Some of the best lessons in orthodontics don’t come from books or CE, they come from the people who take the time to show you how it’s done.
Geena Aceves has been in orthodontics for more than 23 years. She’s trained with some of the most respected names in the field, including Dr. Rich McLaughin and Dr. Paul Upatham. She is who Cassie aspired to be chairside. She’s led from the chair, built trust with hundreds of patients, and helped teach the next generation of assistants how to do it with skill, empathy, and heart.
In this episode, we talk about what it’s really like to learn ortho from the ground up. The awkward moments. The humbling ones. The wins you never forget. Geena shares what she’s learned about mentorship, clinical finesse, and why understanding the why behind what you do changes everything.
“All of us should know, we’re all getting paid to do a job. It doesn’t matter what we’re doing. Just get it done. From taking the trash out to helping with a CBCT to putting braces on. I will go clean a bathroom. I’m not too good for anything.”
We talk about:– Why watching someone great can shape your whole career– What helped her stay in it when the learning curve felt steep– The stories that remind her this work really matters– How to build trust with kids who are scared to even sit in the chair– What it means to be a great assistant, not just a good one
This one is full of real stories and packed with the kind of reminders we all need once in a while.
About Geena AcevesGeena Aceves is one of those people who makes everything work better just by being in the room. She’s been in orthodontics for over two decades and is known for her precision chairside, her calm under pressure, and her deep belief in the power of mentorship. She’s worked closely with Dr. Upatham and Dr. McLaughlin and brings a lifetime of experience to every patient, every appointment, and every teammate she supports. She’s the person you want next to you when you’re learning something new or doing something hard, and she’s a big reason I became the assistant I was back then. Her love for ortho runs deep, and it shows.
Episode Links & ResourcesListen on Apple, Spotify, or watch the episode on YouTubeConnect with Geena on InstagramLearn more about Liberty Station Orthodontics
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Tune in on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube, and if this episode sparked something for you, share it with a fellow ortho friend or teammate who needs to hear it. Subscribe to the show and leave a review. Want to bring this kind of energy into your practice? Visit DiscoverEverbloom.com
Episode Chapters00:00 Welcome and meet Geena00:52 Why she said no (at first)02:02 The orthodontist dream started in first grade04:57 Meeting Cassie and training under the OGs06:59 Mentorship, trust, and chairside finesse09:48 Advice for new assistants in ortho13:14 Why the 'why' matters so much16:10 Cross-training and getting humbled in X-ray18:35 Can you really retire chairside20:05 Her proudest moment with an anxious patient23:56 Building safety and trust in the clinic27:35 When a patient asked to have her birthday party at the practice30:29 The difference between good and great ortho assistants
Topics we explore in this episode include:orthodontic assistant mentorship, patient trust in orthodontics, chairside technique, ortho training programs, clinical team dynamics, building confidence in ortho, cross-training in practices, orthodontic career growth, pediatric patient care

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