The Dental Hacks Podcast

Alan welcomes back Dr. Mike Melkers for a wide ranging conversation. Mike and Al go WAY back (DentalTown in the "oughts" anyone?) and we catch up a little bit. Al was affected by a video Mike recorded earlier this year contrasting "comprehensive" care vs. "appropriate" care.            View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Michael Melkers (@drmichaelmelkers) What is comprehensive care? What is appropriate care? Mike is the guy to help us understand appropriate care for the dentist and the patient. Meet the patient where they are, for what their goals are The shame of not doing all FMR's Do patients have "goals?" Values vs. ethics Think about the "why?"  Considerations not consequences "What are your expectations for your teeth at x" (insert an age) "Are you aware that you're missing a tooth here..." Purpose, Process and Presentation Some links from the show: Mike's Instagram "Dig-A-Palooza" in the Chicago Suburbs, October 25-26th featuring M

Today is a throwback episode featuring Kevin, Zach and Al talking about how they've evolved on caries removal. It's a classic and I hope you enjoy it! Original show notes:  Dr. Alan Mead of the DentalHacks podcast was gracious enough to join us again this week. And we start off with old school internet videos: Bonus:   He got a web redemption!       Then we got into some hot caries removal talk. What burs do you use? To dye, or not to dye? Do you "leave" any caries? Why or why not? Caries removal is a divisive topic. Did we get it right? Wrong? Let us know in the Very Clinical Facebook group! Please join the Very Clinical Facebook group to discuss this episode and much much more! Join the Very Dental Facebook group 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

"Horse people are nuts. They're all crazy." --Al Al spins a tale of an industry that is self immolating right in front of him.  Nope. It's not dentistry. Not yet. It's horse boarding. Join the Very Dental Facebook group 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 verydentalpodcast.com/crazy 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 the

Today's throwback episode features the one and only Dr. Rob Ritter. Al talked to Rob back in late 2021 after having a couple of bad clinical beats and Rob has some pretty good advice. Original show notes: Alan is joined by Dr. Rob Ritter to talk about a couple of bad beats he had. Perfing an endo and punting a tough extraction had Al wondering if he should be doing these procedures in his office. Rob is a proud “restorative dentist” by choice and has described his approach as “from the gums up.” How did he decide what he wanted to include in his practice? Why did he decide to leave a lot of “specialty” procedures out? Some topics we covered: Rob’s course, “The Protocol”, the dates for 2022 are available and registration opens on September 14th. If you’re interested, you better sign up fast because they’ll sell out immediately! (limited to 14 people!) No compromise treatment “Just because you don’t want to do the right thing doesn’t mean I’m going to do the wrong thing.” “When you start feeling bad for patien

Today's throwback episode features a discussion on when to throw in the towel. Keep restoring or moving to a different kind of plan is a big deal these days. The guys have thoughts. Also...the baseball talk is 3 years out of date. FYI. Previous show notes: We open with a full 11 minutes on baseball so if you just want the dental chat, start the podcast a few minutes in.   This week we have a short chat on terminal dentition. What is terminal dentition?  How hard is it to make that call? Is it harder to make that call when you’ve seen the patient for 10+ years then a new patient? When do you quit restoring? What clinical criteria vs. patients health vs. financial considerations go into the decision? How is your comfort level with dentures, extractions, pre-prosthetic surgery, etc?  Does that factor into your personal choice of whether to recommend dentures vs restorations. Please join the Very Clinical Facebook group to discuss this episode and much much more!

Mohammed is joined by Dr. Brandon Evert and Dr. Seth Braker! Brandon and Seth were classmates throughout dental school and have contrasting early dental career paths! Brandon is a military dentist and Seth went directly into private practice.  Brandon started the "Extracting Wisdom" podcast before he started dental school and later asked Seth to come on as a co-host where they contrast their experiences!  Some links from the show: Extracting Wisdom podcast Join the Very Dental Facebook group 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 verydentalpodcast.com/crazy and use coupon code “VERYDENTAL10” you’ll get another 10% off your or

This throwback episode features a replay of a Dental Hacks episode featuring Brian Colao of Dykema! Brian Colao knows DSOs. He's an attorney that helps people create and administer DSOs. He's been a frequent guest on the Dental Hacks and he gave Jason and Alan some of his time at the recent Voices of Dentistry meeting. We went deep on the topic of DSOs and covered a lot of information: What is a DSO? (spoiler: "A DSO is an entity that provides nonclinical administrative support services to a dental practice that is owned by a licensed dentist.") From one practice to thousands When did we start to really see DSOs take hold The episode where we met Brian, "DSOs and Digital Smile Design (DHP186)" Was there a DSO bubble?  Denovo vs. Acquisitions What to do if a DSO approaches you? How do you research a DSO that might want to acquire your office? Brian thinks that there is probably a DSO that could fit most any office...go to a conference What are DSO deals looking like for selling dentists? The facts from Brian

Today's throwback episode is the VERY FIRST VERY CLINICAL podcast...back when we called it Clinical Hacks! You'll hear Kevin, Zach and Mac talk about composite. Were they completely polished out the gate or have they gotten better over the years? You be the judge! Original show notes: Welcome to season 1, episode 1 of the Clinical Hacks Podcast! Our first episode comes from a live recording at Voices of Dentistry in sunny Scottsdale, Arizona. We sat down in the tent, put on some headsets and a podcast was born! Introducing the Clinical Hacks: Dr. Kevin Fryer Dr. Mac Jones Dr. Zach Meiners Highlights today include: What composites do we use?   Why? How do these choices affect inventory control and procedure predictability? Do different composites accomplish different things? Products talked about in the episode: Mac: Filtek One Filtek Supreme Ultra Renamel Fuji 2 Anchor Buildup Kevin: GC Kalore SDR Flowable Absolute Dentin Zach: Estelite Sigma Quick Beautifil2 Z250 Bulk EZ Equia Forte If you want to in

Al riffs on the concept of "price anchoring." If you can plant a dollar amount in the brain of your customer, you can manipulate what they believe a product or service is worth. It works with iPads as well as dental care and insurers are way better a this stuff than we are. Some links from the show: "What is Price Anchoring"  Join the Very Dental Facebook group 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 verydentalpodcast.com/crazy 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

Alan is joined by return guest Dr. Gary Holtzclaw to talk about different models of dental practice. Gary and Al have a Facebook chat that's been going for awhile about a lot of different models of practice that they've thought about and they hash some of them out on today's podcast! Some of the highlights: Where did the "hygiene driven" model come from? Can an emergency only model work? "Wants-based" models vs. "needs based" models The landscape for new dentists in 2024 vs. 20+ years ago Who can pull off a startup? Is assisted hygiene the future? Will "biofilm management" become the new "hygiene?" Why can medicine get away with such poor service? Are financial conversations required for informed consent? If yes, how does that work in medicine? Do orthopedic surgeons talk to their colleagues about different models of orthopedic surgery delivery? And so much more! Some links from the show: "Dentists Are Bad" by Matt Yglesias Join the Very Dental Facebook group using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or

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 life in general! Randy has stopped worrying about taking time off. You can't get that time back. Take more time off!  You can't get time back Some links from the show: Down Home Fab Down Home with the DeBoers Become a member of the Very Clinical Facebook group!  Join the Very Dental Facebook group 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 y

Mohammed is joined once again by Dr. Kevin Harland. Kevin graduated from the University of Oklahoma School of Dentistry in 2023. This conversation focuses on Kevin's first year in private practice. Every dentist has to handle the transition into dental practice and Kevin expands on some of the highlights of his first year out of school! Join the Very Dental Facebook group 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 verydentalpodcast.com/crazy 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 s

"Everything is a lie until proven otherwise." -Al Two mid-career dentists (Dr. Dawn Grimes and Al) come to grips with the fact that the "smooth sailing" that we think is coming probably isn't. Good times don't last. Neither do bad times. We've run out of real problems Can selling to a DSO fix your management problems? (stay tuned for an upcoming Group Function!) Retirement will also not be "smooth sailing" necessarily. There are always problems. It's about your reaction. It's about the uncontrollable things Influencers lie about this...influencers appear to have smooth sailing at all times Constantly changing goal posts Just walking away instead of selling?  Everything looks tired and dated in 10 years. Nothing is timeless What mid-career dentists can do that younger dentists can't Expenses rise to the level of what you've got in the account You'll always find more problems Some links from the show: Equanimity course by Sharon Salzburg Reality Unlock (not Drop) the PPO Join the Very Dental Facebook group

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 business and things that he's changed his mind about. Randy has stopped caring more about the patient's mouth than they have. Being able to "slick a tooth out in 5 minutes" is a great skill to have because it often solves a major problem for the patient. Become a member of the Very Clinical Facebook group!  Join the Very Dental Facebook group 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 an

Why tell your patients the worst case scenario for any procedure they might be having? A couple reasons: They deserve to know Medicine SUCKS at it  You look like a hero no matter what Join the Very Dental Facebook group 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 verydentalpodcast.com/crazy 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 th

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 Cosmedent 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: Cosmedent Cosmedent's CEE Dennis Hartlieb's "Dental Online Training" Join the Very Dental Facebook group using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or "McWethy," "Pap

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: Biohorizons implants Implant Pathway Become a member of the Very Clinical Facebook group!  Join the Very Dental Facebook group 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 verydentalpodcast.com/crazy and use coupon code “v

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 Very Dental Facebook group using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or "McWethy," "Papa Randy" or "Lipscomb!" The Very Dental Podcast network is and will remain free to d

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

"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 Very Clinical Facebook group!  Join the Very Dental Facebook group 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 suppo