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Very Dental: So, You've Been Ransomewared with Reuben Kamp

The Very Dental Podcast Network

Release Date: 11/22/2024

Group Function: Bread and Butter Reality with Dr. Mitch Hopkins, Dr. Russell Schafer and Dr. Matt Standridge show art 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 show art Very Clinical: The Olds

The Very Dental Podcast Network

Kevin and Zack 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...

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AME: 8 Essential Truths About High-Magnification Dentistry show art AME: 8 Essential Truths About High-Magnification Dentistry

The Very Dental Podcast Network

Alan dives deep into his decades-long journey with high magnification dentistry. In this episode, Alan breaks down why high-powered magnification isn't just for practitioners with "bad eyes" and why it has become the most humbling yet rewarding tool in his operatory. From the technical evolution of the varioscope to the critical importance of specialized lighting, Alan shares why he believes every restorative dentist should consider making the leap to the microscope to rediscover the joy and precision of their craft. The Eyesight Myth: Why magnification isn't a crutch for poor vision, but a...

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Very Dental Extra: Chicago Midwinter Preview with Dr. Phil Schefke, President of the Chicago Dental Society show art Very Dental Extra: Chicago Midwinter Preview with Dr. Phil Schefke, President of the Chicago Dental Society

The Very Dental Podcast Network

This special Saturday episode of the Very Dental Podcast is all about the upcoming Chicago Midwinter Dental Meeting! Alan Mead sits down with Dr. Phil Schefke, President of the Chicago Dental Society (CDS), to preview the 2026 Midwinter Meeting. Whether you’re a 30-year veteran of the meeting or a dental student looking for your first experience, this episode dives into why Chicago remains the premier destination for dental innovation, collegiality, and—believe it or not—puppies. The Guest: Dr. Phil Schefke Dr. Schefke serves as the President of the Chicago Dental Society, the...

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Very Dental: The $500,000 Question with Dr. Paul Etchison show art Very Dental: The $500,000 Question with Dr. Paul Etchison

The Very Dental Podcast Network

"I think we're reaching a breaking point where people are starting to reflect and say, 'Man, I don't know if the juice is worth the squeeze anymore.'" — Dr. Paul Etchison Recorded live at Voices of Dentistry 2026 in sunny Gilbert, Arizona, Alan sits down with a VOD favorite, Dr. Paul Etchison of the . They dive deep into the staggering reality of modern dental school debt, the "juice vs. the squeeze" of ownership, and why dentists should probably stay away from the restaurant business. The Debt Wall The financial landscape for new dentists has shifted dramatically. Alan and Paul compare...

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Very Clinical: The Very Clinical: The "Resurrected" Patient...Sometimes They Come Back

The Very Dental Podcast Network

Zach and Kevin welcome Alan back to the show by commiserating over those moments where you look at your schedule and wonder why you (or your past self) agreed to a specific procedure. Kevin’s #16 Crown Prep: Kevin recounts the dread of seeing a crown prep on a third molar (#16) at 8:00 AM. Despite the technical difficulty and the "Is this a joke?" feeling, it ended up being successful with a rubber dam. Zach's "Self-Extracting" Molars: Zach shares a cautionary tale from his early career working with his father. He attempted to crown a second molar that was tilted so far distally it was...

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AME: Injection Molding with TSS and Scanning with Elves show art AME: Injection Molding with TSS and Scanning with Elves

The Very Dental Podcast Network

Alan discusses his "whirlwind" travel plans for the Chicago Midwinter Meeting, reviews the new Bioclear TSS Matrix system, and shares his first impressions of the remarkably small Shining 3D Elf scanner. Key Highlights The Chicago Midwinter Strategy Alan is opting for a surgical strike on Chicago this year: The Schedule: Working Thursday, driving to Indiana, hitting the McCormick Center all day Friday for recording, and driving back Friday night. The Goal: Maximizing "content in the can" by recording with attendees and exhibitors without the expense of a multi-day hotel stay. ...

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Group Function: The Group Function: The "Regular Ass" Dentist's Guide to Selling Your Practice with Dr. Alex Kantor and Dr. Eric Applesies

The Very Dental Podcast Network

In this episode of the Group Function podcast, host Alan Mead sits down with Dr. Alex Kantor and Dr. Eric Applesies from the Just a Couple of Dentists podcast to unpack the "regular ass dentist" experience of buying, starting, running and selling dental practices! Fresh off their presentation at the 2026 Voices of Dentistry conference, the Eric and Alex (a married couple of dentists) dive into the logistics of optimizing a practice for sale, emphasizing that maximum value is built in the 18 to 24 months before a transition by tightening systems and improving hygiene "show rates." The...

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Very Dental: Turf Battles and Surgery on Awake People with Dr. Abe Hoellrich show art Very Dental: Turf Battles and Surgery on Awake People with Dr. Abe Hoellrich

The Very Dental Podcast Network

In this episode Alan sits down with Dr. Abe Hoellrich in Scottsdale, Arizona, during the Voices of Dentistry conference! Abe’s practice focuses on sedation dentistry in Columbus, Ohio. He offers an insider’s perspective on the "turf battles" surrounding anesthesia privileges, weighing the tensions between general dentists, oral surgeons, and medical doctors. The discussion highlights the nuances of patient safety versus access to care, with Abe arguing for the superior safety of reversible IV sedation compared to oral methods and emphasizing the need for stringent training to preserve the...

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Very Clinical: OG Dental Social Media show art Very Clinical: OG Dental Social Media

The Very Dental Podcast Network

In this episode of the Very Clinical podcast, Zach and Kevin explore the evolution of social media within the dental profession, tracing the landscape from the early days of message boards like Dentaltown to the current era of Facebook groups, Reddit, and X. The hosts reflect on their personal experiences as digital observers and participants, discussing the culture of online communities—ranging from the valuable exchange of clinical tips to the unfortunate prevalence of "dunking" and trolling. They wrap up the conversation by sharing their favorite positive resources for dental content,...

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More Episodes
Alan welcomes Ruben Kamp, the founder and a ransomware expert at Darkhorse Tech.
 
Dental practices are very susceptible to ransomware. We all like to think that it won't happen to us, but between 7 and 9% of dental offices suffer ransomware attacks every year! Are you taking all the precautions that you can?
 
Reuben and Alan discuss the critical issues of ransomware attacks and cybersecurity in dental practices. They explore real-life incidents, including how ransomware infiltrates dental offices (spoiler: Reuben says it's about 91% through email) 

They also talk about the severe implications such attacks can have, from damage to your reputation to legal liabilities. Ruben provides comprehensive advice on preventive measures, including the importance of firewalls, regular updates, team training, and cybersecurity insurance.
 
They emphasize that while ransomware threats are pervasive, proper security protocols can significantly mitigate risks. The session also touches on the intricacies of backups, cloud-based software, and the evolving nature of cyber threats with advancements in AI.
 
Some links from the show:
Show Index:
  • 01:09 Understanding Ransomware in Dental Offices
  • 03:08 Dark Horse Tech's Approach to IT and Security
  • 07:26 How Ransomware Attacks Unfold
  • 13:56 The Role of AI in Cybersecurity Threats
  • 16:14 Negotiating with Cybercriminals
  • 25:14 The Importance of Reliable Backups
  • 29:39 Local vs. Offsite Backups
  • 31:18 HIPAA Compliance and Data Breaches
  • 33:49 Firewall and Antivirus Importance
  • 41:40 Staff Training and Cybersecurity Awareness
  • 45:25 Cloud-Based Practice Management Software
  • 51:15 Cybersecurity Insurance Policies

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Enova Illumination makes the very best in loupes and headlights, including their new ergonomic angled prism loupes! They also distribute loupe mounted cameras and even the amazing line of Zumax microscopes! If you want to help out the podcast while upping your magnification and headlight game, you need to head over to verydentalpodcast.com/enova to see their whole line of products!

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CAD-Ray offers the best service on a wide variety of digital scanners, printers, mills and even  their very own browser based design software, Clinux! CAD-Ray has been a huge supporter of the Very Dental Podcast Network and I can tell you that you’ll get no better service on everything digital dentistry than the folks from CAD-Ray. Go check them out at verydentalpodcast.com/CADRay!