loader from loading.io

Shorts: What You Do, Not Who You Are

The Very Dental Podcast Network

Release Date: 12/17/2021

Very Clinical: New Year, New Gear with Dr. Gary Holtzclaw and Dr. Erin Elliott show art Very Clinical: New Year, New Gear with Dr. Gary Holtzclaw and Dr. Erin Elliott

The Very Dental Podcast Network

It’s New Year’s Eve Eve! Zach and Kevin return to close out the year with returning guests Dr. Gary Holtzclaw and Dr. Erin Elliott. In this final episode of 2025, the crew trades stories about their most memorable (and traumatic) New Year’s Eve experiences—including a high school snowball fight that went terribly wrong and an intense dental school dodgeball tournament. Later, the conversation shifts from parties to protocols as the group discusses the major clinical and business changes they implemented in their practices this year. From AI integration and staffing shake-ups to battles...

info_outline
AME: Hitting Pause and Rewind in 2026 show art AME: Hitting Pause and Rewind in 2026

The Very Dental Podcast Network

In this candid episode, Alan announces he is taking a hiatus from recording new content for the Very Dental Podcast Network. Feeling momentarily "tapped out" after nearly 12 years of podcasting, Alan reflects on the evolution of the medium and his desire to avoid becoming repetitive. Starting in January, the show will move to a weekly Friday release schedule featuring remastered "Greatest Hits" episodes, beginning with a classic 2015 interview with Dr. Rella Christensen. While he plans to step back from the microphone for a bit, he will continue to produce episodes for hosts Kevin and Zach and...

info_outline
Very Dental: Facially Generated Success, a conversation with Dr. Frank Spear and Dr. Gregg Kinzer show art Very Dental: Facially Generated Success, a conversation with Dr. Frank Spear and Dr. Gregg Kinzer

The Very Dental Podcast Network

In this throwback Dental Hacks episode, I am joined by Dr. Jason Lipscomb to welcome two absolute legends in dental education: Dr. Frank Spear and Dr. Gregg Kinzer. This interview was originally released back in 2018 and it marked the first time Jason, Frank, and Gregg sat down together on the podcast, delivering a conversation packed with history, philosophy, and actionable practice management advice. The conversation traces the evolution of dental continuing education, moving from Frank’s early days of disjointed lectures to the structured, curriculum-based approach of the Spear Center...

info_outline
A Very Clinical Christmas with Dr. Erin Elliott and Dr. Gary Holtzclaw show art A Very Clinical Christmas with Dr. Erin Elliott and Dr. Gary Holtzclaw

The Very Dental Podcast Network

Join hosts Zach and Kevin for the annual Very Clinical holiday wrap-up! This week, they welcome back the recurring year-end duo, Dr. Erin Elliott and Dr. Gary Holtzclaw. It is officially a tradition as Erin and Gary join the guys to break down how they are spending the holidays and what has changed in their lives over the last twelve months. In this festive episode, the group shares their unique Christmas traditions, ranging from Icelandic rice pudding games to seafood feasts and tongue-in-cheek "virgin sacrifices." Beyond the holiday cheer, they dive into significant life updates. Kevin...

info_outline
AME: Getting Your Head Straight for the Holidays show art AME: Getting Your Head Straight for the Holidays

The Very Dental Podcast Network

In this holiday edition, Alan starts off feeling the weight of the Winter Solstice and a bit of "podcasting burnout," questioning whether an audio veteran needs to pivot to video to stay relevant. However, he refuses to stay in a funk. Alan shares his real-time strategy for getting his head straight for the holidays, including a change of recording venue, hacking his own social media algorithms to remove toxicity, and finally getting back to the gym. He also shares updates on his practice’s workflow, his renewed passion for Bioclear, and why you need to be in Arizona this January. Some...

info_outline
Very Dental Classics: It's the Airway, Stupid with Dr. Jeff Rouse show art Very Dental Classics: It's the Airway, Stupid with Dr. Jeff Rouse

The Very Dental Podcast Network

This throwback Dental Hacks episode features one of Alan and Jason's classic airway discussions with Dr. Jeff Rouse. This was recorded at the 2018 DS World held in Orlando. Dr. Rouse elaborated on the Seattle Protocol and the essential approach to airway management in dentistry. Jeff broke down the differences between airway issues and sleep apnea, emphasizing the importance of nasal breathing and the role of night guards. He also addresses screening techniques using high-resolution pulse oximetry and cardiopulmonary coupling and the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration involving ENT...

info_outline
Very Clinical: Keep CADCAMing with Dr. Dhaval Patel show art Very Clinical: Keep CADCAMing with Dr. Dhaval Patel

The Very Dental Podcast Network

Kevin and Alan are joined again by Dr. Dhaval Patel to discuss the significant shifts occurring in digital dentistry, moving beyond the traditional CEREC workflow. Dhaval explains that his highly popular online group, "Keep CERECing," was recently renamed "Keep CAD/CAMing" after he consulted with Dentsply Sirona's legal team regarding trademark usage, which prompted him to broaden the group's scope. This change has led to a natural expansion in technology focus, now encompassing the wider CAD/CAM landscape including 3D printing and 5-axis milling. Dhaval details how he uses 3D printing for...

info_outline
AME: 363 Days  show art AME: 363 Days

The Very Dental Podcast Network

Alan explores the state of prevention in dentistry, inspired by his constant sense of smelling periodontitis everywhere. He argues that while the profession talks a good game about prevention, its core focus remains surgical intervention. Alan stresses that the success of dental health hinges on the 363 days of patient home care outside the office, yet dentists often fail to properly educate patients on effective techniques beyond generic instructions to "brush and floss." Drawing on insights from hygiene experts, he calls for a radical shift to front-load prevention—moving past a reliance...

info_outline
Very Dental: AI Skepticism with Dr. Gary Holtzclaw show art Very Dental: AI Skepticism with Dr. Gary Holtzclaw

The Very Dental Podcast Network

AI is in the conversation all the time these days. Most people are convinced that the productivity gains that AI promises are all to the good, but is that really true? Alan is joined again by Dr. Gary Holtzclaw for a conversation that needs to be had. The conversation includes the role of AI in dentistry, skepticism towards new technologies, the evolution of social media, and the impact of sports betting on the integrity of sports. They explore the benefits and potential threats of AI, the changing landscape of social media interactions, and the implications of gambling in sports. The...

info_outline
Very Clinical: You Won't Know if You Don't Ask with Dr. Dhaval Patel show art Very Clinical: You Won't Know if You Don't Ask with Dr. Dhaval Patel

The Very Dental Podcast Network

On the Very Clinical podcast we're suckers for a good story, and our guest, Dr. Dhaval Patel tells one of the best ones we've ever heard!  Kevin and Alan (sorry, no Zach this episode, he's busy mourning the record of his Kansas City Chiefs) welcome Dr. Dhaval Patel to the show. Our plan was to talk about his journey into CAD-CAM dentistry and don't worry, we get there. But he tells the story of how he became a dentist in the US after his training in India and the story is AMAZING. Let's just say that Dhaval has taught us that you need to ask for the things that you want.  Following...

info_outline
 
More Episodes

Identity is a weird concept. "Dentist" is technically a job description (what you do) but for many of us, including Al, it becomes our identity. Or at least a huge part of it. Al takes a little time to riff on his experience on his history of disengaging from dentistry and how evaluating how you see your identity is a healthy thing to do.

If you would you like support the Very Dental Podcast Network you should support our sponsors! They help us create content that is, for lack of a better word...Very Dental!

Why should you care about single patient use burs? I can think of a lot of reasons, but the one your patients are thinking about is this one. What’s that sound? That’s the sound of a rotary instrument that’s never been used on another patient. That’s the sound of no cross contamination. That’s the sound of your patient knowing that you are looking out for them. Sure you get a super sharp, never been used bur each and every time you open a Microcopy bur, but mostly your patients know that you take cross contamination seriously. Go check out the wide variety of single patient use products at verydentalpodcast.com/microcopy. A new (and sterile) bur…every time. Microcopy Dental.

Ideal preps. That’s what we aim for. One excellent way to get there is to use a core material to build the tooth back up to ideal contour. Cosmecore from Cosmedent is my choice for building up a broken down tooth. It’s dual cure, comes in a variety of colors and cuts just like a tooth. You’ll get a super smooth finish with no gouging. Right now I’ve got the 50 gram dispenser that fits in a small impression gun, but when I need to refill I think I’ll go with the 8 gram syringe. Both work great, but those syringes are handy and don’t take much room on a set up. Check it out at verydentalpodcast.com/cosmecore!

It’s funny, but you never really know how your branding effects people until you see it in your own life. So Jacob, my youngest 11 started Invisalign with a local orthodontist. He’s following all the instructions, including taking them out to eat. So I’m CONSTANTLY seeing a case for his aligners with our orthodontist’s brand. Like every single day. I’m realizing that cases for aligners, splits and removable offer a brilliant way for people to remember your office and your brand! And then I thought of our friends at Zirc who offer aligner sized and denture sized boxes in tons of colors that you can customize with YOUR logo! They’re offering a buy one, get one deal on retainer or denture boxes with your logo and 4 lines of custom print! Go check it out at verydentalpodcast.com/imprint and use code: verydentalimprint for your Very Dental deal!

Our friends at Enova Illumination have your magnification and lighting needs all figured out. Whether you’re looking at new loupes, a surgical headlight like no other or the amazing line of Zumax microscopes, Enova Illumination has you covered! Go check them out at verydentalpodcast.com/Enova and take advantage of the discounts they have for Very Dental Podcast Network listeners!

Do you need help with a logo or website design? Our friends at Wonderist can definitely help! Keep your eyes open for updated logos of all your favorite Very Dental Podcast Network shows this month...they’ve been designed by the pros at the Wonderist Agency! Want more information? Go check them out at verydentalpodcast.com/wonderist!

Do you want an easy way to support the Very Dental Podcast network? Go check out the monthly deals from our friends at Crazy Dental! Each month Crazy Dental will be offering all kinds of different coupons on the product you’re using most! Head over to verydentalpodcast.com/crazy to see the monthly deals they have in store for you!