Very Dental Student: Into the Deep End with Garrett Davis
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Release Date: 09/29/2025
Very Dental: Dr. Tim Anderson has the Midas Touch
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Alan sits down once more with Dr. Tim Anderson to dive deep into the rapidly evolving landscape of digital dentistry. The episode begins with a hilarious, relatable discussion about the terrors of crashing recording software and the potential (and pitfalls) of AI, touching on everything from homework help to its role in revolutionizing clinical notes and reading X-rays. The conversation quickly pivots to Dr. Anderson's journey from engineering and architecture interests to his passion for the dental lab and in-house manufacturing, fueled by his residency and the purchase of a CEREC system. He...
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Very Clinical: Pickleball and Perio
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Zach and Kevin kick off this episode by catching up and discussing a shared, recent hobby: pickleball. They share their experiences, the learning curve, and their thoughts on why the sport has become so popular, acknowledging its accessibility compared to tennis. The conversation then shifts to a dental topic: periodontal disease. They reflect on the emphasis of perio in dental school and discuss their personal criteria for treating scaling and root planning cases in-office versus when to refer to a periodontist. Key referral points include cases with sudden, isolated deep pockets,...
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AME: Intentional Culture
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Alan gets candid about the concept of intentional culture, reflecting on his own experience taking over a dental practice where the culture was largely unintentional. He explains how he inherited a laid-back, reparative-dentistry-focused office, a product of the previous owner's lax style and the robust GM insurance benefits of the time. Alan admits that while his practice's culture has been adequate, making changes now is incredibly difficult because the unintentional status quo is deeply ingrained. He argues that new owners or startups have a massive advantage in establishing an intentional...
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Very Dental: Confessions of a CE Junkie with Dr. Lance Timmerman
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Alan welcomes his first-ever podcast guest, Dr. Lance Timmerman, back to the show for a candid look at the life of a "CE Junkie." Lance shares his extensive, and often scattershot, journey through continuing education—from early courses in sleep apnea and Botox to implants and orthodontics—and the key lesson learned: it's hard to dabble in specialty procedures. The discussion evolves into a broader reflection on how dentistry has changed, especially for new dentists facing massive student debt. Ultimately, Lance describes his successful transition to a semi-retired, three-day-a-week...
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Very Clinical: More Value, Less Grind with Dr. Sully Sullivan
The Very Dental Podcast Network
This throwback episode of the Very Clinical Podcast features hosts Kevin and Zach welcoming back Dr. Sully Sullivan to discuss his involvement with 3D Dentists. Sully details the Mastermind program, which focuses on business strategy for successful dentists, advocating for a shift toward comprehensive diagnosis and "fewer, well-planned visits" through the foundational use of full DSLR photography. He then describes the Digital Implant Continuum, highlighting its unique, all-encompassing curriculum that teaches everything from extraction and grafting to guided implant placement and restoration...
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AME: Transparency and Your Overhead
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Alan shares his recent findings on dental supply purchasing, questioning the long-standing industry model where dentists pay a premium for the convenience and supposed "best price" offered by a dedicated sales rep. He argues that this relationship-based purchasing lacks transparency and costs practices significant money, especially as overhead increases and reimbursements remain flat. Alan endorses his sponsor, Net 32, as a modern solution, highlighting its efficiency and transparency as an online network of suppliers that instantly offers the lowest available price. Through personal invoice...
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Brain Trust: Audio, Print and Influence with Julieanne O’Connor and Michael Keeter
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Back in August Alan talked with guests Julianne O'Connor and Michael Keeter, the founders of Influential Dental. They discussed the company's efforts to elevate the dental space through its Influential Dental Podcast and the glossy lifestyle magazine, Influence Eleve. Julianne and Michael emphasize that their focus is on the authentic human element and the non-clinical stories of dentists—highlighting their journeys, mentors, and the challenges they’ve overcome—rather than the negative connotations of the "influencer" label. Alan discusses his history with audio and the...
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Very Clinical Takeover: Al's Crown Prep Hacks
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Dr. Alan Mead steps in for Zach and Kevin in this "Very Clinical Takeover" episode to share his efficient and refined workflow for single-tooth crown preparations. Alan emphasizes that his streamlined, digital-centric process makes single crowns a quick, straightforward, and profitable procedure in his general practice. The core of the episode is his detailed Crown Prep Workflow and Hacks, which prioritizes patient comfort and efficiency. Profound Anesthesia: Mead's first step is always to achieve profound anesthesia, utilizing inferior alveolar nerve blocks for lower molars and buccal...
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AME: The Elastic Nature of Time
The Very Dental Podcast Network
"You got to remember that you don't own time, it's time that owns you." --Stephen King, "My Pretty Pony" Alan dives into the elastic nature of time this week, a concept he got from a Stephen King short story. He argues that time is totally weird and feels different depending on a person's situation, age, and mood. The Bonus Day: The whole thing started when Alan woke up at 3:30 a.m., convinced it was a work day (Tuesday). Then it hit him: It's Monday. He doesn't work Mondays! It felt like he got an entire day given back to him—a huge, weird, little time-traveling gift. The...
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Very Dental: Technology and a Human Touch with Dr. Tim Anderson
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Alan welcomes back Dr. Tim Anderson to discuss the transformative impact of digital technology on modern dentistry. The episode kicks off with a brief mention of Dr. Anderson's recent "Midas tour" focused on partial coverage restorations, which serves as a springboard into a deeper discussion about the dramatic technological shift since their dental school days at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Anderson reflects on what he'd tell his younger self, highlighting the near-unbelievable advancements in: Intraoral scanning and the power of AI in design. 3D printing and same-day ceramic...
info_outlineThis episode features host Mohammed Abo-Basha's conversation with his classmate, Garrett Davis. They talked about his experience on a senior year dental externship at a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC).
Key takeaways:
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Senior Externship Experience: Guest Garrett discusses his dental externship at a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), contrasting it with the slow pace of dental school.
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Increased Patient Load: He was excited to move to a realistic, faster-paced schedule, seeing approximately eight patients a day (compared to two in school).
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Biggest Concern: His main apprehension was managing deep caries with less oversight from faculty.
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Workflow Differences: Garrett appreciated the realistic workflow and the support of competent dental assistants who took over many setup and cleanup tasks.
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Clinical Growth: He gained significant improvement in speed, confidence, and proficiency, particularly with Removable Partial Denture (RPD) procedures, which were completed in 30 minutes instead of the three hours allotted in school.
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Board Exam Advice: Garrett shared advice for the INBDE and OSCE, recommending using a study plan like Bootcamp, focusing on practice questions, and scheduling the two exams close together.
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