The DOC Podcast

Episode Summary

Dr. Trevor Nichols returns to The Doc Podcast for his second appearance, and a lot has changed. Since opening Nichols Orthodontics and Aesthetics in Gilbert, Arizona, in August 2024, Trevor has grown from a two-person operation to a team of 20, with a waitlist. In this rich conversation, Dr. Mike and Dr. Nichols cover the full journey: the leap from corporate/DSO orthodontics to private practice ownership, the vision and systems that fuel their growth, the personal wellness habits that keep them grounded, and, most passionately, the case for early airway-focused, craniofacial orthodontic treatment. This episode is a must-listen for any orthodontist, dentist, or healthcare professional who wants to treat the whole patient, not just the teeth.

Timestamps

3:29 — Welcome back: Dr. Nichols returns to the show after ~2 years
4:33 — "Probably the best two years of my life" — Dr. Nichols reflects on opening his practice
5:27 — Starting with just two people, leasing space from a general dentist
6:29 — "Fight for your dreams" — the case for private practice ownership
6:53 — Why private practice better protects patients and the profession vs. corporate/DSO models
22:03 — Building the vision: how to define what orthodontics truly fulfills you
23:29 — "Do a true audit of what in orthodontics brings you happiness"
29:34 — The three pillars of Nichols Orthodontics: patient experience, culture, and results
40:24 — Why Dr. Nichols hired a CEO (formerly at Crumbl Cookies) to run the business side
50:44 — Balancing plates: weekly date nights, gratitude practices, and intentional reflection
57:32 — Shifting to the clinical: why diagnosis is what separates orthodontists from OTC aligners
1:00:57 — "We're not just orthodontists — we're craniofacial orthopedists"
1:02:58 — "I don't really care about the teeth right now" — diagnosing profile, growth, and airway first
1:11:06 — Treating 3- and 4-year-olds: when early intervention is warranted and how to screen for it
1:17:44 — 45% of Nichols Orthodontics' practice is now airway-focused treatment
1:27:43 — The key to phase one braces success: bond ALL the primary teeth + disarticulate
1:29:00 — The tongue as nature's expander: ~400g of force at swallow — why we don't need more
1:37:18 — "Early adopters take the most scrutiny — and then we find out they were right all along"

LINKS
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What is The DOC Podcast?

The DOC Podcast brings you unique educational content taught by Dr. Mike DeLuke, a Board Certified Orthodontist with over 20 years of clinical and academic experience. Dr. DeLuke built his orthodontic practice from scratch in the early 2000s and grew it into a multimillion-dollar enterprise in less than 10 years. He was able to retire from his private practice at the age of 46 years old, and now devotes his energy to teaching his colleagues how to succeed both personally and professionally. He also provides locum tenens coverage for colleagues in South Florida.

Dr. DeLuke has served as a faculty member at numerous hospitals and orthodontic residency programs around the country, including as the cleft craniofacial orthodontist at Albany Medical Center in New York, and as a clinical professor at The University of Connecticut in the Department of Orthodontics. He is presently an adjunct professor in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at Healthcare Network and a Visiting Professor in the Department of Orthodontics at Montefiore Einstein Hospital in the Bronx.

The DOC Podcast will bring you in-depth discussions and interviews with industry leaders and experts on a variety of topics, including clinical excellence, practice management, finance and wealth creation, health and wellness, taxes and accounting, fitness, and much more!