Scaling Smarter: DSOs, DeNovos, and Diversifying as an Orthodontist

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Ben Fishbein — founder of Fishbein Orthodontics, multiple-time DeNovo opener, bagel store entrepreneur, and Smile Doctors partner — to break down one of the most misunderstood topics in orthodontics today: DSOs, OSOs, and what it really means to join one.

If you’ve ever said, “I’m not ready,” “I could never give up control,” or “I don’t need help,” this episode is for you. Ben was once a staunch no—until he actually had the conversation. Now, with multiple thriving practices, ownership in a national DSO, and an expanding local business portfolio, he shares what changed his mind—and why most orthodontists are asking the wrong questions entirely.

Whether you're exploring a potential sale, considering DeNovos, or just want to sharpen your vision, this episode will reframe how you think about your career path—and the opportunities right in front of you.

QUOTES

"The most frustrating thing to me is when someone says, ‘I’m not ready to talk yet.’ Why are you not ready to learn something that might be so good it changes your life?"

— Dr. Glenn Krieger

"I was a naysayer too. I told the Smile Doctors team, ‘There’s less than a 2% chance I do this.’ Then I listened—and it all started making sense."

— Dr. Ben Fishbein

Key Takeaways

• 04:50 – Why so many orthodontists dismiss DSOs without ever really hearing the facts
• 06:50 – “30 years in 7” — how Ben’s early hustle shaped his future faster
• 08:36 – Why listening to opportunities is part of your duty to your team
• 10:15 – Why selling a practice isn’t selling out—and how orthodontists misjudge entrepreneurship
• 15:12 – How partnering opened Ben’s eyes to investments he never considered before
• 16:48 – The surprisingly valuable business lessons from running a bagel shop
• 20:19 – Why Smile Doctors’ DeNovo model works—and how it’s redefining growth
• 24:18 – “Get the information. Don’t say no to something you don’t understand.”
• 25:37 – Ben’s biggest advice to younger orthodontists: “Just go for it.”

Additional Resources

 I’ve seen firsthand how running the numbers—really running them—has changed the trajectory of practices and lives.

Want to get in contact with Ben? https://amandafloydconsulting.com/fishbein-fundamentals 

This isn’t about selling out or giving up control. It’s about knowing your options, making smart financial moves, and understanding when an opportunity might never come back. If you’ve received an offer and aren’t sure whether to take it, DM me. I don’t get paid either way—but I’ve had this conversation hundreds of times and I’ll help you think it through.

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