The Dental Hacks Podcast

Jason and Alan tackle the age old question of "can I remove this tooth atraumatically without laying a flap" or do you just go ahead and open it up? I think you'll find our answer incredibly satisfying. Also in this episode, Al's very sexy surgical outfit and "Jason's skullet." Microcopy Dental has always been the place to get the most amazing single patient use burs anywhere. But have you ever wondered why a person would want to go the "single patient use" route? Microcopy is offering 2 hours of free CE about this very issue at dentalhacks.com/freece! You'll see why dental burs should be single patient use for lots of reasons and you can pick up 2 CE's on infection control as well! Go check it out at dentalhacks.com/freece!  

Kevin and Zach are joined by Alan Mead to talk about how to implement new stuff in the office. Actually, it's mostly Zach and Al listening to Kevin because he's really good at implementing stuff. Some topics we discussed: Instagram fishermen/women Al's love of air abrasion and the "shelf" in his office Al's problem buying stuff at the Midwinter back in the day The story of implants in Kevin's office/don't tell Kevin that he can't do something Why add services/procedures to your office? Al's microscope story Zach loves Gordon Christensen Goofus and Gallant (Al and Kevin) Kevin implements sleep by including the team how to create a team driven implementation process Kevin has a Missy Moving out of micromanagement Removing barriers to implementation and the rubber dam actual barriers vs. barriers in your head CRAZY DENTAL Love this episode? Hate it? Tell us about it on the Clinical Hacks Facebook Group!

Today's episode features two dental podcasting all stars: Dr. Josh Austin and Dr. Dawn Kulongowski. This is actually a cross over episode with the Peaceful Practice Podcast and it features our talk with Josh Austin about mental health in dentistry. Josh talks about the work he's been doing with a therapist and how it's helped him be a better dentist and a better person. This is a piece of the full interview done in episode 47 of the Peaceful Practice Podcast, so if you enjoyed this episode you should download the whole thing and listen!  The Peaceful Practice Podcast Microcopy Dental has always been the place to get the most amazing single patient use burs anywhere. But have you ever wondered why a person would want to go the "single patient use" route? Microcopy is offering 2 hours of free CE about this very issue at dentalhacks.com/freece! You'll see why dental burs should be single patient use for lots of reasons and you can pick up 2 CE's on infection control as well! Go check it out at dentalhacks.com/

Dr. Stephanie Zeller joins Alan to talk about the creative process and how we get "stuck" in our lives. Whether it's within a dental office, speaking career or just going to the gym many of us struggle with starting or finishing stuff. Stephanie actually interviewed Alan for her podcast "Dental Outliers" and we thought it was so good that we're featuring it here! They dive deep on the topics of perfectionism, addiction and pushing through resistance in today's episode and we think you'll find it pretty interesting. Some links from the show: Dental Outliers podcast Online Course {Code: DentalOutliers for 10% off} | 8-week online program designed to help you find more flow daily: Flow More Daily by Rewiring your Mind + Body Stephanie's coaching website: Coaching + Workshop Website Ted Talk: Flow – The Secret To Happiness Seth Godin’s AltMBA Seth Godin’s Podcast Jason's "never miss" podcast: "The Joe Rogan Experience" Al's "never miss" podcasts: "Reply All" and "The Fifth Column" Al's terrible impression of Joh

It used to be you would time your vacations to give you a welcome mental break from the day to day grind of dentistry. Then came 2020 and the COVID pandemic. How have current events changed the way you take time off? The Dental Hacks Nation has some thoughts and Alan explores the importance of giving yourself a break.  Microcopy Dental has always been the place to get the most amazing single patient use burs anywhere. But have you ever wondered why a person would want to go the "single patient use" route? Microcopy is offering 2 hours of free CE about this very issue at dentalhacks.com/freece! You'll see why dental burs should be single patient use for lots of reasons and you can pick up 2 CE's on infection control as well! Go check it out at dentalhacks.com/freece!  

This episode number 2  with special guest Dr. Kristine Aadland Highlights include: FIRE! METEOROLOGY! GOLF! DENTSPLY SIRONA! DSWORLD! CONE BEAM! IMPLANTS! 3DDENTISTS! WOMEN IN DENTISTRY! CLINICAL HACKS ! ALAN MEAD AND JASON LIPSCOMB! Join our Clinical Hacks Facebook page!

Alan is joined by his 10 year old son, Jacob, to talk about how COVID has changed things. Jacob was on earlier on in the COVID shutdown to talk about home schooling and what he felt like from COVID, so we brought him back for an update! It's all pretty good news from Alan's "mini-me!" Microcopy Dental has always been the place to get the most amazing single patient use burs anywhere. But have you ever wondered why a person would want to go the "single patient use" route? Microcopy is offering 2 hours of free CE about this very issue at dentalhacks.com/freece! You'll see why dental burs should be single patient use for lots of reasons and you can pick up 2 CE's on infection control as well! Go check it out at dentalhacks.com/freece!  

Alan talks with the incomparable Irene Iancu about podcasting, her new practice and practicing dentistry in the COVID era! Some highlights from the episode: What is going to happen with dental meetings moving forward? Irene is a hygienist that also owns and runs her own dental office How did COVID affect her buildout and her startup? Would she recommend going on the news to talk about PPE in the COVID era? (spoiler: NO!) How did she put systems in place? How did Irene (a hygienist) interview doctors to work in her practice? Using local Facebook mom groups to market your practice (this is GOLD!) An office where you "eat what you kill." Is it important that patients know who OWNS the office? Irene is going back to school! Irene's dog Lou is the smartest dog in the world Irene is a Nomad pioneer in Canada! Irene's hiring tips Irene's FIRING tips What would she have told herself if she could go back in time and change something about opening her practice? Some links from the show: The First 90 Days Radical Ca

Alan is joined by Dr. Jenny Perna, aka: yogi_dentist on Instagram! She's an amazing Instagram follow for her posts on yoga, exercise, dentistry, CE and her amazing travel! Today Al and Jenny discussed a problem faced by many people for many reasons. How do you convince your brain that it's time to get up when the alarm goes of REALLY EARLY! Jenny has some really good insight that can help you get more done and feel more accomplished during your day. We also talked about her recent trip to the Kois Center in Seattle and how they're handling in-person CE in the COVID era! We're pretty big fans of the yogi_dentist and we think you will be, too! Some links from the show: Jenny's Instagram: @yogi_dentist Kois Center    Microcopy Dental has always been the place to get the most amazing single patient use burs anywhere. But have you ever wondered why a person would want to go the "single patient use" route? Microcopy is offering 2 hours of free CE about this very issue at dentalhacks.com/freece! You'll see why denta

We welcome our very own Dr. Kristine Aadland, a dentist from Vancouver, Washington. We discuss Zach’s Dental Economics article. We praise Crazy Dental a dental supply company. We discuss our favorite Weird Al Yankovic songs. Kris writes dental parody songs! Kris wants to be a CIA spy when she grows up. Kris is a Cerec user. Zach got an offer to buy a used Omnicam. We convince Zach to buy it! Please join our Facebook page!

Jason and Alan got a question emailed to them from a new dentist who is struggling with their current associateship. The email asked: I'm a recent graduate from dental school and just got a new associate position at a private practice near my hometown.  I've been working there for about 2 months now and the patient flow for me has been very slow--seeing 0 patients on some days.  The owner dentist has been doing some marketing for myself to get going and most new patients that walk through the door are mine to be seen.  What else can he and I do to improve my patient flow?   The owner dentist is also big on continuity of care and doesn't allow me to see his patients.  However, he and I had talked about potentially buying into his practice somewhere down the road.  Since this is a long-term relationship, should I be seeing some of his patients?  Should I be doing hygiene exams, simple restorative work, some crowns, new patients and emergencies? What are your thoughts on continuity of care and how does a new as

Alan had a chance to talk with Joshua Scott of Studio 8E8. Joshua has around 20 years of experience in dental marketing and he realized that dental marketing sucks. It's a harsh truth, but totally true. We discuss all about marketing in dentistry: Authenticity and storytelling in the dental space (Al is a Seth Godin fanboy) How dental marketing USED to work What is Joshua's hack to reduce expenses that you might not be using? What's his 24 hour rule? Do patients see dentists as a commodity? Can we change that? How customers see your office and creating an experience Telling the story of safety isn't going anywhere What does storytelling mean to Joshua? How important is SEO? Reviews? What's the best creative medium? Why does Joshua feel like you need to do all of it instead of focusing on one type of medium? Dental stock photography is horrible Startup marketing vs. existing practice marketing How important is branding in dentistry? Some links from the show: Enova Headlamp Studio 8E8 Joshua's Instagram Stud

What's keeping you from implementing change or getting your ideas out there? Al discusses a concept that he learned from Seth Godin a LONG time ago called "shipping." It's the concept of pushing past the objections and idea of perfection and getting it out there. It can be a powerful force in your life and is worth taking a look at! Some links from the show: Linchpin, by Seth Godin "The Truth About Shipping" by Seth Godin Ship or Die - Seth Godin, 2010 Contagious Conference from Storyspark on Vimeo.   A Dentist Sees More Cracked Teeth: What's Going On? Microcopy Dental has been making single use burs polishers for over 30 years. Each one of their single use diamonds comes to you ready to use in sterile packaging. Go check out all of the amazing, single use rotary instruments and other cool stuff they have to offer at dentalhacks.com/microcopy. And get yourself a free sample of their most popular crown prep bur at: https://microcopydental.com/nddh.  

We have Dr. Liz Doman back again this week.  Dr. Doman started her career off as a hygienist and has a different perspective when she treats perio than a traditional college to dental school student. We talk music, perio, fluoride, soft tissue management, caries control, and so much more. If you want to talk about the episode please join us on the Clinical Hacks Facebook Page.

Has the COVID pandemic really caused more cracked teeth? Alan talks with Dental Hacks Nation favorite Dr. Dawn Kulongowski about whether there are really more cracked teeth from COVID! The answers might surprise you! Some links from the show: A Dentist Sees More Cracked Teeth: What's Going On? Microcopy Dental has been making single use burs polishers for over 30 years. Each one of their single use diamonds comes to you ready to use in sterile packaging. Go check out all of the amazing, single use rotary instruments and other cool stuff they have to offer at dentalhacks.com/microcopy. And get yourself a free sample of their most popular crown prep bur at: https://microcopydental.com/nddh.    

Jason and Alan are joined by Dr. Mark Costes and Dr. Brad Keener for a really interesting talk. As it turns out, both of these friends of the show survived accidents that left their faces and teeth smashed up. Both of them have been pretty open about what had happened to them in the past, but we thought it might be interesting to hear about what it was like to be a patient of a big reconstruction after traumatic accidents. And we were right! This is an interview that you aren't going to want to miss! Some links from the show: [caption id="attachment_1878" align="alignleft" width="500"] Brad's radiograph[/caption][caption id="attachment_1879" align="alignleft" width="352"] Brad's after[/caption] The Dental Hacks Nation closed Facebook group has over 29,000 members! Head over there to interact with other Dental Hacks listeners, guests and Brain Trust members every day, all day! Remember…if you don’t have anything “dental” on your FB page, we might decline your membership request. So IM the group or email us at

Every business owner and especially ever dental practice owner needs to keep their eyes open for embezzlement. Unfortunately, it's a problem that faces every dental practice. Al suggests a very simple habit he's had over the years that is surprisingly controversial amongst his colleagues that can make a difference. Microcopy Dental has been making single use burs polishers for over 30 years. Each one of their single use diamonds comes to you ready to use in sterile packaging. Go check out all of the amazing, single use rotary instruments and other cool stuff they have to offer at dentalhacks.com/microcopy. And get yourself a free sample of their most popular crown prep bur at: https://microcopydental.com/nddh.    

This episode number 1 with special guest Dr. Liz Doman! Highlights include: Clinical Hacks Facebook group devotee Liz Doman is a graduate of The University Of  Detroit Mercy dental school and practices in Texas. We plug Crazy Dental for ordering PPE supplies, check them out! We talk about pulp caps which was the question Liz posted in our group! She chose Theracal out of all the suggestions We discuss root canals as an alternative. We discuss the Durelon/ Kanca technique. We also discuss leaving decay close to the pulp of needed. Join our Clinical Hacks Facebook page!

Alan is joined by Dr. Bill Linger. Bill is a microscope using dentist and the president of the Academy of Microscope Enhanced Dentistry (AMED). We discuss some of the struggles clinicians have in learning to use a microscope in dentistry. Whether it's patient positioning or working on the lower arch, these problems are easily overcome with the right knowledge. As it happens, Bill is giving an online course on September 12 from 11am-1pm EST that focuses on learning to use the microscope in everyday practice! Whether you're a beginner or have been using a microscope for years, Bill has tips to make your microscope life WAY better! Some links from the show: Bill's upcoming course (sign up now!) AMED's website Microcopy Dental has been making single use burs polishers for over 30 years. Each one of their single use diamonds comes to you ready to use in sterile packaging. Go check out all of the amazing, single use rotary instruments and other cool stuff they have to offer at dentalhacks.com/microcopy.  

Jason talks with Dr. Ziv Simon. Ziv is a periodontist, an immigrant and an educator. He practices in Beverly Hills and has an amazing educational portal called SurgicalMaster. The immigrant mentality and how it has affected Ziv's journey (The Obstacle is the Way) How did serving in the Israeli army affect his story? How has online education changed the way we learn? What makes a good online learning forum? How can we keep it safe? More surgery = more complications Listen to your mom! Case selection and picking the winners Developing patient relationships How to start doing more soft tissue surgery in your office What's the story about the SurgicalMaster system? Abundance mindset vs. scarcity mindset Attack vs. retreat Ziv's take on the coronavirus shutdown How to gain patient's trust after COVID? (spoiler: transparency) How a smartphone can make you $1 million. It's about authenticity. Cutting the fat during lean times Shredded Academy, and is the pain worth it? Some links from the show: Check out Enova Ill