Orthotown Features Dr. Kevin Baharvand on Sustainable Growth Through Virtual Care
Orthotown has featured Dr. Kevin Baharvand in its January/February 2026 issue with a practice management article titled “Growing by control, not by chaos.” The article explores how orthodontic practices can scale thoughtfully by prioritizing efficiency, structure, and intentional systems rather than reactive expansion.
Written from firsthand clinical and operational experience, Dr. Baharvand’s article addresses a challenge many orthodontists face as their practices grow. Increased demand often leads to more chairs, more staff, higher overhead, and mounting stress. Instead of equating growth with complexity, the article makes the case for reclaiming control, particularly over time, which Dr. Baharvand identifies as the most valuable and limited resource in a modern orthodontic practice.
The article outlines the development of a practical, low-cost virtual care program implemented at Elate Orthodontics. Rather than relying on expensive hardware or subscription platforms, the system leverages tools already available in nearly every practice. Patients use their own smartphones and inexpensive cheek retractors to submit photos, which the clinical team reviews efficiently. Most virtual check-ins take minutes, yet provide sufficient detail to evaluate tracking, bite, and alignment progress.
According to Dr. Baharvand, the goal of virtual care was not to replace in-person visits, but to ensure that each in-office appointment has purpose. Routine visual checks that do not require chair time are handled virtually, allowing in-person visits to focus on education, refinements, and meaningful clinical decisions.
“Real growth happens when you gain control, not when you add layers of chaos,” said Dr. Baharvand. “Virtual care helped us protect the doctor’s time, improve patient compliance, and create a calmer, more predictable workflow for the entire team.”
The article also highlights key operational changes at Elate Orthodontics that support virtual care, including a Day 1 Protocol where patients receive all aligners and instructions upfront, structured weekly virtual review days, and systems that allow patients to step back aligners when needed. These adjustments have led to fewer unnecessary appointments, improved compliance, lower refinement rates, and reduced pressure to expand staff prematurely.
An additional benefit discussed is geographic flexibility. With a reliable virtual system in place, patients who relocate, attend college out of state, or travel frequently can continue treatment without interruption. Care continuity is no longer tied strictly to proximity.
Dr. Baharvand emphasizes that virtual care is not about technology for technology’s sake. It is about communication, consistency, and systems that respect both patient time and provider bandwidth. The approach offers a scalable path forward for practices seeking sustainable growth without sacrificing quality of care or professional balance.
About Orthotown
Orthotown is a leading professional community and publication dedicated to orthodontists worldwide. As part of Farran Media, Orthotown provides education, discussion forums, continuing education, and peer-driven content designed to support orthodontists at every stage of their careers.