AME: Trusting Your Gut
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Alan reflects on the fine line between clinical intuition and cognitive bias. Sparked by a failed trivia question about SpongeBob SquarePants, Alan dives into the psychology of decision-making, exploring Daniel Kahneman’s "fast vs. slow" thinking and the pitfalls of confirmation bias. Drawing on 30 years of dental practice, he discusses how "gut feelings" are often just highly trained pattern recognition for common ailments like decay and pulpitis. However, he issues a cautionary tale for practitioners: while your gut is an excellent compass to get you into the ballpark of a diagnosis,...
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Very Dental: The 33% Solution with Dr. Deren Flesher
The Very Dental Podcast Network
You're missing 33% of incoming calls at your office. That's a huge deal. But what if there was a simple way to make sure you miss NONE of them? In this episode of the Very Dental Podcast, recorded live at Voices of Dentistry 2026, Alan sits down with dentist-turned-entrepreneur Dr. Deren Flesher. Deren shares his journey from clinical practice to the administrative side of the industry, detailing how his "entrepreneurial itch" led to the creation and sale of Modento and his latest venture, Aero Dental. The two dive deep into the "missed call" epidemic in dental practices and how AI-driven...
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Very Dental Classics: Check Your Ego at the Operatory Door with Dr. Gregg Kinzer
The Very Dental Podcast Network
In this "Classics" episode, Alan sits down with Dr. Gregg Kinzer at the 2022 Spear Summit to discuss the long-awaited return of in-person dental education. Gregg shares his excitement about the palpable energy of live meetings and gives us a behind-the-scenes look at how he curates the world-class speaker lineup for the Summit. The conversation dives deep into the philosophy of "Spear Interactive," a residency-style educational model designed to help clinicians master treatment planning through scientific skepticism and literature evaluation. From playful "text-thread-style" debates on stage...
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AME: New Toys
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Alan dives into the rejuvenating power of a tech refresh in the dental operatory. After a brief detour discussing the bittersweet postseason fate of the Miami University Redhawks basketball (they made it!), the focus shifts to a trio of "new toys" that have transformed his clinical workflow. The centerpiece is the installation of the Zumax OMS 2050 microscope, which Alan credits with finally removing the ergonomic and software barriers to becoming a full-time microscope dentist. He breaks down the benefits of a compact head, improved wall-mounting strategies, and the game-changing...
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Very Dental: Dr. Matt Burton on the Renewable (Profit) Resource of Dentistry
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Alan sat down with Dr. Matt Burton to talk shop in a "swanky" new Chicago Dental Society podcast lounge that's a far cry from the usual exhibit hall floor. Matt shares the latest evolution of the Quad Matrix System, detailing how a few "minor" tweaks to wedge angles and material firmness are making a massive difference in clinical predictability. Between the deep dives into dental engineering, the conversation takes several hilarious detours—ranging from the high-speed, contempt-filled experience of Chicago taxi rides to the traumatic sight of a mascot (Hadley the dog) with its...
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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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Brian Colao knows DSOs. He's an attorney that helps people create and administer DSOs. He's been a frequent guest on the Dental Hacks and he gave Jason and Alan some of his time at the recent Voices of Dentistry meeting. We went deep on the topic of DSOs and covered a lot of information:
- What is a DSO? (spoiler: "A DSO is an entity that provides nonclinical administrative support services to a dental practice that is owned by a licensed dentist.")
- From one practice to thousands
- When did we start to really see DSOs take hold
- The episode where we met Brian, "DSOs and Digital Smile Design (DHP186)"
- Was there a DSO bubble?
- Denovo vs. Acquisitions
- What to do if a DSO approaches you?
- How do you research a DSO that might want to acquire your office?
- Brian thinks that there is probably a DSO that could fit most any office...go to a conference
- What are DSO deals looking like for selling dentists?
- The facts from Brian's mouth to your ears: DSOs are at 23% market penetration in the U.S. dental market right now. He predicts that there will be 80% market penetration in 7-10 years. He feels that you should plan accordingly.
- EBITA: "Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, and Amortization"
- What does a DSO look like?
Some links from the show:
Dykema DSO conference (use coupon code: VOD2020 for a discount), July 15-17th at the Omni Hotel in Dallas.
The Dental Hacks Nation closed Facebook group has 28,000 members! Head over there to interact with other Dental Hacks listeners, guests and Brain Trust members every day, all day! Remember…if you don’t have anything “dental” on your FB page, we might decline your membership request. So IM the group or email us at info@dentalhacks.com!
Our friends at Cosmedent are offering a course by Dr. Rhodri Thomas called “The Art of Resin.” It’s this coming May 14th and 15th at the Cosmedent Center for Esthetic Excellence in Chicago overlooking Michigan avenue! Rhodri is a dentist and artist who has an interesting take on resin and cosmetic dentistry. Rhodri will demonstrate step-by-step simple and complex Class IVs, a direct resin veneer, how to mask a discolored tooth and the steps for mastering finishing and polishing. You will be able to practice all the exercises live with Dr. Thomas and gain invaluable feedback as you work. There will also be pre-recorded instructional videos of each stage to ensure everyone is supported regardless of clinical speed. Go check it out at dentalhacks.com/Rhodri!
Are you in one of those offices where the system for team communication consists of “yelling down the hallway?” Come on guys, that’s so late 90’s. It’s time for you to get up to speed and get your team on the same page! Our friends at YAPI have figured intra office communications out! YAPI understands that a team that communicates is a team that’s happy and productive! Check out YAPI’s intra office messaging and all of the other great features YAPI has to offer at dentalhacks.com/YAPI. YAPI. It’s a funny name, but it’s serious software!
OK CAD/CAMmers...I want you to imagine a workspace so clean and organized that you won’t even recognize your operatory. Our friends at Zirc are really good at organization. And they really GET you CAD/CAMmers. They have a new product out called the Block Organizer. It’s like the adorable little brother of their amazing block lockers and it’s meant to help organize your CAD/CAM blocks in a drawer or on a desktop. It keeps your blocks right at your fingertips and Zirc offers you a bunch of different labelling options at zirc.com/labels.The coolest thing about the Block Organizer is how it was created to fit within existing cabinets! You won’t need to change anything in your workflow except the extra time that you’ll save! Check them out at dentalhacks.com/blockorganizer and be sure to use coupon code: DHBlock on their website for a special buy 3, get one free deal!
Go Hack Yourself
Jason: The Toys That Made Us
Alan: NSK Forza M5
If you have any questions or comments for us please drop us an email at info@dentalhacks.com or find us (and like us!) at www.facebook.com/dentalhacks. Or, if you prefer…give us a call at (866) 223-5257 and leave us a message. You might be played in the show! If you like us, why not leave us a review on iTunes? It helps us get found by like minded people and might even help us get into “What’s Hot” in the iTunes store! Go to this link and let the world know about the Dental Hacks! Finally, if you aren’t an Apple person, consider reviewing us on Stitcher at: stitcher.com/podcast/the-dentalhacks-podcast!
If you would like to support the podcast you can check out our Patreon page! Although the show will always remain free to download, our Patreon supporters get access to special bonus content including (at least) one extra podcast episode every months! Also be sure to check out the Dental Hacks swag store where you can find t-shirts, stickers coffee mugs and all sorts of other things that let the world know you’re a part of the Hacks Nation.