The Dental Hacks Podcast

Al discusses one of the most underrated instruments on the restorative dentist's tray...the contact saw! Some links from the show: Qwikstrip ContacEZ TruContact Join the Very Dental Facebook group using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or "McWethy." If you'd like to support the Very Dental Podcast Network then you should support our sponsors!  2 days. A bunch of the Spear Education all stars! Literally a Whitman's Sampler of all the greats! (Dr. Frank Spear, Dr. Gary DeWood, Dr. Gregg Kinzer, Dr. Jeff Rouse, Dr. Ricardo Mitrani and Dr. Darin Dichter! Also Adam McWethy! You've heard all of these guys on the podcast and this is a great way to see them all in one huge event! June 16-17 at Spear Education in Scottsdale! August 12-13 in Boston, MA! 14 hours of AMAZING CE! And if you tell them that you heard about it from Very Dental and you'll get $500 off! Go check it out! -- Zirc Dental Products’ Color Method will rescue your team from clinical clutter and disorganization and if you use the coup

Dental practice management software. Usually it's not the kind of thing that people get passionate about. Maybe you chose one back in 1998 and have just stuck with it because the fear of change was greater than the frustration of the status quo. Maybe you inherited your software from the previous owner of your practice. No matter how you ended up with your current software, you really should think about how well it's serving you. Today Alan is joined by Dr. Rania Saleh, the inventor/creator of Oryx Dental Software. Oryx is a smart and intuitive cloud based practice management software that was built around concepts taught by Dr. John Kois and the Kois Center. Rania invited two current users of Oryx, Dr. Meredith Gantos and Dr. Ashish Patel to talk about their experience using Oryx and why they chose Oryx in the first place. Some of the topics that the group covered were: How did you choose Oryx and what helped you make that decision? What was switching to Oryx like? What hardware do you use with Oryx? How do

Kevin and Zach finally reach the last episode recorded at VoD 2022! They've done an amazing job and they tie up the VoD 2022 season in a nice, tight bow! One last time...the questions: The questions: How did COVID affect your practice? You have to have a crown on #2...what material do you choose? Did you/would you place sealant on your own children? Your significant other needs ortho...wires/brackets or aligners? If your own #29 needed endo/core and crown/crown lengthening, would you do it or go right to an implant? If your significant other had a slight diastema between 8 and 9 would you suggest ortho, resin or porcelain? Check out the Very Clinical Facebook group! Join the Very Dental Facebook group using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or "McWethy." If you'd like to support the Very Dental Podcast Network then you should support our sponsors!  2 days. A bunch of the Spear Education all stars! Literally a Whitman's Sampler of all the greats! (Dr. Frank Spear, Dr. Gary DeWood, Dr. Gregg Kinzer, Dr.

What do you do when the job gets monotonous? Dentistry is a great gig, but it's a pretty repetitive one. Sometimes we all could use some help keeping it fresh! The Very Dental Facebook group comes through with some great suggestions on how to keep yourself engaged and interested even when the gig gets to be a grind.  Some links from the show: Clinician's Choice Gold Grip Esthetic Contouring Instrument Hu Friedy Akro-Flex Salsa Bucksaw (Al's next bike, in case anyone wants to buy it for him) Join the Very Dental Facebook group using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or "McWethy." If you'd like to support the Very Dental Podcast Network then you should support our sponsors!  2 days. A bunch of the Spear Education all stars! Literally a Whitman's Sampler of all the greats! (Dr. Frank Spear, Dr. Gary DeWood, Dr. Gregg Kinzer, Dr. Jeff Rouse, Dr. Ricardo Mitrani and Dr. Darin Dichter! Also Adam McWethy! You've heard all of these guys on the podcast and this is a great way to see them all in one huge e

Alan is joined again by Dr. Jason Smithson to talk about the real benefits of "hands on" learning. Al recently went to Cosmedent to take a fundamentals course that was almost entirely hands on. There is no better way to learn restorative dentistry techniques! Jason teaches hands on courses all over Europe and he's got several coming in in the United States as well!  "The Dentist as an Artist/Technician" on July 29-30th at Cosmedent's CEE in Chicago "Excellence in Composite Restorations" on September 11-13th at Spear Education in Scottsdale, AZ Spear Summit on September 16-17th in Scottsdale, AZ Join the Very Dental Facebook group using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or "McWethy." If you'd like to support the Very Dental Podcast Network then you should support our sponsors!  2 days. A bunch of the Spear Education all stars! Literally a Whitman's Sampler of all the greats! (Dr. Frank Spear, Dr. Gary DeWood, Dr. Gregg Kinzer, Dr. Jeff Rouse, Dr. Ricardo Mitrani and Dr. Darin Dichter! Also Adam McWet

Dr. Russell Schafer joins Zach and Kevin to talk about what they do when the schedule slows down. Some really good ideas here!  Join the Very Dental Facebook group using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or "McWethy." If you'd like to support the Very Dental Podcast Network then you should support our sponsors!  2 days. A bunch of the Spear Education all stars! Literally a Whitman's Sampler of all the greats! (Dr. Frank Spear, Dr. Gary DeWood, Dr. Gregg Kinzer, Dr. Jeff Rouse, Dr. Ricardo Mitrani and Dr. Darin Dichter! Also Adam McWethy! You've heard all of these guys on the podcast and this is a great way to see them all in one huge event! June 16-17 at Spear Education in Scottsdale! August 12-13 in Boston, MA! 14 hours of AMAZING CE! And if you tell them that you heard about it from Very Dental and you'll get $500 off! Go check it out! -- Zirc Dental Products’ Color Method will rescue your team from clinical clutter and disorganization and if you use the coupon code “VERYDENTAL” to get 50% off

Al brings back a "Go Hack Yourself"-esque feature where he gives recommendations of stuff. I know that's a weird description, but it's way better than it sounds. Check it out. Splashtop remote login software Crypto Island podcast PJ Vogt's Substack Elric of Melnibone book/audiobook Early 80’s Spotify playlist Redshift Sports Shockstop suspension stem, Redshift Sports Shockstop Seat post Cosmedent felt flexipoints + Enamelize for posterior polishing  Join the Very Dental Facebook group using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or "McWethy." If you'd like to support the Very Dental Podcast Network then you should support our sponsors!  2 days. A bunch of the Spear Education all stars! Literally a Whitman's Sampler of all the greats! (Dr. Frank Spear, Dr. Gary DeWood, Dr. Gregg Kinzer, Dr. Jeff Rouse, Dr. Ricardo Mitrani and Dr. Darin Dichter! Also Adam McWethy! You've heard all of these guys on the podcast and this is a great way to see them all in one huge event! June 16-17 at Spear Education

Many CE courses are a display of the skill and ability of the speaker. The problem is that often the student may never reach that level of skill and ability. 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. Join the Very Dental Facebook group using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or "McWethy." If you'd like to support the Very Dental Podcast Network then you should support our sponsors!  2 days. A bunch of the Spear Education all stars! Literally a Whitman's Sampler of all the greats! (Dr. Frank Spear, Dr. Gary DeWood, Dr. Gregg Kinzer, Dr. Jeff Rouse, Dr. Ricardo Mitrani an

Dr. Dan Smith joined the Very Clinical team to take the Voices of Dentistry challenge! He answered Zach and Kevin's questions with style and panache!   The questions: How did COVID affect your practice? You have to have a crown on #2...what material do you choose? Did you/would you place sealant on your own children? Your significant other needs ortho...wires/brackets or aligners? If your own #29 needed endo/core and crown/crown lengthening, would you do it or go right to an implant? If your significant other had a slight diastema between 8 and 9 would you suggest ortho, resin or porcelain? Check out the Very Clinical Facebook group! Join the Very Dental Facebook group using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or "McWethy." If you'd like to support the Very Dental Podcast Network then you should support our sponsors!  2 days. A bunch of the Spear Education all stars! Literally a Whitman's Sampler of all the greats! (Dr. Frank Spear, Dr. Gary DeWood, Dr. Gregg Kinzer, Dr. Jeff Rouse, Dr. Ricardo Mitrani a

Al reflects on a Cosmedent course from last weekend. Are we doing composite wrong? Maybe. Does Cosmedent have the very best hands on learning in dentistry? Yes. Yes they do! Join the Very Dental Facebook group using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or "McWethy." If you'd like to support the Very Dental Podcast Network then you should support our sponsors!  2 days. A bunch of the Spear Education all stars! Literally a Whitman's Sampler of all the greats! (Dr. Frank Spear, Dr. Gary DeWood, Dr. Gregg Kinzer, Dr. Jeff Rouse, Dr. Ricardo Mitrani and Dr. Darin Dichter! Also Adam McWethy! You've heard all of these guys on the podcast and this is a great way to see them all in one huge event! June 16-17 at Spear Education in Scottsdale! August 12-13 in Boston, MA! 14 hours of AMAZING CE! And if you tell them that you heard about it from Very Dental and you'll get $500 off! Go check it out! Zirc Dental Products’ Color Method will rescue your team from clinical clutter and disorganization and if you u

Dr. Steven Vorholt has had an interesting four years. If you've been following "Vorholt week" here on the Very Dental Podcast Network you know where he started about 4 years ago! Today, we get to hear what he's been up to! Some of the things we talked about: How Voices of Dentistry 2019 influenced Steve's career (save the date for January 20-21, 2023) Becoming implant obsessed The pre-COVID cross country trek How COVID shaped Implant Pathway (spoiler: it might have made it better!) The unremarkable beginning of Steve's speaking career (he was filling in for Moody) How Steve became an expert in dental implant complications (it's about photography and sheer numbers of implants placed!) The secret to getting implant reps You need a CBCT to place implants Should implantology be a specialty? How does one get into implants a "little bit?"   Some links from the show: The Pathway 3D Dentists Steve's website Steve's Instagram Join the Very Dental Facebook group using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or "McWethy.

Dr. Steven Vorholt continues his takeover of the Very Dental Podcast Network! He sat down with Zach and Kevin at VoD in January and they put him through the ringer! The questions: How did COVID affect your practice? You have to have a crown on #2...what material do you choose? Did you/would you place sealant on your own children? Your significant other needs ortho...wires/brackets or aligners? If your own #29 needed endo/core and crown/crown lengthening, would you do it or go right to an implant? If your significant other had a slight diastema between 8 and 9 would you suggest ortho, resin or porcelain? Check out the Very Clinical Facebook group! Join the Very Dental Facebook group using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or "McWethy." If you'd like to support the Very Dental Podcast Network then you should support our sponsors!  Zirc Dental Products’ Color Method will rescue your team from clinical clutter and disorganization and if you use the coupon code “VERYDENTAL” to get 50% off their most popular l

Welcome to Vorholt week here on the Very Dental Podcast Network! We start with a throwback episode of the Alan Mead Experience from May 9, 2018. This is the "prequel" of the Very Clinical and Very Dental episodes we'll be bringing yout this week! I hope you enjoy the Alan Mead Experience again and if you like it...drop me a line and tell me! Dr. Steven Vorholt is a dentist in the sweet spot. He heard episode 068 of the AME and realized that the "sweet spot" I was talking about was HIM! He's starting a journey to understand digital dentistry and use it in his practice and you can see this journey LIVE at www.stevenvorholtdds.com. Some links from the show: The Pathway Join the Very Dental Facebook group using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or "McWethy." If you'd like to support the Very Dental Podcast Network then you should support our sponsors!  Zirc Dental Products’ Color Method will rescue your team from clinical clutter and disorganization and if you use the coupon code “VERYDENTAL” to get 50% off t

Dental operating microscopes are a fascination with me. But I don't use mine as effectively as I would like. Today's guest on the Very Dental podcast REALLY does! I had the chance to sit down with Dr. Jorge Zapata at the Voices of Dentistry 2022 to talk about it! You've no doubt seen Jorge's videos of 3rd molar extractions and other surgery on Facebook. He graciously posts them in the Very Dental Facebook group and other groups and they are the most satisfying dental videos I've ever seen! We discuss how he started using microscopes and how he's learned to document through the microscope. Learning to use the microscope is one thing, but learning to DOCUMENT through the microscope is Jorge's specialty! Some links from the show: Global Surgical Microscopes Academy of Microscope Enhanced Dentistry CJ Optik microscopes Zumax microscopes Join the Very Dental Facebook group using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or "McWethy." If you'd like to support the Very Dental Podcast Network then you should support our

Fan favorite Dr. Frank Clayton joins Zach and Kevin at VoD 2022 to run the Very Clinical gauntlet! The questions: How did COVID affect your practice? You have to have a crown on #2...what material do you choose? Did you/would you place sealant on your own children? Your significant other needs ortho...wires/brackets or aligners? If your own #29 needed endo/core and crown/crown lengthening, would you do it or go right to an implant? If your significant other had a slight diastema between 8 and 9 would you suggest ortho, resin or porcelain? Check out the Very Clinical Facebook group! Join the Very Dental Facebook group using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or "McWethy." If you'd like to support the Very Dental Podcast Network then you should support our sponsors!  Zirc Dental Products’ Color Method will rescue your team from clinical clutter and disorganization and if you use the coupon code “VERYDENTAL” to get 50% off their most popular level of organizational consultation. You’ll have a box of all the

Every day we see patients with accelerated wear on their teeth. It's so common that we sometimes ignore it. I recently had a chance to hear Dr. Frank Spear at the Michigan Dental Association's annual session and he spent a lot of time talking about attrition, erosion, toothbrush abrasion, NCCLs and wear patterns.  What do these things have in common? Acid. Whether it's gastric reflux or acidic foods and beverages, our patients are constantly exposed and it affects their teeth. But erosion isn't really just acid on it's own. It's almost always acid + some kind of wear agent.  The more we understand the patient's source of acid and the wear agents they present with, the more we can prevent these common problems. Some links from the show: Spear Live Spear Online Treating the Worn Dentition Join the Very Dental Facebook group using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or "McWethy." If you'd like to support the Very Dental Podcast Network then you should support our sponsors!  Zirc Dental Products’ Color Method

Is practice ownership for new dentists a thing anymore? Today's guests say "YES!" Alan is joined by Dr. Richard Low, co-founder of Shared Practices, Dr. Megan Timm (client of Shared Practices and owner of 3 practices!) and Caitlin Shoemaker (coach at Shared Practices)! Shared Practices started as a podcast and has evolved into a complete solution for helping dentists into practice ownership! Richard, Megan and Caitlin share their experience helping dentists get into practice ownership using metrics and systems to help them grow and succeed!  Some links from the show: The Shared Practices Podcast Shared Practices website If you'd like to support the Very Dental Podcast Network then you should support our sponsors!  Zirc Dental Products’ Color Method will rescue your team from clinical clutter and disorganization and if you use the coupon code “VERYDENTAL” to get 50% off their most popular level of organizational consultation. You’ll have a box of all the different trays, tubs, cassettes and other goodies sent

The one and only Toothlife.Irene (aka: Irene Iancu) joined Kevin and Zach at Voices of Dentistry to run the gauntlet! The questions: How did COVID affect your practice? You have to have a crown on #2...what material do you choose? Did you/would you place sealant on your own children? Your significant other needs ortho...wires/brackets or aligners? If your own #29 needed endo/core and crown/crown lengthening, would you do it or go right to an implant? If your significant other had a slight diastema between 8 and 9 would you suggest ortho, resin or porcelain? Be sure to check out Irene's Instagram and her amazing podcast, Tooth or Dare!  Check out the Very Clinical Facebook group! If you'd like to support the Very Dental Podcast Network then you should support our sponsors!  Zirc Dental Products’ Color Method will rescue your team from clinical clutter and disorganization and if you use the coupon code “VERYDENTAL” to get 50% off their most popular level of organizational consultation. You’ll have a box of al

All health care professions know what informed consent is and what it's for. I think that we understand the theory and maybe don't quite get it in practice. A story from earlier in the week inspired Al to dig in a little bit to the informed consent process in his practice. Can patients really know what we're doing to them? Do written forms absolve us of responsibility? Join the Very Dental Facebook group using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or "McWethy." If you'd like to support the Very Dental Podcast Network then you should support our sponsors!  Zirc Dental Products’ Color Method will rescue your team from clinical clutter and disorganization and if you use the coupon code “VERYDENTAL” to get 50% off their most popular level of organizational consultation. You’ll have a box of all the different trays, tubs, cassettes and other goodies sent ot your office and then have an in depth conversation with one of Zirc’s clinical efficiency specialists to help you choose what’s best for your office!  So head

100% case acceptance is impossible, for sure. But I thought I would use a clickbait title to get your attention.  My guest, Adam McWethy doesn't approve of clickbait titles. But he doesn't write the show notes, so what are you going to do? Adam does a bunch of stuff at Spear Education. We talk a bunch about what's happening at Spear Education and some of the exciting LIVE events that Spear is hosting!  But then we get down to business. Adam also does a lot of work with Spear Practice Solutions and we talk about a metrics driven way to increase your case acceptance! It probably won't be 100%. But the more you know, the better chance you have of getting your patient to say "yes!" Some links from the show: Spear Live! (Mention Very Dental for $500 off!) Scottsdale, AZ on June 16-17th, 2022 Boston, MA on August 12-13th 2022 Spear Summit on September 15-17th in Scottsdale, AZ! Spear Practice Solutions Join the Very Dental Facebook group using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or "McWethy." If you'd like to supp