The Dental Hacks Podcast

Al recently got to sit down with Dr. Chris Bowman at Voices of Dentistry 2022 Mark Costes finished his talk on time at VoD 2022! Miracle? Maybe. Al is anal retentive about time and timeliness.  Chris let's the patient that he's not going to rush on their care. That's reframing things a bit. Is Delta Premier going to go away? How can we "top off our practice" with a bit of insurance participation? "It's good to be old" Using "negative language" (limitations and restrictions) when referring to dental benefits One patient in 4 chairs. "Doc, you might as well be going fishing." I didn't plan it this way. 4 stages of change shock awkward, uncomfortable tolerable routine Go check out the Very Dental Facebook group (use password Timmerman or Hornbrook for entry!) If you'd like to support the Very Dental Podcast Network then you should support our sponsors!  I’d like to thank Cosmedent for their support of the Very Dental Podcast network! Let’s talk about Ideal preps. That’s what we’re all aiming for and one exc

Zach and Kevin were joined by superstar Dr. Mona Patel just moments after her triumphant talk at VoD! She answers the questions that Kevin and Zach came up with for VoD! 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!  If you'd like to support the Very Dental Podcast Network then you should support our sponsors!  I’d like to thank Cosmedent for their support of the Very Dental Podcast network! Let’s talk about Ideal preps. That’s what we’re all aiming for and one excellent way to get there is to use a dual cured core material to build a broken dow

Al is back from his February hiatus with some thoughts on an overlooked skill/talent/tool: likeability. It’s awesome to be amazing at your craft. It’s 100% worth learning new techniques and delivering as close to perfection as possible. But let’s be completely honest…stuff goes wrong. The best dentist you know still has appointments that they wish that they could forget.  A couple things about likeability.  To be blunt, people don’t sue someone that they like. The rare time that things go badly, having a patient that has legitimate affection for you can make a HUGE difference.  For most people it’s way easier to be likeable than you think. But it requires that you take a good hard look at how you feel about your “doctor” role. Go check out the Very Dental Facebook group (use password Timmerman or Hornbrook for entry!) If you'd like to support the Very Dental Podcast Network then you should support our sponsors!  I’d like to thank Cosmedent for their support of the Very Dental Podcast network! Let’s talk abo

A very slap happy Al is joined by Tom Brown and Joe Chickerillo of "Your Virtual Consult!" Your Virtual Consult was one of the sponsors of January's Voices of Dentistry. This conversation was nothing short of fascinating because Al has always been underwhelmed by "teledentistry." This isn't teledentistry, this is SO MUCH BETTER! The guys discussed: What is teledentistry and why does it suck? How could you use "Your Virtual Consult" to increase case acceptance? They discuss the ingenious process that they're using to help patients get comfortable with YOUR office! How can you use "Your Virtual Consult" make it so you don't ever have to have phone calls or Zoom calls ever again. Al prefers texting. Al prefers the automated checkout. Al wants to be left alone. How can you use "Your Virtual Consult"  like a giant set of headphones to make the world leave you alone, but actually makes you seem caring and inviting? How can you use "Your Virtual Consult" to help you find the patients that fit your office well? You'

Dr. Mike Keller (aka: 'Ol Soft Hands) of Delaware stopped by the Very Clinical booth at VoD and Zach and Kevin grilled him!  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!  If you'd like to support the Very Dental Podcast Network then you should support our sponsors!  I’d like to thank Cosmedent for their support of the Very Dental Podcast network! Let’s talk about Ideal preps. That’s what we’re all aiming for and one excellent way to get there is to use a dual cured core material to build a broken down tooth back up to ideal contour. Cosmecore f

Dr. Brian McGue of Implant Pathway AND 3D Dentists fame drops in to talk with Zach and Kevin at VoD! As they did to a bunch of guests, the Very Clinical guys grill Brian on the following 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? Do you want to weigh in? Join us in the Very Clinical Facebook group! 

Dr. Russell Schafer and Dr. Clinton Timmerman of the "Totally Oral" podcast join Kevin and Zach to run the Very Clinical gauntlet at VoD 2020! To refresh your memory, here are the clinical situations that The Totally Oral guys weigh in on: 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! 

Alan Mead joins Kevin and Zach to run the Very Clinical gauntlet at VoD 2020! To refresh your memory, here are the clinical situations that Alan weighs in on: 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 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