Ep 88 – Work smarter, grow stronger: Dr. Courtney Dunn on leadership, delegation and practice efficiency

Subscribe to our Podcast

How do you grow an orthodontic practice without letting it take over your life?

Dr. Courtney Dunn, co-founder of a four-location orthodontic practice and founder of Women in Orthodontics, joins Dr. Leon Klempner and Amy Epstein to discuss the leadership, delegation and efficiency strategies that have helped her scale both her practice and her career.

Courtney explains why orthodontists need to become more comfortable giving up control, how her practice measures clinical efficiency before investing in new technology, and why the right office manager can fundamentally change how a practice operates. She also shares her experience using Solventum Clarity aligners and pre-cured attachments, including the potential impact on bonding time, tracking and refinements.

The conversation also explores mentorship, professional support networks and why the market you choose can have a major impact on practice growth.

Key takeaways:

  • Delegation is essential to scaling an orthodontic practice without creating owner burnout.
  • Measure treatment efficiency and ROI before adopting new technology simply because it is available.
  • Solventum’s Clarity attachment technology has helped Courtney’s practice streamline bonding and, anecdotally, reduce refinements and treatment time.
  • A true office manager can take meaningful operational responsibility off the orthodontist’s plate.
  • Mentorship, community and realistic expectations can help practice owners make better long-term decisions.

About The Golden Age of Orthodontics Podcast and People + Practice

The Golden Age of Orthodontics is an award-winning industry podcast produced by People + Practice, a leading orthodontic marketing agency specializing in practice growth, digital marketing, branding, and AI search visibility for orthodontists.

Hosted by People + Practice co-founders Dr. Leon Klempner and Amy Epstein, MBA, the podcast combines decades of firsthand orthodontic practice experience with strategic marketing expertise to help orthodontists navigate an evolving industry.

Dr. Klempner, a retired orthodontist with 38 years of clinical experience, brings a unique understanding of the challenges facing private practices. Epstein, an accomplished marketing strategist with more than 20 years of experience, specializes in helping orthodontic practices attract patients, strengthen their brands, and achieve sustainable growth.

Together, they lead People + Practice, an orthodontic marketing agency that combines deep industry knowledge with data-driven digital marketing, growth consulting, and innovative AI optimization strategies. Their thought leadership extends beyond the podcast into the agency’s work helping orthodontists build stronger, more competitive practices.

Through conversations with leading orthodontists, industry executives, and technology innovators, The Golden Age of Orthodontics reflects the same expertise and forward-thinking approach that makes People + Practice a trusted marketing partner for orthodontic practices seeking measurable growth.

Learn more about People + Practice’s orthodontic marketing services and how our team helps practices turn marketing into new patients.