November 28, 2025 • 11 mins
Think orthodontics starts when the last baby tooth leaves? We dig into the earlier, smarter path with Dr. Mohammed Abdulateef of One Orthodontics, revealing how a simple age-seven check can prevent extractions, shorten treatment, and even reduce the chance of jaw surgery. This is a story of a first-day dental school friendship that became a Fredericksburg practice grounded in community, clarity, and care.
We walk through what a first visit really looks like: quick digital scans, a focused x-ray, and a thoughtful conversation that often ends with a yearly recall instead of treatment. When Phase I care makes sense, it is precise and practical—creating space for incoming teeth, guiding jaw growth, and setting up a healthier bite so teen braces or aligners are easier and faster. Dr. Mohammed explains how personalized plans for kids, teens, and adults—braces, Invisalign, retainers—keep comfort and outcomes front and center.
Beyond clinical steps, we talk about confidence. Patients who once hid their smile begin to enjoy photos, laugh with friends, and feel at ease. That transformation fuels the team’s mission and reflects the warmth of Fredericksburg’s small business community, which welcomed One Orthodontics from day one. Dr. Mohammed also shares grounded advice for new founders: be patient, move steadily, and celebrate small wins. If you’ve wondered when to schedule that first orthodontic visit—or whether aligners are right for you—this conversation offers clear guidance and local insight.
If you enjoy conversations that blend practical health tips with real community stories, follow the show, share it with a neighbor, and leave a quick review. Your feedback helps more listeners find trusted local care and uplifting stories.
Dr. Mohammed Abdulateef
One Orthodontics
Info@1-orthodontics.com
+1 826-204-2204
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker (00:01):
This is the Fredericksburg Neighbors
Podcast, the place where localbusinesses and neighbors come
together.
Here's your host, Dori Stewart.
Speaker 1 (00:12):
Welcome back to another episode of the FXBG
Neighbors Podcast, where weshare the stories of our
favorite local brands.
I'm excited to introduce you tomy guest today.
We have Dr. Mohammed Abdulateefjoining us, and he is with One
Orthodonics.
Welcome to the podcast.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Thank you.
Thank you for having me, Dori.
Thank you.
And good morning.
Speaker 1 (00:32):
Yeah.
Oh, well, I'm excited to diveinto this and learn all about
you and One Orthodonics.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
Yeah, yeah.
Um, it's a new orthodonticoffice in the area, and it's
basically like what the namesounds like.
It's all about ortho.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
Amazing, amazing.
So share with us a little bitabout you.
I want to learn about yourjourney and what led you to
opening this new business inFredericksburg.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
Yeah, uh, so my name is Dr. Mohammed Abdulateef.
I go by Dr. Mo.
I'm a board certifiedorthodontist.
Um, this whole idea aboutopening an office is stemmed
with me and my best friend, Dr.
Bisher Osman.
Um, he's not here with ustoday.
Uh, but uh we basically what wemet uh in the first day on
dental school and we shared ourpassion about creating smiles
(01:18):
and we were just likechit-chatting, and then we
figured out like we both want togo back to Virginia, like once
we're done.
Uh we talked about orthodonticsand also we both wanted to be
an orthodontist.
So that's how the whole ideastemmed out like probably six,
seven years ago about opening apractice in Virginia and
specifically in Fredericksburgarea.
Um, so now that the dream istrue.
(01:40):
Uh, we just opened likeprobably three, four weeks ago,
accepting patients, offeringstrictly orthodontic treatment
to our patients and theirfamilies.
Uh, Invisalign braces anythingon the menu uh to all the ages
of patients.
Speaker 1 (01:54):
Amazing, amazing.
Well, congratulations on yournew opening.
That is really exciting.
Speaker 2 (02:01):
It is, it is.
Speaker 1 (02:02):
So tell me, do you find that there are any myths or
misconceptions about yourbusiness specifically or about
the industry?
Speaker 2 (02:11):
Oh, uh actually, this is a very good question when it
comes to orthodontics, becauseone of the biggest myths out
there about orthodontics is thatyou don't need to see an
orthodontist or even get anorthodontic consult until like
the you lose all of your babyteeth when it comes to
teenagers, basically.
Um, and this is like far fromtruth because based on the
American Academy of Orthodonics,every kid ideally needs to be
(02:35):
seen around the age of seven,just like for a consult, because
sometimes doing earlyinterventions can help basically
just like avoid bigger problemsin futures.
Like sometimes we can avoiddoing surgeries or even taking
teeth out.
Um, so doing what we call itphase one of treatment between
the age of seven to ten isbasically geared toward creating
more space, avoiding teeth, butalso uh simulate uh the jaw
(02:59):
growth, which can be like a verygood foundation for the future
uh health and uh and smile.
Speaker 1 (03:05):
I'm really grad that you brought that up because I I
imagine a lot of parents wonderabout that.
And you know, maybe you kind ofwait until you visually see an
issue, but perhaps if you get inthere a little bit earlier, it
could do a lot of good.
Speaker 2 (03:21):
100%.
And that's what we we get a lotof from our referring dentists,
like when they want to send aparent and be like, oh, just go
see an orthodontist around theage of eight.
Um, the patients are like, ohno, it's still too early.
But sometimes just we take anx-ray or we just have a quick
peek.
Literally, the appointmenttakes like 10 to 15 minutes,
just like to see if there'sanything need to be addressed.
Majority of the times we don'tend up doing anything, we just
(03:43):
like we put them on somethingcalled a recall and we see them
every year to avoid uh futureproblems.
Speaker 1 (03:49):
Very interesting.
Thank you for sharing that.
So, uh a personal question.
You're very busy.
Uh just open your business.
So I know that takes a ton ofwork and very long hours.
But when you're not working,what are you doing for fun?
Speaker 2 (04:05):
Yeah, I mean, outside of work, like I'm a very
sports-geared person.
Like, I would like to have uh asports activity scheduled every
day after work, actually, orsometimes even before uh getting
into work.
So it's either it could be likeuh playing soccer, tennis,
boxing, crossfit, go on a rideon my bike.
So I just like enjoy doing allof these things, basically.
(04:28):
Um the other thing that I wouldlike always to do is just like
to explore restaurants, goaround the new areas, new
cuisines.
Um, and the last thing that Ireally love doing is attend
comedy shows.
It's just like it's like reallyrelaxed, charged, like that
laugh it brings me back, I feel.
Speaker 1 (04:47):
That's awesome.
That's awesome.
It's uh some stress reliefthere too.
Speaker 2 (04:52):
Yeah, it is actually.
Speaker 1 (04:54):
What are some things that you're loving about um
about the Fredericksburg areaand and opening your business
here?
Speaker 2 (05:01):
Yeah, I mean, like one of the main things that I've
noticed just like by being atFredericksburg, meeting the
people is how friendly everyoneis.
Um, literally, like we havepeople just like stop by from
the neighboring like smallbusinesses.
They would stop by and they'dbe like, hey, welcome to the
area.
If you need any help, theyshared their contact with us.
Um, some people they just cameand toured the office and they
(05:23):
just and they wished us like agood luck, which is something we
really, really appreciatenowadays.
Speaker 1 (05:29):
Yeah, yeah.
Fredericksburg has such afriendly business atmosphere.
I really love it.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
Yeah, it's amazing.
Speaker 1 (05:37):
Yeah, yeah.
So, what is something that youwish the listeners knew about
One Orthodonics?
Speaker 2 (05:44):
Yeah, so uh One Orthodonics is basically a local
small business that is foundedby two best friends who met on
day one in dental school again.
Um, we focus mainly onpatients' care.
Um, we are geared towards likehaving a welcoming environment.
Uh, every patient, like, I wantthem like to be treated fairly.
They want to, we want to spendsome time with them.
(06:06):
Um, we want to give them atreatment plan that is basically
tailored to their orthodonticneeds.
Um, so basically, this is whatwe do.
Basically, we give our patientslike uh complementary
consultations at no cost.
We'll take scans, we will takex-rays, we will do a thorough
exam, take some notes as well,and then we will come up like
(06:26):
with a game plan that's gonnafit their needs.
Um, also, like oneorthodontics, we see patients at
seven, just like we mentioned,but also uh we see adults and we
offer them like Invisalign,braces, retainers, and all of
these kind of things as well.
Speaker 1 (06:43):
Yeah, amazing.
I love that.
And so it's been a lot of hardwork, I imagine, opening your
new business.
And if someone came to you andasked you for some advice and
you know, wanted to chase theirdream and open a business, what
advice would you give them?
Speaker 2 (07:00):
Yeah, I mean, opening a new business is a tough
journey, like for the most part,it's not easy.
Um, so what I would say is justlike be patient uh and
celebrate and enjoy the smallwins.
This is one of the mostimportant things.
Um, but also I would recommendthat uh just like take it slow,
just be patient as much as youcan.
(07:21):
This is like because we are nowlike in a fast world,
everything needs to be done likeimmediately, and you want to
see results, but that usuallydoesn't happen with the small
businesses.
And just like by seeing yourbusiness grow a little bit, but
at the same time, you providecare to your patients and to the
community, it's it feels likereally rewarding and like you're
actually achieving something.
Speaker 1 (07:41):
That's really great advice.
I love that you said celebratethe small wins.
Sometimes we forget that, andwe just get so busy with you
know doing the next thing, weforget to celebrate.
So I love that you said that.
Speaker 2 (07:54):
Yeah, I feel like this is like every time I go,
like I'm done with my day, Ijust like reflect on the small
things that happened throughoutthe day that made me feel like,
okay, I'm doing the right thing.
So it's just like it feels likeif you will for the next day to
do the same thing over and overagain, and uh until like we get
uh to the end goal, which islike making our community and
(08:15):
patients happy.
Speaker 1 (08:16):
Yeah, yeah.
You're clearly communityfocused.
I love it.
What do you love most aboutwhat you do?
Speaker 2 (08:23):
Um, so an orthodontics is just like the
most important thing, and that'swhat me and Dr.
Osman, like when we weretalking about like even like
when we were in orthodonticresidency, is like we built a
long-lasting relationship withour patients.
It's just like you see themgrow, develop the personalities,
and also you'll see, like,although like the like their
smile is changing, but also youcan see like the it's uh the
(08:47):
self-esteem and the personalityis changing as well.
So it's like sometimes it'smind-blowing.
Like when they walk in into theconsole visit, they're shy or
like they're not willing toshare.
But like one year into thetreatment, like we become
friends, and I know a little bitmore about like their schools,
their friends, now about liketheir activities.
So this is one of the mostimportant things about uh and
(09:08):
rewarding when it comes toorthodontics.
But on top of that, obviously,it's just like um providing
service to the patient.
Some patients may walk in likewith some kind of pain, or they
don't like their smile, or likesome some jaw discrepancy.
So just like take that painaway or help like give them the
confidence boost they need isalso like very rewarding.
(09:30):
And it pays like it makes itfeel everything is is is
amazing.
Speaker 1 (09:34):
Yeah, yeah.
I imagine that's such a coolexperience.
Seeing someone walk in, andwhen they leave a year or so
later, seeing their their bigsmile and their confidence,
that's just really cool.
Speaker 2 (09:48):
Yeah, and then the biggest thing is when you show
them their before and afterpictures, and they were oh my,
they totally forgot like how itlooked.
And a lot of them they startsharing even more stories.
It was like, Yeah, I didn'twant to smile before, I didn't
want to even take photos, butnow I really enjoy it.
I like to hang out with friendsand do it.
So like you feel like you'redoing something.
Speaker 1 (10:08):
Yeah, that's really cool.
Speaker 2 (10:10):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (10:10):
So if the listeners want to learn more from you,
want to connect with you, wantto come visit you, where can
they find you?
Speaker 2 (10:17):
Yeah, um, so we are in a Fredericksburg area.
Uh, they can call us, uh, emailus, schedule their appointments
online for complimentaryconsultations.
We're located at 139 uh PatriotHighway, Fredericksburg.
Uh they want to just likeinquire, give us a call, just
like if they have any questions,but also if they are willing to
(10:37):
stop by, tour the office, we'remore than happy.
We're very welcomingenvironment.
Uh, we welcome everyone.
We can show them how we dothings differently, and
hopefully we can uh bring thatto this area.
Speaker 1 (10:49):
Amazing.
Dr.
Mo, thank you so much forjoining me on the podcast today
and sharing one orthodontics.
Speaker 2 (10:56):
Thank you.
We really appreciate you comingto us and helping us like uh
introduce ourselves to thebusiness and best of luck to you
too.
Speaker (11:03):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (11:04):
Thank you so much.
Speaker (11:06):
Thank you for listening to the Fredericksburg Neighbors
Podcast.
To nominate your favorite localbusinesses to be featured on
the show, go to FXBGNeighborsPodcast.com.
This is the Fredericksburg Neighbors
Podcast, the place where localbusinesses and neighbors come
together.
Here's your host, Dori Stewart.
Speaker 1 (00:12):
Welcome back to another episode of the FXBG
Neighbors Podcast, where weshare the stories of our
favorite local brands.
I'm excited to introduce you tomy guest today.
We have Dr. Mohammed Abdulateefjoining us, and he is with One
Orthodonics.
Welcome to the podcast.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Thank you.
Thank you for having me, Dori.
Thank you.
And good morning.
Speaker 1 (00:32):
Yeah.
Oh, well, I'm excited to diveinto this and learn all about
you and One Orthodonics.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
Yeah, yeah.
Um, it's a new orthodonticoffice in the area, and it's
basically like what the namesounds like.
It's all about ortho.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
Amazing, amazing.
So share with us a little bitabout you.
I want to learn about yourjourney and what led you to
opening this new business inFredericksburg.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
Yeah, uh, so my name is Dr. Mohammed Abdulateef.
I go by Dr. Mo.
I'm a board certifiedorthodontist.
Um, this whole idea aboutopening an office is stemmed
with me and my best friend, Dr.
Bisher Osman.
Um, he's not here with ustoday.
Uh, but uh we basically what wemet uh in the first day on
dental school and we shared ourpassion about creating smiles
(01:18):
and we were just likechit-chatting, and then we
figured out like we both want togo back to Virginia, like once
we're done.
Uh we talked about orthodonticsand also we both wanted to be
an orthodontist.
So that's how the whole ideastemmed out like probably six,
seven years ago about opening apractice in Virginia and
specifically in Fredericksburgarea.
Um, so now that the dream istrue.
(01:40):
Uh, we just opened likeprobably three, four weeks ago,
accepting patients, offeringstrictly orthodontic treatment
to our patients and theirfamilies.
Uh, Invisalign braces anythingon the menu uh to all the ages
of patients.
Speaker 1 (01:54):
Amazing, amazing.
Well, congratulations on yournew opening.
That is really exciting.
Speaker 2 (02:01):
It is, it is.
Speaker 1 (02:02):
So tell me, do you find that there are any myths or
misconceptions about yourbusiness specifically or about
the industry?
Speaker 2 (02:11):
Oh, uh actually, this is a very good question when it
comes to orthodontics, becauseone of the biggest myths out
there about orthodontics is thatyou don't need to see an
orthodontist or even get anorthodontic consult until like
the you lose all of your babyteeth when it comes to
teenagers, basically.
Um, and this is like far fromtruth because based on the
American Academy of Orthodonics,every kid ideally needs to be
(02:35):
seen around the age of seven,just like for a consult, because
sometimes doing earlyinterventions can help basically
just like avoid bigger problemsin futures.
Like sometimes we can avoiddoing surgeries or even taking
teeth out.
Um, so doing what we call itphase one of treatment between
the age of seven to ten isbasically geared toward creating
more space, avoiding teeth, butalso uh simulate uh the jaw
(02:59):
growth, which can be like a verygood foundation for the future
uh health and uh and smile.
Speaker 1 (03:05):
I'm really grad that you brought that up because I I
imagine a lot of parents wonderabout that.
And you know, maybe you kind ofwait until you visually see an
issue, but perhaps if you get inthere a little bit earlier, it
could do a lot of good.
Speaker 2 (03:21):
100%.
And that's what we we get a lotof from our referring dentists,
like when they want to send aparent and be like, oh, just go
see an orthodontist around theage of eight.
Um, the patients are like, ohno, it's still too early.
But sometimes just we take anx-ray or we just have a quick
peek.
Literally, the appointmenttakes like 10 to 15 minutes,
just like to see if there'sanything need to be addressed.
Majority of the times we don'tend up doing anything, we just
(03:43):
like we put them on somethingcalled a recall and we see them
every year to avoid uh futureproblems.
Speaker 1 (03:49):
Very interesting.
Thank you for sharing that.
So, uh a personal question.
You're very busy.
Uh just open your business.
So I know that takes a ton ofwork and very long hours.
But when you're not working,what are you doing for fun?
Speaker 2 (04:05):
Yeah, I mean, outside of work, like I'm a very
sports-geared person.
Like, I would like to have uh asports activity scheduled every
day after work, actually, orsometimes even before uh getting
into work.
So it's either it could be likeuh playing soccer, tennis,
boxing, crossfit, go on a rideon my bike.
So I just like enjoy doing allof these things, basically.
(04:28):
Um the other thing that I wouldlike always to do is just like
to explore restaurants, goaround the new areas, new
cuisines.
Um, and the last thing that Ireally love doing is attend
comedy shows.
It's just like it's like reallyrelaxed, charged, like that
laugh it brings me back, I feel.
Speaker 1 (04:47):
That's awesome.
That's awesome.
It's uh some stress reliefthere too.
Speaker 2 (04:52):
Yeah, it is actually.
Speaker 1 (04:54):
What are some things that you're loving about um
about the Fredericksburg areaand and opening your business
here?
Speaker 2 (05:01):
Yeah, I mean, like one of the main things that I've
noticed just like by being atFredericksburg, meeting the
people is how friendly everyoneis.
Um, literally, like we havepeople just like stop by from
the neighboring like smallbusinesses.
They would stop by and they'dbe like, hey, welcome to the
area.
If you need any help, theyshared their contact with us.
Um, some people they just cameand toured the office and they
(05:23):
just and they wished us like agood luck, which is something we
really, really appreciatenowadays.
Speaker 1 (05:29):
Yeah, yeah.
Fredericksburg has such afriendly business atmosphere.
I really love it.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
Yeah, it's amazing.
Speaker 1 (05:37):
Yeah, yeah.
So, what is something that youwish the listeners knew about
One Orthodonics?
Speaker 2 (05:44):
Yeah, so uh One Orthodonics is basically a local
small business that is foundedby two best friends who met on
day one in dental school again.
Um, we focus mainly onpatients' care.
Um, we are geared towards likehaving a welcoming environment.
Uh, every patient, like, I wantthem like to be treated fairly.
They want to, we want to spendsome time with them.
(06:06):
Um, we want to give them atreatment plan that is basically
tailored to their orthodonticneeds.
Um, so basically, this is whatwe do.
Basically, we give our patientslike uh complementary
consultations at no cost.
We'll take scans, we will takex-rays, we will do a thorough
exam, take some notes as well,and then we will come up like
(06:26):
with a game plan that's gonnafit their needs.
Um, also, like oneorthodontics, we see patients at
seven, just like we mentioned,but also uh we see adults and we
offer them like Invisalign,braces, retainers, and all of
these kind of things as well.
Speaker 1 (06:43):
Yeah, amazing.
I love that.
And so it's been a lot of hardwork, I imagine, opening your
new business.
And if someone came to you andasked you for some advice and
you know, wanted to chase theirdream and open a business, what
advice would you give them?
Speaker 2 (07:00):
Yeah, I mean, opening a new business is a tough
journey, like for the most part,it's not easy.
Um, so what I would say is justlike be patient uh and
celebrate and enjoy the smallwins.
This is one of the mostimportant things.
Um, but also I would recommendthat uh just like take it slow,
just be patient as much as youcan.
(07:21):
This is like because we are nowlike in a fast world,
everything needs to be done likeimmediately, and you want to
see results, but that usuallydoesn't happen with the small
businesses.
And just like by seeing yourbusiness grow a little bit, but
at the same time, you providecare to your patients and to the
community, it's it feels likereally rewarding and like you're
actually achieving something.
Speaker 1 (07:41):
That's really great advice.
I love that you said celebratethe small wins.
Sometimes we forget that, andwe just get so busy with you
know doing the next thing, weforget to celebrate.
So I love that you said that.
Speaker 2 (07:54):
Yeah, I feel like this is like every time I go,
like I'm done with my day, Ijust like reflect on the small
things that happened throughoutthe day that made me feel like,
okay, I'm doing the right thing.
So it's just like it feels likeif you will for the next day to
do the same thing over and overagain, and uh until like we get
uh to the end goal, which islike making our community and
(08:15):
patients happy.
Speaker 1 (08:16):
Yeah, yeah.
You're clearly communityfocused.
I love it.
What do you love most aboutwhat you do?
Speaker 2 (08:23):
Um, so an orthodontics is just like the
most important thing, and that'swhat me and Dr.
Osman, like when we weretalking about like even like
when we were in orthodonticresidency, is like we built a
long-lasting relationship withour patients.
It's just like you see themgrow, develop the personalities,
and also you'll see, like,although like the like their
smile is changing, but also youcan see like the it's uh the
(08:47):
self-esteem and the personalityis changing as well.
So it's like sometimes it'smind-blowing.
Like when they walk in into theconsole visit, they're shy or
like they're not willing toshare.
But like one year into thetreatment, like we become
friends, and I know a little bitmore about like their schools,
their friends, now about liketheir activities.
So this is one of the mostimportant things about uh and
(09:08):
rewarding when it comes toorthodontics.
But on top of that, obviously,it's just like um providing
service to the patient.
Some patients may walk in likewith some kind of pain, or they
don't like their smile, or likesome some jaw discrepancy.
So just like take that painaway or help like give them the
confidence boost they need isalso like very rewarding.
(09:30):
And it pays like it makes itfeel everything is is is
amazing.
Speaker 1 (09:34):
Yeah, yeah.
I imagine that's such a coolexperience.
Seeing someone walk in, andwhen they leave a year or so
later, seeing their their bigsmile and their confidence,
that's just really cool.
Speaker 2 (09:48):
Yeah, and then the biggest thing is when you show
them their before and afterpictures, and they were oh my,
they totally forgot like how itlooked.
And a lot of them they startsharing even more stories.
It was like, Yeah, I didn'twant to smile before, I didn't
want to even take photos, butnow I really enjoy it.
I like to hang out with friendsand do it.
So like you feel like you'redoing something.
Speaker 1 (10:08):
Yeah, that's really cool.
Speaker 2 (10:10):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (10:10):
So if the listeners want to learn more from you,
want to connect with you, wantto come visit you, where can
they find you?
Speaker 2 (10:17):
Yeah, um, so we are in a Fredericksburg area.
Uh, they can call us, uh, emailus, schedule their appointments
online for complimentaryconsultations.
We're located at 139 uh PatriotHighway, Fredericksburg.
Uh they want to just likeinquire, give us a call, just
like if they have any questions,but also if they are willing to
(10:37):
stop by, tour the office, we'remore than happy.
We're very welcomingenvironment.
Uh, we welcome everyone.
We can show them how we dothings differently, and
hopefully we can uh bring thatto this area.
Speaker 1 (10:49):
Amazing.
Dr.
Mo, thank you so much forjoining me on the podcast today
and sharing one orthodontics.
Speaker 2 (10:56):
Thank you.
We really appreciate you comingto us and helping us like uh
introduce ourselves to thebusiness and best of luck to you
too.
Speaker (11:03):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (11:04):
Thank you so much.
Speaker (11:06):
Thank you for listening to the Fredericksburg Neighbors
Podcast.
To nominate your favorite localbusinesses to be featured on
the show, go to FXBGNeighborsPodcast.com.
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