Dr. Chris Freeman’s career journey began in college when he took a part-time job as an orthodontic assistant. Within a week, he knew his life had changed. “I loved solving problems and improving people’s lives in such a visible, dramatic way,” he recalls. Growing up in a family of physicians, Freeman always admired medicine’s power to heal, but he also wanted a career that allowed him to balance purpose with joy. Orthodontics offered both, and more than 30 years later, he still wakes up excited to go to work.
Dr. Freeman believes confidence begins with a smile. “Technology moves teeth,” he says, “but connection, care and kindness move people.”
Over time, Freeman has observed his profession evolve. Digital tools have advanced, materials have improved and patient comfort has reached new heights. However, he says the most significant change has not been technological but structural. “The orthodontic landscape has shifted. There are corporate chains that operate on volume, and there are independent, doctor-owned practices like ours that focus on quality and connection,” he explains. After previously expanding to multiple offices, Freeman realized that bigger was not better. He sold the extra locations and poured his energy into just one practice: Freeman Orthodontics in North Fort Lauderdale. “This allows me to personally see every patient and deliver a five-star experience built on consistency and trust.”
That focus on personalized care defines every detail of the practice. The office itself feels more like a coastal cottage than a clinic, with soft hues, a relaxed energy and a coffee bar known as the Freeman Café, which fills the air with the aromas of espresso and fresh-baked cookies. A large saltwater fish tank adds color and calm, reflecting the beauty of the community it serves.
Freeman’s love for Fort Lauderdale runs deep. Originally from San Diego, he fell in love with the city while visiting his aunt during college. “I was sitting on her dock studying in shorts and a T-shirt while my classmates were freezing up north,” he laughs. “Boats went by, parrots were in the trees and I knew this was where I belonged.”
The secret to Freeman Orthodontics’ success, he says, is the team. “You can teach someone to schedule appointments, but you can’t teach passion or kindness,” he says. “Our team truly cares.”
For Freeman, the reward never gets old. “When patients see their new smile for the first time, you can feel the confidence rise instantly,” he says. “That moment of joy is everything.”
