthopreneurs Podcast with Dr. Glenn Krieger
OSOs, DSOs and Debt: What You Need to Understand l 5MF
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What if I told you that much of what you’re hearing about OSOs, DSOs, private equity, and debt is missing the context you need to make an informed decision about your practice?
In this episode of Five Minute Friday, I break down some of the fear, misinformation, and clickbait surrounding private equity-backed orthodontic organizations. After receiving dozens of questions about the financial health of OSOs—particularly following a recent article—I want to explain how debt, refinancing, equity, and partnership structures actually work in the private equity world.
This episode is not an argument that every orthodontist should join an OSO or DSO. It is a call to educate yourself, understand the structure of the deal, and stop allowing fear or industry rhetoric to make major financial decisions for you. My goal is to give you context so you can evaluate whether affiliation is right for your practice, your family, and your long-term goals.
💬Quotes
“You can disagree with the way things are headed, but to root for people in your industry to fail—good people, people who have families—I mean, that’s just disgusting.”
— Dr. Glenn Krieger
“Nobody knows where the future of any private equity-backed company is headed. All signs may point toward good things happening, but bad things can happen. That’s the nature of business.”
— Dr. Glenn Krieger
🎯 Key Takeaways
The danger of rooting for your peers to fail (00:00)
Why Dr. Krieger’s OSO and private equity education is different (00:50)
Why smaller OSOs may carry significantly greater risk (01:44)
Capital preservation and evaluating the risk of a partnership (02:05)
Understanding cash, retained ownership, and parent-company equity (02:49)
Why parent-company equity can be an important part of the deal (05:01)
How leverage and debt are used in private equity transactions (06:55)
Why refinancing debt does not automatically signal financial trouble (07:39)
The difference between restructuring, failure, and ordinary refinancing (08:17)
Smile Doctors’ history of equity turns and what that means (09:21)
Why no one can guarantee the future of an OSO or DSO (10:24)
How to decide whether an affiliation is right for your practice (11:30)
🟦 Additional Resources
Before you make a decision involving your practice, your equity, and your family’s financial future, take the time to understand the actual structure, risk, and potential reward. Affiliation is not right for every doctor, every practice, or every stage of a career.
Reach out and DM me if you want to have an honest conversation about private equity, OSOs, DSOs, associates, satellite offices, or the future of your practice. I will never try to pressure you into a deal. My goal is simply to help you ask better questions and make a more informed decision.
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