The Dental Hacks Podcast

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

Alan is joined by "Queen Christmas" herself, Dr. Jen Kirwan for a spectacular discussion of holiday parties in the dental office! Jen and Al talk about the different types of holiday celebrations in their past and Al comes to realize that Jen *really* knows how to do it right! A few suggestions from the queen: DON'T tie it to a bonus DON'T be predictable DON'T include spouses DON'T make your team watch "White Christmas" on the clock! Holiday parties can be a really great team building activity and they don't have to be excruciating! 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 yo

Identity is a weird concept. "Dentist" is technically a job description (what you do) but for many of us, including Al, it becomes our identity. Or at least a huge part of it. Al takes a little time to riff on his experience on his history of disengaging from dentistry and how evaluating how you see your identity is a healthy thing to do. 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 co

Kevin and Zach are joined by the Totally Oral guys, Dr. Russell Schafer and Dr. Clint Timmerman! Best Christmas gifts EVER! Zach, Kevin, Clint and Russell each lay out their "year end wrap up" at their offices 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 (an

Alan is joined by Michael Anderson and Laura Maly of the Wonderist Agency! Wonderist helps dentists market their practice by helping dentists and teams create a message and tell their story in a compelling way! We talk marketing and storytelling in an interesting and wide ranging conversation! How did Wonderist come about? Wonderist's favorite conference: The Voices of Dentistry! It's time to buy your tickets for VoD!  People are obsessed with reviews Marketing channels (website, Google Adwords, direct mail, SEO, reviews)! Which ones are right for you? That's the wrong question! Wonderist can help clarify your message! The Wonderist process and 5 buckets (what makes you different and memorable) Let people say "no" to your best options! Dental offices that create content...what are the best ways to create content for their office Michael has a bone to pick with dentists! (spoiler: take photos of your work!) Coming soon...Wonderist's own podcast! Some links from the show: The Wonderist Agency Otter.ai If yo

Alan was joined by some friends from CAD-Ray! Jon Acker, Damien Bonner and Rich LaFergola work at CAD-Ray, a full service distributor of technology products focusing on CAD-CAM, CT's and 3D printing! Alan has been using the Medit i500 that he purchased from CAD-Ray back in 2018! But there is SO MUCH MORE that they have to offer! The conversation is wide ranging about technology and how CAD-Ray is making it more accessible to dentists! Who you buy from is important for training and support CAD Ray has a bunch of online videos for training but also does a lot of in person training in Vegas and all over the country. Medit's software is constantly updated with a LOT of tools that many don't even use with no fees ever! "Patient excitement applications" Ortho simulator (included in Medit software) Smile design (included in Medit software) Whitening app (included in Medit software) CAD-Ray private user group Medit user group Model builder (included in Medit software) Clinux software (browser based) by CAD-Ray! Medi

This week we feature a classic episode with Kevin flying solo interviewing Dr. Craig Harder from Moses Lake, WA. This week’s topic is efficient crown prepping. Highlights include: - Craig writes for Dental Economics This week’s podcast includes a gameshow segment! Omar Reed’s famous video Begin with the end in mind Craig uses Kavo electric handpicks Kevin is a rubber dam enthusiast Optragates are cool Depth cuts are cool Prep counterclockwise Komet deep purple tapered rounded shoulder bur Have a lab wax up and suck down A call back to a previous Dental Hacks episode Kevin’s favorite disposable diamond Enameloplasty rules! Mac Jones word count:  0 Zach Meiners word count :0 If you want to interact with us, head over to the closed Very Clinical Facebook group! We want to produce episodes about the questions you have, it’s a great place to post a clinical topic, you don’t even have to post a photo! If you would you like support the Very Dental Podcast Network you should support our sponsors! They help us cr

I spent a couple days with my friends at Enova Illumination at the Greater New York Dental meeting! So...are dental meetings dead? Did I buy anything? What did I look at that was really cool? All of these questions and more will be answered in today's episode! Some links from the show: Clinician's Choice PowerMix Dentazon C-Warmer EMS/Hu-friedy Airflow One Bioclear Evolve Enova Illumination/Zumax 3200 Pro 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 op

Dr. David Rice joined Alan for a rousing conversation that took place above the exhibit floor at the recent Greater New York Dental Meeting! David is the creator/founder of IgniteDDS and was recently placed as the editor in chief of DentistryIQ! Their conversation went all over the place and here are some of the highlights: Where did IgniteDDS come from? Dental school and student debt: then vs. now What are new dentists doing after dental school nowadays? What options does a dental degree give you? (spoiler: it's not just private practice!) Dentists as writers Dental speaking isn't as glamorous as you might think Connecting with an audience is the best and worst part about speaking Presenting "naked" and perfectionism Becoming an owner in 2021 Practice transitions: work with the people who know how! Do startups take a special kind of person? (spoiler: yes) Buy or startup? How do you find out what you like to do/you're good at? DON'T COWBOY UP! aka: know your limitations Some links from the show: IgniteDDS

Laser Bob is back!   Dr. Bob Convissar tells us what to do with a laser if we invest in one this week.   We open up with a cinematic laser draft.  Who picked the best laser team? Topics touched on: Crown lengthening Biopsy Apthous Ulcer treatment Infant tongue ties De-pigment gingiva Pulpotomies Airway Treatment You can contact Bob at laserbobdds@gmail.com Buy his book on Principles and Practice of Laser Dentistry on Amazon! Here is a link to Laser Bob’s seminar schedule  Thanks for listening and check out the Very Clinical Facebook group if you haven already. 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! I’ve found that using a digital workflow for posterior zirconia is very predictable. So much so that when I’ve evaluated margins, contour and interproximal contacts...I’m ready to cement. Why so cocky? Typically the digital workflow usually nails the occlusion. But more importantly

It's not every day that you get a phone call from a legend in cosmetic dentistry! Alan tells a story about getting a call from Dr. Buddy Mopper of Cosmedent to get some tips on using their new Renamel Bulkfill! Some links from the show: The Voices of Dentistry (use code VeryDental) The Very Dental Facebook group Renamel Bulkfill (coupon: VDP21) Renamel Nano Plus Pocketcasts 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! I’ve found that using a digital workflow for posterior zirconia is very predictable. So much so that when I’ve evaluated margins, contour and interproximal contacts...I’m ready to cement. Why so cocky? Typically the digital workflow usually nails the occlusion. But more importantly, Microcopy Dental has a posterior adjustment system for zirconia (and lithium disilicate) that is so simple and SO GOOD. First, I use Bite-Chek articulating paper for accurate and easy to

Alan features a throwback interview with Dr. Frank Spear on this Black Friday episode! Back in 2019, mere months before the pandemic, we had a chance to talk with Frank Spear about some interesting research he was doing. It seems that what dentists thought about the profession isn't exactly what the data suggested about the profession. Some topics that we covered: Why do insurance companies cover thing so differently from state to state? The beauty of practicing in groups. But not necessarily a DSO. Could someone become Frank Spear in the way that Frank did considering student debt as it is now? How did beautiful temporaries make a difference in Frank's career? Why does Frank feel responsible to help the narrative that dentists tell each other? What's the data the Frank would really like to see? Why is it so impossible to compare dental businesses and income across the country? How can you compare apples to apples? Take home message: things are better than dentists are telling themselves! What is dental scho

Dr. Bob “Laser Bob” Convissar “ DDS is a dentist who lectures and practices laser assisted dentistry in Manhattan.  His practice is over 100 years old! It’s an amazing story. We talk about Black Friday. Then we talk about the ABC’s of laser dentistry.  Both Zach and Kevin get laser shamed. We get the low down on histology. The CO2 laser is the best for soft tissue dentistry.  We discuss the economics of lasers. We discuss air abrasion.  And PBM lasers. You can contact Bob at laserbobdds@gmail.com Buy his book on Principles and Practice of Laser Dentistry on Amazon! Here is a link to Laser Bob’s seminar schedule  Thanks for listening and check out the Very Clinical Facebook group if you haven already. 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! I’ve found that using a digital workflow for posterior zirconia is very predictable. So much so that when I’ve evaluated margins, contour