Practice Talk

Team culture can make or break an orthodontic practice. Practice Manager Laura Wilde opens up about what truly keeps teams thriving. From defining team values and reinforcing them relentlessly to rethinking orthodontic hiring with working interviews, Laura delivers real strategies. She tackles staff retention, toxic team members, and why transparent employee motivation through bonuses and shared p...

Orthodontic technology is transforming how practices deliver care. In this episode of Practice Talk, host Lacie Ellis interviews Rebecka Escamilla, lead clinical assistant at WRO, about implementing digital workflow systems while maintaining a human touch. Rebecka shares insights on Grin technology, patient workflow optimization, and team communication strategies that keep the practice running eff...

Virtual orthodontic exams are transforming how practices connect with patients. Host Lacie Ellis explores this innovation with remote treatment coordinator Kelly Smith. In this episode of Practice Talk, Kelly shares how Trotter Orthodontics successfully implemented Grin technology to offer convenient teleorthodontics options alongside traditional in-office visits. With 11 years of experience as a...

Orthodontic practice management takes center stage in this best-of episode as Practice Talk host Lacie Ellis revisits the most impactful conversations from 2025. This compilation features industry experts sharing proven strategies for community events, virtual exams, and team leadership. Learn how to build relationships with local schools for orthodontics, discover why charging for consultations m...

How can a mentorship-driven approach create an orthodontic practice where both staff and patients thrive? Today, Lacie Ellis is joined by Melissa and Katelyn from Horsey Orthodontics to discuss how their leadership fosters a culture of teamwork and patient care. You don’t want to miss Melissa and Katelyn’s insights on digital marketing or the secret of hiring the right talent. Tune in for strategy...

Want to elevate your orthodontic practice with proven strategies? Curious about fostering a thriving team environment? Join us on Practice Talk, where host Lacie Ellis dives into real-world solutions for orthodontic practice success with guests Karina and Bayleigh. Karina, Director of Operations at Hallmark Orthodontics, shares insights on cultivating a positive culture through intentional leaders...

Are you making the most of every new patient consultation in your orthodontic practice? Welcome to Practice Talk, the podcast where we dive into the people and processes that power successful orthodontic practices. Today, Lacie Ellis is joined by Linda Lindsay, a seasoned professional who redefines the role of the Treatment Coordinator as a Consultation Concierge. Linda shares how her personalized...

Are you ready to take your orthodontic practice to the next level? In this episode of Practice Talk , guest Alida Brydson joins Lacie Ellis as they dive into essential strategies for improving patient care and streamlining office management operations. They explore the importance of building strong connections with new patients from the initial phone call, fostering team collaboration between the...

In this inspiring episode of Practice Talk, host Lacie Ellis sits down with Christi Hubert, a purpose-driven leadership professional with over 11 years of experience in the orthodontics industry. Christi shares her journey of growth, resilience, and unwavering commitment to excellence, emphasizing the importance of creating a welcoming, home-like environment for patients and team members. From nav...

Welcome back to Practice Talk with your host, Lacie Ellis. Today, we’re excited to welcome Janine Chinitz of Chinitz Orthodontics, a startup that’s been making waves in the industry for the past two years. Janine will share the five key factors that have contributed to the success of the practice, from choosing the right name to building a standout team. We’ll explore how strategic planning, effec...

Welcome back to Practice Talk with your host, Lacie Ellis. This episode features Trisha LaRue, a seasoned orthodontic office manager, to discuss the unique challenges and rewards of managing a busy orthodontic practice. From keeping the team motivated and managing staff attendance to finding solutions for improving efficiency, Trisha shares practical advice that every office manager can apply. She...

Welcome back to Practice Talk! with your host, Lacie Ellis. Today, we’re thrilled to be joined by Pheebe Lafreniere, a seasoned professional in the orthodontic field. In this episode, Pheebe shares how her journey began in orthodontics and discusses the rewarding aspects of her job, like building lasting relationships with patients. Together, we tackle vital concerns, from motivating clinical staf...

Welcome back to Practice Talk! Today, we're turning the hiring process on its head and exploring how to view it as a positive opportunity to build your dream team. Haley Stumbo, from Greg Orthodontics and Bloom Consulting, is joining me. Haley shares her insights on embracing the positive opportunity of hiring new team members and how cultivating a culture of clear communication, honesty, and kind...

In this episode of Practice Talk, Lacie Ellis welcomes Cathy, a Lead Treatment Coordinator. Cathy will share her experiences guiding patients from consultation to commitment, advocating for the practice and her patients. Lacie and Cathy discuss strategies for winning over patients without pressure, making treatments more affordable through lower down payments or flexible payment schedules, and sta...

In this episode of Practice Talk, Laci Ellis, the host, warmly introduces Janella Perez, a seasoned orthodontic professional with 17 years of experience who brings a wealth of knowledge from her varied roles within the office. Janella shares her office’s successful strategies for welcoming new patients and fostering a positive environment for current patients, emphasizing the importance of feeling...

In this episode of Practice Talk, the Marketing Director of Lupi Orthodontics, Heather Hamm, divulges her office’s strategies for orchestrating prosperous community events. She highlights the diverse range of events they've organized, noting that those centered around health and wellness consistently draw the largest crowds. Heather emphasizes the effectiveness of distributing branded swag, partic...

On this episode of Practice Talk, orthodontic assistant Jamie Kent unveils her office's secrets to successful virtual exams. She'll guide you through the entire process, from that first email to scheduling the first in-office visit. Jamie knows a friendly and qualified team member is vital to answering questions with a smile (even virtually). This ensures a warm welcome before patients ever set fo...

In this episode of Practice Talk, orthodontists and dental professionals discover the key to a smoother, more productive lab: clear and consistent procedures. Join Brandi Lafreniere as she reveals how to empower your staff with well-defined processes, leading to improved lab efficiency and, ultimately, happier patients. Brandi will share practical tips and insights using uLab. Tune in today as she...

Are you curious about what key factors contribute to a clinic's efficiency? Mia Vincent has successfully honed the skills that will make your office efficient. With valuable scheduling insights, she is enthusiastic about sharing the positive impact of dental monitoring on their practice. Mia will address listener’s questions, including strategies for handling conflicts between the front office and...

Is office culture a real thing? Can team morale be built? What if your practice has an employee who is difficult to work with? Today, Lacie is joined by Laura Henry, who is at the helm of a successful orthodontic business, managing three offices, two practices, and three doctors; Laura has answers to these questions. Lacie and Laura will also discuss time off, office apparel and the importance of...

Today, Lacey is joined by Mary Katherine Vonpotts, the Marketing Director for Scenic City Orthodontics in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Mary Katherine shares innovative ways to serve your community while marketing your practice. She emphasizes the importance of community involvement with schools, which has paid dividends in her office. Mary Katherine also reminds listeners to remember the Dentists who r...

Today, Lacey is joined by Sarah Gibson, the Treatment Coordinator for her office. Sarah delves into various facets of her role, including discussing the established procedures for welcoming new and existing patients. She emphasizes the importance of active listening and provides real-life examples of how it can significantly work to a patient's advantage. The episode also covers scheduling techniq...

Welcome to our first episode of Practice Talk, featuring Lacie Ellis as the host. Today Lacie sits down with Kaitlynn Kopa, the scheduling coordinator at King Orthodontics in Dayton, Ohio. She offers valuable insights on managing appointments for school-age children during and after school hours. She also dives into her strategies for handling disgruntled patients. Additionally, Kaitlynn will addr...

Welcome to Practice Talk, the podcast that delves deep into the intricacies of healthcare practices. We amplify the voices of actual team members, revealing strategies for creating thriving healthcare practices. Each episode, we engage with diverse staff, from receptionists to lab technicians and administrative professionals who will share candid stories and provide practical solutions for jugglin...