Hidden Gems: Meet Dr. Jeffrey Lenius of Lenius Orthodontics

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Jeffrey Lenius.

Hi, Dr. Lenius. We appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m originally from Reinbeck, Iowa, a small town in Northeast Iowa. Ever since I can remember, it was my childhood dream to attend the University of Iowa and become a Hawkeye. Like most college students, I learned there was more to the university experience than Saturday football games. During my time in Iowa City, I found my passion for dentistry and met my future wife, Melanie. We both earned our doctorates at the University of Iowa, mine in dentistry and hers in medicine. We had a lot of study dates at the library!

Following dental school, I moved to Colorado for my orthodontic specialty training. I met many great friends and instructors in Denver, leading to a network of colleagues nationwide. I completed a rigorous 30-month program in orthodontics and was honored to receive the Top Resident Award for finishing first in my residency class. Following graduation, I moved to St. Louis, where Melanie was pursuing her study of Medicine at Washington University.

St. Louis is one of the great cities of the Midwest, and we loved living there. I was blessed to start my career working at Bankhead Orthodontics, a large private orthodontics group with six offices across St. Louis. Treating patients at multiple locations allowed me to see thousands of patients with various orthodontic needs. I’ve always been fascinated by the technology side of orthodontics and appreciate the excellence that can be achieved by combining technology with tried-and-true orthodontic fundamentals. I am passionate about clear aligner systems like Invisalign® and the benefits of digital 3D treatment planning. Through countless continuing education courses and a commitment to advancing my skill set, I became a Top 1% provider of Invisalign® in the country.

We moved to Kansas City in 2019 to be closer to family and enjoy this great city’s benefits. Kansas City offers the big city amenities with a small-town feel – the fabulous food and major sports teams, but it’s also a city where you can get to know people and feel like part of a community. I decided to open Lenius Orthodontics in Overland Park to be able to do what I love to do – treat patients of my community in a high-tech and modern office environment. Running into patients at school sporting events or the grocery store is so much fun. Usually, I get a big smile and a “Hey, Dr. Jeff!”

It wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Of course, everyone has challenges, but I focus on the positive. The new practice has been an amazing endeavor, but it has challenges, specifically the amount of time and energy it takes to run a small business. I’m still learning all the behind-the-scenes responsibilities of a small business owner. I’m working to balance these business demands with my personal life outside the office. They say that time is the most precious commodity, and I believe that now more than ever. I’ve been blessed with an amazing family and support system, and I want to be present for all their amazing milestones. Having two young children, I have great respect and empathy for the parents of my patients and the time commitments that being active in your child’s life entails. I’m constantly working to create harmony between the time and energy I dedicate to my professional work and the time allocated to my family, friends, and relationships outside the office.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’ve been practicing orthodontics for over a decade, and I’m improving every day. During my career, I’ve been recognized as a Top Orthodontist by St. Louis Magazine and KC Magazine, honors I am incredibly proud of as dental professionals in the community vote on them. In the spring of 2023, I opened Lenius Orthodontics in Overland Park. I wanted to build a practice that fit my vision of how I want to treat people in my community.

One of my latest professional adventures has been partnering my new practice with the Smiles Change Lives® program. I was fortunate to have braces as a teenager, and I know first-hand the benefits that a confident smile can give people. Research shows that when you feel confident, you smile more often, which creates improved relationships and leads to success. Smiles Change Lives is a national program started in Kansas City to help provide orthodontic treatment to underserved children and adolescents. Smiles Change Lives handles administrative needs, allowing orthodontists like myself to use their talents and focus on what we love doing – creating beautiful smiles!

Any big plans?
Opening the new office and being a small business owner has greatly changed our lives. I didn’t have any experience with an office design and build-out, so we recruited the nationally-recognized Hermanos Design to help with the process. This local architectural firm captured our vision and made it resonate beautifully across the space. I wanted the office to feel comfortable, almost like home, with plenty of space for parents to attend regular appointments. My focus has been on getting the new office open and running. It’s been a wonderful first few months. Moving forward, my attention is building the practice by continuing to provide outstanding service, getting more involved with the community, and creating beautiful smiles for my patients.

Pricing:

• First Consult is Complimentary

Contact Info:

• Website: https://LeniusOrtho.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leniusortho
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeniusOrtho/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lenius-orthodontics
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@leniusorthodontics