The Dental Hacks Podcast

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: Enova Illumination CJ Optik Global 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

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? Faculty club round tables...the best value at Spear! The new occlusion curriculum on Spear Online! New research in occlusion...now inco

"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 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 t

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 dentist

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: Miracle Mix Todd Johnson DDS, Paul Thomas DDS Very Dental Facebook group 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 s

"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: Starting Strength 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

"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 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 basica

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: Deep Work by

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 Very Clinical Facebook group!  Join the Very Dental Facebook group using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook," McWethy," "Papa Randy" or

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 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/

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: Ivoclar Variolink Esthetic Ivoclar Academy Ivoclar Adhese Universal Do you have questions for Dr. Singhal? You can get in touch with him at Shashikant.Singhal@ivoclar.com! 

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 Very Dental Facebook group using the password "Timmerman," Hornb

"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 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 “verydental10” you’ll get another 10% off your order! Go save yourself some money and support the show all at the same time! -- The

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 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 c

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 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

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

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: me on a recent episode of Michael Arias' "The Dental Marketer" podcast  Splashtop 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” y

"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?  Get in touch with Chip at Large Practice Sales!  

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: Les

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 patient