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Press Release

Benco Dental Partners with orthobrain to Provide SimplyClear Aligners

Cleveland, OH – May 12, 2023

Benco Dental recently announced a partnership with orthobrain to SimplyClear aligner treatments available to dental practices and patients.

Benco chose orthobrain’s SimplyClear aligner platform because it is both easy and profitable for practices to implement and affordable and effective for dental patients, according to a press release.

The SimplyClear platform does not require practices to obtain certification or complete lengthy training courses, and instead makes orthodontics accessible to more practices with a proprietary, artificial intelligence (AI)-powered software platform that drives treatment design based on digital impression scans. Orthodontists lead the case management via a cloud-based platform, and when compared with other clear aligner solutions, the SimplyClear service is reportedly less expensive for practices to implement and less costly for patients.

About orthobrain®
orthobrain®, founded by Dr. Dan German, was established to provide orthodontic options to dentists looking to offer orthodontic services to patients. orthobrain® is a proven dental practice growth system that makes integrating orthodontics easy and profitable with a total solution that combines digital technology, proprietary AI and learning systems with the expertise of orthodontists. Today, orthobrain® makes orthodontic care – and beautiful smiles – available to patients everywhere at a scale never before possible. Visit orthobrain.com for more information.

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Press Release

Richard Uria named president, head of business development for orthobrain

Cleveland, OH – May 4, 2023

Richard Uria has been named as the president and head of business development at orthobrain, a Richfield-based company that was created in 2016 by Dr. Dan German.

orthobrain, designed to fill the gap in orthodontic care by integrating itself into the practice of general dentists, giving patients access to orthodontists when it might not otherwise be available, is also the maker of aligner brand SimplyClear. German launched the business when he and his family moved from Dayton to Beachwood around the same time.

But how the two business leaders became co-workers is a story that touches on how small the world is, Richard Uria told the Cleveland Jewish News. The Beachwood resident and his wife, Beverley. They have three kids and attend Solon Chabad. He was most recently the director of sales for Northwest Hardwoods, the largest producer of American hardwoods, Uria said.

“It’s a long story, and a very small world. Dr. German actually lectured my brother in South Africa in the 1990s, and then again in Sydney, Australia in 2016,” Uria recalled. “He told my brother he was planning to move to Cleveland from Dayton. My brother said he had a brother who lived on Woodside Lane (in Beachwood). Dan told him he had just bought a house on Woodside.”

While German no longer lives there, Uria said German “explained his vision for creating beautiful smiles for patients through orthodontic practices.”

“I had always been intrigued by what the company was doing in the industry and what they’re providing to patients in terms of access and affordable options to life-changing smiles,” he said, adding German then approached him earlier this year to join the company as president. “I was very humbled and excited by the opportunity. orthobrain identified a big need over the years in dentistry and orthodontics, and it has created a solution that really helps patients globally.”

German told the CJN that the prospect of adding Uria to the orthobrain leadership team had “a lot of appeal.”

German and his wife, Teri, have seven children. They attend services throughout the Cleveland Jewish community, including at Beachwood Kehilla, Chabad of Cleveland, Young Israel, Jewish Family Experience and Green Road Synagogue.

“I am an orthodontist and educator, that is my background and area of expertise,” he said. “Being fair and not being too modest, I’ve had success at building companies. But I am not a business expert. Richard is. He has a legendary reputation when it comes to his business acumen. And it’s not a shrewd one, his reputation is so well deserved.”

German added he sees Uria’s passion for tikkun olam, or repairing the world, as another asset to the business.

“My wife and I are like that, and so are Richard and Beverley,” German said. “You see them often leading some amazing cause. Given that we had that in common, it was natural for him to take that passion and put it into our company.”

Speaking of his past professional experiences and community involvement, Uria said a lot of it has to do with relationships and leadership, which often go hand-in-hand.

“Learning and listening to others has always been a key part of my success and journey,” he said. “I’ve always been told to lead by example and create a culture of collaboration, accountability and continuous community engagement. I was with my previous company for 21 years and it was very hard for me to walk away. Your colleagues become your family, but my goal with orthobrain is to communicate the value I brought to my previous company and project that to the orthobrain team.”

That integration into the orthobrain team has already begun, German said.

“I’ve had about a couple hundred people work with me in my companies, and I’ve never had a leader come in and receive universal respect from the team as quickly as he did,” German said. “Richard has this uncanny ability to make sure people realize he’s hearing them and that they’re appreciated. His listening skills and humble confidence really drive that.”

And having someone like Uria on the team only elevates what orthobrain can accomplish in the future, German added.

“He knows how to take something and have it become an industry leader,” he said. “I don’t think I would be able to do that without him. As for getting our message out, he’s a fire-breathing evangelist. He believes in the ‘why’ – that what we do helps people.”

About orthobrain®
orthobrain®, founded by Dr. Dan German, was established to provide orthodontic options to dentists looking to offer orthodontic services to patients. orthobrain® is a proven dental practice growth system that makes integrating orthodontics easy and profitable with a total solution that combines digital technology, proprietary AI and learning systems with the expertise of orthodontists. Today, orthobrain® makes orthodontic care – and beautiful smiles – available to patients everywhere at a scale never before possible. Visit orthobrain.com for more information.

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Blog

Dr. Michael Lochtefeld Talks Clear Aligners and Braces for the GP

Dr. Michael Lochtefeld Headshot
We sat down with Dr. Michael Lochtefeld DDS, a general Dentist practicing in Ohio, to talk about his success journey with orthodontics.

Q: What’s the biggest challenge in offering orthodontic care as a GP?

A: When you go through dental school, you get a very bare-bones orthodontic education. You have a vague idea about how things work and when to refer a case to an Orthodontist. So, getting started was the biggest challenge and roadblock I found in taking on ortho cases.

 

Q: Why do you think more adult patients are seeking ortho treatment these days?

A: I think people care more about what their teeth look like now than they did 10 to 15 years ago. And now with the consumer marketing behind large aligner brands, adults are more aware of what’s available to them.

The advent of social media has had a big influence too. People are posting pictures on Instagram and showing off their smiles. When people see others getting braces and improving their smile, it gives a little push.

 

Q: What’s the biggest practice benefit in offering ortho treatment?

A: To be frank, increased production and collections are a huge benefit for practices to add orthodontic services. It’s also a convenient thing to offer to a patient in the chair. Not in terms of upselling them, but patients ask all the time about what can be done to look better or improve their smile.

 

Q: What’s the biggest benefit to a patient in receiving ortho treatment at their dental office?

A: The number one reason patients want orthodontic treatment from their Dentist is so they don’t have to go someplace else. For whatever reason, people hate going someplace else to continue treatment. That’s probably the number one benefit to the patient. And number two is that we see things that maybe an Orthodontist isn’t looking for. We can keep an eye on their hygiene…we’re overseeing all of their oral health and we can identify something before it becomes a big problem.

 

Q: Several companies offer orthodontic treatment options for GPs, why did you choose orthobrain?

A: I had the benefit of seeing my wife’s practice succeed. One thing that I like about orthobrain is having someone over your shoulder for this kind of work. I know that I can rely on their expertise, and they can help me connect the dots along the way to get more predictable results, especially with aligners. As long as patients are compliant, the results are pretty reliable. But when they are not, I have someone to check in during treatment and see the progress. With orthobrain, I know I will get the result I expect.

 

Q: orthobrain offers robust support and training for Dentists. Have you taken any courses, and could you talk about your experience?

A: The training and support from orthobrain has been great. There’s a lot to learn…sometimes I feel like I’ve just scratched the surface of what we’re able to do with orthodontics. The good thing is, the introductory course gave us everything we needed to know and the confidence to get started right away.

Another thing I liked was being able to bring a staff member too. The assistant who attended with me has taken over the ortho part of our business. She knows what we need to have on hand, how to talk to the patients, and understands the whole workflow. Her buy-in made our orthodontic implementation a lot easier. I think it’s probably her favorite thing that we do in the practice.

With every case I do, my knowledge grows simply by communicating with the team at orthobrain. Whether it’s through messages or over the phone, they transfer a wealth of knowledge that helps me with the case we’re talking about, and that transfers over to the next. The knowledge continues to build. I think the initial training was the nucleus to getting started and it branched out from there. Dr. German happened to stop by yesterday and I told him that I’ll be the first to sign up for more advanced courses as soon as they’re offered.

 

Q: orthobrain prides itself on providing concierge service and support to its doctors. Would you agree with this statement?

A: The best part of working with orthobrain for me is the ability to chat back and forth with the docs. They are overseeing my cases and that gives me a great deal of confidence. If I have a question, they get back to me in a reasonable time and they have pretty much been able to answer any questions I have. Overall, it’s been a very positive experience. If I’m struggling with a part of the treatment plan or a concept, and if it’s not easy to convey via email or text, I will get a call from them. Then we can go over the case on the phone to make sure we’ve got it down correctly. I’d say that one-on-one support is probably the best example of orthobrain’s concierge service. Going to the next step or the next level to be sure I’m confident with the process has been invaluable.

 

Q: One of the strengths of orthobrain is the ability to work with them using several clear aligner manufacturers. However, orthobrain just launched their own clear aligner, SimplyClear. It’s substantially less expensive than competitive products and offers excellent quality. Are you going to be using that product?

A: I’m interested in the product. It hits that sweet spot of wanting to offer services that are more profitable and increase production. I think that’s the number one selling point for me right now. I’m not married to one aligner company so the lower price is a big deal.

To be honest, we’re not making a ton on aligner cases. We’re making money, but in comparison, brackets are more profitable. They may be a little more time-consuming, but we’re seeing our aligner patients just as often, so a lower price point is very compelling. Especially with some of the add-on fees that competitors are charging right now. It almost makes it not feasible for us to offer clear aligners to our patients. So having a less costly option is more of what we envisioned as far as profitability with aligner cases.

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Q: Time is one of Dentists’ most valuable commodities. Can you describe the orthobrain workflow and how it impacts your productivity?

A: We’re a smaller office and we don’t have a ton of chairs, so productivity is really important. The more cases we do, the better we get at it. We can get people in and out quickly with the education I received from orthobrain. We’re taking pictures, using the computer and an intraoral scanner to scan all the cases, and everything’s streamlined. Outside of maybe the bracket appointment, the workflow is pretty quick and the ortho patients don’t take up a lot of time. That’s what we need.

 

Q: Many Dentists who may have been early adopters of aligner treatment are hesitant to start again because they were underwhelmed with the effort versus the payoff. What would you say to someone with this kind of experience?

A: In the past, I would 100% agree that the effort versus the payoff with orthodontic cases was underwhelming. If I weren’t running my cases through orthobrain, I wouldn’t be doing them. I started doing aligner cases maybe 5 years ago with a competitor and stopped. I think about it like this, ‘you don’t know what you don’t know’. I didn’t know at the time that their support was non-existent. From designing a case to troubleshooting and finishing, the support just was not there. I think of that company as a lot of people playing a video game, they know how to straighten teeth on a computer with a joystick but not why they’re doing what they’re doing. Just wanting it to end quickly. I did not have good experience and I stopped offering ortho to my patients.

Now, I wouldn’t be doing ortho cases without running the process through orthobrain. Unless you have a huge depth of orthodontic knowledge, you’re not going to do as good of a job as an Orthodontist. And if I can’t offer that kind of quality of orthodontic care, I don’t want to offer that as an option to my patients.

 

Q: Tell me about the two recent cases you completed with orthobrain.

A: My first case was with brackets. A week or so after I came back from the initial training, I bought all the supplies and tools. We started that case pretty much as soon as we could and it went smoothly from start to finish. The design process was fast, the brackets came in, and the thermal plastic material to support placement was really easy — in fact, the whole process was easy. This case happened to be with my receptionist. We had a couple of minor things pop up during treatment like a few teeth didn’t rotate just how we wanted them to, so I contacted orthobrain. We took progress pictures and they followed up every few months. It was like ‘hey how’s it looking?’ which was great. They kept me on track and we were able to work through and troubleshoot any kind of minor issues. She had a space in between her teeth and she asked me for years to close it. Finally, I was able to help her get it done a couple of months before her wedding, so she’s thrilled.

The second case we did was amazingly straightforward. The patient had crowding of her lower teeth – one was pretty much blocked out in the back. She had traditional braces when she was a kid, but didn’t wear retainers, and they just collapsed like an accordion back to where it started. She wanted to do clear aligners and orthobrain helped me work through the setup. We went through a couple of iterations of designs before we approved it. Then the rest was up to her. Thankfully, she was an amazing patient. She was super compliant. So, we were able to get her out in four or five months, something like that. And it was awesome. Once we had an approved plan, we didn’t have to make any refinements which in my prior experience was fairly rare. She was back last week for her six-month hygiene check and things looked perfect. Everything was nice and straight. If every case was like that, I’d throw aligners on everybody!

After a few cases like these that turn out well, it motivates you to want to do more.

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Press Release

ORTHOBRAIN® AND ORTHOSELECT® ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP

Collaboration creates new growth opportunities, increased efficiency and profitability for orthodontists

Cleveland, OH, November 9, 2022 orthobrain – an Ohio-based, practice growth system with a total solution that makes integrating orthodontics easy and profitable, has partnered with OrthoSelect, a leading orthodontics software company and digital orthodontics laboratory.

Together, the organizations will use their clinical expertise and technology-driven models to deliver a quality, cost-effective clear aligner solution and personal support to clinicians looking for growth opportunities. orthobrain’s SimplyClear aligner system will be OrthoSelect’s official clear aligner partner, offering its clients a system that combines premium plastic, orthodontist-led treatment planning and support, resulting in time-savings and profitability.

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with orthobrain who shares our passion for providing exceptional patient experiences and clinical outcomes,” said Steve Gardner, OrthoSelect’s President. “orthobrain’s game-changing aligner system offers the full package when delivering orthodontic care, and we are excited to be able to offer its comprehensive treatment plan to our clients.”

In August 2022, orthobrain launched its new SimplyClear™ aligner system, revolutionizing the way orthodontic treatment is delivered. Developed by orthodontists and industry leaders with decades of orthodontic experience, every SimplyClear case is powered by comprehensive support and complete case management, ensuring providers can confidently deliver quality orthodontic outcomes while minimizing doctor time.

“Expanding access to healthy smiles is the cornerstone of what we do,” says Dan German, founder of orthobrain. “Together, with OrthoSelect, our shared vision will allow for transformative growth and quality patient outcomes.”

About orthobrain®

orthobrain, founded by Dr. Dan German, was established with the goal of providing orthodontic options to dentists looking to offer orthodontic services to patients. orthobrain is a proven dental practice growth system that makes integrating orthodontics easy and profitable with a total solution that combines digital technology, proprietary AI and learning systems with the expertise of orthodontists. Today, orthobrain makes orthodontic care – and beautiful smiles – available to patients everywhere at a scale never before possible. Visit orthobrain.com for more information.               

About OrthoSelect®

Founded in 2004, OrthoSelect is a leader in digital orthodontics with the mission to help orthodontists achieve greater clinical efficiency through state-of-the-art technology and provide improved treatment outcomes for their patients. With proven expertise in both orthodontic software for precision bracket placement and orthodontic laboratory services, the company completes thousands of patient cases monthly in more than a dozen countries. For more information, visit myorthoselect.com.

For OrthoSelect media inquiries, please contact Milan Detweiler at: milan@myorthoselect.com

 

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Press Release

ORTHOBRAIN® ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF SIMPLYCLEAR™ ALIGNER SYSTEM

SimplyClear aligner system orthobrain

The first clear aligner system that delivers a total solution for orthodontic growth.

Cleveland, OH – August 25th, 2022orthobrain®, an Ohio-based, orthodontic growth system that helps dentists and dental service organizations integrate and scale orthodontics, today announced the launch of SimplyClear™, the first clear aligner system designed by Orthodontists, with Dentists in mind. SimplyClear, available now, is the newest addition to orthobrain’s total solution for orthodontic growth – combining high-quality clear aligners with the proven support model that drives successful orthodontic programs and long-term revenue growth.

Developed by Orthodontists and industry leaders with decades of orthodontic and Dental Service Organization (DSO) experience, the SimplyClear aligner system goes beyond the plastic. Every SimplyClear case is powered by the comprehensive support and complete case management included in orthobrain Core service model ensuring Dentists can confidently deliver quality orthodontic outcomes.

“SimplyClear is game changing. It will revolutionize the way orthodontic treatment is delivered,” said Kimberly Harrington, orthobrain Chief Operating Officer. “SimplyClear, when paired with our proprietary and revolutionary Playbook, drives dentist activation and successful implementation of orthodontics.” 

SimplyClear is game changing. It will revolutionize the way orthodontic treatment is delivered. SimplyClear, when paired with our proprietary and revolutionary Playbook, drives dentist activation and successful implementation of orthodontics.

Kimberly Harrington, orthobrain Chief Operating Officer, EVP Tweet

 

SimplyClear delivers:

  • A clear aligner with advanced, flexible material, for a comfortable experience for your patients while maintaining the strength necessary for optimal clinical results. 

  • 360-degree support designed to help practices succeed in orthodontics from day one.

  • Increased profitability by treating orthodontic cases in-house as opposed to referring to a specialist.

  • Reduced doctor time chairside, resulting in increased production through its case management service, with Orthodontist-led evaluation, treatment planning and support.

  • orthobrain Core that includes patient comprehensive case management including a Patient Care Plan, education, business optimization, implementation, and a proprietary playbook, offered only by orthobrain.

“We understand that general practitioners don’t typically go beyond basic orthodontics in their day-to-day work. That’s why our team of experts evaluate, plan, and provide a treatment setup that works for you, your staff, and your patients,” said Dr. Daniel German, orthobrain Founder and CEO. “Every SimplyClear treatment plan comes with Orthodontist-led comprehensive support via orthobrain Core, delivering the tools you need to produce proven results.”

SimplyClear is now available to dentists and DSOs. SimplyClear costs, on average, 30% less than competing clear aligner systems and provides a better orthodontic experience with precise, predictable results and happy and healthy smiles.

 For more information, www.orthobrain.com/simplyclear.  

orthobrain was founded in 2016 as a proven dental practice growth system that makes integrating orthodontics into dental practices easy. In the last six years, the company has provided the highest level of care to patients – from patient acquisition to treatment – to grow practice capabilities and clinical confidence.

About orthobrain®

orthobrain, founded by Dr. Dan German, was established to provide orthodontic options to dentists looking to offer orthodontic services to patients. orthobrain is a proven dental practice growth system that makes integrating orthodontics easy and profitable with a total solution that combines digital technology, proprietary AI and learning systems with the expertise of orthodontists. Today, orthobrain makes orthodontic care – and beautiful smiles – available to patients everywhere at a scale never before possible. Visit orthobrain.com for more information.

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Press Release

ORTHOBRAIN® AND OAKPOINT ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP

orthobrain and Oakpoint Partnership

Cleveland, OH, August 15th, 2022 orthobrain®  – an Ohio-based, dental practice growth system with a total solution that makes integrating orthodontics easy and profitable, has partnered with Oakpoint, a dental support organization offering dental care providers support services in key functional areas of dental practices, from marketing and human resources to finance and patient advocacy.

Together, the organizations will use their clinical expertise and business acumen to deliver personal support to affiliated practices.  Specifically, Oakpoint will integrate orthobrain’s Core service offering to support and drive orthodontic activation, resulting in increased patient acquisition and practice growth.

Established in 2019, Oakpoint is a doctor-owned model passionate about supporting dental practices. With more than 300 dedicated team members, the company assists 34 practices and growing in separating the clinical work from the clerical, letting dentists concentrate on practicing the art of dentistry without the distractions and burden of running a practice.

orthobrain and Oakpoint share a common understanding of creating successful and profitable practices. We know the day-to-day realities practices face, and together, we will help them run efficiently, translating to better quality patient care and outcomes.

Mick Janness, CEO at Oakpoint Tweet

“orthobrain and Oakpoint share a common understanding of creating successful and profitable practices,” said Mick Janness, CEO at Oakpoint. “We know the day-to-day realities practices face, and together, we will help them run efficiently, translating to better quality patient care and outcomes.”

The collaboration combines the passionate and purpose-driven mentality of Oakpoint with the orthobrain total solution package of leveraging digital technology and learning systems to give dentists the clinical confidence to provide orthodontic services.

“We’re excited to partner with Oakpoint and bring additional resources, skills and confidence-building support to their practices,” said Kimberly Harrington, Chief Operating Officer at orthobrain. “With up to 12 million people seeking orthodontic treatment globally every year, partnerships like this will empower patient access and support clinical confidence. Our shared vision will make transformative growth possible for dental practices.”

About orthobrain®

orthobrain, founded by Dr. Dan German, was established to provide orthodontic options to dentists looking to offer orthodontic services to patients. orthobrain is a proven dental practice growth system that makes integrating orthodontics easy and profitable with a total solution that combines digital technology, proprietary AI and learning systems with the expertise of orthodontists. Today, orthobrain makes orthodontic care – and beautiful smiles – available to patients everywhere at a scale never before possible. Visit orthobrain.com for more information. 

About Oakpoint

Oakpoint is a dental support organization (DSO) that provides non-clinical support services under business service agreements. Their affiliated partner practices maintain ownership while leveraging the Oakpoint operating platform to achieve growth. 

Founded by Mick Janness and Erik Strang, the group’s goals for 2022 are $100 million of affiliated practice revenue and 10+ newly affiliated practices. The long-term growth plan includes supporting 150 doctors and clinical teams across an integrated platform.

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Categories
Blog

ICYMI: orthobrain Highlights from WinDSO

orthobrain WinDSO

orthobrain, a founding partner of Women in DSO, joined the inaugural WinDSO Empower and Grow conference that took place March 9 – 11 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The energy and participation at the show was palpable, with a fantastic foundation set for next year’s event.

orthobrain’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Kimberly Harrington, participated in the “Lessons in Leadership from Women CEOs” panel moderated by Geoffrey Ligibel of 42 North Dental. The panelists (Kimberly Harrington, Nancy Coy of Choice Payment Services, Eva Sadej of MedBar, and Dr. Maryam Beyramian of Westwind Integrated Health) spoke to the female leaders of today and tomorrow in an overflowing room. 

In case you missed it, here were four key takeaways from the event:
Develop yourself professionally.

Education doesn’t end once you receive your degree. To be a great leader in the dental field, really any field, we need to “be sponges.” Continue to educate ourselves – keep reading and learning, teach ourselves new skills or refine existing ones, and stay up to date with industry trends. It is important to continue improving and contributing to our personal brands.

Find a mentor and also be a Mentor.

When seeking out mentors, it is important to seek out those we admire and respect. Someone who can share their experience and lessons learned – their tips and tricks to navigate an often times male-dominated industry. But just as important as finding a mentor is BEING a mentor. It is important we pay it forward to individuals entering the industry or business arena. While we should make a concerted effort to share our knowledge to help lift up our mentees, it is important for us to listen too. “I have learned so much from the young people I mentored. Those relationships have made me a more well-rounded and empathetic leader,” says Kimberly Harrington.

Think beyond your own successes.

Great leaders do not just think about their own accomplishments; they concentrate on making sure the people on their team succeed as well. They get to know their employees on a personal and professional level, and learn their goals and ambitions. True leaders provide pathways to success, whether it be through access to extra training or time off to volunteer in their community. A company’s success is not always just measured in financial terms – it’s also judged on things like culture, inclusivity and growth opportunities.

Kimberly Harrington pointed out while on stage, “I am on the main stage today, but I always tell my team that it is not my job to be here. It is my job to get them on the main stage. It is my job to empower them as leaders and support them through that personal and professional growth.”

 Play the long game.

Instant gratification is given so much weight in today’s world. And often, we feel pressure to have success immediately, or to give up our weekend in order to enter the work week feeling confident. But, sometimes, our personal relationships suffer, when we put all our focus on work.

As Kimberly reminded the audience: “If it doesn’t happen on Monday, don’t panic. There is always Tuesday.”

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Press Release

ORTHOBRAIN® NAMES JODY RODNEY SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING AND EDUCATION

orthobrain Jody Rodney

Cleveland, OH, March 7th, 2022 orthobrain® – an Ohio-based orthodontic growth company with a total solution that makes integrating orthodontics into dental practices easy and profitable, is excited to announce the hiring of Jody Rodney as Senior Vice President of Marketing and Education. In her role, Rodney will bring her extensive experience implementing strategic plans and her global networks within the dental industry to drive orthobrain’s overall business strategy.

A results-focused leader with a proven track record of providing fortune 500 organizations with strategic direction, Rodney will oversee orthobrain’s multi-channel campaigns, education programs and product launches. She will work with the marketing and education teams to streamline operations, build community and help generate new leads and opportunities.

“There’s a real need in the marketplace for the type of service orthobrain provides and I’m honored and excited to be a part of something that has so much opportunity in terms of growth and global presence,” says Rodney. “I look forward to bringing my knowledge and strong partnerships into the fold to further accelerate orthobrain’s groundbreaking work.”

There’s a real need in the marketplace for the type of service orthobrain provides and I’m honored and excited to be a part of something that has so much opportunity in terms of growth and global presence.

Jody Rodney, SVP Marketing and Education Tweet

Rodney comes to orthobrain with more than 20 years of marketing experience, and 11 of those within the dental industry, primarily working in the large equipment segment and practice management sector. Most recently, she served as the Vice President, Marketing & Education at Planmeca USA, where she led and managed marketing and education efforts for all dental equipment segments, focusing on strategy developments through relationships and programs with distribution partners.

“It’s an exciting time for orthorbrain and Jody’s extensive knowledge of the dental industry coupled with her integrated experience around scalable global marketing initiatives will position us for sustainable success,” said Kimberly Harrington, orthobrain Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer. “I look forward to working with Jody to drive continued success for the organization.”

Rodney holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Iowa and a Master of Business Administration from Strayer University. She is also a member of CHIEF, a private membership network focused on connecting and supporting women executive leaders. She was previously a board member of the American Association of Periodontology Foundation.

About orthobrain®

orthobrain®, founded by Dr. Dan German, was established to provide orthodontic options to dentists looking to offer orthodontic services to patients. orthobrain is a proven dental practice growth system that makes integrating orthodontics easy and profitable with a total solution that combines digital technology, proprietary AI and learning systems with the expertise of orthodontists. Today, orthobrain makes orthodontic care – and beautiful smiles – available to patients everywhere at a scale never before possible. Visit orthobrain.com for more information. 

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Press Release

ORTHOBRAIN® RECEIVES $9 MILLION IN LATEST FUNDRAISING ROUND

Investors back the company as it accelerates growth and continues technological advancements to improve education and care globally

Cleveland, OH – March 7, 2022 – orthobrain®, an Ohio-based, orthodontic growth system that helps dentists and dental service organizations integrate orthodontics into their practices, today announced that it has completed a $9 million in Series A funding with a group of investors, led by CareCapital, one of the largest investors in the dental care industry. Additional co-investors include JumpStart NEXT II Fund, JobsOhio, among others.

Capital from this financing will be used to accelerate the momentum orthobrain has brought to the dental industry, further advancing its mission to drive orthodontic growth and expand access to quality orthodontic care globally. orthobrain will scale clinical and education support services, innovate, invest in technological solutions, and expand its global footprint.

“orthobrain offers an invaluable service of clinical mentoring, treatment planning and on demand support to dentists providing pediatric dentistry, braces and aligner treatments. The services significantly boost dentist confidence, enhance patient experience and improve outcomes. This aligns with the mission of CareCapital Group, which is to strengthen the heritage, access and community of dentistry while supporting technology innovation. We look forward to working alongside them as they empower dentists and improve patient care,” says  A P A Bindusaran, Executive Director of CareCapital.

JumpStart’s Senior Investing Partner, Hardik Desai, adds, “orthobrain provides a revolutionary solution, empowering general dentists with the confidence and resources they need to build orthodontics into their practice. We are excited to partner with Dr. Dan German and his team as they navigate the company’s rapid growth.”

JumpStart also invested from its NEXT II Fund, a $50 million venture fund focused on early-stage technology startups in Ohio and the Midwest.

“orthobrain is a home-grown company that is driving innovation and job creation in Ohio,” said J.P. Nauseef, president and CEO of JobsOhio. “orthobrain’s continued advancement of digital technology and AI learning systems makes it an outstanding example of the kind of company that thrives in Ohio.”

Founded in 2016 by Dr. Dan German, orthobrain is a proven dental practice growth system that makes integrating orthodontics easy and profitable by combining digital technology, proprietary AI and learning systems with the expertise of orthodontists. With a focus on providing the highest level of care to patients, orthobrain delivers a total solution – from patient acquisition to treatment – to grow practice capabilities and clinical confidence.

“We are grateful for this group of premier investors to be supporting orthobrain’s next phase of growth. As patient demand for orthodontic treatment increases, we envision orthobrain becoming the go-to solution for delivering beautiful smiles worldwide,” says Dr. Dan German, Founder, CEO and Chief Orthodontist, orthobrain.

About orthobrain®

orthobrain®, founded by Dr. Dan German, was established to provide orthodontic options to dentists looking to offer orthodontic services to patients. orthobrain® is a proven dental practice growth system that makes integrating orthodontics easy and profitable with a total solution that combines digital technology, proprietary AI and learning systems with the expertise of orthodontists. Today, orthobrain® makes orthodontic care – and beautiful smiles – available to patients everywhere at a scale never before possible. Visit orthobrain.com for more information. 

About CareCapital Group

CareCapital Group, founded in 2015, is an investment and operating group committed to building the dental and oral care industry for the digital age. CareCapital Group owns both majority and minority stakes in a variety of businesses that span the full dental industry value chain, from education and training at the very upstream, to aligners, implants, biologics, imaging equipment and intraoral scanner in the mid-upstream, to clinic management software and distribution in the midstream, and finally to dental hospitals and chain clinics in the downstream. The asset portfolio of CareCapital Group encompasses various leading players in the dental industry, and the geography of such portfolio spans across China, South Korea, United States and Europe. Visit carecapitalpartners.com for more information.

About JumpStart

JumpStart is a nationally recognized venture development firm providing early-stage capital and high-impact technical services to help entrepreneurs grow. With over $140M under management across four funds, it invests in technology startups throughout Ohio and the Midwest, assisting founders in turning innovative ideas into high-growth companies. To learn more, visit JumpStartinc.org/investing.

About JobsOhio

JobsOhio is a private nonprofit economic development corporation designed to drive job creation and new capital investment in Ohio through business attraction, retention and expansion. The organization also works to seed talent production in its targeted industries and to attract talent to Ohio through Find Your Ohio. JobsOhio works with six regional partners across Ohio: Dayton Development Coalition, Ohio Southeast Economic Development, One Columbus, REDI Cincinnati, Regional Growth Partnership and Team NEO. Learn more at www.jobsohio.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

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ICYMI: Top three takeaways from the first of orthobrain’s new Empowerment Series

orthobrain Empowerment Series
orthobrain In Case You Missed It: A Toast to the New Year

During the past few decades, there has been a significant increase in the number of women entering dentistry.  According to the ADA Health Policy Institute (HPI) analysis published last year, 34.5% of dentists in the US are female as of 2020, compared to just 24.1% in 2010.

Additionally, 50.6% of new dental grads are female as of 2019, compared to 46% in 2009.

The future is female, and it helps to hear from other strong female leaders in the dental industry about their tips for success.

In the first installment of orthobrain®’s new empowerment series, where we host authentic and informative conversations to empower doctors and dental professionals to excel in the industry, we talked to three seasoned female dental professionals:  Dr. Laura Lawrence, a general dentist practicing in Ohio, Dr. Carolyn Lubrano, a pediatric dentist practicing in Massachusetts, and Dr. Lauren Dull, a general dentist practicing in Ohio, about ways to stand out, grow your business, and excel as a female practitioner.

Here are their top three takeaways on dental practice growth and how to succeed in the industry.
1. Develop a Niche

As a new dentist, especially a new female dentist, it can be hard to establish yourself — particularly if you are joining a practice with more seasoned dentists. One way to stand out and get referrals from other dentists and patients is to find a niche. One way to do that: follow your curiosity.

Dr. Lawrence, for instance, was very interested in preventative dentistry: focusing on helping patients avoid cavities, not just treating them. She delved into research and became the go-to wellness expert on the subject of prevention in her office, which helped both her confidence and her dental practice grow.

Similarly, Dr. Lubrano, who holds a master’s degree in public health, became very interested in lip tie pediatric laser surgery when she saw how frustrated new mothers were getting, when their infants’ lip ties prevented them from being able to latch and breastfeed easily. Many other doctors and dentists were not addressing the issue at the time. So she sought out extra training in lip tie release and now the service makes up a significant part of her practice. Her advice to other young practitioners: “Don’t be afraid to go outside the line.”

2. Take advantage of the digital revolution in dentistry.

One way to see faster growth in your practice is to invest in tele-education and AI-powered imaging technology. “The new technology can make life easier and faster,” says Dr. Dull, who had access to top-tier imaging software when she was working with the Air Force.

Not only can new AI powered software help you make sense of data quickly and efficiently, it’s also less painful for your clients. Ever since Dr. Lawrence’ s practice invested in intraoral scanners, for instance, they’ve seen faster turnover times in chairs. And Dr. Lubrano started seeing less tears from her young patients when she started integrating intraoral scanners, as well. “My patients are more compliant. It’s just a wand that I’m putting over their teeth. Parents are wowed by it,” Dr. Lubrano says.

And taking advantage of teledentistry and tele-education is a great way to grow your practice, as well.  Services like orthobrain®, which use a groundbreaking technology platform to put a virtual orthodontist beside every dental chair, ensures that you never have to feel alone, while adapting new skills and growing your practice. As Dr. Dull says: In order to grow as a practitioner, you “need to be open to learning as much as you can.”

3. Find mentors in different places.

To work through issues and receive advice on advancement, nothing beats having a peer or advisor to turn to. Mentors can be found in all sorts of places. Dr. Dull, for instance, joined her local dental society in order to access a network of peers, while Dr. Lubrano counts her former high school music teacher as one of her strongest mentors. And Dr. Lawrence, for her part, says it was her college chemistry professor who offered her the most impactful lesson of her young adult life when she was deciding whether or not to take a non-dental related internship in Alaska. “She said if you are offered a golden egg, you should take it,” Dr. Lawrence recalls. Looking for that next golden egg has since become a mantra of Dr. Lawrence’s practice.

So how do you find a mentor? “Anyone can be one,” Dr. Lubrano says. You just need to know what sort of advice you’re looking for, and then reach out. The most successful dentists find mentors in all sorts of different places. “It’s just about taking advantage of the people around you and growing your network as much as you can,” explains Dr. Lubrano.

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Seminar Dates

September 10-12th, 2020

more dates coming soon!

All dates in Cleveland, Ohio at Dental Ceramics, Inc.

Schedule an orthobrain® demo and start growing your practice.