Very Dental: Losing My Practice and Saving My Life with Dr. Tiffany Paiva
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Dr. Tiffany Paiva joins Alan for a deeply candid conversation about addiction, professional burnout, and the emotional toll of practice ownership. From overcoming a prescription opioid dependency sparked during dental school to navigating staff crises, embezzlement, and a practice closure, Dr. Paiva shares the raw reality behind the facade of clinical success. Now championing connection over comparison, she discusses how letting go of dentistry as an exclusive identity allowed her to heal—and how her new platform, DentorMatch, is helping dental professionals fight loneliness and burnout...
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Very Clinical: Avoiding Compounding Errors in Endodontics with Dr. Ash Mark
The Very Dental Podcast Network
In today's throwback Very Clinical episode Kevin and Zach welcome Dr. Ash Mark of YouTube's "All Things Dentistry" to discuss practical clinical strategies for navigating calcified root canals. The conversation dives into essential tips for identifying and treating calcified cases, including the importance of proper diagnostic imaging (like vertical bitewings and CBCT) and utilizing tools like long-shank burs and EndoTracers for enhanced visibility. Dr. Mark highlights the benefits of flexible, heat-treated rotary files, shares insights on avoiding file separation, and explains how practicing...
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AME: 5 Tips for Rock Solid Interproximal Contacts
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Alan dives into the frustrating challenge of open and light interproximal contacts in restorative dentistry. Drawing from recent personal dental experiences and clinical observations, Alan delivers five actionable tips to consistently achieve tight, reliable Class II contacts: Prewedging Staged Wedging Separating Rings Grooming Contacts Push-Pull/Flowable Bracing Whether placing direct composites or working with indirect restorations, these practical workflows will help you eliminate food traps and deliver long-lasting restorative outcomes. Some links from the show: The Very Dental...
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Very Dental: Intentional Dentistry and the Art of Saving Teeth with Dr. Matt Nejad
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Alan Mead welcomes Southern California cosmetic and biomimetic dentist Dr. Matt Nejad. Matt shares his career journey—from buying a modest two-chair practice straight out of dental school to run his own self-directed "residency" in meticulous care, to becoming part of an aspirational practice in Beverly Hills. The two dive into the core philosophy of biomimetic restorative dentistry, the power of intentionality and rubber dam isolation, and why saving natural teeth with selective caries removal and vital pulp therapy should be prioritized over rushing to implants or root canals. Plus, they...
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Very Clinical: All Things Calcified...Navigating Tough Canals with Dr. Ash Mark
The Very Dental Podcast Network
In today's throwback Very Clinical episode Kevin and Zach welcome Dr. Ash Mark of YouTube's "All Things Dentistry" to discuss practical clinical strategies for navigating calcified root canals. The conversation dives into essential tips for identifying and treating calcified cases, including the importance of proper diagnostic imaging (like vertical bitewings and CBCT) and utilizing tools like long-shank burs and EndoTracers for enhanced visibility. Dr. Mark highlights the benefits of flexible, heat-treated rotary files, shares insights on avoiding file separation, and explains how practicing...
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AME: The Other Side of the Chair
The Very Dental Podcast Network
How often do you experience your own office like a patient? As luck would have it, Alan lost a filling and had the chance to see what it's like to be a patient in his own office and he learned a lot! Alan discusses the unexpected anxiety of losing a restoration, attempting to place a temporary matrix band on himself, and the crucial insights gained from experiencing his own clinical workflow from the patient's perspective. From ceiling-mounted TVs and specialized eye protection to chair pads and operatory lighting, Alan reflects on what works well for patient comfort and where there's room for...
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Very Dental: Making the Case for Going Rural with Dr. Dave Whitlock
The Very Dental Podcast Network
This throwback episode features a great conversation with Dr. Dave Whitlock! They discuss the unique opportunities, lifestyle perks, and financial benefits of practicing dentistry in rural communities. Having transitioned from high-competition, high-cost metro markets like Phoenix and Dallas to rural Eastern Kentucky, Dr. Whitlock shares how moving away from urban saturation allowed him to lower his living costs, reduce practice overhead, and secure an overwhelming demand for dental care. Together, they break down common misconceptions surrounding rural dentistry, discuss the overwhelming...
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Very Clinical: Dr. Sully Sullivan on Replacing Yourself
The Very Dental Podcast Network
In this throwback episode of the Very Clinical Podcast, Zach and Kevin welcome back Dr. Sully Sullivan from Nashville, Tennessee. Sully shares the unique origin story of the 3D Dentists Mastermind, which began when he and Hootan stepped in to help run a course in Texas after Dr. T-Bone had a family emergency. He breaks down the Mastermind's core philosophy: dentists must learn to "replace themselves" to overcome bandwidth limitations and allow their practices to grow. A major focus of the group is shifting away from single-tooth fixes to comprehensive dentistry in order to execute fewer,...
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AME: Escaping the Outrage Machine with Dr. Dawn Grimes
The Very Dental Podcast Network
In this engaging throwback episode Alan Mead is joined by frequent guest Dr. Dawn Grimes. They have a thoughtful conversation on mental health, specifically how consuming the news and the media's "outrage machine" can negatively impact daily life. Dr. Mead shares his new strategy of driving his morning commute in complete silence to protect his peace, while Dr. Grimes emphasizes the importance of staying in the present moment rather than dreading future inevitabilities like paying tax quarterlies. The episode wraps up with amusing anecdotes about recognizing distinct voices in public,...
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Group Function: Decoding DSOs with Dr. Mark Costes & Dr. Paul Etchison
The Very Dental Podcast Network
In this throwback episode of the Group Function Podcast, Alan Mead sits down with two titans of dental podcasting: Dr. Mark Costes and Dr. Paul Etchison! Together they decode the rapidly evolving world of Dental Service Organizations (DSOs). They break down complex industry jargon like EBITDA, recapitalization, and same-store growth, making it easily digestible for independent practice owners. The trio explores the transition from the initial wave of practice consolidation to the modern, highly discerning private equity landscape. Between dropping heavy business knowledge, they also take...
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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)