Who Wants to Own a Dental Practice with Dr. David Rice and Irene Iancu (DHP272)
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Release Date: 12/27/2019
Very Dental Classics: A Conversation with Dr. Frank Spear
The Very Dental Podcast Network
"If people don't value dental health, I don't care if it's free. They're not doing it." — Dr. Frank Spear In this "Very Dental Classics" throwback episode Alan sits down with the legendary Dr. Frank Spear at the 2022 Spear Summit. Recorded in the quiet moments of the exhibit hall, the duo explores the evolution of the Summit from a small faculty gathering into a global "family reunion" for the dental community. Dr. Spear shares personal reflections on the state of dental education post-pandemic and his own journey as a "dental dad," but the heart of the discussion lies in...
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AME: Bad Influencer
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Alan reflects on the grogginess of "springing forward" and why he’s perfectly content being a "bad influencer" in an era of highly curated dental content. He dives into a major equipment refresh at his practice. New scope, new scanner cart and some new handpiece tubing should make for a cool week. The heart of the episode explores the contrast between his "authentic" feed of horses, cats, and mountain bikes and the professional "shoot days" of high-level influencers that take the job of "influencer" more seriously. Ultimately, Alan reminds listeners to stay mindful of the "sell" behind...
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Very Dental: Two Years to Life with Dr. Tiana Hall
The Very Dental Podcast Network
In this episode of the Very Dental Podcast, Alan sits down with Dr. Tiana Hall at the 2026 Voices of Dentistry meeting in Gilbert, Arizona, to explore the unique world of correctional dentistry. Tiana shares her transition from private practice and volunteer work to her current role as a prison dentist in Utah, explaining how the move helped her navigate professional burnout by trading administrative stress for a predictable schedule and a collaborative medical environment. The conversation dives into the clinical and logistical realities of working behind bars, from managing patient security...
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Very Clinical: Ask Us Anything, Again!
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Today's Very Clinical Throwback episode brings us back to November 2023 with Kevin and Zach at their very best answering scenarios with a voluminous "Ask Us Anything" mailbag. The duo balances clinical expertise with their signature banter, covering everything from the Cleveland Browns' defense to the ethics of stealing hotel cookies for $20. On the clinical side, they tackle the philosophy of material selection—discussing when to switch bonding agents and the trap of "marketing innovation"—alongside a deep dive into implant systems and the diagnostic "game-changer" that is the cone beam....
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AME: The Withering Gaze and the Obituaries
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Alan balances the local charm of a family trip to the with the heavy, often unspoken emotional realities of a "mom-and-pop" dental practice. After braving the Michigan winter to celebrate his son's 16th birthday, Alan dives into the complex feelings that arise when a long-time, difficult patient appears in the obituaries. He explores the "bell curve" of patient relationships—from the favorites who brighten the schedule to the "10%" whose withering gazes cause genuine dread. The episode serves as a candid call to action for dental professionals to embrace brave, blunt conversations and...
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Very Dental: Relatability is the New Flossing with Whitney DiFoggio
The Very Dental Podcast Network
In this high-energy episode recorded live at the 2026 Chicago Midwinter Dental Meeting, Alan once again sits down with Whitney DiFoggio, better known as to discuss the evolving landscape of dental communication. Whitney shares her journey from YouTube pioneer to a leading voice in dental public health, emphasizing her "relatability equation": how building trust through shared interests leads to better patient compliance. The duo dives into the dangers of social media "DIY" dental trends, the psychology of combatting misinformation, and why Alan has officially become a convert to interproximal...
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Very Clinical: "Crushing It" with Zach and Al
The Very Dental Podcast Network
This throwback episode is actually an older episode of Very Dental featuring one of the amazing co-hosts of Very Clinical! In this wide-ranging "shop talk" session, Alan is joined by Zach to revisit the early days of dental social media and the evolution of their clinical workflows. From the "crushing it" culture of the old Dentaltown forums to the practicalities of the modern operatory, they dive into the tools that actually make a difference. Zach shares his love for the spade proximator and the Swiss-Army-knife utility of Teflon tape, while Alan makes a case for the PDL syringe. They also...
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AME: The Price of Dabbling
The Very Dental Podcast Network
"I’m excited for this disruption. I’m excited for the 'price of dabbling' to come down... I’m okay with high-quality products that are less expensive that are disrupting the status quo. I’m actually here for it." Alan recounts a whirlwind trip to the Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting, but not before detailing a "hellish" day in the clinic that nearly derailed his travel plans. From grueling extractions to elusive mesial canals, Alan shares the raw reality of a high-stress day in the operatory. Once in Chicago, the conversation shifts to the "price of dabbling" in dental...
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Group Function: Bread and Butter Reality with Dr. Mitch Hopkins, Dr. Russell Schafer and Dr. Matt Standridge
The Very Dental Podcast Network
"Instagram is dentistry and Facebook is where friends and family are... Instagram is like meth, I can’t get off it." — Alan Mead Alan sits down with a powerhouse trio—Dr. Russell Schafer, Dr. Mitch Hopkins, and Dr. Matt Standridge—live from Voices of Dentistry 2026. They bridge the gap between "Instagram Dentistry" and the daily grind of running a productive practice, covering everything from why 2D photography still beats 3D face scanning to the hard truths about dental school debt and clinical mastery. The Guest List: Dr. Russell Schafer: The man who helped name the "Group...
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Very Clinical: The Olds
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Kevin and Zach welcome back Dr. Alan Mead for a discussion of modern geriatric dentistry. It's not as much a recipe book for treating older patients but how the guys have seen their geriatric patient population change over time. They discuss the massive divide between "spry" seniors and those struggling with late-life health declines, the ethics of aggressive treatment in nursing homes, and how clinical rules must change when the goal shifts from "permanent fix" to "comfort and function." Episode Highlights Genetics vs. Lifestyle: Why some 80-year-old patients have the periodontal health...
info_outlineJason and Alan are joined by two dental social media rock stars, Dr. David Rice of IgniteDDS and Irene Iancu (aka: toothlife.irene) of the Tooth or Dare podcast!
David knows young dentists. He's an educator and coach and spends a lot of his time helping new dentists find their way after dental school. His message is a lot more hopeful than what you hear from some people and his reach is really huge! David also spent some time talking about 3M's new Xerostomia Relief Spray. Dentistry hasn't done a great job for our patients with dry mouth and 3M has made a product that can really make a difference for them!
Irene Iancu is a hygienist, educator, social media maven and entrepreneur! She's got a great podcast called "Tooth or Dare" and she'll be podcasting live at the Voices of Dentistry with her new co-host. She's fascinating on a lot of levels, but we spent a lot of time explaining how she, as a hygienist, is opening a dental practice! If you've ever wondered how a dental practice owned by a "nondentist" can work, this is really interesting stuff! Apparently delays in dental office building affect everyone!
Some links from the show:
It's time to sign up for VoD (January 24-25th at the Hilton Scottsdale Resort and Villas
The Voices of Dentistry is just over two months away! We have an amazing speaker line up, some very exciting exhibitors and the best party in all of dentistry! Go check it out and register at www.voicesofdentistry.com!
Vote for the Dental Hacks for "Favorite Dental Podcast of 2019!"
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YAPI can help make all of your holiday dreams come true! Jason was dreaming of smooth and effortless front desk efficiency and a giant YAPI puppy explained how his dreams could be reality! Go get your own YAPI puppy by getting a demo at dentalhacks.com/YAPI. It’s a funny name but serious software!
Go Hack Yourself
Alan: Steelmade USA flat top grill
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