Ep 89 – Beyond the front desk: Building smarter orthodontic teams with Cory Pinegar

When a key team member quits, the panic can set in quickly. Who’s going to answer the phones, follow up with patients, verify insurance and keep the front desk running smoothly? Even without staffing disruptions, overwhelmed teams and unanswered calls can mean potential patients falling through the cracks. For orthodontic practices, these challenges aren’t just an operational headache. They can directly impact new patient starts, revenue and the return on your marketing investment.

In this episode of The Golden Age of Orthodontics, hosts Dr. Leon Klempner and Amy Epstein welcome Cory Pinegar, founder of Reach, to explore a smarter approach to staffing and practice efficiency. Cory explains how Reach helps orthodontic practices build stronger teams by providing dedicated, highly trained, remote professionals who integrate into daily operations, handling everything from patient calls and insurance verification to follow-ups and billing support.

The conversation explores the hidden costs of staffing shortages, why traditional hiring models are becoming harder to sustain and how a more flexible approach can take pressure off existing team members. You’ll also learn how Reach approaches training, security and team integration while helping orthodontic practices improve efficiency, strengthen patient relationships and capture opportunities that might otherwise be lost.

Key takeaways:

1. The hidden cost of missed calls: Cory shares 2025 Weave data indicating that orthodontic practices miss approximately 28% to 32% of inbound calls during business hours, highlighting a significant opportunity to improve patient acquisition and conversion.
2. A smarter approach to staffing: Discover how Reach provides dedicated professionals who become integrated members of your practice team, taking on administrative responsibilities and allowing in-office staff to focus on patient care.
3. Stronger teams without added pressure: Learn how rethinking administrative responsibilities can reduce burnout, improve staff retention and give existing team members more opportunities to focus on meaningful patient interactions.
4. Flexible staffing that supports practice growth: Explore Reach’s customized training, secure work environments and month-to-month staffing model.

Learn more about Reach: Visit https://getreach.co/pp/ to explore staffing solutions for your orthodontic practice and schedule a consultation.