The Paradox of Our 2025 Annual Survey: When Steady Production Meets Shrinking Profit

Guest: Roger P. Levin, DDS

Episode Description: The latest Orthodontic Products Levin Group Annual Practice Survey reveals that while 2025 was a year of stable production, those top-line numbers are masking a growing profitability crisis. In this episode, host Alison Werner welcomes Dr Roger Levin, CEO and founder of Levin Group, to break down the data and explore the critical disconnect between steady patient flow and shrinking profit margins. Levin explains how a perfect storm of rising overhead, a persistent staffing crisis, and growing economic uncertainty is putting unprecedented financial pressure on orthodontic practices across the country.

Moving beyond the numbers, this conversation provides a strategic roadmap for orthodontists looking to protect their bottom line in 2026. Levin shares actionable advice on what separates the top 25% of performing practices from the rest, detailing how to combat rising costs and navigate looming "fee wars." From systemizing a five-part referral marketing program to evolving the treatment coordinator’s role to communicate undeniable value, this episode offers essential strategies to help you raise fees confidently and ensure your practice thrives in a shifting economic landscape.

Key Takeaways: 

• The Production-Profit Disconnect: Stable production is masking shrinking profits. Because rising overhead is outpacing inflation, practices must increase their patient volume just to maintain current income levels.
• Prioritize Staff Retention: The staffing crisis is a massive driver of rising overhead. Building a rewarding practice culture to retain your current team is critical for protecting your bottom line.
• Systemize Referral Marketing: Passive word-of-mouth isn't enough. Top-performing practices actively manage a five-pillar strategy targeting patients, parents, social media, the community, and referring dentists.
• Combat "Fee Wars" with Value: As orthodontics becomes increasingly commoditized, Treatment Coordinators must evolve into "value coordinators" who can justify your costs through exceptional relationship-building.
• Raise Fees and Elevate Service: Levin advises raising fees by at least 5% annually to survive rising costs. To support this, practices must deliver an exceptional customer experience and offer flexible patient financing.

  Chapters:
  00:55 Stability vs. Underlying Challenges in Orthodontics
  03:44 Production vs. Profit: Understanding the Disconnect
  06:39 Performance Tiers: What Separates the Best from the Rest?
  09:40 Staffing Crisis: Building a Strong Team Culture
  12:35 Addressing New Patient Starts: Strategies for Success
  15:44 Rising Overhead: Protecting Profitability in Uncertain Times
  27:19 The Commodity Nature of Orthodontics
  29:41 Building Value in Orthodontic Practices
  30:37 Referral Marketing as a Key to Success
  34:22 The Impact of DSOs and OSOs on Orthodontics
  38:32 Remote Monitoring and Teledentistry Trends
  43:12 Prioritizing Customer Service and Financing Options

  Links:
  🔗 Read the article—Steady Year, Shifting Landscape: Findings From the 2025 Orthodontic Practice Survey

  About the Guest: Roger P. Levin, DDS, is the CEO and founder of Levin Group. 

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