Q&A Dr. John Graham

Dr. John Graham

How to Win Over the Most Demanding Patients in Orthodontics

Dr. John Graham is a dual-trained orthodontist and physician, internationally recognized for his work with complex aligner cases and high-expectation adult patients. Based in Salt Lake City, he balances private practice with a global teaching schedule and is the inventor of a miniscrew system used worldwide.

At OP Summit 2025, Dr. Graham unveils his High-Demand Playbook—a battle-tested system for managing expectations, mastering ClinCheck strategy, and delivering results that earn loyalty, referrals, and 5-star reviews. If you want to finish aligner cases stronger and stress-free, this is the session for you.

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Q: Dr. Graham, your practice is known for treating high-demand patients. What does that actually mean—and how did you end up specializing in that world?

A: "High-demand" doesn’t mean difficult—it means patients who are highly invested in their outcome. Many are professionals, public-facing individuals, or adults who are paying out of pocket and expect concierge-level care. They ask questions, they know what ClinCheck is, and they’re not shy about voicing concerns.

What drew me into that space is that I’ve always loved the challenge. These patients expect more—so I had to build systems that communicate better, deliver better, and finish better. The beauty is, once you’ve learned how to exceed their expectations, you’ve also created a practice that’s exceptional for every patient.

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Q: Your lecture at OP Summit is called “The High-Demand Playbook.” What exactly are you going to cover?

A: It’s really the framework I’ve built to consistently succeed with aligner cases for patients who are watching every detail. I’ll cover how to manage expectations up front—so patients don’t freak out when Tray 15 doesn’t look like the ClinCheck predicted. We’ll get into how I message attachment loss, treatment timing, and refinement—before those questions even come up.

On the clinical side, I’ll share case pearls—things like how I trim the final aligners to allow posterior teeth to settle, or how I manipulate staging in ClinCheck to avoid common finish issues. It’s a blend of patient psychology and precise biomechanics.

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Q: You mentioned communication. What’s the key to managing expectations with demanding patients?

A: Transparency, simplicity, and timing. You need to set expectations before the patient sets them for you. I explain that ClinCheck is a roadmap, not a prophecy. I tell patients early on: “Your case will evolve, and refinements are part of the plan—not a setback.” That reframing builds trust.

My team is trained to echo that messaging at every step. If an attachment falls off, we don’t say, “It’s no big deal.” We say, “Good news—it’s still moving because of the tray, and we’ll replace the attachment at your next visit.” That sounds small, but how you explain things is everything when the patient is hyper-aware.

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Q: What about the clinical side—what tricks or protocols help you finish aligner cases stronger?

A: I’ll show some of the little things I do that make a huge difference. For example, when a patient is nearing the end of treatment, I often trim the trays behind the molars to allow the back teeth to fully seat—this avoids posterior open bites, which are a common issue.

I’ll also share how I optimize attachments and staging in ClinCheck. There are default settings in the software that sound good in theory but don’t always work in the mouth. I’ve developed some very specific approaches to keep treatment on track and minimize refinements.

This session is full of actionable pearls—things you can take home and start doing on Monday.

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Q: Why is this talk important right now? What’s at stake for orthodontists who aren’t prepared to treat demanding patients well?

A: The future of ortho growth is in adult patients—and adult patients are, by nature, more demanding. If you don’t learn to meet and exceed those expectations, they’ll go elsewhere—or worse, they’ll stay and be unhappy. That creates stress for you, your team, and your brand.

But if you master this, you unlock the most loyal, grateful patients you’ll ever have. These are people who refer, rave, and become ambassadors for your practice. You just have to learn the playbook—and that’s what I’m bringing to OP Summit.

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Q: Any final thoughts for doctors who might be intimidated by complex aligner cases or high-maintenance patients?

A: First—don’t be intimidated. With the right tools and mindset, these become your best cases and your most rewarding relationships. My goal is to demystify the process and give you the confidence to say, “I’ve got this.”

I’ve made the mistakes. I’ve learned the hard lessons. You don’t have to. Come to this session ready to upgrade how you plan, communicate, and finish—especially with the patients who demand your best.

Own the high-demand game.

Join Dr. John Graham live at OP Summit 2025 in Las Vegas.

🎟 Use promo code GRAHAM200 to save $200 on registration.

These are the patients who grow your practice. Learn how to win them.