The Illuminate Orthodontic Podcast: Shining a Light on Orthodontist Innovators

Dr. Sean Holliday is an innovative orthodontist based in Honolulu, Hawaii, known for advancing digital orthodontics and scalable systems-driven care at Holliday Orthodontics.  Through his clinical leadership and educational platform OrthoMasterClass, Sean helps orthodontists refine digital workflows, improve treatment outcomes, and elevate team culture through authentic leadership with Aloha.On this episode, you will discover:How embracing change and adaptability can unlock new opportunities in orthodontic practice—especially in competitive marketsSean’s “ClinCheck Ninja” approach to clear aligner efficiency and digital treatment planningLeadership strategies for multi-doctor orthodontic practices that maintain culture, collaboration, and calibrationHow Ortho Masterclass is supporting orthodontists in strengthening digital skills, improving systems, and sustaining work-life balanceHow participation in professional communities like The Schulman Group can shape growth, mentorship, and long-term successRecorded April 26, 2025 at the AAO Annual Session in Philadelphia, PA. Outtakes from Coastal Creative Studios in St. Petersburg, FL on March 1, 2025.Generous support for this podcast comes from The Aligner Intensive Fellowship and Grin.Illuminate Spotlight:  Tiny Changes Recycling Program by MASOMusical Tributes:‘Feels So Good’ by Chuck Mangione‘Hawaii Five-O Theme’ by Morton Stevens‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’ by Israel KamakawiwoʻoleJoin the community of forward-thinking orthodontists and catch up on every episode at illuminateorthopodcast.com — where innovation meets inspiration.The Illuminate Orthodontic Podcast explores cutting-edge orthodontics and dentistry, offering orthodontists insights on innovation, patient care, custom braces, Invisalign & aligners, and 3D printing — while spotlighting leadership, practice growth, work-life balance, and the business of running a thriving orthodontic practice with creativity and entrepreneurship.

Dr. Christian Groth is a Detroit-area orthodontist and innovator helping lead the charge in digital orthodontics. As co-founder of Motor City Lab Works, he’s made waves in 3D printing, aligner therapy, and lab–practice integration — all while maintaining an independent approach to innovation.On this episode, you will discover:How a forward-thinking group practice model shaped Christian’s approach to “high tech, high touch” careThe origin story and scaling of Motor City Lab Works — from one printer to an advanced digital orthodontic labWhy breaking free from aligner brand dependency gives orthodontists more flexibility in patient treatmentA proven protocol for treating deep-bite cases with aligners using Solventum's Force vs. Flex plasticsThe promise and limitations of direct 3D printed aligners — plus what the AAO’s C-TECH Committee is watching nextRecorded April 26, 2025 at the AAO Annual Session in Philadelphia, PA.Generous support for this podcast comes from Grin and KLOwen Ortho.Illuminate Spotlight: THE Aligner Intensive FellowshipMusical Tributes:‘I Can’t Help It’ by Michael Jackson‘Double Vision’ by Foreigner‘Ghostbusters’ by Ray Parker Jr.Join the community of forward-thinking orthodontists and catch up on every episode at illuminateorthopodcast.com — where innovation meets inspiration.The Illuminate Orthodontic Podcast explores cutting-edge orthodontics and dentistry, offering orthodontists insights on innovation, patient care, custom braces, Invisalign & aligners, and 3D printing — while spotlighting leadership, practice growth, work-life balance, and the business of running a thriving orthodontic practice with creativity and entrepreneurship.

Dr. Geoff Sudit is an orthodontist and true innovator practicing in Minneapolis, MN. Alongside his wife Liz, Geoff co-founded Bright Referral and Retain, two orthodontic platforms that are transforming how practices approach referrals and post-treatment care. At Mint Orthodontics, Geoff has embraced custom braces, remote monitoring, and a patient-first design philosophy — reimagining the orthodontic experience from the ground up.On this episode, you will discover:How to design an orthodontic practice around the patient experience by eliminating common pain pointsStrategies for integrating LightForce and DentalMonitoring to streamline visits and reduce in-office chairtimeHow Bright Referral can help orthodontists capture lost referrals and grow during challenging market conditionsWays to turn post-treatment retention into a predictable revenue stream through RetainLessons from Geoff’s entrepreneurial journey that can inspire your own orthodontic innovationsRecorded April 25, 2025 at the AAO Annual Session in Philadelphia, PA.Generous support for this podcast comes from KLOwen Ortho and Orthodontic Pearls.Illuminate Spotlight: OrthoMasterClassMusical Tributes:'The Good, the Bad and the Ugly' by Ennio Morricone'Temptation Sensation' (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia theme) by Heinz KiesslingJoin the community of forward-thinking orthodontists and catch up on every episode at illuminateorthopodcast.com — where innovation meets inspiration.The Illuminate Orthodontic Podcast explores cutting-edge orthodontics and dentistry, offering orthodontists insights on innovation, patient care, custom braces, Invisalign & aligners, and 3D printing — while spotlighting leadership, practice growth, work-life balance, and the business of running a thriving orthodontic practice with creativity and entrepreneurship.

Dr. Cosmo Haralambidis is a Rhode Island-based orthodontist, educator, and the creator of the Synapse Dental Pain Eraser — a non-pharmacologic innovation helping orthodontists manage patient discomfort more effectively. Guided by his Greek heritage and the Hellenistic values of compassion and service, Cosmo was honored with the 2023 AAO Innovator Award for his contributions to advancing orthodontic care.On this episode, you will discover:How his experience in treating orofacial pain led to the development of a breakthrough orthodontic productHow mentorship and product testing can sharpen your skills as an orthodontic innovatorPractical tips for orthodontists interested in launching their own product or inventionWays to enhance the patient experience through non-pharmacologic pain managementHow compassionate, mission-driven care can shape both your clinical approach and brand identityRecorded January 24, 2025 at the AAO | AAPD Winter Conference in Marco Island, FL.Generous support for this podcast comes from KLOwen Ortho and The Journal of Clinical Orthodontics (JCO).Illuminate Spotlight - CORE from the AAOFIlluminate Exclusives: Journal of Clinical Orthodontics (JCO)10% off a new subscription to the JCOPromo code: PODMusical Tribute: ‘Black Coffee’ by Sonny BurkeJoin the community of forward-thinking orthodontists and catch up on every episode at illuminateorthopodcast.com — where innovation meets inspiration.The Illuminate Orthodontic Podcast explores cutting-edge orthodontics and dentistry, offering orthodontists insights on innovation, patient care, custom braces, Invisalign & aligners, and 3D printing — while spotlighting leadership, practice growth, work-life balance, and the business of running a thriving orthodontic practice with creativity and entrepreneurship.

Dr. Clarke Stevens is an innovative orthodontist from Omaha, Nebraska, and the creator of WildSmiles Braces.  Clarke turned a creative spark into a patented bracket system that blends treatment with self-expression—and most recently collaborated with Disney. His career reflects a unique intersection of clinical excellence, entrepreneurial spirit, and imaginative leadership.On this episode, you will discover:How Clarke built a fun, patient-centered orthodontic practice from the ground upThe origin story behind WildSmiles Braces and how a young patient’s necklace sparked the ideaClarke’s advice for aspiring orthodontist inventors navigating patents, prototypes, and product developmentThe unexpected chain of events that helped secure a Disney licensing dealHow OrthoVoice laid the groundwork for many of today’s orthodontic meetingsRecorded January 24, 2025 at the AAO | AAPD Winter Conference in Marco Island, FL.Generous support for this podcast comes from Solventum and LightForce Orthodontics.Illuminate Spotlight – Synapse Dental Pain EraserMusical Tribute:  ‘Tea for Two' by Vincent YoumansJoin the community of forward-thinking orthodontists and catch up on every episode at illuminateorthopodcast.com — where innovation meets inspiration.The Illuminate Orthodontic Podcast explores cutting-edge orthodontics and dentistry, offering orthodontists insights on innovation, patient care, custom braces, Invisalign & aligners, and 3D printing — while spotlighting leadership, practice growth, work-life balance, and the business of running a thriving orthodontic practice with creativity and entrepreneurship.