AME: Let Them Say No
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Alan reflects on his 27 years in dentistry, revealing how his past struggles with addiction and a conservative approach to treatment planning have impacted his practice. He admits he often defaults to a "watch-and-wait" approach in gray-area cases, feeling a need to save patients money or fearing they will say no to treatment. He worries this may lead to more complex and expensive procedures down the road, benefiting neither the patient nor his business. Alan challenges himself to be more assertive in presenting a full range of treatment options, allowing patients to make their own decisions....
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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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Alan is joined by three amazing guests to discuss hiring and how COVID has changed everything when it comes to being an employer!
The guests:
- Dr. Matt Standridge is a clinician, educator and podcaster who’s been on the podcast a whole bunch of times and has had some pretty serious hiring and staffing issues over the last year!
- Sandy Pardue is the founder of Classic Practice Resources. She’s an absolute wizard with office systems and should be the first person you think of for consulting and team training. Sandy is also a podcaster and has been on the show a bunch of times, too!
- Paul Edwards is the founder of CEDR Solutions. You need employee handbooks and CEDR Solutions is who you should get them from. Also...CEDR Solutions is basically an all in one HR solution for dental offices.
The conversation:
- Matt turned over almost his ENTIRE TEAM in the last year! (Oof)
- Are people "getting paid to stay home?"
- The hiring situation was getting tough before COVID!
- Child care, home schooling and family situations have really affected dental hiring
- How has politics affected people and their work situation?
- State by state unemployment changes
- This hiring situation is unprecedented!
- ALWAYS BE HIRING!
- Work on your hiring skills and culture!
- Don't poach, but always be receptive
- Sign on bonuses?
- Generational differences in hiring moving forward
- Sandy presented at a meeting! It's weird, but it's happening!
- Voices of Dentistry coming January 21-22, 2022!
- Last words from Paul: work on your hiring skills
- Last words from Sandy: hire fast, fire fast
- Last words from Matt: record a "video explanation" for positions that you're hiring for to screen potential candidates!
Links from the show:
The Very Dental Facebook group (password: Timmerman)