Mastering the First Eight Years of Your Practice

Start to Strength is the only conference built exclusively for doctors and teams in years 1–8 of practice, specifically designed to give you the strategies, tools, and data insights to grow smarter, faster, and more profitably.

Whether you're just opening your doors or scaling into your next phase of growth, you’ll learn from top industry experts with decades of real-world experience in launching and scaling successful orthodontic practices—people who understand your stage, your challenges, and what it takes to win in today’s market.

Key Objectives

Build a Strong Foundation

Set your core values, mission, and culture. Learn HR basics like hiring, handbooks, and team engagement.

Drive Growth with Data

Understand industry trends, manage cash flow, and set goals that align with business needs.

Optimize & Scale

Plan for long-term success while handling short-term demands. Learn from expert insights and real-world examples.

Designed for orthodontic practices in their first 1–8 years, this event offers practical strategies to overcome early-stage challenges and build for sustainable growth.

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Registration Options

1 DOCTOR REGISTRATION ($399.00)
An additional discount of $100.00 will be applied if more than one doctor is registered in the same transaction.
1 TEAM REGISTRATION ($249.00)
DOCTOR + 2 TEAM REGISTRATIONS ($749.00)
BEST VALUE

Promo code HEYDOCS! for $50 off now extended through August 10th!

How did you hear about this event?

OrthoFi
Jill Allen & Associates

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Speakers

Jill Allen

Jill Allen is a national orthodontic consultant passionate about helping doctors achieve their practice dreams. Jill and her team specialize in start-up practices and training doctors and team members who have been in business for eight years or less or eight years to retirement. She gives each team the tools to increase growth and streamline their processes. Jill's proven management solutions produce positive results in case acceptance and production, creating strong, successful practices for the years to come.

Oliver Gelles

Oliver Gelles is the Chief Marketing Officer for OrthoFi. Widely recognized as one of the industry’s foremost strategic brand-building experts, he has over 20 years of experience in the orthodontic industry, contributing to Ormco’s leadership in self-ligation, continuing education events, and technology innovation for nearly a decade. Oliver has a passion for the orthodontic specialty, leveraging his zeal for data & analytics and business acumen to lecture worldwide on many of the core concepts that prompted the creation of OrthoFi. Oliver graduated from Georgetown University’s Foreign Service Program with a focus on international business and lives in Southern California with his family.

Chris Bentson

Chris Bentson has been working with orthodontists regarding the business aspects of their practices for over thirty-five years. He is the founder of Bentson Copple Patterson & Associates. He spends much of his time working within the orthodontic industry. He joined the AAOF Board in 2016 and served as AAOF President in 2023-2024. He was awarded the 2022 “Outstanding Contribution to the Specialty Award” by a non-orthodontist from the AAO. Chris is also a guest lecturer in the Wharton Business School’s AAO Partnership course: “Mastering the Business of Orthodontics” covering “Practice Level Financial Management" and "Financial Acumen and Practice Transition Planning". Chris is a frequent presenter at AAO sponsored meetings and is a contributor to national orthodontic periodicals and journals.

Friday, October 24 Schedule

8:00 AM - 9:00 AMBreakfast

9:00 AM - 10:00 AMMetrics that Matter: Trends Shaping the Ortho Industry

Chris Bentson - Bentson Copple & Associates

10:00 AM - 11:00 AMThe Growth Blueprint: Laying the Framework for Long-Term Success

Jill Allen- JA&A

11:00 AM - 11:30 AMYour Success Roadmap: Goals to Guide, Milestones to Motivate

Jill Allen - JA&A

11:30 AM - 12:15 PMKnow to Grow: Using Data to Assess, Align and Advance

OrthoFi Team

12:15 PM - 1:15 PMLunch

1:15 PM - 2:30 PMStaffing – How, When, and Who to Hire

Jill Allen - JA&A

2:30 PM - 4:00 PMFueling the Climb: Cashflow, Growth, and Seizing Opportunities

Oliver Gelles - OrthoFi

6:00 PM - 9:00 PMDinners

Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center

Just 15 minutes from the Denver International Airport, the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center is an incredible destination offering a perfect blend of luxury, adventure, and relaxation. Located just outside Denver, this stunning resort boasts breathtaking mountain views, a massive indoor and outdoor water park, a world-class spa, and multiple dining options.