Very Dental Classics: Sugar, Science and Dr. Rella Christensen
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Release Date: 01/02/2026
Kevin and Zach on Dental School Reunions
The Very Dental Podcast Network
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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AME: The Nostalgia Playlist
The Very Dental Podcast Network
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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Very Dental: The Explicit Truth with Teresa Duncan
The Very Dental Podcast Network
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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Very Dental: Dentistry in 2050 with Dr. Alex Kantor and Dr. Eric Applesies
The Very Dental Podcast Network
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...
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AME: Outrunning the Discounts with Dr. Bart Schultz
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Alan catches up with his longtime friend and dental school classmate, Dr. Bart Schultz. The duo takes a nostalgic and candid look back at Al's "super senior" days at the University of Minnesota, critiquing the traditional dental school model as a "scam" that often fails to provide students with enough clinical repetitions. They dive deep into the frustrations of the Minnesota Care Tax, the ethical grey areas of "outrunning the discount" when dealing with certain insurance benefits, and the unique guilt dentists feel when restorations inevitably fail. It’s a raw, behind-the-scenes look at the...
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Very Dental: Why Dentistry is Still a "Safe Bet" for Lenders with Kirk Dewart
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Alan sits down with Kirk Dewart of US Bank to pull back the curtain on the world of dental practice finance. With 15 years of experience in the healthcare banking niche, Kirk debunks the myth that individual ownership is dead and discusses why dentistry remains one of the safest bets for lenders. The conversation covers the critical importance of early preparation for buyers, how banks evaluate student debt, and the value of building a local advisory team—including a CPA, attorney, and a banker who understands the dental landscape. Whether you are an associate looking to acquire your first...
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Very Clinical: The Skeptical Patient
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Zach and Kevin are joined by Alan to navigate the murky waters of patient skepticism. The trio explores the frustration of the "impasse"—when clinical evidence points to a cracked lower molar, but the patient is convinced the pain is coming from a perfectly healthy upper tooth. They discuss the strategic use of referrals to specialists for "validation," the evolution of clinical confidence that comes with gray hair, and how technology like CBCT and high-res photography allows dentists to stop "convincing" and start "showing." Join the using one of these passwords: Timmerman, Paul,...
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AME: It's Only Rock and Roll
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Alan returns from a 1,000-mile Spring Break 2026 road trip to share reflections on family, travel, and a "brain-breaking" visit to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. While trekking through the New River Gorge and hunting for kinetic ball machines in Akron and Charleston, Alan finds himself pondering the evolution of media distribution. He explores how the shift from the gatekept era of radio and MTV to the digital frontier of the internet, Spotify and other music services has transformed not only how we consume culture but how expertise and education are distributed in the modern world. Could a...
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Very Dental: Sound Check with Papa Randy (aka: Dr. Randy Houska)
The Very Dental Podcast Network
In this "impromptu soundcheck" turned full-length conversation, Alan sits down with the legendary Dr. Randy Houska (affectionately known as Papa Randy) at the Implant Pathway during Voices of Dentistry 2026. The duo dives deep into the gratifications of long-term patient relationships—discussing the evolution of dental benefits in Saginaw and the unique bond formed with patients over decades of care. The conversation takes a scenic detour through Randy’s life in South Dakota, touching on his wife’s expanding retail empire, the charm of seasonal businesses, and why Randy’s dog has a...
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Very Clinical: Experience Isn't Everything
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Kevin and Zach are joined by Alan once again, this time to dive into a candid discussion about the humbling realities of long-term dental practice. The core of the conversation explores the "amateur mistakes" and unexpected hurdles that still plague even veteran dentists with decades of experience, such as the "hot tooth" that refuses to numb, the extraction that goes sideways, and the technical difficulties of back-to-back composite restorations. Some links from the show: Join the using one of these passwords: Timmerman, Paul, Bioclear, Hornbrook, Gary, McWethy, Papa Randy, or...
info_outlineThis classic Dental Hacks episode features a long-form interview with Dr. Rella Christensen of TRAC Research (formerly CRA). The discussion covers the history of independent product evaluation, the challenges of maintaining objectivity in dental research, and significant findings regarding restorative materials and caries management. The original interview had really poor sound quality but a little help from an Adobe AI filter really cleared it up. This interview was worth another listen, I think!
Key Interview Highlights
1. The Origins and Ethics of TRAC Research
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History: The organization began in 1976 (founded by Gordon Christensen) with the goal of collecting subjective data from clinicians to create objective "Consumer Reports" style rankings for dentistry.
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Unbiased Stance: Dr. Christensen emphasized that TRAC is a non-profit foundation that accepts no funding from manufacturers. If a company refuses to provide a product for testing (often fearing a negative review), TRAC purchases it on the open market to ensure the data is captured.
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The "File Drawer" Effect: They discussed how negative research is rarely published in journals due to corporate influence in dental schools and editorial boards. TRAC aims to publish the truth, even when it is negative.
2. Restorative Materials: The Zirconia Revolution
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10-Year Study Results: Dr. Christensen detailed a 10-year study comparing various ceramic systems.
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The Failure: Zirconia substructures (like Lava) survived well, but the veneering ceramics (porcelain layered on top) had massive failure rates (chipping and cracking).
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The Winner: The study pointed toward monolithic zirconia (specifically BruxZir) and lithium disilicate (e.max) as the most durable options.
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Translucency Warning: She noted that as manufacturers push for more translucent (anterior) zirconia, they often lower the flexural strength (from ~1200 MPa to ~600 MPa). She cautioned that the long-term fracture toughness of these newer, "prettier" zirconias was still unknown at the time
3. The "Bombshell": Enamel Remineralization & Caries
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The Study: TRAC performed an in-depth clinical study on 330 orthodontic patients (high risk for white spot lesions). They tested various protocols including MI Paste, Fluoride Varnish, Ozone, and Xylitol against a control group.
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The Result: None of the products performed statistically better than the control group (who did nothing special), with the exception of PreviDent 5000, which was only marginally better.
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The Conclusion: Dr. Christensen concluded that you cannot arrest caries or remineralize enamel if the patient's diet is not addressed. She stated that dental caries is "the only infectious disease we attempt to treat while allowing the cause [sugar] to continue."
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