The Dental Hacks Podcast

Al shares some thoughts about VoD 2022, making happiness (at work and in life) a goal and finding ways to make things that can be a drag more fun.  Some links from the show: Enova loupes and headlamps Voices of Dentistry 2023 (January 20-21st, 2023) 

Kevin and Zach welcome Dr. Abe Hoellrich to sit in the Very Clinical hot seat! To refresh your memory, here are the clinical situations that Abe faces: 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? Do you want to weigh in? Join us in the Very Clinical Facebook group! 

Al is joined by Dr. Craig Harder, Dr. Kevin Donlin and Dr. Colin Lathrop for an early morning recording on the first day of Voices of Dentistry! The guys talk about the nuts and bolts of VoD and why it's like no other meeting! Some of the the topics: The VoD tradition of speakers being unprepared. Al's glorious signs Was COVID around for VoD 2020? How has COVID affected our offices? Masks are great for anterior temporaries Essix retainers suck Al's Mussolini suite The internet code for VoD was hh2021 Al's 2017 DS World talk (8am in Vegas, on addiction) Knowing Papa Randy Go check out the Very Dental Facebook group! (Use password Timmerman or Hornbrook to get in!)

Jason and Alan recorded a live "reunion episode" of the Dental Hacks podcast at Voices of Dentistry 2022! If you didn't have the pleasure of seeing it LIVE, here it is in audio form! The guys did their thing for the audience and invited the other two VoD hosts, Dr. Mark Costes and Dr. Justin Moody up to answer "Ask Us Anything" questions! A good time was had by all!  Some links from the show: Voices of Dentistry Very Dental Facebook group (use password Timmerman or Hornbrook for entry!)  

The Voices of Dentistry brought Kevin and Zach together in person and THEY GOT IT DONE!  The plan was to talk with LOTS of different clinicans and get their answers to a standardized group of questions. It's brilliant and funny and you're going to LOVE what they have in store for you over the next few months!  Today they give you the questions and give you their very own answers!  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? Do you want to weigh in? Join us in the Very Clinical Facebook group!   

Al is joined by Irene Iancu, aka: Toothlife.Irene at Republic Ramen in Tempe, AZ! They both arrived on the Thursday before VoD and Al shared some of the bizarre food rituals that he's developed over the years. Spoiler: there is slurping involved! Some links from the show: Republic Ramen Waffle House Irene's Instagram Toothlifeirene.ca Irene's office website

How do you bring a country's dental continuing education system into the 21st century? The answer will probably surprise you! Alan is joined by Dr. Artie Volker, Dr. Abdelrahman Ahmed Tawfik and Dr. Ahmed Mossad to discuss how dentistry and dental education has changed in Egypt for the better! how social media changed dentistry in Egypt creating a rock star clinical educator (you NEED to follow Abdelrahman Ahmed Tawfik on Facebook!) "Build your own country inside your office" Steal what you like from social media Microscopes and documentation for social media and education "Show me what didn't work." Why buy a Zumax scope? What can a microscope do for you and your office? Some links from the show: Tomorrow Tooth Very Dental Facebook group Enova Illumination

How does "last case bias" and clinical evidence affect the way we treat our patients?  Kevin and Zach bring back Dr. Kevin Donlin to discuss an interesting and philosophical topic that influences us all. Some links from the show: The Voices of Dentistry meeting (Kevin, Kevin, Zach and Al will all be there and it's not too late to get a ticket! Use coupon code: VeryDental) The Very Clinical Facebook group

Very Dental people...take a listen to another podcast that I do with Dr. Dawn Kulongowski, "The Peaceful Practice Podcast!" On the eve of Alan's 20th year of sobriety, Dawn and Alan have a conversation about what this milestone means, what it has been like to get here and how to examine our own habits with drugs and alcohol.   To contact Dawn and Alan: Email us podcast@peacefulpractice.com Join our Facebook Group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindfulnessforprofessionals

Do you "warranty" your work? How do you handle it when a restoration you've provided doesn't last as long as you would have expected? Alan is joined by Jared Parente who is the CEO of a company called Dental Warranty. They are the platinum sponsor of the upcoming Voices of Dentistry meeting and they offer a product that dental offices will find intriguing!  What is Dental Warranty?  How does it work? Most dentists/patients take a warranty as "implicit." Why make it "explicit?" How do you know if a dentist's work is solid enough to be warrantied? Do the dentists do some kind of accreditation? How much does it cost? Who pays for it? How do claims work?  Do you have clinical evaluators? What are the ethics of warranty? Can "biology" be warrantied? Some links from the show: Dental Warranty Voices of Dentistry (Jared and Al will both be at VoD! Use promo code "VeryDental") The Very Dental Facebook Group

Kevin and Zach are joined by Dr. Kevin Donlin who practices in Madison, SD! They tackle a topic that's not particularly popular on Instagram and Facebook groups...amalgam! Amalgam is a material that many folks brag about using but the Very Clinical crew explains why some dentists refuse to toss this tool that's still very valuable in certain situations! Some links from the show: The Voices of Dentistry meeting (Kevin, Kevin, Zach and Al will all be there and it's not too late to get a ticket! Use coupon code: VeryDental) The Very Clinical Facebook group

Al answers a listener email about how to talk to patients about deep decay.  It's OK to hate delivering bad news Patients NEED to know about their condition There are a lot of options for treating deep decay Clear communication and documentation is KEY! Some links from the show: The Voices of Dentistry meeting (Use coupon code: VeryDental) The Very Clinical Facebook group

Al had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Erin Elliott at the Greater New York dental meeting! It will come as no surprise to anyone that this wide ranging conversation was a blast! Al had veneers. Probably about 30 years ago. Who knew? What % of people have crowding vs. excess of space? Why? Are people more allergic now than they used to be? (spoiler: roll your kids in dirt) Who's got team drama? Erin grew up in CA but considers herself an Idahoan! Detroit Metro airport is the best airport. Al will fight you if you disagree. Erin stays away from home for a long time. And gets to write it off. Erin on emergency dentistry (she's got this figured out) Medical people GNF. Erin on giving patients money back. "Painless" dentistry is BS. Be direct with patients about their needs. Erin on implants! (spoiler: She's a fan of 3D Dentists AND Implant Pathway!) In person teaching >>> Zoom teaching If you go to meetings (ahem...VoD) then support the vendors! Erin is coming to Voices of Dentistry! There is NO SUBSTITUTE fo

Kevin and Zach ring in the new year with returning guest, Alan Mead!  First, they talk about new year's resolutions. Next the guys talk about things that they were grateful for in 2021. It's a pretty important thing to focus on...especially when there's a lot that's out of our control.  Some links from the show: The Voices of Dentistry meeting (Kevin, Zach and Al will all be there! Use coupon code: VeryDental) The Very Clinical Facebook group  

Al rings in the new year with a conversation about his personal failings in treatment planning. How often do you fail to offer the "best" option to a patient because you think you know that they won't accept? It's a problem Al has faced over 23+ years of dental practice and he's trying to turn over a new leaf.  Also...there's a bit of talk about why there are no ads on today's show and the future of the podcast.  Some links from the show: Voices of Dentistry The Very Dental Facebook Group

Alan is joined (at the Greater New York Meeting) by Dr. Paul Ferraioli to talk about dental meetings and interesting practice models! Paul and Alan go WAY back to the DentalTown message boards and it was great to catch up with him! Paul and Alan were both DentalTown "golden fingers" back in the day. Microbrush never promoted the coolest product that they never produced. The "MicroClik" Paul has a "unicorn" practice in New Jersey...he describes it as "relationship based." Paul's model has changed over the years to where he does much of the hygiene in his practice.  Find what's right for you and do that! How has COVID affected the way he practices? How has COVID affected the profession of dental hygiene? Dentist driven hygiene and adding value What does Paul mean by "relationship based practice?" Dental meetings in the time of COVID Paul laments the discontinuation of Carivu The jokes that dentists tell every single day Having a low drama team Being one insurance away from none Some links from the show: Ult

Kevin and Zach are joined by Alan Mead to do an "Ask Us Anything" segment! First, they talk about New Year's traditions (Twilight Zone anyone?) and then they answered listener questions! What are you looking forward to the most at VOD? Which speaker will leave you speechless? What is the best kind of CE to seek out as a new general dentist? Sometimes I feel as if I'm a less than adequate dentist because I don't use all the newest, greatest technology and I'm not on the cutting edge of new techniques. Can you talk a bit about the dentists that fly under the radar, the ones that just do "tried and true" dentistry? Is there shame in that? Is it important to be on the cutting edge? How does all the newest, latest, greatest make us feel, really? Excited, nervous, hungry? What was the best/most profitable new idea you implemented in your practice this year? Some links from the show: Voices of Dentistry The Very Dental Facebook Group If you would you like support the Very Dental Podcast Network you should suppor

Al weighs in on one of the things he's resolving to do better in 2022 and also complains about a common dental ailment. Some links from the show: Voices of Dentistry The Very Dental Facebook Group If you would you like support the Very Dental Podcast Network you should support our sponsors! They help us create content that is, for lack of a better word...Very Dental! Why should you care about single patient use burs? I can think of a lot of reasons, but the one your patients are thinking about is this one. What’s that sound? That’s the sound of a rotary instrument that’s never been used on another patient. That’s the sound of no cross contamination. That’s the sound of your patient knowing that you are looking out for them. Sure you get a super sharp, never been used bur each and every time you open a Microcopy bur, but mostly your patients know that you take cross contamination seriously. Go check out the wide variety of single patient use products at verydentalpodcast.com/microcopy. A new (and sterile) bu

Alan and the Very Dental Podcast network wishes you and yours an amazing holiday season! Today's episode has a ton of amazing holiday gifts for the listener! Some of them include: A chance to win free tickets to Voices of Dentistry? (email al@verydentalpodcast.com with subject line "FreeVoD!" A potential Dental Hacks reunion at VoD? Three amazing clinical tips from Al! the class IV on the fly The "Mead Rapidfire Block Technique" "When and Where bite adjustment technique" Finally, Al talks about his new Enova Illumination loupes and magnification workflow! Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year to all Very Dental people! Some links from the show: Trollfoil Enova Illumination for loupes, headlamp and Zumax dental operating microscopes! Enova loupes Enova lights Voices of Dentistry If you would you like support the Very Dental Podcast Network you should support our sponsors! They help us create content that is, for lack of a better word...Very Dental! Why should you care about single patient

Zach and Kevin are here to give you an amazing holiday gift! They're joined by the Totally Oral guys (Dr. Russell Schafer and Dr. Clint Timmerman) and each one of them drops a killer clinical tip just in time for the holidays! The guys talk about worst Christmas gifts! Clint's tip: rough prep first, build up second  Russ's tip: heated composite! (low cost, microhybrid) Zach's tip: for blocks 3% mepivacain plain first, second block with lidocaine or Septocaine Kevin's tip: piezo unit for extractions? Not so fast! 330 bur in a surgical handpiece Kevin's second tip: create space by breaking contact for extractions Russ's second tip: single use burs, disposable diamonds and carbides (www.verydentalpodcast.com/microcopy) Zach's second tip: seams pick up stain! One final layer over composite veneers. Some links from the show: Dentazon C-warmer composite warmer Microcopy single use burs  If you would you like support the Very Dental Podcast Network you should support our sponsors! They help us create content th