Very Dental: What is an Expert with Dr. Matt Standridge
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Alan is once again joined by Dr. Matt Standridge. The episode was recorded live at a Voices of Dentistry event following Matt's presentation on "Simplified Smile Design." Matt and Alan explore how a person becomes an expert, from their beginnings on forums like Dentaltown to Matt's current role as an industry educator. They discuss the difference between genuine experience and the illusion of expertise created by social media, and how both can impact the way dentists learn. Matt shares valuable lessons learned from his own journey, including the importance of setting boundaries and the value...
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Very Clinical: How to Make a Trial Smile with Dr. Allie Frounfelter
The Very Dental Podcast Network
In this episode of the Very Clinical Podcast, hosts Zach and Kevin chat with guest Dr. Allie Frounfelter about digital dentistry and the process of creating "trial smiles." Allie, a self-proclaimed "trial smile queen," details the steps of designing, 3D printing, and fitting a temporary smile for patients so they can preview their results before committing to treatment. She explains the benefits of this modern approach, including improved patient confidence and better-fitting temporary restorations, which leads to healthier gums. Allie also discusses the shift in dentistry toward more...
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AME: The Customer Service Curve
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Alan shares his frustrating experience with AT&T's poor customer service after his office's phones went down. The ordeal leads him to develop a theory about the inverse relationship between demand for a service and the need for excellent customer service. He explains that businesses like AT&T, which provide essential services with high demand and low-elasticity, can get away with poor service because it's difficult for customers to switch. On the other hand, professions like dentistry, which operate in a more competitive market, must provide great service to retain patients. Al's...
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Brain Trust: Yes Tacos, No Hygiene?
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Alan brings together Dr. Lance Timmerman and Dr. Brady Smith for a lunch conversation at VoD Lite 2025. The trio discuss the unique, small-scale nature of the event, which was planned just three weeks beforehand and features a food truck instead of a hotel's expensive catering. Lance and Brady talk about their professional lives, including their pride in their respective hometowns' (Seattle and Portland) high poop-on-the-streets-per-capita and their mutual surprise at the high cost of a hard-boiled egg at hotels. They also delve into their unconventional dental practice models, with Lance...
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Very Clinical: Dr. Allie Frounfelter is the Queen of Trial Smiles
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Zach and Kevin welcome Dr. Allie Frounfelter to discuss her innovative approach to cosmetic dentistry using Trial Smiles. Dr. Frounfelter shares her journey from a high-volume "bread and butter" dental practice to a more balanced and fulfilling one, emphasizing the importance of slowing down to speed up. The episode details the step-by-step process of creating and using a 3D-printed resin shell, or Trial Smile, to help patients visualize their potential new smile. Dr. Frounfelter also highlights the importance of incorporating the entire dental team in the process and discusses how this...
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AME: Sealants, Schmealants
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Alan argues that dental sealants should be treated more like restorations rather than simple preventive measures. He critiques the common practice of placing sealants without preparing the tooth, which he believes can lead to failure and hidden decay. Instead, he details his own protocol, which involves using a bur to open up and clean out the deep grooves of the tooth, often discovering stain, decalcification or even decay. He then fills these prepped grooves with a glass ionomer material. Alan asserts that this more involved approach results in a highly durable, decay-resistant solution...
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Very Dental: Adam on AI with Adam McWethy
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Alan welcomes his friend Adam McWethy back to the Very Dental podcast! Recorded in person at the 2025 Voices of Dentistry pop up event in Arizona, Adam drops in to talk about his new company, The Leadership Thread. The Leadership Thread works with specialist practices to achieve growth and life balance by taking control of their careers. Adam and Al explored how AI is poised to change the way dentists handle a variety of tasks, from documenting treatment to managing patient relationships. Adam discussed several ways that AI can dramatically reduce the time specialists spend writing...
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Very Clinical: Invisalign Hype vs. Reality with Dr. Craig Harder
The Very Dental Podcast Network
In this "throwback" episode recorded live at Voices of Dentistry 2023, hosts Kevin and Zach are joined by guest Dr. Craig Harder to debate and discuss dental myths and tips. The main topic of conversation is the dental myth that Invisalign is a great value for dentists. Craig argues that Invisalign is not a good value because it eats up a significant portion of the fee, especially for dentists who don't do a high volume of cases and therefore don't qualify for discounts. Kevin, a high-volume provider, counters that the value of Invisalign is not just in the cost per case but in its powerful...
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AME: Some of My Favorite Words
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Alan shares his favorite verbal phrases that have improved his patient interactions over his 28-year career. He emphasizes the importance of building rapport and setting patient expectations to create a smoother, more enjoyable practice. Alan discusses how these simple word choices help him diagnose problems, manage treatment compromises, and handle post-op concerns, all while fostering trust and a human connection with his patients. Some of Al's Favorite Words: "Can you say more about that?" This phrase encourages patients to elaborate on their symptoms, often unlocking a more accurate...
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Brain Trust: Nothing Wrong with "Dental School Dentistry"
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Dr. Russell Schafer, Dr. Randy Houska, and Dr. Brian McGue join Alan for a pre-conference discussion at the Voices of Dentistry Lite event in Arizona. They explore the different options for dentists to expand their practices. Brian, a general dentist who also does (and teaches) sedation, believes that sedation is the best for return on investment, but implants are essential because of the learning curve and the way they expand a dentist's mindset. Randy, who added implants to his practice 25 years in, agrees and says he wished he had added them sooner. Russell explains that his patient base...
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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 [email protected]!
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
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