Very Dental: "Go Visit Your Lab" featuring Dr. David Hornbrook
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Release Date: 10/01/2021
The Very Dental Podcast Network
This throwback episode from May 2024 brings together Zach, Kevin and Al for a candid look at how their clinical philosophies have evolved over decades of practice. From the baseball diamonds of the Midwest to the operatory, the guys dive into the "then vs. now" of daily dentistry. They tackle the shift from buried subgingival margins to biology-first placement, the transition from "last resort" handpiece extractions to proactive sectioning, and how digital workflows have turned "hail Mary" saves into predictable, high-level care. It’s a deep dive into the materials, tech, and hard-earned...
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Alan explores the shifting landscape of digital reputation, from the "gold rush" era of 2018 to the current state of consumer skepticism and review fatigue. He dives into how online feedback has largely replaced traditional SEO and Yellow Pages for dental marketing, specifically through its influence on the Google "three-pack." He balances his perspective as a practice owner—noting how automated systems like Podium drive high call volumes—against his skepticism as a consumer, highlighting how the system can be gamed through professional reviewers and paid removal services. The episode...
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Recorded live at the Chicago Midwinter Meeting,Alan is joined by Kate Reinert and Brian Shoberg from Zirc Dental Products to the podcast lounge. The trio discusses the evolving landscape of dental trade shows in the digital age and the enduring value of hands-on continuing education. Brian and Kate introduce Zirc's latest innovation: a double-sided, one-piece soft grip mirror designed to improve visualization, ergonomics, and dental assistant workflow. Kate delves into her specialty of dental office organization and efficiency, sharing "origin stories" from her days as an assistant and...
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In this throwback episode Alan and Dr. Dawn Grimes explore the unexpected parallels between physical and mental decluttering. Starting with the simple, visceral satisfaction of a "dump run," the conversation pivots to the "self-administered poison" of modern media. Alan shares his recent transition to a three-day clinical work week and the surprising discovery that has changed his morning routine: the silent commute. By trading outrage-driven podcasts for quiet reflection, he discusses how to combat the "morning scaries" and set a more intentional tone for the day. From the psychology of...
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Alan gets candid about the "aging practice" and the sobering clinical hurdles of geriatric dentistry. As both he and his long-term patients cross major milestones, Alan explores the dangerous intersection of polypharmacy, xerostomia, and the "comfort food" trap of sugary hard candies. The discussion dives deep into why the dental "ratchet" only turns one way, the necessity of shifting toward more aggressive, proactive treatment planning for patients over 65, and the complex surgical risks posed by bisphosphonate therapy. It’s a heartfelt look at the frustration of watching health decline and...
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Alan sits down with Dr. Michael Wenzel (known to his YouTube fans as "") to discuss the transformative power of the dental microscope. From his early days of "magnification envy" at dental conferences to becoming a leading voice in dental videography, Michael shares how switching from loops to a scope changed his clinical flow and patient communication. The two dive deep into the gear—comparing internal cameras, mirrorless setups, and the surprising power of the iPhone—while discussing why the microscope makes dentistry feel less like work and more like an immersive video game. They...
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In this episode of the Very Clinical podcast, Zach and Kevin take a nostalgic trip through the evolution of technology and the social dynamics of the dental profession. The duo starts with a look at their "tech origins," comparing stories of 3.5-inch floppy disk backups, FORTRAN punch cards, and the struggle of logging into office computers via dial-up modems. The conversation then shifts to the personal side of the profession as Zach prepares for his 25th dental school reunion. They explore the "awkward factor" of professional gatherings, the reality of "dental bragging," and Kevin’s...
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Alan explores why musical tastes often freeze in middle school and why a 54-year-old dentist still feels like he’s in his twenties—until he sees the Ticketmaster bill for Rush’s 50th-anniversary tour. Alan dives into the friction of analog nostalgia, from landlines to worn-out cassettes, and contrasts it with the instant-access world of his 18-year-old son, Sean. It’s a reflection on whether the "effort" of the 1980s created a deeper brand of nostalgia than the frictionless, Spotify-driven experience of today’s youth, questioning if we value things less when there’s no barrier...
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Alan catches up with dental administration expert Teresa Duncan at the "posh" Chicago Midwinter Meeting press center to discuss the shifting landscape of dental documentation and technology. The conversation dives deep into the ADA’s refreshed radiographic guidelines, emphasizing the shift from "implicit" to "explicit" clinical notes and how AI and ambient listening are revolutionizing chart accuracy. From debating the ethics of insurance claims to reminiscing about the "sterile pockets" and dip-tanks of the past, Alan and Teresa explore how innovation—and maybe a future sterilization...
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This special episode of the Very Dental Podcast flips the script, featuring Dr. Alan Mead as a guest on the podcast with hosts Dr. Alex Kantor and Dr. Eric Applesies. In a wide-ranging and speculative conversation, the trio peers into the future to imagine the landscape of Dentistry in 2050. From the role of AI and robotic assistants in practice management to the potential "pendulum swing" away from DSO consolidation and back toward private practice, no stone is left unturned. The discussion also tackles the mounting burden of student debt, the evolving role of dental hygiene, and whether...
info_outlineAlan welcomes Dr. David Hornbrook to the Very Dental podcast! David was the presenter at the Vedder Society's fall meeting and he did not disappoint! He's an amazing clinician with an approachable style of presentation and we got to see and interact with him for 3 days! Some of the things we discussed on the podcast were:
- David is REALLY glad to be back to in person teaching!
- David explains how he became such a lab and materials focused clinician
- "Knowing exactly what they're doing in the lab has made me a better dentist."
- Do you invite your lab to ask for more information and critique your work?
- Digital workflow isn't an invitation to be sloppy. PVS is way better for someone who doesn't pay attention to details
- What's the benefit of visiting the lab?
- Do you know who is creating your restorations?
- Your lab techs know what kind of dentist you are!
- Let's go to Lab Day in Chicago!
- Do you do CE with your lab tech(s)?
- Are we moving to implants too quickly?
- Bridges are legitimate treatment in a lot of cases and implant are not always the best choice.
- The greatest trick for strengthening a zirconia bridge!
- Becoming David Hornbrook
- Photography vs. "Instagram Photography"
- Patient expectations and "ideal" dentistry
- Weighing minimally invasive techniques against creating room for materials
- Informed consent and how the dentist "spins" the treatment
- David's recommendations for new dentists:
- find a mentor
- eliminate the undesirable procedures from your practice as soon as possible
- realize that you're going to be a dentist for a long time
- "hurry up and slow down"
- Be uncompromising
Some links from the show:
- Vedder Society
- David Hornbrook's courses (Utah Valley Dental Lab)
- The Voices of Dentistry
- The Very Dental Facebook group
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The Very Dental podcast is brought to you by our friends at Microcopy Dental. Neodiamonds from Microcopy Dental are very fine. I mean, all of them are awesome, but some of them are actually “very fine.” Specifically I mean the yellow striped ones they call “finishing” diamonds. I use Microcopy finishing diamonds on just about any patient that I might be spinning a bur on. Very fine finishers do the heavy lifting on composites so polishing is simple and easy. I use them to finish crown preps. I’ve been known to adjust Emax and Zirconia with them. Once you try them you’re going to find a ton of places to use them! And just like all of Microcopy’s burs, they’re sterile out of the package and single use means they’re sharp and efficient and can be disposed of at the end of the appointment! Go check them out at verydentalpodcast.com/veryfine (all one word)!
The Very Dental podcast is also supported by our friends at Cosmedent! Cosmedent has just released a new composite that you’re going to want to try! It’s called “Renamel Bulkfill” and it’s here to simplify your posterior composite placement. It rivals the speed and efficiency of amalgam but it’s still packable, sculptable and polishes like a dream! You can cure up to 4mm increments, so it’s sure to increase the efficiency of working in the posterior. It’s radiopaque for easy identification on recalls, too! I’ll get a chance to try it clinically next week and I’ll give you my review with photos in the Very Dental Facebook group! Cosmedent is offering a killer 20% off deal for Very Dental Podcast Network listeners by using the coupon code “VDP21” at checkout on their website! So go check out Renamel Bulkfill at verydentalpodcast.com/bulkfill
The Very Dental Podcast is also supported by Zirc! How often do you wish that your patients didn’t have lips, cheeks or tongues? This isn’t a very practical wish, but the Mr. Thirsty One Step basically grants it to you! It’s a comfortable bite block that removes the cheek and tongue from your operating field while the integrated suction keeps everything completely dry! And you don’t even need any special hardware to use it! Best of all, single use means that once you’re done, you just dispose of it. No clean up, no sterilization hassles. Mr. Thirsty One Step is like your wish come true! Go check it out at verydentalpodcast.com/thirsty!
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