The Orthodontic Bloom

In a fast-paced orthodontic practice, it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day grind, moving from patient to patient, checking tasks off a never-ending to-do list, and putting out the occasional (or constant) fire. But behind every aligned smile and streamlined process is a team of individuals w...

Let’s talk about the messy middle. That glorious stretch of time where you’re too far in to turn back, but not far enough to feel like you’ve got it all together. You know the stage:

• You’ve hired a new team member but forgot to make a training plan.

• You implemented a new system, but someho...

Paid Time Off (PTO) shouldn’t be a source of guilt for your team or for you as the practice owner. It’s time to shift the mindset from scarcity to strategy. In orthodontics, we often hesitate to fully embrace PTO policies because we’re afraid of coverage gaps, disrupted schedules, or a slowdown in p...

Let’s be really, really, REAL. Working in orthodontics is amazing. The transformations, the smiles, the relationships we build. But it can also be a lot. Whether you’re chairside, at the front desk, managing the team, or running the whole show, the mental load we carry each day is real.

And in 2025...

Attending the AAO (American Association of Orthodontists) annual meeting can be a game-changer. You come back inspired, brimming with ideas, and ready to elevate your practice. But what about the team members who didn’t attend? They may not share the same excitement, and change can often feel overwh...

 As an orthodontic leader, you’ve probably felt the weight of trying to do it all—answering team questions, troubleshooting problems, and making sure everything runs smoothly. But when you’re constantly in the weeds, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, and your team never truly grows.

What is the key to...

Your orthodontic assistants are the backbone of your clinic. They keep things running, ensure patients feel comfortable, and juggle a hundred tasks at once—all while making it look effortless. But the reality is, it’s not effortless. It’s a skill, a craft, and a profession that requires training, su...

Orthodontics has long been an industry driven by precision, innovation, and care, but one of its most powerful and sometimes underappreciated assets is the role of female forces in orthodontics. From clinical excellence to leadership, trailblazing women in orthodontics are shaping the future of orth...

Let’s be honest—leadership in an orthodontic practice isn’t always picture-perfect; in fact, it rarely ever is. Sure, there are those magical days when everything runs smoothly—patients are happy, the schedule flows perfectly, and your team is running like a well-oiled machine. But then there are th...

 As someone who’s been immersed in orthodontics for over two decades, I’ve seen the magic that happens when teams work cohesively. But I’ve also witnessed the frustration and burnout that occur when leaders and team members try to control too much. That’s why the "Let Them" theory resonates so deepl...

Years ago, I picked up Who Moved My Cheese? during one of the busiest and craziest seasons of my life. I had two babies under two, was constantly traveling for work, and barely had time to think, let alone read a book about change. I needed something simple, short, and straight to the point. This li...

It’s Time to Ditch Performance Reviews in 2025 (Seriously, Just Toss Them!)

Let’s talk about performance reviews. You know, those sit-downs where you tell your team members how they’ve been doing, give them a grade (or at least it feels like one), and hope they leave motivated instead of deflated.

 As we step into 2025, it's the perfect moment to pause, reflect, and set an intentional tone for the year ahead. Instead of traditional resolutions that can feel overwhelming or restrictive, consider a fresh approach: choosing a Word of the Year. This single word becomes your guiding star—bringing ...

In orthodontics, it's easy to think the key to success is giving your patients the best treatment. While that's important, there's an often-overlooked secret: if you take care of your team, your team will take care of your patients—and they'll do it with smiles just as brilliant as the ones you're c...

The holiday season is the perfect time to build camaraderie, celebrate achievements, and spread cheer among your team. Here are five creative ways to make your workplace festivities memorable:  

🌮 Host a Themed Office Potluck or Bake-Off

Encourage everyone to bring a dish that reflects their holid...

Choosing the right clinical lead for your orthodontic practice fosters a positive work environment and ensures high-quality patient care. When looking to promote someone from within, consider the following key attributes to identify the ideal candidate.

Look for Natural Leadership Skills

The best ...