Very Dental Student: The Harland Hustle: Surviving and Thriving in Your First Years of Dentistry
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Release Date: 06/23/2025
Very Dental: The Dentist's Dilemma: Doctor or Entrepreneur? with Dr. Mark Costes
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Is the entrepreneurial drive something you're born with, or can it be learned? Alan had the chance to sit down with his friend and colleague, Dr. Mark Costes, at the recent Voices of Dentistry Pop Up for a deep dive into the mindset of a business owner. Drawing from his own family history, Dr. Costes argues that an entrepreneurial spirit is often an innate trait (nature), but that the skills to succeed can absolutely be cultivated (nurture). They explore the massive shift in the dental profession from the "golden era"—when clinical skill alone could guarantee a great living—to today's...
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Very Clinical: A Tip or Two with Dr. McGue
The Very Dental Podcast Network
In this throwback episode from Voices of Dentistry 2023 in Scottsdale, Zach and Kevin are joined by guest Dr. Brian McGue for the inaugural "Myths and Tips" episode. Dr. McGue, the inspiration for this format, kicks things off by myth-busting the posterior palatal seal, questioning its origin and clinical necessity for upper dentures. For his pro tip, he shares a game-changing technique for seating crowns—especially implant crowns—by recontouring the adjacent tooth contacts to eliminate undercuts and achieve a perfect, passive fit. Join the using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook"...
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AME: Matt's Marketing Minute(s)
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Recorded live at our recent pop up VoD 2025, Alan is joined by the one and only Dr. Matt Standridge! Matt shares two innovative marketing strategies he uses in his practice. First, he details his process for creating personalized virtual case presentations using Google Slides. He records custom videos for potential patients, walking them through their specific case, treatment options, and fees before they even come into the office, which has led to significantly higher case acceptance rates. Second, he explains how he collaborates with patients who are professional photographers. After a...
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Very Dental: Have We Reached Peak Dental Podcasting with Dr. Mark Costes
The Very Dental Podcast Network
In this throwback episode Alan is joined by his good friend and co-founder of Voices of Dentistry, Dr. Mark Costes. They catch up after the VOD 2022 event, sharing personal stories about their kids, past injuries, and the humbling (and sometimes embarrassing) experience of getting older. The conversation wraps up with a behind-the-scenes look at the world of dental podcasting, discussing everything from download stats and interview strategies to their most memorable guests. Some links from the show: Join the using the password "Gary," "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or "McWethy," "Papa...
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Very Clinical: The Ortho Champion with Maryann McFarland
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Kevin and Zach are joined by star hygienist Maryann McFarland. They kick things off with a competitive discussion about their favorite games, from Maryann's professional-level Scrabble skills to Zach's past as a ranked online poker player. The conversation then shifts to the clinical topic of the day: how Maryann champions the Invisalign workflow in the practice. She provides a masterclass on her process, detailing every step from initial patient contact and leveraging in-office marketing to using photos on a big-screen monitor, discussing financials, and performing the digital scan—all...
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AME: Unconscious
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Alan uses his familiar daily commute as an analogy for the routine procedures in dentistry that become second nature. He reflects on how tasks that are "unconscious" and automatic for a seasoned dentist, such as a tooth extraction, are a highly conscious and often frightening experience for a patient. Drawing on a recent interaction with an anxious patient, Al emphasizes the importance of stepping out of this professional autopilot to consciously provide more empathy and care. Join the using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook," "Gary," "McWethy," "Papa Randy" or "Lipscomb!" The Very...
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Very Dental: Frankly, Dental School Sucked
The Very Dental Podcast Network
This throwback episode features Alan and his longtime friend and fellow Dentaltown veteran, Dr. Frank Clayton, for a hilarious and nostalgic conversation. They reminisce about the early days of online forums, the inception of the podcast idea, and Frank’s surprising pre-dental career selling Velveeta cheese. The discussion quickly turns to the shared trauma of hating dental school and the daily, relatable frustrations of clinical practice—from the high-stakes timing of cement cleanup and the dread of a phone call from the lab to the eternal struggle for the perfect contact. It's a candid,...
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Very Clinical: More Than a Cleaning with Maryann McFarland
The Very Dental Podcast Network
In this episode, Kevin and Zach return from a hiatus and catch up on their summer adventures before introducing a special guest: Kevin's hygienist, Maryann McFarland. Maryann shares her journey through a 32-year career in hygiene, from a frustrating first job in a "prophy mill" to finding her work home in Kevin's practice. She discusses how embracing new challenges like sleep apnea treatment, clear aligner therapy, and administering local anesthesia has reinvigorated her passion for dentistry and transformed her job satisfaction. Key Takeaways Find Your "Work Home": A positive and supportive...
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AME: The Internet Before the Internet with Richard Heend
The Very Dental Podcast Network
In this nostalgic throwback episode, Alan reconnects with his childhood friend, Richard Heend, to reminisce about the internet before the internet. They journey back to the early 1980s, discussing their first encounters with computers like the Atari 400, the magic of bulletin board systems (BBS), and the thrill of playing games like Jumpman Jr. From the screech of a 300-baud modem and the limitations of a single phone line to the novelty of a dot-matrix printer, Alan and Rich explore how these early, text-based online communities were the evolutionary precursors to today's social media. They...
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Very Dental: Al and the Amazing Pants with Angus Pryor
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Alan is joined by Australian marketing expert and fellow podcaster, Angus Pryor! The episode was recorded live from the Chicago Midwinter Meeting. Their chat begins with the surprising discovery that they both live on large rural farms, complete with forests, horses, and messy ducks. This shared experience launches them into a wide-ranging conversation about the art and business of podcasting, the strange nature of social media, the complexities of modern marketing, and the fine line between ethical patient education and "salesiness" in healthcare. Angus concludes by sharing the unique value...
info_outlineIn this episode, Mohamed welcomes back Dr. Kevin Harland, a recent graduate from the OU College of Dentistry, for a candid conversation about the realities of life just two years out of dental school.
Dr. Harland shares a powerful personal story about his daughter's health journey, which profoundly reshaped his perspective on his career and life. He then offers invaluable advice for fourth-year dental students, covering everything from tackling board exams and the importance of gaining hands-on clinical experience to the nuances of treatment planning and material selection. Dr. Harland also discusses the benefits of joining a professional study club and shares what motivates him daily as he navigates the challenges and rewards of his growing career.
- A New Perspective: Dr. Harland opens up about his daughter's recent major surgery and recovery, a life-altering experience that helped him prioritize his family and find a deeper meaning in his work.
- Board Exam Tips: For fourth-year students, Dr. Harland advises using question banks like Bootcamp for the INBDE and getting comfortable with plastic teeth for the clinical boards, emphasizing that these exams don't define your career.
- Fourth-Year Focus: He recommends that fourth-year students should start thinking seriously about their desired work environment by shadowing in various practices (DSO, private practice, public health). Clinically, the focus should be on getting comfortable with the handpiece and experimenting with different materials and techniques in the safe environment of the dental school.
- Clinical Growth: Dr. Harland's biggest areas of growth have been in the efficiency and confidence of his handpiece skills and in the complexities of treatment planning, especially when dealing with difficult cases.
- Navigating Difficult Conversations: He emphasizes the importance of under-promising and over-delivering, and having honest conversations with patients about the possibility of different treatment outcomes.
- The Value of Community: Dr. Harland shares his positive experience with a local study club, highlighting the camaraderie and the invaluable access to a collective mind of experienced clinicians.
- Materials Matter: He discusses his material selection for partial and full crowns, weighing the pros and cons of materials like EMAX, Tetric CAD, and Zirconia based on the clinical situation.
- Daily Motivation: Dr. Harland finds motivation in providing for his family, the satisfaction of creating excellent restorations, and the positive feedback from patients who recognize his care and dedication.
Join the Very Dental Facebook group using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or "McWethy," "Papa Randy" or "Lipscomb!"
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