The orthodontic profession is at a major crossroads. Tension and frustration brought about by the generational divide has grown bigger.

Younger orthodontists are entering the profession with huge financial burdens brought about by their student loans.

As that was not enough, they face further challenges when they step into the saturated market. Many older orthodontists are delaying retirement, making it difficult for new doctors to find associateships or acquire their own practices. The high cost of starting or purchasing a practice compounds the problem.

Many younger orthodontists have expressed their frustration to me with the attitudes of their older counterparts. They feel that they are unwilling to step aside and make way for the next generation.

They see older orthodontists as clinging to their practices, unwilling to bring on associates or sell their practices at reasonable prices.

Older orthodontists need to recognize that they have a responsibility to pave the way for the next generation.

Both younger and older practitioners need to realize that our profession has changed over the decades, and we all need to adapt to these changes.

Tune in to this episode to understand the dynamics at play in our profession!

Key Takeaways

Intro (00:00)
I hear you, younger orthodontists (00:25)
Impact of OSOs and DSOs (00:37)
Economic differences between generations (02:03)
Older orthodontists' reluctance to retire (03:15)
High educational debt for new graduates (04:52)
Call for generational dialogue (06:31)

Additional Resources

- Register for the OrthoPreneurs Summit at Sea (2024): https://opsummitatsea.com/

- For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/

- Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OrthoPreneurs