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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
Inside the Mind of Smile Doctors' CEO: Leadership, Growth & Culture┃Greatest Hits
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There's a lot of noise surrounding OSOs, DSOs, and private equity. In this episode, I sit down with Jay Hedrick, CEO of Smile Doctors, to cut through the myths and have an honest conversation about how these organizations really operate. Whether you're completely independent, already affiliated with an OSO, or simply curious about what these partnerships look like behind the scenes, this episode will give you the perspective most orthodontists never get: direct access to the CEO of a multi-billion-dollar orthodontic organization.
We dive into leadership, business strategy, private equity, equity opportunities, culture, joint ventures, de novos, and what it actually takes to build a sustainable organization that benefits doctors, teams, patients, and investors alike. This isn't a sales pitch—it's an inside look at how high-level business decisions are made and what every orthodontist should understand before making one of the biggest decisions of their career.
💬Quotes
"We like for the doctors to focus on giving a great patient experience and making an exceptional environment in their clinic... we'll work on driving more patients in and optimizing the business."
— Jay Hedrick
"Don't chase the money exclusively. Figure out where you'll be happiest, where you're culturally aligned, and where you have the highest probability of long-term success."
— Jay Hedrick
🎯 Key Takeaways
Intro (00:00)
Meet Jay Hedrick, CEO of Smile Doctors (00:37)
Jay's journey from engineer to leading a multi-billion-dollar company (03:41)
Are great CEOs born or developed? (07:03)
Why experience can be worth more than money early in your career (09:29)
What a CEO actually does every day (12:03)
Private equity explained in plain English (15:09)
Common myths about private equity and why growth—not cost cutting—is the real goal (16:55)
How equity events work and why they matter to orthodontists (20:37)
Why Smile Doctors adopted the Joint Venture (JV) model (27:02)
De novos, bolt-ons, and creating growth opportunities for doctors (30:46)
Patient-first culture inside an OSO (33:14)
Advice for orthodontists evaluating OSO opportunities (36:13)
How to evaluate risk, culture, and long-term opportunity—not just the highest multiple (37:36)
🟦 Additional Resources
If you've ever wondered whether joining an OSO is right for you—or you've heard conflicting opinions about private equity—I encourage you to listen with an open mind and focus on the facts.
As I mention in the episode, I've had hundreds of confidential conversations with orthodontists about OSOs, DSOs, practice transitions, and private equity. If you're considering your options now or years down the road, I'm always happy to share my perspective honestly and without pressure.
💬 Have questions about OSOs, DSOs, or private equity? Reach out to me directly—I'm always happy to have a confidential conversation.
- Airway Meeting: https://web.orthopreneurs.com/arizonasleepandairway2026
- For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/
- Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/