Very Clinical New Dentist Spectacular episode 2: Class III Composites!
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Release Date: 07/19/2022
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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....
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outlineThis summer we're featuring "clinical basics" from the Zach and Kevin (and others) that will benefit new dentists and grizzled veterans alike!
Today's episode features their take on class III composites!
Highlights today include:
- We all walk through doing a #7 MBL restoration, how different can 3 people do it?
- Everyday we're beveling. Alan likes big bevels, and he cannot lie.
- Is Mylar dead? We all learned Mylar in school, but do any of the hacks still use it?
- Alan describes the most expensive way possible to do a Class 3, Zach 1/10th X's that, Kevin is our middle.
Products talked about in the episode today include:
Alan:
Snow Plow Technique (squirt flowable, plow it in with paste... hot!)
Kevin:
Zach:
12 Fluted Polishing Bur from DentalRee
If you want to interact with us, head over to the Very Clinical Facebook Group!
Join the Very Dental Facebook group using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or "McWethy."
If you'd like to support the Very Dental Podcast Network then you should support our sponsors!
One of the unsung heroes of my practice is Cosmecore! Cosmedent’s dual cured core buildup material is amazingly versatile! It comes in three colors (A2, opaque white and blue!) and it comes in an 8 gram syringe or a 50 gram mixing gun. And speaking of the big cartridge…you can save $50 off of one using coupon code “CORE50” on the website! Go check out the best core material in all of dentistry at verydentalpodcast.com/cosmecore!
--
Our friends at Spear Education want Very Dental people to know about a special event they’re having this summer! This new opportunity brings the leaders in dental education together to Educate, Elevate, and Empower you! Whether a current member or new to Spear, this event will reignite the spark in your practice. It’s a “Whitman’s Sampler” of all the amazing educators at Spear Education including Frank Spear, Gregg Kinzer, Jeff Rouse, Darin Dichter, Gary DeWood and Ricardo Mitrani! It’s clinical! It’s business! But most importantly, it’s all Spear! Spear live is happening on the east coast in Boston, MA on August 12th and 13th! Go check it out at verydentalpodcast.com/Spear!
--
You know that our friends at Zirc are the organization people. With the Color Method and all the different storage and instrument sterilizations options, they’ll keep your processes streamlined and efficient! But they’re not JUST the organization people. Every dental office should check out the amazing products that Zirc has to offer for organization, isolation and visualization at verydentalpodcast.com/Zirc!
--
Our friends at CAD-Ray want you to know that there has never been a better time to get into intraoral scanning! They sell and support all kinds of digital dentistry products from scanners, to printers and even cloud based software! For instance, the Medit i600 itraoral scanner is priced at just about $13,000! And if you didn’t know, CAD-Ray now distributes 3Shape scanners and the amazing Trios 4 wireless just had a $10,000 price cut! It comes in under $25,000. And all these options come with CAD-Ray’s unbeatable support! Go check it out at verydentalpodcast.com/cadray!
--
If there is one thing that’s changed the way I look at teeth the most, it’s probably the headlight I use with my loupes. Our friends at Enova make amazing loupes and distribute Zumax dental microscopes, both the best you can buy. But the amazing, weightless and cordless Qubit, Quasar or Quantum headlights (all others are just toys) are the biggest game changer. But be careful…if you try one, you’re going to buy one! Why haven’t you checked out Enova Illumination yet? You can get a killer deal on all things Enova by using the Very Dental link you’ll find at verydentalpodcast.com/Enova!
--
Have you been looking at your supply bill lately? Prices are REALLY going up on all the things you use every day in your office. Our friends at Crazy Dental understand and are here to help! Very Dental listeners can get 10% off their orders from Crazy Dental by using coupon code “VERYDENTAL10”! Go check out their amazing catalog and save yourself 10% off of their already amazing prices at verydentalpodcast.com/crazy!
--
If you’re looking for a one stop dental marketing solution, then look no further than the Wonderist Agency. Wonderist can help you with branding and a killer website. They’ll design ad campaigns no matter how you want to get your name out there. But maybe most importantly, they’ll show you how your marketing plan is working! They have industry leading analytics that help you understand what works and what doesn’t in your area and they’ll help you spend your marketing dollar in the wisest way possible! Go check out the Wonderist Agency at verydentalpodcast.com/Wonderist.