Very Clinical: Amalgam in 2025 with Dr. Kevin Donlan
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Release Date: 03/11/2025
AME: No More Joint Premedication?
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Alan dives into the long-awaited alignment between dentists and orthopedic surgeons regarding antibiotic premedication for joint replacement patients. Reflecting on a , Alan breaks down the history of joint prophylaxis confusion—from the shotgun antibiotic approach of the 1990s to the frustratingly vague "case-by-case" guidelines of 2012 and 2017. He highlights the game-changing late-2024 AAOS/ADA update, which officially confirms that routine systemic antibiotics do not reduce the risk of periprosthetic joint infections. Alan shares his exact, blunt office protocol letter designed to...
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Very Dental: "Super Flowables," Color Stability and the Bioclear Method with Dr. David Clark
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Alan once again sits down with Dr. David Clark for a deep dive into a massive paradigm shift shaking up the Bioclear Method! Dave discusses the clinical realities driving the development of the new Tooth and Surface Specific (TSS) matrix system and drops a bombshell announcement: the wholesale transition away from legacy composites toward color-stable materials. They explore why whole-tooth restorations face severe color shifts over time, how new Japanese filler particle technologies from Kuraray and GC prevent these failures, and how the introduction of "super flowables" allows clinicians to...
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Very Clinical: Very Rock and Roll, part 4
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Zach, Kevin and Al have been tiptoeing around it for three episodes, but today we do a deep dive on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! The guys break down the highly secretive, two-step nomination process—debunking the illusion of the "fan vote"—and call out the historical genre biases that left iconic stadium rock, heavy metal, and progressive bands frozen out for decades. From debating the definition of "innovation" versus "commercial success" to throwing down over legendary snubs like The J. Geils Band, Weird Al, and INXS, this episode is a passionate, witty look at the politics, snobbery,...
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AME: The Disney Experience
The Very Dental Podcast Network
In this episode, Alan returns from a high-stakes, five-day marathon chaperoning a high-school band trip to Orlando. Behind the magic of Disney venues, full-on recording sessions, and a 48-hour round-trip bus ride, he finds a fascinating study of human behavior under pressure. From Disney's multi-million-dollar mastery of the queue to a universal lack of spatial awareness on the park paths, Alan breaks down the massive operational scale of a resort employing 80,000 people. True to form, he bridges these observations directly back to the clinical environment—comparing the luxury of "zero-wait"...
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Very Dental: 12 Years in Podcasting, part 2
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Celebrating his 12th anniversary in podcasting, host Dr. Alan Mead presents a special episode of The Very Dental Podcast featuring a re-release of the second installment of The Dental Hacks Podcast from June 2014. Dr. Mead kicks off the show by recalling how the original "cliffhanger" format originally drove a young Dr. Zach Meiners crazy, leading to a nostalgic and concurrent release of this payoff episode. The vintage episode continues the original show's signature style, combining a feature interview with a group "Brain Trust" discussion. The feature interview concludes with Dr. Lance...
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Very Dental: 12 Years in Podcasting, part 1
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Celebrating his 12th anniversary in podcasting, host Dr. Alan Mead presents a special episode of The Very Dental Podcast featuring a re-release of the very first installment of The Dental Hacks Podcast from June 2014. Dr. Mead reflects on his journey since launching Dental Hacks with original co-host Dr. Jason Lipscomb, noting how much the landscape has changed over the past decade. The vintage episode highlights the origin of the show's format, combining a feature interview with a group "Brain Trust" discussion. Our first interview guest was none other than Dr. Lance Timmerman where he...
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Very Clinical: Very Rock and Roll, part 3
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Welcome back to Very Clinical for "Rock and Roll, Part 3"—the latest installment of our ongoing, completely dentistry-free detour into the music that shaped our lives. In this episode, Zach, Kevin (aka: K-Rock), and Alan shift the spotlight away from the frontmen and look at the "corporate" machinery and unsung geniuses behind the greatest eras of pop and rock. We dive deep into the legendary collective of freelance studio masters in LA known as and Detroit’s incredibly prolific hit-makers, , revealing how some of the most definitive tracks of the 60s and 70s were actually built by daily...
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AME: Zen and the Art of Dental Hygiene
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Alan discusses the unexpected clinical and relational insights discovered after a part-time hygienist's departure forced him to step back into the hygiene column. Challenging traditional dental consultant dogma that screams "dentists shouldn't do hygiene," Alan shares his four-month journey of slowing down to find the hidden, high-value ROI of performing his own preventive recalls. From capturing an unfiltered look at a patient’s raw baseline before a single tooth is polished, to uncovering the ultimate comprehensive exam under the lens of a dental microscope, he reveals how a low-anxiety,...
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Very Dental: The Rise of the Dental Marketplace with Susan Cahill
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Alan welcomes Susan Cahill, the Chief Operating Officer of Net32, to break down how the online marketplace model is fundamentally reshaping how dental practices buy supplies. Moving away from the traditional, often opaque sales rep model, Susan explains how Net32 acts as a transparent intermediary where over a hundred vendors actively compete for your practice's business. They dive into the crucial differences between a niche professional marketplace and giant consumer platforms like Amazon, how macro shifts like inflation and post-COVID operational changes have accelerated digital adoption in...
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Very Clinical: Bevels, Bonds, and Sleep Apnea Red Flags
The Very Dental Podcast Network
In this episode, the guys dive deep into the multifactorial nature of noncarious cervical lesions (NCCLs). Moving past outdated single-cause theories like pure toothbrush abrasion or simple nighttime grinding, the discussion shifts toward a comprehensive look at systemic triggers, specifically the massive role of airway issues and sleep apnea. The hosts debate the intersecting impact of clenching, acid erosion, and periodontal biotypes, sharing their practical clinical approaches to desensitizing protocols, the realities of enamel-bevel bonding, and knowing exactly when it's time to skip the...
info_outlineIn this throwback episode Kevin and Zach are once again joined by Dr. Kevin Donlan to discuss the controversial topic of amalgam in modern dentistry. Is this classic restorative material still relevant in 2025? They delve into the pros and cons, share personal experiences, and debate whether amalgam still has a place in everyday dental practice.
Key Takeaways:
- Amalgam still has a place in dentistry, particularly in situations with challenging isolation.
- Patient education and clear communication are crucial for material selection.
- Dental education and practice philosophies have evolved significantly over the years.
- Four handed dentistry is ideal, and when not possible, isolation devices can increase the dentists ability to perform good dentistry.
Join the Very Dental Facebook group using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or "McWethy," "Papa Randy" or "Lipscomb!"
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The Very Clinical Corner segment features Kate Reinert, LDA, an experienced dental professional passionate about helping practices achieve clinical excellence. Today's episode featured Isolation Devices!
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