The Very Dental Podcast Network
The Very Dental Podcast network brings you entertaining and relevant conversations with visionaries, clinicians and your friends in the dental space.
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Group Function: Composite Made Simple with Dr. Buddy Mopper and Dr. Dennis Hartlieb
07/26/2024
Group Function: Composite Made Simple with Dr. Buddy Mopper and Dr. Dennis Hartlieb
This throwback Group Function features two luminaries in direct dentistry, Dr. Buddy Mopper and Dr. Dennis Hartlieb. Al took a Cosmedent course back in May of 2022 and had a chance to interview these two in person. The result is a great back and forth about how we've overcomplicated composite dentistry and how to simplify it for everyday use! Dr. Buddy Mopper has been teaching composite dentistry for over 40 years and his focus has been on teaching a skill set that can work for everyone. Buddy started to give dentists the materials and techniques to create composite dentistry that was as beautiful as it is predictable. Dr. Dennis Hartlieb joined Buddy to explain how they teach composite dentistry of all kinds (from gorgeous veneers, to endo access repairs) that any dentist can do predictably and profitably. Some links from the show: Join the using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or "McWethy," "Papa Randy" or "Lipscomb!" The Very Dental Podcast network is and will remain free to download. If you’d like to support the shows you love at Very Dental then show a little love to the people that support us! -- Crazy Dental has everything you need from cotton rolls to equipment and everything in between and the best prices you’ll find anywhere! If you head over to and use coupon code “VERYDENTAL10” you’ll get another 10% off your order! Go save yourself some money and support the show all at the same time! -- The Wonderist Agency is basically a one stop shop for marketing your practice and your brand. From logo redesign to a full service marketing plan, the folks at Wonderist have you covered! Go check them out at ! -- Enova Illumination makes the very best in loupes and headlights, including their new ergonomic angled prism loupes! They also distribute loupe mounted cameras and even the amazing line of Zumax microscopes! If you want to help out the podcast while upping your magnification and headlight game, you need to head over to to see their whole line of products! -- CAD-Ray offers the best service on a wide variety of digital scanners, printers, mills and even their very own browser based design software, Clinux! CAD-Ray has been a huge supporter of the Very Dental Podcast Network and I can tell you that you’ll get no better service on everything digital dentistry than the folks from CAD-Ray. Go check them out at !
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Very Clinical: Picking Up a Scalpel with Dr. Randy Houska
07/23/2024
Very Clinical: Picking Up a Scalpel with Dr. Randy Houska
Dr. Randy Houska joins Kevin and Zach to talk about things we've changed our minds about. Today's episode continues the series for Zach and Kevin where they talk to some experienced dentists about what things they've changed their mind about over the years. Today's episode features a discussion with Randy about incorporating surgical procedures (specifically implant placement) in his office. Some links from the show: Become a member of the Join the using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook," McWethy," "Papa Randy" or "Lipscomb." The Very Dental Podcast network is and will remain free to download. If you’d like to support the shows you love at Very Dental then show a little love to the people that support us! -- Crazy Dental has everything you need from cotton rolls to equipment and everything in between and the best prices you’ll find anywhere! If you head over to and use coupon code “verydental10” you’ll get another 10% off your order! Go save yourself some money and support the show all at the same time! -- The Wonderist Agency is basically a one stop shop for marketing your practice and your brand. From logo redesign to a full service marketing plan, the folks at Wonderist have you covered! Go check them out at ! -- Enova Illumination makes the very best in loupes and headlights, including their new ergonomic angled prism loupes! They also distribute loupe mounted cameras and even the amazing line of Zumax microscopes! If you want to help out the podcast while upping your magnification and headlight game, you need to head over to to see their whole line of products! -- CAD-Ray offers the best service on a wide variety of digital scanners, printers, mills and even their very own browser based design software, Clinux! CAD-Ray has been a huge supporter of the Very Dental Podcast Network and I can tell you that you’ll get no better service on everything digital dentistry than the folks from CAD-Ray. Go check them out at !
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Very Dental Student: An International Dentist's Journey with Dr. Walid Asad
07/22/2024
Very Dental Student: An International Dentist's Journey with Dr. Walid Asad
Mohamed is joined by Dr. Walid Asad. Walid is an internationally trained dentist from Jordan. He graduated from dental school in Jordan in 2021 and practiced for a short time there. He decided that he wanted to come to the US and started his dental career in the US as a dental assistant! Walid's story is an interesting one and will give you an idea what it takes for an internationally trained dentist to create a career here in the United States. Dental school in Jordan is 5 years after high school What is dental school like in Jordan? What kind of requirements do you finish? To get a license in Jordan you are required to do a one year internship. Post internship in Jordan No hygiene in Jordan! What options does an international dentist have for becoming licensed in the US? What kinds of programs are there and what do they cost? Join the using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or "McWethy," "Papa Randy" or "Lipscomb!" The Very Dental Podcast network is and will remain free to download. If you’d like to support the shows you love at Very Dental then show a little love to the people that support us! -- Crazy Dental has everything you need from cotton rolls to equipment and everything in between and the best prices you’ll find anywhere! If you head over to and use coupon code “VERYDENTAL10” you’ll get another 10% off your order! Go save yourself some money and support the show all at the same time! -- The Wonderist Agency is basically a one stop shop for marketing your practice and your brand. From logo redesign to a full service marketing plan, the folks at Wonderist have you covered! Go check them out at ! -- Enova Illumination makes the very best in loupes and headlights, including their new ergonomic angled prism loupes! They also distribute loupe mounted cameras and even the amazing line of Zumax microscopes! If you want to help out the podcast while upping your magnification and headlight game, you need to head over to to see their whole line of products! -- CAD-Ray offers the best service on a wide variety of digital scanners, printers, mills and even their very own browser based design software, Clinux! CAD-Ray has been a huge supporter of the Very Dental Podcast Network and I can tell you that you’ll get no better service on everything digital dentistry than the folks from CAD-Ray. Go check them out at !
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Very Dental: The Best Way to Learn TMJ with Dr. Jim McKee
07/19/2024
Very Dental: The Best Way to Learn TMJ with Dr. Jim McKee
Today we're featuring a throwback to the Spear Summit all the way back to 2019! Jason and Alan were still podcasting as the Dental Hacks and we had the pleasure of sitting down with Dr. Jim McKee. Jim is one of a special breed of dentists that has created a practice that focuses on pain patients and patients with TMJ issues. How did Jim become interested in occlusion and TMJ? How has imaging changed the game for Jim's patient treatment? "The imaging isn't for you. The imaging is for the patients!" How does pain relate to malocclusion and why is pain often the last thing to show up? How does Jim "front load" the patient education process? What are Jim's favorite educational aids for TMJ/pain? How did oral surgeon Dr. Mark Piper influence Jim's philosophy? Which comes first: airway or joints? What's the best way to learn TMJ? How is he using CBCT in his office? How does he use the MRI? How did Jim build his restorative practice using the what he'd learned about TMJ and occlusion? Can you create new patient flow by focusing on TMJ? Why shouldn't TMJ be a specialty? Are TMJ specialists a "dumping ground?" Direct vs. indirect treatment options for joint/muscle pain and the 4 R's What is the best way to screen for TMJ issues? What questions should you ask? How can you find a TMD specialist in your area? What questions should you ask? Who should be on the interdisciplinary TMD team? Some links from the show: Join the using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or "McWethy," "Papa Randy" or "Lipscomb!" The Very Dental Podcast network is and will remain free to download. If you’d like to support the shows you love at Very Dental then show a little love to the people that support us! -- Crazy Dental has everything you need from cotton rolls to equipment and everything in between and the best prices you’ll find anywhere! If you head over to and use coupon code “VERYDENTAL10” you’ll get another 10% off your order! Go save yourself some money and support the show all at the same time! -- The Wonderist Agency is basically a one stop shop for marketing your practice and your brand. From logo redesign to a full service marketing plan, the folks at Wonderist have you covered! Go check them out at ! -- Enova Illumination makes the very best in loupes and headlights, including their new ergonomic angled prism loupes! They also distribute loupe mounted cameras and even the amazing line of Zumax microscopes! If you want to help out the podcast while upping your magnification and headlight game, you need to head over to to see their whole line of products! -- CAD-Ray offers the best service on a wide variety of digital scanners, printers, mills and even their very own browser based design software, Clinux! CAD-Ray has been a huge supporter of the Very Dental Podcast Network and I can tell you that you’ll get no better service on everything digital dentistry than the folks from CAD-Ray. Go check them out at !
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Very Clinical: Becoming Complete with Dr. Frank Clayton
07/16/2024
Very Clinical: Becoming Complete with Dr. Frank Clayton
"The biggest thing I changed my mind on...if having a third child." --Dr. Frank Clayton "I could never have a boss. I'd be in prison or something." --Dr. Kevin Fryer Dr. Frank Clayton joins Kevin and Zach to talk about things we've changed our minds about. Today's episode continues the series for Zach and Kevin where they talk to some experienced dentists about what things they've changed their mind about over the years. Today's episode features a discussion with Frank about some things he changed our minds about in life! Frank is really glad he had the third kid! Don't be married/have kids in dental school He's very glad that he chose dentistry instead of medicine Become a member of the Join the using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook," McWethy," "Papa Randy" or "Lipscomb." The Very Dental Podcast network is and will remain free to download. If you’d like to support the shows you love at Very Dental then show a little love to the people that support us! -- Crazy Dental has everything you need from cotton rolls to equipment and everything in between and the best prices you’ll find anywhere! If you head over to and use coupon code “verydental10” you’ll get another 10% off your order! Go save yourself some money and support the show all at the same time! -- The Wonderist Agency is basically a one stop shop for marketing your practice and your brand. From logo redesign to a full service marketing plan, the folks at Wonderist have you covered! Go check them out at ! -- Enova Illumination makes the very best in loupes and headlights, including their new ergonomic angled prism loupes! They also distribute loupe mounted cameras and even the amazing line of Zumax microscopes! If you want to help out the podcast while upping your magnification and headlight game, you need to head over to to see their whole line of products! -- CAD-Ray offers the best service on a wide variety of digital scanners, printers, mills and even their very own browser based design software, Clinux! CAD-Ray has been a huge supporter of the Very Dental Podcast Network and I can tell you that you’ll get no better service on everything digital dentistry than the folks from CAD-Ray. Go check them out at !
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AME: 8 Reasons to Use High Magnification in Dentistry
07/15/2024
AME: 8 Reasons to Use High Magnification in Dentistry
Al talks about the reasons he's bullish on dental operating microscopes and high powered loupes for dentistry. You might be a little surprised about some of them! It will kill the perfectionist in you Endo Polishing Caries removal Exams Documentation Ergonomics Fun Some links from the show: Join the using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or "McWethy," "Papa Randy" or "Lipscomb!" The Very Dental Podcast network is and will remain free to download. If you’d like to support the shows you love at Very Dental then show a little love to the people that support us! -- Crazy Dental has everything you need from cotton rolls to equipment and everything in between and the best prices you’ll find anywhere! If you head over to and use coupon code “VERYDENTAL10” you’ll get another 10% off your order! Go save yourself some money and support the show all at the same time! -- The Wonderist Agency is basically a one stop shop for marketing your practice and your brand. From logo redesign to a full service marketing plan, the folks at Wonderist have you covered! Go check them out at ! -- Enova Illumination makes the very best in loupes and headlights, including their new ergonomic angled prism loupes! They also distribute loupe mounted cameras and even the amazing line of Zumax microscopes! If you want to help out the podcast while upping your magnification and headlight game, you need to head over to to see their whole line of products! -- CAD-Ray offers the best service on a wide variety of digital scanners, printers, mills and even their very own browser based design software, Clinux! CAD-Ray has been a huge supporter of the Very Dental Podcast Network and I can tell you that you’ll get no better service on everything digital dentistry than the folks from CAD-Ray. Go check them out at !
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Very Dental: How to Avoid Burnout with Dr. Frank Spear
07/12/2024
Very Dental: How to Avoid Burnout with Dr. Frank Spear
Today we throw back to one of the greatest Dental Hacks episodes of all time! Jason and Alan had the honor of talking with Dr. Frank Spear of Spear Education! This was their first conversation with him since the COVID outbreak and the conversation focused a lot on changes in the landscape of dentistry and dental education! How has COVID affected dentistry and dental practices? Some dental practices have done BETTER in 2020! What are the things that these practices have in common? Messaging (stay in touch, let them know you're available!) Proactive messaging about safety "We're concerned about your dental health." Efficiency ("if you're coming in, let's get it done!") "The Big Dip" (hygiene scheduling) The history of dental infection control...why is dentistry ahead of this curve? How is "on campus" going at Spear Education? "Live Virtual" seminars...better than in person? round tables...the best value at Spear! The new occlusion curriculum on ! New research in occlusion...now incorporated into the Spear curriculum! Cause and effect is often not as simple as we'd like What cases does Frank wish he could have a time machine to re-treat (spoiler: it's about airway and orofacial pain) What does Frank think about Orofacial Pain becoming a specialty? How can a dentist avoid burnout in dentistry? (spoiler: eliminate what you don't enjoy) Go Hack Yourself: Jason: Al: Some links from the show: Join the using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or "McWethy," "Papa Randy" or "Lipscomb!" The Very Dental Podcast network is and will remain free to download. If you’d like to support the shows you love at Very Dental then show a little love to the people that support us! -- Crazy Dental has everything you need from cotton rolls to equipment and everything in between and the best prices you’ll find anywhere! If you head over to and use coupon code “VERYDENTAL10” you’ll get another 10% off your order! Go save yourself some money and support the show all at the same time! -- The Wonderist Agency is basically a one stop shop for marketing your practice and your brand. From logo redesign to a full service marketing plan, the folks at Wonderist have you covered! Go check them out at ! -- Enova Illumination makes the very best in loupes and headlights, including their new ergonomic angled prism loupes! They also distribute loupe mounted cameras and even the amazing line of Zumax microscopes! If you want to help out the podcast while upping your magnification and headlight game, you need to head over to to see their whole line of products! -- CAD-Ray offers the best service on a wide variety of digital scanners, printers, mills and even their very own browser based design software, Clinux! CAD-Ray has been a huge supporter of the Very Dental Podcast Network and I can tell you that you’ll get no better service on everything digital dentistry than the folks from CAD-Ray. Go check them out at !
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Very Clinical: Don't Get Tired of Dancing with Dr. Frank Clayton
07/09/2024
Very Clinical: Don't Get Tired of Dancing with Dr. Frank Clayton
"The cat's out of the bag." --Dr. Frank Clayton Dr. Frank Clayton joins Kevin and Zach to talk about things we've changed our minds about. Today's episode continues the series for Zach and Kevin where they talk to some experienced dentists about what things they've changed their mind about over the years. Today's episode features a discussion with Frank about some things we've changed our minds about the business of dentistry. Frank swore that he would never sell his practice to a DSO, but he did! Frank got some things in writing that he didn't think he ever would and sold! Frank swears by being left alone. Also taking care of his employees. How are Zach and Kevin feeling about DSOs? Become a member of the Join the using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook," McWethy," "Papa Randy" or "Lipscomb." The Very Dental Podcast network is and will remain free to download. If you’d like to support the shows you love at Very Dental then show a little love to the people that support us! -- Crazy Dental has everything you need from cotton rolls to equipment and everything in between and the best prices you’ll find anywhere! If you head over to and use coupon code “verydental10” you’ll get another 10% off your order! Go save yourself some money and support the show all at the same time! -- The Wonderist Agency is basically a one stop shop for marketing your practice and your brand. From logo redesign to a full service marketing plan, the folks at Wonderist have you covered! Go check them out at ! -- Enova Illumination makes the very best in loupes and headlights, including their new ergonomic angled prism loupes! They also distribute loupe mounted cameras and even the amazing line of Zumax microscopes! If you want to help out the podcast while upping your magnification and headlight game, you need to head over to to see their whole line of products! -- CAD-Ray offers the best service on a wide variety of digital scanners, printers, mills and even their very own browser based design software, Clinux! CAD-Ray has been a huge supporter of the Very Dental Podcast Network and I can tell you that you’ll get no better service on everything digital dentistry than the folks from CAD-Ray. Go check them out at !
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Very Dental Student: Is It Ride or Die? with the Dental Guys
07/08/2024
Very Dental Student: Is It Ride or Die? with the Dental Guys
Mohamed is joined by The Dental Guys, Dr. Jon Rogers and Dr. Wes Mullins to talk about comprehensive dentistry. The Dental Guys are an OG dental podcast who have been talking about high quality dentistry, research and data for years! Wes and Jon even joined Alan in the very first "podcast lounge" at the glorious (and very first) Voices of Dentistry in Nashville, TN! This conversation goes all over the place and is part one of a two part series. Part two will be over on the Dental Guys podcast! What is comprehensive dentistry? Dental school and single tooth dentistry Comprehensive dentistry means different things to different people Comprehensive isn't about procedure competency, it's about understanding the big picture Etiology drives diagnosis Do people deserve the ideal plan? Is it possible for dental school to make you an excellent diagnostician? Understanding the fundamentals Where to start with comprehensive dentistry How will your first job affect your ability to learn and deliver comprehensive dentistry? (where, what kind of practice, demographics) Developing a niche (easier in a less saturated area?) Instagram dentistry: where are the hard cases? Not everyone deserves to be treated the same way (how are new patients brought in to the practice?) Coming soon: what are the strategies and paths to take in order to become a comprehensive dentist? Some links from the show: Join the using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or "McWethy," "Papa Randy" or "Lipscomb!" The Very Dental Podcast network is and will remain free to download. If you’d like to support the shows you love at Very Dental then show a little love to the people that support us! -- Crazy Dental has everything you need from cotton rolls to equipment and everything in between and the best prices you’ll find anywhere! If you head over to and use coupon code “VERYDENTAL10” you’ll get another 10% off your order! Go save yourself some money and support the show all at the same time! -- The Wonderist Agency is basically a one stop shop for marketing your practice and your brand. From logo redesign to a full service marketing plan, the folks at Wonderist have you covered! Go check them out at ! -- Enova Illumination makes the very best in loupes and headlights, including their new ergonomic angled prism loupes! They also distribute loupe mounted cameras and even the amazing line of Zumax microscopes! If you want to help out the podcast while upping your magnification and headlight game, you need to head over to to see their whole line of products! -- CAD-Ray offers the best service on a wide variety of digital scanners, printers, mills and even their very own browser based design software, Clinux! CAD-Ray has been a huge supporter of the Very Dental Podcast Network and I can tell you that you’ll get no better service on everything digital dentistry than the folks from CAD-Ray. Go check them out at !
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Very Dental: Can Patients Actually Understand? with Dr. Bart Schultz
07/05/2024
Very Dental: Can Patients Actually Understand? with Dr. Bart Schultz
In this throwback episode from the summer of 2021 Al is joined by his best friend from dental school, Dr. Bart Schultz. They had a wide ranging conversation about dental school, early dental practice and how much patients can really understand about their treatment. Also, the jobs they had in dental school and other stuff. Some links from the show: , Paul Thomas DDS Join the using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or "McWethy," "Papa Randy" or "Lipscomb!" The Very Dental Podcast network is and will remain free to download. If you’d like to support the shows you love at Very Dental then show a little love to the people that support us! -- Crazy Dental has everything you need from cotton rolls to equipment and everything in between and the best prices you’ll find anywhere! If you head over to and use coupon code “VERYDENTAL10” you’ll get another 10% off your order! Go save yourself some money and support the show all at the same time! -- The Wonderist Agency is basically a one stop shop for marketing your practice and your brand. From logo redesign to a full service marketing plan, the folks at Wonderist have you covered! Go check them out at ! -- Enova Illumination makes the very best in loupes and headlights, including their new ergonomic angled prism loupes! They also distribute loupe mounted cameras and even the amazing line of Zumax microscopes! If you want to help out the podcast while upping your magnification and headlight game, you need to head over to to see their whole line of products! -- CAD-Ray offers the best service on a wide variety of digital scanners, printers, mills and even their very own browser based design software, Clinux! CAD-Ray has been a huge supporter of the Very Dental Podcast Network and I can tell you that you’ll get no better service on everything digital dentistry than the folks from CAD-Ray. Go check them out at !
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Very Clinical: What Dr. Craig Harder Has Learned About Life
07/02/2024
Very Clinical: What Dr. Craig Harder Has Learned About Life
"I don't want to die from something that could have been prevented." --Dr. Craig Harder Dr. Craig Harder joins the guys again to talk about things we've changed our minds about. Today's episode continues the series for Zach and Kevin where they talk to some experienced dentists about what things they've changed their mind about over the years. Today's episode features a discussion with Craig about some things we've changed our minds about life in general. Craig has gotten back to the gym, weight training. Weight training has changed how he feels on a regular basis...basically his knees don't hurt. Some links from the show: Become a member of the Join the using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook," McWethy," "Papa Randy" or "Lipscomb." The Very Dental Podcast network is and will remain free to download. If you’d like to support the shows you love at Very Dental then show a little love to the people that support us! -- Crazy Dental has everything you need from cotton rolls to equipment and everything in between and the best prices you’ll find anywhere! If you head over to and use coupon code “verydental10” you’ll get another 10% off your order! Go save yourself some money and support the show all at the same time! -- The Wonderist Agency is basically a one stop shop for marketing your practice and your brand. From logo redesign to a full service marketing plan, the folks at Wonderist have you covered! Go check them out at ! -- Enova Illumination makes the very best in loupes and headlights, including their new ergonomic angled prism loupes! They also distribute loupe mounted cameras and even the amazing line of Zumax microscopes! If you want to help out the podcast while upping your magnification and headlight game, you need to head over to to see their whole line of products! -- CAD-Ray offers the best service on a wide variety of digital scanners, printers, mills and even their very own browser based design software, Clinux! CAD-Ray has been a huge supporter of the Very Dental Podcast Network and I can tell you that you’ll get no better service on everything digital dentistry than the folks from CAD-Ray. Go check them out at !
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AME: Testing and Improving Systems
07/01/2024
AME: Testing and Improving Systems
"Your office has systems whether you are intentional about them or not." --Alan Mead DDS Al talks about systems in your dental office and your life. What are they? Are they hard to create (no...in fact they kind of create themselves)? How can you improve them? Al tells a couple stories about improving existing systems after finding some holes in them. Join the using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or "McWethy," "Papa Randy" or "Lipscomb!" The Very Dental Podcast network is and will remain free to download. If you’d like to support the shows you love at Very Dental then show a little love to the people that support us! -- Crazy Dental has everything you need from cotton rolls to equipment and everything in between and the best prices you’ll find anywhere! If you head over to and use coupon code “VERYDENTAL10” you’ll get another 10% off your order! Go save yourself some money and support the show all at the same time! -- The Wonderist Agency is basically a one stop shop for marketing your practice and your brand. From logo redesign to a full service marketing plan, the folks at Wonderist have you covered! Go check them out at ! -- Enova Illumination makes the very best in loupes and headlights, including their new ergonomic angled prism loupes! They also distribute loupe mounted cameras and even the amazing line of Zumax microscopes! If you want to help out the podcast while upping your magnification and headlight game, you need to head over to to see their whole line of products! -- CAD-Ray offers the best service on a wide variety of digital scanners, printers, mills and even their very own browser based design software, Clinux! CAD-Ray has been a huge supporter of the Very Dental Podcast Network and I can tell you that you’ll get no better service on everything digital dentistry than the folks from CAD-Ray. Go check them out at !
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Very Dental: Focus! with Dr. Jason Smithson
06/28/2024
Very Dental: Focus! with Dr. Jason Smithson
Dr. Jason Smithson returns to the Very Dental podcast to talk about an important topic in 2024: focus. Jason suggests that one of the reasons we might not get the clinical results is that we've lost our ability to focus! This actually applies more widely in our lives. It will come as no surprise what he believes is the cause. Smartphones are a tool and not a friend Jason's "safe room" (no internet) The noise in the background and how we react to it The "comprehensive reply" to avoid Default Zoom meeting times are an HOUR! The automatic move to smartphone whenever you have to wait for anything (when your brain goes in to neutral) iPhone = one of the most useful tools ever created and one of the worst addictions we face Look at your phone on a schedule, look at emails/messages on a computer vs. phone Turn the ringer off/notifications off so you can choose when you're going to interact It's difficult (but important) to be intentional Look at your activity on your phone Some links from the show: Join the using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or "McWethy," "Papa Randy" or "Lipscomb!" The Very Dental Podcast network is and will remain free to download. If you’d like to support the shows you love at Very Dental then show a little love to the people that support us! -- Crazy Dental has everything you need from cotton rolls to equipment and everything in between and the best prices you’ll find anywhere! If you head over to and use coupon code “VERYDENTAL10” you’ll get another 10% off your order! Go save yourself some money and support the show all at the same time! -- The Wonderist Agency is basically a one stop shop for marketing your practice and your brand. From logo redesign to a full service marketing plan, the folks at Wonderist have you covered! Go check them out at ! -- Enova Illumination makes the very best in loupes and headlights, including their new ergonomic angled prism loupes! They also distribute loupe mounted cameras and even the amazing line of Zumax microscopes! If you want to help out the podcast while upping your magnification and headlight game, you need to head over to to see their whole line of products! -- CAD-Ray offers the best service on a wide variety of digital scanners, printers, mills and even their very own browser based design software, Clinux! CAD-Ray has been a huge supporter of the Very Dental Podcast Network and I can tell you that you’ll get no better service on everything digital dentistry than the folks from CAD-Ray. Go check them out at !
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Very Clinical: Dr. Craig Harder Has Seen Some Business
06/25/2024
Very Clinical: Dr. Craig Harder Has Seen Some Business
Dr. Craig Harder has been practicing dentistry for a little while and It turns out that he's changed our minds about some business stuff. Today's episode continues the series for Zach and Kevin where they talk to some experienced dentists about what things they've changed their mind about over the years. Today's episode features a discussion with Craig about some things we've changed our minds about business, management and our dental practices! Craig has decided that hiring dental veterans is much better than the enthusiastic newbies Kevin thinks that this approach can go either way Low drama is the way to go Craig thinks you shouldn't finance equipment to avoid the tax man Kevin is against multiple payments for equipment Zach says pay cash for equipment if possible Craig's biggest equipment regret: Biolase Kevin's biggest equipment regret: nothing Become a member of the Join the using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook," McWethy," "Papa Randy" or "Lipscomb." The Very Dental Podcast network is and will remain free to download. If you’d like to support the shows you love at Very Dental then show a little love to the people that support us! -- Crazy Dental has everything you need from cotton rolls to equipment and everything in between and the best prices you’ll find anywhere! If you head over to and use coupon code “verydental10” you’ll get another 10% off your order! Go save yourself some money and support the show all at the same time! -- The Wonderist Agency is basically a one stop shop for marketing your practice and your brand. From logo redesign to a full service marketing plan, the folks at Wonderist have you covered! Go check them out at ! -- Enova Illumination makes the very best in loupes and headlights, including their new ergonomic angled prism loupes! They also distribute loupe mounted cameras and even the amazing line of Zumax microscopes! If you want to help out the podcast while upping your magnification and headlight game, you need to head over to to see their whole line of products! -- CAD-Ray offers the best service on a wide variety of digital scanners, printers, mills and even their very own browser based design software, Clinux! CAD-Ray has been a huge supporter of the Very Dental Podcast Network and I can tell you that you’ll get no better service on everything digital dentistry than the folks from CAD-Ray. Go check them out at !
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Very Dental Student: Mohamed Starts D3!
06/24/2024
Very Dental Student: Mohamed Starts D3!
Very Dental Student host Mohamed Abo-Basha wrapped up his D2 year and started his summer session of D3! Mohamed checks in by telling us a bit about his class load and new clinical experiences! Also, Mo answers some Q & A from listeners! Q & A's: I've been waitlisted for dental school...what should I do? What's been the hardest part about dental school? What has been your favorite class in dental school? What has been your favorite memory from clinic? What are the pros and cons of AEGD/GPR and are you planning on doing one? Join the using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or "McWethy," "Papa Randy" or "Lipscomb!" The Very Dental Podcast network is and will remain free to download. If you’d like to support the shows you love at Very Dental then show a little love to the people that support us! -- Crazy Dental has everything you need from cotton rolls to equipment and everything in between and the best prices you’ll find anywhere! If you head over to and use coupon code “VERYDENTAL10” you’ll get another 10% off your order! Go save yourself some money and support the show all at the same time! -- The Wonderist Agency is basically a one stop shop for marketing your practice and your brand. From logo redesign to a full service marketing plan, the folks at Wonderist have you covered! Go check them out at ! -- Enova Illumination makes the very best in loupes and headlights, including their new ergonomic angled prism loupes! They also distribute loupe mounted cameras and even the amazing line of Zumax microscopes! If you want to help out the podcast while upping your magnification and headlight game, you need to head over to to see their whole line of products! -- CAD-Ray offers the best service on a wide variety of digital scanners, printers, mills and even their very own browser based design software, Clinux! CAD-Ray has been a huge supporter of the Very Dental Podcast Network and I can tell you that you’ll get no better service on everything digital dentistry than the folks from CAD-Ray. Go check them out at !
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Very Dental Extra: Dr. Shashikant Singhal on Simplifying Cementation
06/22/2024
Very Dental Extra: Dr. Shashikant Singhal on Simplifying Cementation
Dr. Shashikant "Shashi" Singhal is a biomaterials expert...a dentist and researcher with Ivoclar. After a short discussion about the best way to find interesting food when traveling, Shashi and Alan have a deep conversation about advances in cementation of indirect restorations. Ivoclar's goal is to give as many options as possible while making the options simple to use Read your instructions! Ivoclar is interested in finding the "pain points" of the clinician and solving them! Offering a light cured AND dual cured option...flexibility is the key Ivoclar has nailed color stability between light cured and dual cured (imagine cementing a veneer next to a full crown) What is Ivoclar Academy? (a BUNCH of free continuing education!) Some links from the show: Do you have questions for Dr. Singhal? You can get in touch with him at !
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Very Dental: Oral Health is Health with ADA President Elect Dr. Brett Kessler
06/21/2024
Very Dental: Oral Health is Health with ADA President Elect Dr. Brett Kessler
Alan is joined by a very special guest, the ADA President Elect, Dr. Brett Kessler! Brett has been a good friend for a lot of years and the conversation is even more interesting now that he's serving as the ADA President Elect! Buckle up...we cover a lot of ground in this one! What is life as the ADA President Elect? What are his goals for his presidency? What does he mean when he says that he wants to blow up the entire dental reimbursement model? Why can't we offer the very best dentistry has to offer to EVERYONE? We need to change the way dentistry stays relevant. We can no longer only get paid when we spin the drill. What does Brett do with a magic wand to fix everything? FQHC-->medical and dental under the same roof How will technology help us moving forward? How will DSOs affect the future? The ADA and young dentists Creating value for ADA membership...also reducing dues? The ADA on license portability Future-proofing dentistry Join the using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or "McWethy," "Papa Randy" or "Lipscomb!" The Very Dental Podcast network is and will remain free to download. If you’d like to support the shows you love at Very Dental then show a little love to the people that support us! -- Crazy Dental has everything you need from cotton rolls to equipment and everything in between and the best prices you’ll find anywhere! If you head over to and use coupon code “VERYDENTAL10” you’ll get another 10% off your order! Go save yourself some money and support the show all at the same time! -- The Wonderist Agency is basically a one stop shop for marketing your practice and your brand. From logo redesign to a full service marketing plan, the folks at Wonderist have you covered! Go check them out at ! -- Enova Illumination makes the very best in loupes and headlights, including their new ergonomic angled prism loupes! They also distribute loupe mounted cameras and even the amazing line of Zumax microscopes! If you want to help out the podcast while upping your magnification and headlight game, you need to head over to to see their whole line of products! -- CAD-Ray offers the best service on a wide variety of digital scanners, printers, mills and even their very own browser based design software, Clinux! CAD-Ray has been a huge supporter of the Very Dental Podcast Network and I can tell you that you’ll get no better service on everything digital dentistry than the folks from CAD-Ray. Go check them out at !
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Very Clinical: Dr. Craig Harder Changed His Mind About Fiber Posts
06/18/2024
Very Clinical: Dr. Craig Harder Changed His Mind About Fiber Posts
"It's not a failure until it's not in the mouth." --Zach's dad "I'm amazed by what doesn't hurt." --Zach Zach and Kevin are joined by Dr. Craig Harder. Craig is a dentist in Moses Lake, WA and he's changed his mind about stuff, too. Craig has changed his mind about fiber posts He's also changed his mind about upper molar endo Become a member of the Join the using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook," McWethy," "Papa Randy" or "Lipscomb." The Very Dental Podcast network is and will remain free to download. If you’d like to support the shows you love at Very Dental then show a little love to the people that support us! -- Crazy Dental has everything you need from cotton rolls to equipment and everything in between and the best prices you’ll find anywhere! If you head over to and use coupon code “verydental10” you’ll get another 10% off your order! Go save yourself some money and support the show all at the same time! -- The Wonderist Agency is basically a one stop shop for marketing your practice and your brand. From logo redesign to a full service marketing plan, the folks at Wonderist have you covered! Go check them out at ! -- Enova Illumination makes the very best in loupes and headlights, including their new ergonomic angled prism loupes! They also distribute loupe mounted cameras and even the amazing line of Zumax microscopes! If you want to help out the podcast while upping your magnification and headlight game, you need to head over to to see their whole line of products! -- CAD-Ray offers the best service on a wide variety of digital scanners, printers, mills and even their very own browser based design software, Clinux! CAD-Ray has been a huge supporter of the Very Dental Podcast Network and I can tell you that you’ll get no better service on everything digital dentistry than the folks from CAD-Ray. Go check them out at !
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AME: Student Loans, DSOs and All on X
06/17/2024
AME: Student Loans, DSOs and All on X
The most important part about practicing dentistry is understanding the best interests of the patient and putting them first. Dentists and dental team members have an obligation to put their patients first. We're all good about saying those words...but how well are we really doing? Al rants a bit about putting the patient's interests first when we deal with giant student loans, incredibly profitable DSOs and the prevalence of an "All on X" mentality. How do these things affect our professional responsibilities? Join the using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or "McWethy," "Papa Randy" or "Lipscomb!" The Very Dental Podcast network is and will remain free to download. If you’d like to support the shows you love at Very Dental then show a little love to the people that support us! -- Crazy Dental has everything you need from cotton rolls to equipment and everything in between and the best prices you’ll find anywhere! If you head over to and use coupon code “VERYDENTAL10” you’ll get another 10% off your order! Go save yourself some money and support the show all at the same time! -- The Wonderist Agency is basically a one stop shop for marketing your practice and your brand. From logo redesign to a full service marketing plan, the folks at Wonderist have you covered! Go check them out at ! -- Enova Illumination makes the very best in loupes and headlights, including their new ergonomic angled prism loupes! They also distribute loupe mounted cameras and even the amazing line of Zumax microscopes! If you want to help out the podcast while upping your magnification and headlight game, you need to head over to to see their whole line of products! -- CAD-Ray offers the best service on a wide variety of digital scanners, printers, mills and even their very own browser based design software, Clinux! CAD-Ray has been a huge supporter of the Very Dental Podcast Network and I can tell you that you’ll get no better service on everything digital dentistry than the folks from CAD-Ray. Go check them out at !
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Very Dental: 10 Years of Dental Hacks and Very Dental
06/14/2024
Very Dental: 10 Years of Dental Hacks and Very Dental
Al waxes nostalgic about 10 years of podcasting, first as the Dental Hacks podcast and now as the Very Dental Podcast Network! From the original show notes, 10 years ago... "In this episode, your hosts Alan Mead and Jason Lipscomb kick off a revolution in dental podcasts! Listen as they interview Seattle area cosmetic dentist Lance Timmerman about Botox treatment among other things. Then, get ready for the dental world to be turned on its ear with the DentalHacks Brain Trust. You'll hear authentic conversations between interesting and funny dentists talking about the stuff you talk about with your colleagues! If you only download one dental podcast...this should be it!" Join the using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or "McWethy," "Papa Randy" or "Lipscomb!" The Very Dental Podcast network is and will remain free to download. If you’d like to support the shows you love at Very Dental then show a little love to the people that support us! -- Crazy Dental has everything you need from cotton rolls to equipment and everything in between and the best prices you’ll find anywhere! If you head over to and use coupon code “VERYDENTAL10” you’ll get another 10% off your order! Go save yourself some money and support the show all at the same time! -- The Wonderist Agency is basically a one stop shop for marketing your practice and your brand. From logo redesign to a full service marketing plan, the folks at Wonderist have you covered! Go check them out at ! -- Enova Illumination makes the very best in loupes and headlights, including their new ergonomic angled prism loupes! They also distribute loupe mounted cameras and even the amazing line of Zumax microscopes! If you want to help out the podcast while upping your magnification and headlight game, you need to head over to to see their whole line of products! -- CAD-Ray offers the best service on a wide variety of digital scanners, printers, mills and even their very own browser based design software, Clinux! CAD-Ray has been a huge supporter of the Very Dental Podcast Network and I can tell you that you’ll get no better service on everything digital dentistry than the folks from CAD-Ray. Go check them out at !
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Very Clinical: Changing Our Minds About Life
06/11/2024
Very Clinical: Changing Our Minds About Life
It turns out that we've changed our minds about our lives as well. Heavy stuff, to be sure. Today's episode continues the series for Zach and Kevin where they talk to some experienced dentists about what things they've changed their mind about over the years. Today's episode features a discussion with Al about some things we've changed our minds about life in general. Zach has changed his mind about saving money for retirement. It's dumb to wait to do the cool stuff when you're retired. Al changed his mind about being fat. NOW is the time to pay attention to your health. It's way better not being fat. Kevin changed his mind about diet and exercise. He moves his body every day. Al changed his mind about waiting. Don't wait. Zach changed his mind about paying attention. Zach doesn't pay attention to current events now (outside of sports) and his mental health is so much better for it. What can you control? Kevin changed his mind about stuff vs. experiences. Experiences are better than getting stuff. Become a member of the Join the using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook," McWethy," "Papa Randy" or "Lipscomb." The Very Dental Podcast network is and will remain free to download. If you’d like to support the shows you love at Very Dental then show a little love to the people that support us! -- Crazy Dental has everything you need from cotton rolls to equipment and everything in between and the best prices you’ll find anywhere! If you head over to and use coupon code “verydental10” you’ll get another 10% off your order! Go save yourself some money and support the show all at the same time! -- The Wonderist Agency is basically a one stop shop for marketing your practice and your brand. From logo redesign to a full service marketing plan, the folks at Wonderist have you covered! Go check them out at ! -- Enova Illumination makes the very best in loupes and headlights, including their new ergonomic angled prism loupes! They also distribute loupe mounted cameras and even the amazing line of Zumax microscopes! If you want to help out the podcast while upping your magnification and headlight game, you need to head over to to see their whole line of products! -- CAD-Ray offers the best service on a wide variety of digital scanners, printers, mills and even their very own browser based design software, Clinux! CAD-Ray has been a huge supporter of the Very Dental Podcast Network and I can tell you that you’ll get no better service on everything digital dentistry than the folks from CAD-Ray. Go check them out at !
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Reusable Tips: Smoother Digital Workflow Using Splashtop
06/10/2024
Reusable Tips: Smoother Digital Workflow Using Splashtop
Welcome the very first episode of Reusable Tips, a new podcast series from the Very Dental Podcast Network! Do you have a quick tip that Very Dental people need to know about? Email me or contact me on Facebook or Instagram and we'll tell the world about it! Today's episode features a little trick I learned to make my already very slick digital workflow even quicker using Splashtop! Some links from the show: Join the using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or "McWethy," "Papa Randy" or "Lipscomb!" The Very Dental Podcast network is and will remain free to download. If you’d like to support the shows you love at Very Dental then show a little love to the people that support us! -- Crazy Dental has everything you need from cotton rolls to equipment and everything in between and the best prices you’ll find anywhere! If you head over to and use coupon code “VERYDENTAL10” you’ll get another 10% off your order! Go save yourself some money and support the show all at the same time! -- The Wonderist Agency is basically a one stop shop for marketing your practice and your brand. From logo redesign to a full service marketing plan, the folks at Wonderist have you covered! Go check them out at ! -- Enova Illumination makes the very best in loupes and headlights, including their new ergonomic angled prism loupes! They also distribute loupe mounted cameras and even the amazing line of Zumax microscopes! If you want to help out the podcast while upping your magnification and headlight game, you need to head over to to see their whole line of products! -- CAD-Ray offers the best service on a wide variety of digital scanners, printers, mills and even their very own browser based design software, Clinux! CAD-Ray has been a huge supporter of the Very Dental Podcast Network and I can tell you that you’ll get no better service on everything digital dentistry than the folks from CAD-Ray. Go check them out at !
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Very Dental Extra: Getting Multiple Bidders for Your Practice with Chip Fichtner
06/08/2024
Very Dental Extra: Getting Multiple Bidders for Your Practice with Chip Fichtner
"You're either going to join an Invisible DSO or you're going to compete with many. I promise." Chip Fichtner, Large Practice Sales Alan is joined again by Chip Fichtner of Large Practice Sales to dive a little deeper into Invisible DSOs. Chip starts with a story of a large practice owner who almost "took the first offer" who was leaving money on the table. Some of our topics included: Large Practice Sales' "black list" IDSO strategies worth looking at What are dentists really expert in? How about accountants and lawyers? LPS is expert in making deals with IDSOs What is a "platform practice?" What are IDSOs looking for? Where do the multiples come in? Age is a big issue. So is growth rate What are the "hot states?" (flyover states in play!) IDSOs and Artificial Intelligence Does an invisible DSO sound like something that would be a good fit for you?
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Group Function: Lessons from a Pandemic, 4 years later
06/07/2024
Group Function: Lessons from a Pandemic, 4 years later
This throwback episode features a recording made to talk about what we had learned from the COVID pandemic. It is currently about 4 years after dental practices started back to work in a post pandemic world. This is a snapshot of how we were feeling 18 months or so after the pandemic began. Alan is joined by friends and colleagues Dr. Dawn Kulongowski, Dr. Melissa Zettler and Dr. Frank Clayton to talk about COVID. Specifically how we’re feeling 18 months into the COVID pandemic. What’s different? What’s changed for the worse? Did anything good come from it? Stuff that’s changed: Costs of everything have gone up Hiring/finding employees is REALLY difficult Delivery everything New business models requiring less people/more efficiency (Dawn’s vet story) No dining rooms for fast food Tolerance of crazy patients Single use/waste Everyone using straws Wiping the pen Asking about vaccination/health information Health screening Staffing changes Hygiene recall is messed up! What we’d keep: Al: Exercise Dawn: Less travel “I’ve put a new dollar amount on my time…” Melissa: More time with family “We were the house that was willing to have everyone over…” Frank: Pay attention to your time/free time. Also have patients prepay. Some Links from the Show: (season 4 focuses on the delivery economy) Join the using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or "McWethy," "Papa Randy" or "Lipscomb!" The Very Dental Podcast network is and will remain free to download. If you’d like to support the shows you love at Very Dental then show a little love to the people that support us! -- Crazy Dental has everything you need from cotton rolls to equipment and everything in between and the best prices you’ll find anywhere! If you head over to and use coupon code “VERYDENTAL10” you’ll get another 10% off your order! Go save yourself some money and support the show all at the same time! -- The Wonderist Agency is basically a one stop shop for marketing your practice and your brand. From logo redesign to a full service marketing plan, the folks at Wonderist have you covered! Go check them out at ! -- Enova Illumination makes the very best in loupes and headlights, including their new ergonomic angled prism loupes! They also distribute loupe mounted cameras and even the amazing line of Zumax microscopes! If you want to help out the podcast while upping your magnification and headlight game, you need to head over to to see their whole line of products! -- CAD-Ray offers the best service on a wide variety of digital scanners, printers, mills and even their very own browser based design software, Clinux! CAD-Ray has been a huge supporter of the Very Dental Podcast Network and I can tell you that you’ll get no better service on everything digital dentistry than the folks from CAD-Ray. Go check them out at !
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Very Clinical: Changing Our Minds on Business
06/04/2024
Very Clinical: Changing Our Minds on Business
It turns out that we've changed our minds on business stuff, too. Today's episode continues the series for Zach and Kevin where they talk to some experienced dentists about what things they've changed their mind about over the years. Today's episode features a discussion with Al about some things we've changed our minds about business, management and our dental practices! Al has changed his mind about demographics. They are important and there are places that you can practice that are easier than others. Kevin changed his mind about block/priority scheduling. Adding this has made all of the difference. Zach changed his mind about less expensive procedures. Scheduling productivity is important. Al has changed his mind about creating urgency. Having less hours available makes patients less likely to fail appointments. Kevin changed his mind about EFDA's. EFDA's make Kevin's office work. "Other people can be good with arts and crafts." Kevin changed his mind about offering the best treatment. "Let your patients say 'yes' to your best care." Become a member of the Join the using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook," McWethy," "Papa Randy" or "Lipscomb." The Very Dental Podcast network is and will remain free to download. If you’d like to support the shows you love at Very Dental then show a little love to the people that support us! -- Crazy Dental has everything you need from cotton rolls to equipment and everything in between and the best prices you’ll find anywhere! If you head over to and use coupon code “verydental10” you’ll get another 10% off your order! Go save yourself some money and support the show all at the same time! -- The Wonderist Agency is basically a one stop shop for marketing your practice and your brand. From logo redesign to a full service marketing plan, the folks at Wonderist have you covered! Go check them out at ! -- Enova Illumination makes the very best in loupes and headlights, including their new ergonomic angled prism loupes! They also distribute loupe mounted cameras and even the amazing line of Zumax microscopes! If you want to help out the podcast while upping your magnification and headlight game, you need to head over to to see their whole line of products! -- CAD-Ray offers the best service on a wide variety of digital scanners, printers, mills and even their very own browser based design software, Clinux! CAD-Ray has been a huge supporter of the Very Dental Podcast Network and I can tell you that you’ll get no better service on everything digital dentistry than the folks from CAD-Ray. Go check them out at !
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Very Dental Student: Dr. John Corbett on Perio Residency
06/03/2024
Very Dental Student: Dr. John Corbett on Perio Residency
Mo is joined by his friend Dr. John Corbett. John just finished a perio residency at Oklahoma and is heading to the Air Force! John explains how perio residency works: applying, matching, finishing and everything in between! Some links from the show: John's email: Join the using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or "McWethy," "Papa Randy" or "Lipscomb!" The Very Dental Podcast network is and will remain free to download. If you’d like to support the shows you love at Very Dental then show a little love to the people that support us! -- Crazy Dental has everything you need from cotton rolls to equipment and everything in between and the best prices you’ll find anywhere! If you head over to and use coupon code “VERYDENTAL10” you’ll get another 10% off your order! Go save yourself some money and support the show all at the same time! -- The Wonderist Agency is basically a one stop shop for marketing your practice and your brand. From logo redesign to a full service marketing plan, the folks at Wonderist have you covered! Go check them out at ! -- Enova Illumination makes the very best in loupes and headlights, including their new ergonomic angled prism loupes! They also distribute loupe mounted cameras and even the amazing line of Zumax microscopes! If you want to help out the podcast while upping your magnification and headlight game, you need to head over to to see their whole line of products! -- CAD-Ray offers the best service on a wide variety of digital scanners, printers, mills and even their very own browser based design software, Clinux! CAD-Ray has been a huge supporter of the Very Dental Podcast Network and I can tell you that you’ll get no better service on everything digital dentistry than the folks from CAD-Ray. Go check them out at !
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Very Dental: Dr. John Burgess was One of the Great Ones!
05/31/2024
Very Dental: Dr. John Burgess was One of the Great Ones!
This throwback episode features Dr. John Burgess. I heard of his recent passing and thought it would be very appropriate to replay a spectacular interview I was privileged to have with him back in 2022. Do you have advice that you've heard that you use on almost every single procedure? I do. And it came from today's guest, Dr. John Burgess. Dr. Burgess is the assistant Dean for Clinical Research at the University of Alabama at Birmingham as well as Director of the Graduate Biomaterials Program and was recently featured on the main stage at the Spear Summit 2022. But I heard John at the Spring Vedder society meeting some years back and some of the things he said have stayed with me to this day. It was a true pleasure to get to talk with John about what he does, how materials research should be done and how dentists can be better at understanding materials. How does someone get in to biomaterials research? Clinical research at LSU How to find unbiased information...how do we evaluate literature? Is the research measuring what they think it's measuring? Bevels on posterior composites? How do we test this? (spoiler alert: don't bevel occlusal margins) The best material is "abuse tolerant." How do patients get screened for clinical research? NCCLs (noncarious cervical lesions) and the controversy surrounding them New chemistry Read the instructions more often than you think you should! "Dentists don't read" Manufacturers take their instructions very seriously...you should, too. Burgess on zirconia Designing research equipment on a napkin Zirconia is very kind to the opposing when polished Cementing zirconia crowns Cement removal...he REALLY likes Panavia SA Universal Polish vs. glaze on zirconia (glaze facial on premolars) The power of a credible speaker and disclosure of honoraria Some links from the show: Join the using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or "McWethy," "Papa Randy" or "Lipscomb!" The Very Dental Podcast network is and will remain free to download. If you’d like to support the shows you love at Very Dental then show a little love to the people that support us! -- Crazy Dental has everything you need from cotton rolls to equipment and everything in between and the best prices you’ll find anywhere! If you head over to and use coupon code “VERYDENTAL10” you’ll get another 10% off your order! Go save yourself some money and support the show all at the same time! -- The Wonderist Agency is basically a one stop shop for marketing your practice and your brand. From logo redesign to a full service marketing plan, the folks at Wonderist have you covered! Go check them out at ! -- Enova Illumination makes the very best in loupes and headlights, including their new ergonomic angled prism loupes! They also distribute loupe mounted cameras and even the amazing line of Zumax microscopes! If you want to help out the podcast while upping your magnification and headlight game, you need to head over to to see their whole line of products! -- CAD-Ray offers the best service on a wide variety of digital scanners, printers, mills and even their very own browser based design software, Clinux! CAD-Ray has been a huge supporter of the Very Dental Podcast Network and I can tell you that you’ll get no better service on everything digital dentistry than the folks from CAD-Ray. Go check them out at !
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Very Clinical: We've Changed Our Minds About Clinical Stuff
05/28/2024
Very Clinical: We've Changed Our Minds About Clinical Stuff
If you've been practicing dentistry for awhile, you've probably changed your mind about some stuff. Today's episode starts an interesting series for Zach and Kevin where they talk to some experienced dentists about what things they've changed their mind about over the years. Today's episode features a discussion with Al about some things we've changed our minds about clinically! Al has changed his mind about where to place margins. Now, he aims for equigingival margins vs. below the gingiva. Kevin changed his mind about specialty procedures for general dentists (implants, ortho, sleep, etc.) Kevin changed his mind about how soon to get a CBCT (seeing things in 3D). Zach changed his mind about sectioning teeth (he does it much sooner). "Atraumatic extractions start with the handpiece." Al has changed his mind about how soon he goes to an indirect restoration (go to indirect sooner). Zach changed his mind about digital dentistry. Become a member of the Join the using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook," McWethy," "Papa Randy" or "Lipscomb." The Very Dental Podcast network is and will remain free to download. If you’d like to support the shows you love at Very Dental then show a little love to the people that support us! -- Crazy Dental has everything you need from cotton rolls to equipment and everything in between and the best prices you’ll find anywhere! If you head over to and use coupon code “verydental10” you’ll get another 10% off your order! Go save yourself some money and support the show all at the same time! -- The Wonderist Agency is basically a one stop shop for marketing your practice and your brand. From logo redesign to a full service marketing plan, the folks at Wonderist have you covered! Go check them out at ! -- Enova Illumination makes the very best in loupes and headlights, including their new ergonomic angled prism loupes! They also distribute loupe mounted cameras and even the amazing line of Zumax microscopes! If you want to help out the podcast while upping your magnification and headlight game, you need to head over to to see their whole line of products! -- CAD-Ray offers the best service on a wide variety of digital scanners, printers, mills and even their very own browser based design software, Clinux! CAD-Ray has been a huge supporter of the Very Dental Podcast Network and I can tell you that you’ll get no better service on everything digital dentistry than the folks from CAD-Ray. Go check them out at !
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AME: Upgrades
05/27/2024
AME: Upgrades
Are there things you can do to make the day to day dental grind a little bit more fun? A little bit less of a grind? Would that make your day a little better? I think yes! Al discusses how adding "upgrades" to your day to day dentistry is good for your mental health and doesn't have to cost a bunch of $$$. Some links from the show: Join the using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or "McWethy," "Papa Randy" or "Lipscomb!" The Very Dental Podcast network is and will remain free to download. If you’d like to support the shows you love at Very Dental then show a little love to the people that support us! -- Crazy Dental has everything you need from cotton rolls to equipment and everything in between and the best prices you’ll find anywhere! If you head over to and use coupon code “VERYDENTAL10” you’ll get another 10% off your order! Go save yourself some money and support the show all at the same time! -- The Wonderist Agency is basically a one stop shop for marketing your practice and your brand. From logo redesign to a full service marketing plan, the folks at Wonderist have you covered! Go check them out at ! -- Enova Illumination makes the very best in loupes and headlights, including their new ergonomic angled prism loupes! They also distribute loupe mounted cameras and even the amazing line of Zumax microscopes! If you want to help out the podcast while upping your magnification and headlight game, you need to head over to to see their whole line of products! -- CAD-Ray offers the best service on a wide variety of digital scanners, printers, mills and even their very own browser based design software, Clinux! CAD-Ray has been a huge supporter of the Very Dental Podcast Network and I can tell you that you’ll get no better service on everything digital dentistry than the folks from CAD-Ray. Go check them out at !
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Very Dental: Hygiene Dollars vs. Doctor Dollars with Amy Morgan
05/24/2024
Very Dental: Hygiene Dollars vs. Doctor Dollars with Amy Morgan
In today's throwback episode, Alan welcomes back Amy Morgan, the VP of Practice Growth Strategies for Spear Education. Way back in September of 2022, Al had the chance to talk with Amy about dental hygiene, bouncing back from COVID and a whole lot of other stuff. This episode has so much good stuff in it that I thought it was time to offer it back up! "...a hygiene dollar, even in the best of times, has at best a 15-20% profit margin. A doctor dollar has up to 60%..." -Amy Morgan Amy Morgan will give you 52% clinical excellence. But she wants 48% for business excellence! Amy joined Spear in 2018 as Vice President of Consulting Strategy. For more than 25 years as a She's been a consultant and trainer for more than 25 years and is the former CEO of Pride Institute. Some of the topics they covered include: How did Spear quickly retool for the COVID crisis? Is she over Zoom? Once the "fight or flight" crisis was over, what did Amy and Spear Education learn? "The Great Hygiene Migration" What's the strategy for the lack of hygienists? (spoiler: you can't wish for something that's not there) Healthy patients vs. less healthy patients Doctors should NOT be doing hygiene Embrace your inner hypochondriac What do you do for COVID no-shows? (RFR..."reason for return") Having patient sign their financial commitments ("we hold this spot for YOU") "Lost time fee" vs. "missed appointment fee" (you can have that one for free!) "It's OK to not like people" Paying your team well is important, but you need to know how to do it right. "Don't chase behaviors but question beliefs" How does a team member show their value objectively? Variable component of pay: quarterly bonuses paid out over a quarter A very fat pitch for Spear Practice Solutions! A specific hygiene formula: hygiene wages should range 30-40% of their production Some links from the show: Go get your ticket and your room for ! Join the using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook," "McWethy" or "Lipscomb!" The Very Dental Podcast network is and will remain free to download. If you’d like to support the shows you love at Very Dental then show a little love to the people that support us!
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