Alan is joined once again by the one and only Dr. Jason Smithson. We've often compared how dentistry is delivered differently between the United States and the UK, but today we compare how dental hygiene is delivered differently. 

Summary: Dr. Alan Mead and Dr. Jason Smithson discuss the stark differences in how dental hygiene is approached in the United States versus the UK. They explore the reasons behind these differences, including insurance models, historical practices, and the perceived value of hygiene appointments by patients. The conversation also touches upon the role of diagnosis, consent, and duty of care in dental treatment.

Key Discussion Points:

• Jason's Current Activities: Dr. Smithson discusses his teaching schedule at Spear Education, including new courses on aging teeth and other advanced restorative techniques. He also mentions his work in Australia and Europe.
• The Hygienist Shortage: Alan describes his difficulty in finding a hygienist due to increased pay demands and a shrinking pool of candidates. This leads into the core discussion of the episode.
• US vs. UK Hygiene Models:
  • US: Hygienists are often the primary point of contact for patients, with a focus on regular cleanings regardless of individual needs and disease. The system is largely insurance-driven. Patients often prioritize the cleaning over the dentist's exam.
  • UK: Dentists assess patients first, determining recall intervals based on risk factors (caries, periodontal disease, wear). Hygienist appointments are prescribed by the dentist and are therapy-focused (e.g., scaling and root planing for periodontal disease). Healthy patients may not see a hygienist at all.
• Value Perception: Jason argues that the US system can make hygiene seem like a cosmetic procedure, diminishing its perceived value, especially for healthy patients. The UK model ties hygiene to specific therapeutic needs, increasing its perceived value.
• Insurance and Payment Models: The discussion touches on the differences between NHS (government-funded) and private dental care in the UK, as well as the impact of insurance on treatment decisions in the US. The UK has a mixed system, while Dr. Smithson's practice is entirely fee-for-service.
• Direct Access Hygiene (UK): In the UK, patients can directly access hygienists without a dentist's referral. This is uncommon in the US.
• Diagnosis and Consent: Jason highlights the importance of explicit diagnosis before treatment, emphasizing that informed consent cannot be obtained without a diagnosis. He suggests that the US system sometimes relies on implicit diagnoses.
• Duty of Care: Jason explains the concept of duty of care in the UK, stating that dentists assume responsibility for a patient's care once treatment begins. This raises questions about the US system and potential legal implications.
• Efficiency and Multitasking: The conversation explores the inefficiency of jumping between patients and procedures, including hygiene checks during restorative work. Jason cites research on the negative impact of multitasking on quality and productivity.
• Patient Expectations: The discussion acknowledges that US patients have been conditioned to expect regular cleanings, even when not clinically necessary. This creates a challenge for dentists who might want to shift to a more therapy-focused model.

Some links from the show:

• Spear Education
• "Deep Work" by Cal Newport

Join the Very Dental Facebook group using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or "McWethy," "Papa Randy" or "Lipscomb!"

The Very Dental Podcast network is and will remain free to download. If you’d like to support the shows you love at Very Dental then show a little love to the people that support us!

--

Crazy Dental has everything you need from cotton rolls to equipment and everything in between and the best prices you’ll find anywhere! If you head over to verydentalpodcast.com/crazy and use coupon code “VERYDENTAL10” you’ll get another 10% off your order! Go save yourself some money and support the show all at the same time!

--

The Wonderist Agency is basically a one stop shop for marketing your practice and your brand. From logo redesign to a full service marketing plan, the folks at Wonderist have you covered! Go check them out at verydentalpodcast.com/wonderist!

--

Enova Illumination makes the very best in loupes and headlights, including their new ergonomic angled prism loupes! They also distribute loupe mounted cameras and even the amazing line of Zumax microscopes! If you want to help out the podcast while upping your magnification and headlight game, you need to head over to verydentalpodcast.com/enova to see their whole line of products!

--

CAD-Ray offers the best service on a wide variety of digital scanners, printers, mills and even  their very own browser based design software, Clinux! CAD-Ray has been a huge supporter of the Very Dental Podcast Network and I can tell you that you’ll get no better service on everything digital dentistry than the folks from CAD-Ray. Go check them out at verydentalpodcast.com/CADRay!

Where did the Kevin Fryer we know and love come from? In today's throwback episode Zach interviews Kevin about why he became a dentist and how his career evolved! Kevin shares his journey in dentistry, from a traumatic childhood injury that sparked his interest in the field to establishing his own practice. He discusses his educational background, initial years doing general dentistry, and the subsequent shifts that led him to embrace advanced procedures like ortho, implants, and sleep apnea treatments. Kevin highlights key influences like Dr. Rick DePaul and Dr. Tarun "T-Bone" Agarwal, and how advancements with CEREC technology and cone beam integration helped him revolutionize his practice.

He also covers the importance of continuing education, team involvement, and the financial and emotional rewards from adopting new dental technologies and techniques. The episode concludes with advice for younger dentists on taking similar career paths.

Very Clinical is brought to you by Zirc Dental Products, Inc., your trusted partner in dental efficiency and organization.

The Very Clinical Corner segment features Kate Reinert, LDA, an experienced dental professional passionate about helping practices achieve clinical excellence.

 Connect with Kate Reinert on LinkedIn: Kate Reinert, LDA
 Book a call with Kate: Reserve a Call
 Ready to upscale your team? Explore Zirc’s solutions today: zirc.com

Buckle up, buttercup, because this is NOT your average episode of Very Clinical! Back in March of 2020, when Dr. Mac Jones was still one of the hosts of the podcast, they guys did a crossover episode with the Working Interferences crew (Dr. Josh Austin and Dr. Lance Timmerman) It was a wild ride of dental advice, shenanigans, and more than a few "colorful" words.

Highlights:

• Special Crossover Episode: Very Clinical meets Working Interferences for the first time ever!
• The Great Pacifier Debate: A Reddit question about "adult pacifiers" sends the guys down a hilarious rabbit hole of questionable online communities and unexpected discoveries.
• Crown Prep Hacks: Even with the chaos, we manage to squeeze in some valuable clinical tips for faster and more efficient crown preps.
• Nostalgia Overload: Relive the glory days of 90s chat rooms (ICQ, anyone?), 80s TV crossovers, and the one true "One Shining Moment" by David Barrett.

Very Clinical is brought to you by Zirc Dental Products, Inc., your trusted partner in dental efficiency and organization.

The Very Clinical Corner segment features Kate Reinert, LDA, an experienced dental professional passionate about helping practices achieve clinical excellence.

 Connect with Kate Reinert on LinkedIn: Kate Reinert, LDA
 Book a call with Kate: Reserve a Call
 Ready to upscale your team? Explore Zirc’s solutions today: zirc.com

"Your office has systems whether you are intentional about them or not."

--Alan Mead DDS

Al talks about systems in your dental office and your life. What are they? Are they hard to create (no...in fact they kind of create themselves)? How can you improve them?

Al tells a couple stories about improving existing systems after finding some holes in them.

Join the Very Dental Facebook group using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or "McWethy," "Papa Randy" or "Lipscomb!"

The Very Dental Podcast network is and will remain free to download. If you’d like to support the shows you love at Very Dental then show a little love to the people that support us!

--

Crazy Dental has everything you need from cotton rolls to equipment and everything in between and the best prices you’ll find anywhere! If you head over to verydentalpodcast.com/crazy and use coupon code “VERYDENTAL10” you’ll get another 10% off your order! Go save yourself some money and support the show all at the same time!

--

The Wonderist Agency is basically a one stop shop for marketing your practice and your brand. From logo redesign to a full service marketing plan, the folks at Wonderist have you covered! Go check them out at verydentalpodcast.com/wonderist!

--

Enova Illumination makes the very best in loupes and headlights, including their new ergonomic angled prism loupes! They also distribute loupe mounted cameras and even the amazing line of Zumax microscopes! If you want to help out the podcast while upping your magnification and headlight game, you need to head over to verydentalpodcast.com/enova to see their whole line of products!

--

CAD-Ray offers the best service on a wide variety of digital scanners, printers, mills and even  their very own browser based design software, Clinux! CAD-Ray has been a huge supporter of the Very Dental Podcast Network and I can tell you that you’ll get no better service on everything digital dentistry than the folks from CAD-Ray. Go check them out at verydentalpodcast.com/CADRay!

Alan had a chance to speak with Dr. David Traynor at the Chicago Midwinter. Both of them are dentists in Michigan, but one of them has a much better accent! David grew up in the UK and shares some of his experiences about becoming a dentist in the U.S.! My favorite part of this interview is the 2 minute interlude where I get to explain what a podcast is to a dentist that saw our sign in front of the Premier booth!

Microcopy Dental lets you choose the right bur for you. And they offer all kinds of bur shapes and types in single patient use packaging! Al has been prepping crowns with a couple Microcopy diamonds, the KS 1 and KS 0. Find your favorite shapes by exploring all of your options at dentalhacks.com/Microcopy!

Jason speaks with Dr. Robin Bethell, the brain behind the "Aligner Nation" Facebook page and clear a huge aligner aficionado. The two of them dig into clear aligners, the lack of deeper continuing education in aligners, in office aligner treatment and everything else you might want to know about aligner therapy! This is one of the funnest, most laid back interviews we've ever done!

Links from the show:

Aligner Nation Facebook Group

The Dental Hacks Academy

Have you ever had a patient swallow a crown? Yesterday it almost happened to me. But Airway Armor saved my bacon! How about you put all of that crown dropping, tooth slipping anxiety behind you by trying Airway Armor from Zirc! If you order on their website at dentalhacks.com/airwayarmor and use the coupon code: HACKSAIR you can buy a trial pack (normally $45) for $10 off!

Dr. Buddy Mopper is one of the living legends of dentistry! He's giving his "Catch the Composite Wave: and Surf its Potential" course along with Dr. Dennis Hartlieb this May 2-3 at the amazing Center for Esthetic Excellence in downtown Chicago! Go check out the course at dentalhacks.com/Buddy!

The Dental Hacks Nation closed Facebook group has over 26,000 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 info@dentalhacks.com!

Go Hack Yourself

Jason: Bioclear HeatSync heater

Alan: Crescent Products Bodyrest System

If you have any questions or comments for us please drop us an email at info@dentalhacks.com or find us (and like us!) at www.facebook.com/dentalhacks. Or, if you prefer…give us a call at (866) 223-5257 and leave us a message. You might be played in the show! If you like us, why not leave us a review on iTunes? It helps us get found by like minded people and might even help us get into “What’s Hot” in the iTunes store! Go to this link and let the world know about the Dental Hacks! Finally, if you aren’t an Apple person, consider reviewing us on Stitcher at: stitcher.com/podcast/the-dentalhacks-podcast!

If you would like to support the podcast you can check out our Patreon page! Although the show will always remain free to download, our Patreon supporters get access to special bonus content including (at least) one extra podcast episode every months! Also be sure to check out the Dental Hacks swag store where you can find t-shirts, stickers coffee mugs and all sorts of other things that let the world know you’re a part of the Hacks Nation.

Alan was joined by Dr. Sarah Blair and Mark Ketterhagen of  to talk about how to create systems in your practice as well as how to become a better leader in your practice. We ask the question "who needs a coach?" (spoiler...it's everyone). We think you'll like what the Indie Practices folks have to say!

Microcopy isn't just single patient use burs. Not by a long shot. My new favorite polishers are their miniature single patient use polishers. They're called the Minnow polishers. The uniquely shaped cup has changed composite polishing forever! Go check them out at dentalhacks.com/minnow.

Laura Maly and Michael Anderson of the Wonderist Agency join Alan to talk about marketing. Laura and Michael have a lot to say about dentists being involved with their own marketing. Some of the topics we discuss are:

• What's the best marketing for me? (spoiler...that's impossible to know without trying some stuff)
• What are the best ways to measure whether your marketing is working?
• Is call tracking good information?
• How to understand KPIs

The Wonderist Agency was one if the sponsors of the Voices of Dentistry and we're really glad to have had their support!

Do you ever wonder how people on Instagram and Facebook get the super smooth and shiny look on their crown preps? It's actually pretty simple. They finish and polish them with a very fine diamond! Microcopy Dental has you covered with their 3316.8 diamond...aka: the "yellow chamfer" in my office. It's actually a round end taper in very fine diamond and will make every preparation look smooth and shiny! Go check it out at dentalhacks.com/diamondfinisher.  You're going to love this bur!

Jason and Alan are joined by two different innovators on episode 231. First we spoke with Dr. Cory Glenn on digital dentures and his 230 acre dental CE getaway in Tennessee. Then we talked with Dr. Brian McGue about effectively (and profitably) adding oral sedation to your practice. Both of these guys are creating innovative CE that we think the Dental Hacks Nation will really benefit from!

Links from the show:

The Dental Hacks Academy

Dr. Cory Glenn's CE schedule

Dr. Brian McGue's upcoming oral sedation course (held at T-Bone's amazing CE venue in Raleigh, NC!)

3Shape Trios 3 "sizzle reel"

The Clinical Hacks Facebook group

Have you ever had a patient swallow a crown? Feels pretty great, right? How about you put all of that behind you by trying Airway Armor from Zirc! If you order on their website at dentalhacks.com/airwayarmor and use the coupon code: HACKS50 you can buy one 25 pack and get the second 25 pack for 50% off!

Renamel Microfill isn't just that exotic stuff in the syringe any more! You can buy Renamel Microfill in compules and use it the same way you use any composite compules! For anterior cases nothing finishes and polishes like a microfill, nothing holds its polish like a microfill and nothing HANDLES like a microfill. You put it there and it STAYS there! Go check out Renamel Microfill in syringes and COMPULES at dentalhacks.com/microfill!

The Dental Hacks Nation closed Facebook group has over 26,000 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 info@dentalhacks.com!

Go Hack Yourself

Jason: Bioclear Black Triangle Kit

Alan: An Elegant Defense by Matt Richtel

If you have any questions or comments for us please drop us an email at info@dentalhacks.com or find us (and like us!) at www.facebook.com/dentalhacks. Or, if you prefer…give us a call at (866) 223-5257 and leave us a message. You might be played in the show! If you like us, why not leave us a review on iTunes? It helps us get found by like minded people and might even help us get into “What’s Hot” in the iTunes store! Go to this link and let the world know about the Dental Hacks! Finally, if you aren’t an Apple person, consider reviewing us on Stitcher at: stitcher.com/podcast/the-dentalhacks-podcast!

If you would like to support the podcast you can check out our Patreon page! Although the show will always remain free to download, our Patreon supporters get access to special bonus content including (at least) one extra podcast episode every months! Also be sure to check out the Dental Hacks swag store where you can find t-shirts, stickers coffee mugs and all sorts of other things that let the world know you’re a part of the Hacks Nation.

Jason and Alan are joined by Nicolle Campion (president) and Kay Hickey (sales specialist) of Zirc. You see, it just so happens that Jason is doing another startup and our friends at Zirc are here to explain that it's never too soon to be planning your clinical workflow and organization! They explain how Zirc makes this easy with their ZOBE (Zirc's Box of Organizational Efficiency) product! How great would it be to have a bunch of different organizational products shipped right to your office so you can hold them in your hands and see how they actually feel while getting coached by the organizational experts at Zirc? It's a great idea and you should try it out! You can find out more at dentalhacks.com/zobe!

Every dentist has their own bur block. You should fill yours with single patient use Microcopy diamonds and carbides! For instance, you'll find a ton of uses for the 3314.10 very fine pointed cone trimmer. I know I do. I use the "skinny" to break contacts without nicking up the adjacent tooth as well as for finishing flat-ish surfaces like the facials of upper and lower anteriors! Give it a look at dentalhacks.com/skinny.

Sure it's fun to roll out the newest intraoral scanner or 3D printer. Not every product can be that sexy even though they can be important! Dr. Jason Goodchild joins Jason and Alan to talk about the Chicago Midwinter, how to time product roll outs and some new products from Premier!

Vac Attack Green

Traxodent and the special clay

As much as I love Microcopy single patient use diamonds, I love their carbides, too. Especially the Neo Max "Max 2." When I have to remove a PFM or gold crown or even cut through amalgam, this is what I reach for. It slices through metal quickly and easily...just like butter. Go check them out at dentalhacks.com/neomax.

Jason and Alan had a chance to talk with fourth year dental students Timothy Johnson and Colin Mitchell. They're finishing up dental school at Southern Illinois University school of dentistry. These level headed D4s filled us in on what's good, bad and ugly in dental school these days.

Have you ever had a patient swallow a crown? Feels pretty great, right? How about you put all of that behind you by trying Airway Armor from Zirc! If you order on their website at dentalhacks.com/airwayarmor and use the coupon code: DHSAMPLE and you'll get samples of Pink Petal and Mr. Thirsty One step along with your Airway Armor trial kit!

There's something to be said about a product that you use every day. MirrorImage from Cosmedent is one of those products for me. Go check it out at dentalhacks.com/mirrorimage.

The Dental Hacks Nation closed Facebook group has over 26,000 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 info@dentalhacks.com!

Go Hack Yourself

Jason: Munchies for seating aligner trays

Alan: Medit i500 scanner

If you have any questions or comments for us please drop us an email at info@dentalhacks.com or find us (and like us!) at www.facebook.com/dentalhacks. Or, if you prefer…give us a call at (866) 223-5257 and leave us a message. You might be played in the show! If you like us, why not leave us a review on iTunes? It helps us get found by like minded people and might even help us get into “What’s Hot” in the iTunes store! Go to this link and let the world know about the Dental Hacks! Finally, if you aren’t an Apple person, consider reviewing us on Stitcher at: stitcher.com/podcast/the-dentalhacks-podcast!

If you would like to support the podcast you can check out our Patreon page! Although the show will always remain free to download, our Patreon supporters get access to special bonus content including (at least) one extra podcast episode every months! Also be sure to check out the Dental Hacks swag store where you can find t-shirts, stickers coffee mugs and all sorts of other things that let the world know you’re a part of the Hacks Nation.

I promised Jason that I wouldn't put this one out.

Promise broken.

Jason and Alan decided to do an impromptu sound check podcast at the Premier Booth at the Chicago Midwinter and the result was hilarious. 

If we have any Russian listeners please let me apologize in advance for our horrible accent. We discuss the stuff we were excited to check out at the Midwinter, the McCormick Center security team, Jason's discomfort with women and endodontics and Alan's inability to fit into black lab coats. 

Some links from the show:

Premier Dental

Cosmedent

Bioclear

Dentsply Sirona Primescan

Microcopy Trimming and Finishing Neodiamonds have a ton of uses. From finishing composites to adjusting ceramics to cutting through zirconia...you'll find a bunch of uses for them! Check them out at dentalhacks.com/trimmingandfinishing.

Mila Ugryn is the social media guru at Cosmedent. Jason and Alan had a chance to speak with her about how dentists can use social media to promote their practices. Specifically...Instagram! She gives a bunch of great advice to dentists trying to start on Instagram! Her most important advice: "just start doing it." Consistency and authenticity is the key to social media!

Some links from the show:

sfdentalnerd's (Brian Baliwas) Instagram

Cosmedent's Instagram

The Dental Hacks Instagram

Microcopy Dental lets you choose the right bur for you. And they offer all kinds of bur shapes and types in single patient use packaging! Al has been prepping crowns with a couple Microcopy diamonds, the KS 1 and KS 0. Find your favorite shapes by exploring all of your options at dentalhacks.com/Microcopy!

Dr. Jason Smithson returns to the Very Dental podcast to talk about an important topic in 2024: focus.

Jason suggests that one of the reasons we might not get the clinical results is that we've lost our ability to focus! This actually applies more widely in our lives.

It will come as no surprise what he believes is the cause.

• Smartphones are a tool and not a friend
• Jason's "safe room" (no internet)
• The noise in the background and how we react to it
• The "comprehensive reply" to avoid 
• Default Zoom meeting times are an HOUR!
• The automatic move to smartphone whenever you have to wait for anything (when your brain goes in to neutral)
• iPhone = one of the most useful tools ever created and one of the worst addictions we face
• Look at your phone on a schedule, look at emails/messages on a computer vs. phone
• Turn the ringer off/notifications off so you can choose when you're going to interact
• It's difficult (but important) to be intentional
• Look at your activity on your phone

Some links from the show:

• Deep Work by Cal Newport

Join the Very Dental Facebook group using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or "McWethy," "Papa Randy" or "Lipscomb!"

The Very Dental Podcast network is and will remain free to download. If you’d like to support the shows you love at Very Dental then show a little love to the people that support us!

--

Crazy Dental has everything you need from cotton rolls to equipment and everything in between and the best prices you’ll find anywhere! If you head over to verydentalpodcast.com/crazy and use coupon code “VERYDENTAL10” you’ll get another 10% off your order! Go save yourself some money and support the show all at the same time!

--

The Wonderist Agency is basically a one stop shop for marketing your practice and your brand. From logo redesign to a full service marketing plan, the folks at Wonderist have you covered! Go check them out at verydentalpodcast.com/wonderist!

--

Enova Illumination makes the very best in loupes and headlights, including their new ergonomic angled prism loupes! They also distribute loupe mounted cameras and even the amazing line of Zumax microscopes! If you want to help out the podcast while upping your magnification and headlight game, you need to head over to verydentalpodcast.com/enova to see their whole line of products!

--

CAD-Ray offers the best service on a wide variety of digital scanners, printers, mills and even  their very own browser based design software, Clinux! CAD-Ray has been a huge supporter of the Very Dental Podcast Network and I can tell you that you’ll get no better service on everything digital dentistry than the folks from CAD-Ray. Go check them out at verydentalpodcast.com/CADRay!

The amazing Teresa Duncan (aka: TDuncs) joins Jason to talk about what's new with insurance in 2019! Teresa is the owner of Odyssey Management, which is a company that helps dental offices with insurance, coding and documentation!

Links from the show:

Odyssey Management

Teresa on Facebook/Instagram

Teresa's podcast, "Nobody Told MeThat"

Premier Air Hand instruments

Premier Dental Vac Attack Green

GC glass ionomer

Dentsply Sirona Primescan

Hu Friedy

Komet Ceraburs

3M CoJet

3M Xerostomia Relief Spray

[caption id="attachment_1198" align="alignleft" width="254"] Labomed Magna Microscope[/caption]

Labomed Magna microscope

[caption id="attachment_1199" align="alignright" width="299"] Zumax OMS2380[/caption]

Zumax OMS2380 microscope

Corky Willhite is offering his amazing "Transitional Bonding" course at the Cosmedent CEE in Chicago on March 14-15th! This course focuses on the benefits and step-by-step techniques of transitional bonding, an extremely practical new option requiring little or no prep for most cases. This course will cover the rationale for using composite. Work on one tooth against an arch or plan for a full mouth rehabilitation. This hands-on course presents practical occlusal guidelines for predictable function and longevity – including increasing V.D.O. and building anterior guidance as well as how to handle bruxers and non-compliant patients. If you sign up for the March 14-15th date, you'll get the online version of the course (being recorded on March 14-15!) for free! Go check it out at dentalhacks.com/Corky!

Have you ever had a patient swallow a crown? Feels pretty great, right? How about you put all of that behind you by trying Airway Armor from Zirc! If you order on their website at dentalhacks.com/airwayarmor and use the coupon code: HACKSAIR you'll get an trial kit (normally $45) for $35!

The Dental Hacks Nation closed Facebook group just rolled over 26,000 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 info@dentalhacks.com!

Go Hack Yourself:

Jason: Omnichroma composite

Alan: Endohandle by Venta Endo(use coupon code "HACKS" on the website)

If you have any questions or comments for us please drop us an email at info@dentalhacks.com or find us (and like us!) at www.facebook.com/dentalhacks. Or, if you prefer…give us a call at (866) 223-5257 and leave us a message. You might be played in the show! If you like us, why not leave us a review on iTunes? It helps us get found by like minded people and might even help us get into “What’s Hot” in the iTunes store! Go to this link and let the world know about the Dental Hacks! Finally, if you aren’t an Apple person, consider reviewing us on Stitcher at: stitcher.com/podcast/the-dentalhacks-podcast!

If you would like to support the podcast you can check out our Patreon page! Although the show will always remain free to download, our Patreon supporters get access to special bonus content including (at least) one extra podcast episode every months! Also be sure to check out the Dental Hacks swag store where you can find t-shirts, stickers coffee mugs and all sorts of other things that let the world know you’re a part of the Hacks Nation.

Alan sat down with Dave Kelton of Labomed to talk about dental microscopes! Dave had a booth at the recent Chicago Midwinter where he was showing the world the amazing Labomed Magna microscope! Dave has had a lot of years of experience with dental microscopes and he represents a company that really wants to bring microscopes to a wider audience in dentistry!

Some links from the show: 

Labomed Microscopes

I'd like to introduce you to one of my best friends. Her name is 0512 and she's with me in almost every procedure I do. Sometimes I fall back on her little brother, 0508, too. You can find a new best friend by going to dentalhacks.com/Microcopy and searching all the styles of diamonds and carbides that Microcopy makes! You can even get a free sample of the ones you're interested in!

Jason and Alan talked with Dr. Chris Salierno in the Premier Dental booth at last weekend's Chicago Midwinter about a new product he has invented to help with your posture and mimics ripped abs. He's planning on making millions.

Links from the Show:

Omnichroma composite 

Dental Economics

Figs Scrubs

Dickies Scrubs

Premier Dental

It doesn't matter what you call your burs. You just need to know that Microcopy has a ridiculous selection of carbides and diamonds. And they won't judge how you choose to name them. Check them out at dentalhacks.com/Microcopy.

Jason and Alan take questions from the Dental Hacks Nation. And the DHN comes through! In episode 228 we answer:

• What are your favorite pizza toppings?
• What was your most hilariously embarrassing moment?
• Have you ever drilled into the wrong tooth? What did you say to the patient and how did you make it right?
• What's for breakfast?
• Why do you think it is important to go over to LMT LabDay during Mid-Winter?
• How do you handle snow days at the office? Which one if you is the better snow shoveler?
• What is the best gift to give to a patient of 20 years?
• (Alan) What was the tipping point for your narcotic addiction and who or what made you reevaluate?
• What’s the one piece of technology you don’t have but wish you did in your practice (or new practice in Jason’s case)?
• Has All the new platforms (podcasts, FB pages, webinars etc) helped create more wonderful content and voices or created more wannabe experts masquerading as influencers and authorities?
• Why is that people that graduated ages ago think they have the best advice for new grads?
• How many bridges do you prep each year?  

Thanks to all of the members of the Dental Hacks Nation for great questions! We'll be sure to do this again!

Links from the show:

The Dental Hacks Academy

Cosmedent makes shade matching for composite super simple! Their Renamel Nano Plus composite (and all the others, for that matter!) match the Vita shade guide that you have in every operatory! Go check it out at dentalhacks.com/nanoplus!

The Crystal HD mouth mirror by Zirc is second to none. But be careful...once you start using them, you won't ever want to go back to your old mouth mirror! Zirc is offering a special offer to listeners of the Dental Hacks Podcast! If you use coupon code "HACKSMM" on their website they'll give you a free Mirror Magic trial kit with a 12 pack of mirrors! Go check them out at dentalhacks.com/mirrors!

The Dental Hacks Nation closed Facebook group just rolled over 26,000 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 info@dentalhacks.com!

Go Hack Yourself:

Jason: yard flamethrower

Alan: The Dropout podcast

If you have any questions or comments for us please drop us an email at info@dentalhacks.com or find us (and like us!) at www.facebook.com/dentalhacks. Or, if you prefer…give us a call at (866) 223-5257 and leave us a message. You might be played in the show! If you like us, why not leave us a review on iTunes? It helps us get found by like minded people and might even help us get into “What’s Hot” in the iTunes store! Go to this link and let the world know about the Dental Hacks! Finally, if you aren’t an Apple person, consider reviewing us on Stitcher at: stitcher.com/podcast/the-dentalhacks-podcast!

If you would like to support the podcast you can check out our Patreon page! Although the show will always remain free to download, our Patreon supporters get access to special bonus content including (at least) one extra podcast episode every months! Also be sure to check out the Dental Hacks swag store where you can find t-shirts, stickers coffee mugs and all sorts of other things that let the world know you’re a part of the Hacks Nation.

Jason and Alan sit down for a humorous and informative talk with Michael Cowen and Chad Wooters about their new and very extensive online platform for dental teams that want to incorporate sleep dentistry into their practices! The training is online and available to you and your whole team at the Sleep Hero Network website! They've given us a special coupon code, "DHN2019" that will allow you to  try the platform for a month at $19.97 and then 10% off for life!

Links from the show: 

Awaken2Sleep

Sleep Hero Network

Microcopy dental is rolling out their new 3302 blended neck carbide at the Chicago Midwinter meeting! Be sure to stop by booth number 4207 at the Midwinter to check out the design of this innovative and durable single patient use carbide! See more at dentalhacks.com/Microcopy!

1983. The beginning of seventh grade. That's when the Rich and Al story started.

Al has been friends with Richard Heend for more than 35 years. Which makes me feel super old. Rich had computers long before people normally had computers. This is where Al's fascination with computers and being "online" started.

Some links from the show:

 Join the conversation on the AME Facebook group! Search for "Alan Mead Experience" on Facebook and ask for an invite. You'll need to use the password "Premier" or "Cosmedent" to be let in!

If you like what you hear...go subscribe to the Alan Mead Experience on your podcast listening software!

Craig Cody joins us again for some more wisdom from an accountant. Craig is a CPA, tax coach and an adviser to all kinds of small business owners! In episode 68 we discuss:

• What are the biggest accounting mistakes dentists make?
• Should you buy equipment for the tax write off?
• When should you be talking to your accountant about purchases you might make?

You should get Craig's newest book for free by clicking on dentalhacks.com/CraigCody

Craig will be starting a podcast called "The Progressive Dentist," so keep your eyes open for that! Also...Craig is is one of the sponsors of the upcoming Voices of Dentistry!

I'd like to introduce you to one of my best friends. Her name is 0512 and she's with me in almost every procedure I do. Sometimes I fall back on her little brother, 0508, too. You can find a new best friend by going to dentalhacks.com/Microcopy and searching all the styles of diamonds and carbides that Microcopy makes! You can even get a free sample of the ones you're interested in!

Everyone knows that their practice management software is full of data about their practice. Some would argue that getting at that data is kind of tough and a lot of dentists probably wouldn't know what to do with that data if they could get it. Dr. Mitch Ellingson works with Spear Practice Solutions. He joined Alan to talk about how Spear Practice Solutions uses all this data yet makes it easy for dentists to implement it. Dr. Ellingson was a wildly successful Spear trained multiple practice owner who admits to being a numbers guy. He talks with Alan about how to implement the things you can learn through Spear and how Spear Practice Solutions (the consulting side of Spear) can help dentists create better practices while doing the dentistry that they want to do.

On a side note...I only realized that Mitch was a dentist halfway through our conversation. I hope you enjoy me eating crow once I realize this.

Links from the show:

Spear Education

Spear Practice Solutions

The Dental Hacks Academy

Corky Willhite is offering his amazing "Transitional Bonding" course at the Cosmedent CEE in Chicago on March 14-15th! This course focuses on the benefits and step-by-step techniques of transitional bonding, an extremely practical new option requiring little or no prep for most cases. This course will cover the rationale for using composite. Work on one tooth against an arch or plan for a full mouth rehabilitation. This hands-on course presents practical occlusal guidelines for predictable function and longevity – including increasing V.D.O. and building anterior guidance as well as how to handle bruxers and non-compliant patients. Go check it out at dentalhacks.com/Corky!

The Crystal HD mouth mirror by Zirc is second to none. But be careful...once you start using them, you won't ever want to go back to your old mouth mirror! Zirc is offering a special discount to listeners of the Dental Hacks Podcast! If you use coupon code "HACKSFREE" on their website they'll give you "Buy 2 12-packs of Crystal HD mirrors and get 1 of the same for free!" Go check them out at dentalhacks.com/mirrors!

The Dental Hacks Nation closed Facebook group just rolled over 26,000 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 info@dentalhacks.com!

Go Hack Yourself:

Alan: Conviction podcast

If you have any questions or comments for us please drop us an email at info@dentalhacks.com or find us (and like us!) at www.facebook.com/dentalhacks. Or, if you prefer…give us a call at (866) 223-5257 and leave us a message. You might be played in the show! If you like us, why not leave us a review on iTunes? It helps us get found by like minded people and might even help us get into “What’s Hot” in the iTunes store! Go to this link and let the world know about the Dental Hacks! Finally, if you aren’t an Apple person, consider reviewing us on Stitcher at: stitcher.com/podcast/the-dentalhacks-podcast!

If you would like to support the podcast you can check out our Patreon page! Although the show will always remain free to download, our Patreon supporters get access to special bonus content including (at least) one extra podcast episode every months! Also be sure to check out the Dental Hacks swag store where you can find t-shirts, stickers coffee mugs and all sorts of other things that let the world know you’re a part of the Hacks Nation.

I'm the guy who uses the self checkout line at the grocery store. I book my flights online. I buy almost everything from Amazon. So why can't your patients book appointments on your website? In today's Dental Hacks Daily Alan talks with Vanessa Vitagliano and Tom Brown from Localmed. They are a company that allows your patients to make appointments at your office online! This was a really enjoyable and informative discussion that took place in the "Localmed Palace" at Voices of Dentistry 2019!

Some links from the show:

Localmed

G.O.S.T. the goat

Voices of Dentistry

One of the things I really like about Microcopy Dental's single patient use products is the ease with which you can try them! All you have to do is go to  dentalhacks.com/Microcopy and search "330 samples" or whatever you'd like to try and you'll find out how easy it is to try their products for free! And if you you're in Chicago next week for the midwinter, be sure to check out their new 3302 blended neck carbide...being released at the show! 

This episode is amazing! Jason sits down with Caitlin and Brian Schlichting of Digitalfire! They are the geniuses behind the Dental Hacks Academy and they're here to explain what in the world that is! If you're interested in understanding digital marketing like Google Ads, Facebook Ads, landing pages and sales funnels! You can learn to do it yourself or even just be knowledgeable when discussing it with your digital marketing guys! This course is a great resource and a tremendous value! Check it out at academy.dentalhacks.com/offer!

Links from the show:

The Dental Hacks Academy

Digitalfire

Go check out the new podcast by Dr. Mark Costes and Kiera Dent called "The Dental A-Team" coming on February 14th!

We'd like to welcome Microcopy Dental to the Dental Hacks Podcast! Alan has been using Microcopy single patient use diamonds for most of his career...we think you're going to love them! Check them out at dentalhacks.com/Microcopy.

Dr. Craig Harder has been practicing dentistry for a little while and It turns out that he's changed our minds about some business stuff. Today's episode continues the series for Zach and Kevin where they talk to some experienced dentists about what things they've changed their mind about over the years. Today's episode features a discussion with Craig about some things we've changed our minds about business, management and our dental practices!

• Craig has decided that hiring dental veterans is much better than the enthusiastic newbies
• Kevin thinks that this approach can go either way
• Low drama is the way to go
• Craig thinks you shouldn't finance equipment to avoid the tax man
• Kevin is against multiple payments for equipment
• Zach says pay cash for equipment if possible
• Craig's biggest equipment regret: Biolase
• Kevin's biggest equipment regret: nothing

Become a member of the Very Clinical Facebook group! 

Join the Very Dental Facebook group using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook," McWethy," "Papa Randy" or "Lipscomb."

The Very Dental Podcast network is and will remain free to download. If you’d like to support the shows you love at Very Dental then show a little love to the people that support us!

--

Crazy Dental has everything you need from cotton rolls to equipment and everything in between and the best prices you’ll find anywhere! If you head over to verydentalpodcast.com/crazy and use coupon code “verydental10” you’ll get another 10% off your order! Go save yourself some money and support the show all at the same time!

--

The Wonderist Agency is basically a one stop shop for marketing your practice and your brand. From logo redesign to a full service marketing plan, the folks at Wonderist have you covered! Go check them out at verydentalpodcast.com/wonderist!

--

Enova Illumination makes the very best in loupes and headlights, including their new ergonomic angled prism loupes! They also distribute loupe mounted cameras and even the amazing line of Zumax microscopes! If you want to help out the podcast while upping your magnification and headlight game, you need to head over to verydentalpodcast.com/enova to see their whole line of products!

--

CAD-Ray offers the best service on a wide variety of digital scanners, printers, mills and even  their very own browser based design software, Clinux! CAD-Ray has been a huge supporter of the Very Dental Podcast Network and I can tell you that you’ll get no better service on everything digital dentistry than the folks from CAD-Ray. Go check them out at verydentalpodcast.com/CADRay!

Jason and Alan had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Steve Ratcliff at Spear Education. Steve has had been a dental educator for a lot of years. He spent a lot of years teaching at the Pankey Institute and came over to the Scottsdale Center, which eventually became Spear Education! He has played a huge role in creating much of the content  featured on the Spear Online platform and he's also been a huge part of creating the Spear Study Club curriculum.

Steve gave us a pretty intimate look into his past and his evolution as a clinician and educator. We think you'll walk away with a lot from our talk with Dr. Ratcliff.

Links from the show:

Spear Education

The Dental Hacks Academy

Dr. Georg Benjamin gives us a Clinical Hack of the Week about an interesting way of cementing provisional restorations using GC Universal Bonding Agent!

Corky Willhite is offering his amazing "Transitional Bonding" course at the Cosmedent CEE in Chicago on March 14-15th! This course focuses on the benefits and step-by-step techniques of transitional bonding, an extremely practical new option requiring little or no prep for most cases. This course will cover the rationale for using composite. Work on one tooth against an arch or plan for a full mouth rehabilitation. This hands-on course presents practical occlusal guidelines for predictable function and longevity – including increasing V.D.O. and building anterior guidance as well as how to handle bruxers and non-compliant patients. Go check it out at dentalhacks.com/Corky!

The Crystal HD mouth mirror by Zirc is second to none. But be careful...once you start using them, you won't ever want to go back to your old mouth mirror! Zirc is offering a special discount to listeners of the Dental Hacks Podcast! If you use coupon code "HACKSHD" on their website they'll give you $10 off any 12 pack of Crystal HD mirrors! Go check them out at dentalhacks.com/mirrors!

The Dental Hacks Nation closed Facebook group just rolled over 26,000 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 info@dentalhacks.com!

Go Hack Yourself:

Jason: The Dental Hacks Academy

Alan: The Dropout podcast

If you have any questions or comments for us please drop us an email at info@dentalhacks.com or find us (and like us!) at www.facebook.com/dentalhacks. Or, if you prefer…give us a call at (866) 223-5257 and leave us a message. You might be played in the show! If you like us, why not leave us a review on iTunes? It helps us get found by like minded people and might even help us get into “What’s Hot” in the iTunes store! Go to this link and let the world know about the Dental Hacks! Finally, if you aren’t an Apple person, consider reviewing us on Stitcher at: stitcher.com/podcast/the-dentalhacks-podcast!

If you would like to support the podcast you can check out our Patreon page! Although the show will always remain free to download, our Patreon supporters get access to special bonus content including (at least) one extra podcast episode every months! Also be sure to check out the Dental Hacks swag store where you can find t-shirts, stickers coffee mugs and all sorts of other things that let the world know you’re a part of the Hacks Nation.

Jason and Alan are honored to speak with Dr. Mike Skramstad of CERECDoctors about Dentsply Sirona's brand new CEREC Primescan! The news broke a couple days ago and the Dental Hacks got to speak with someone who has been very close to the whole process!

Some links from the show:

Dentsply Sirona CEREC Primescan

CERECDoctors

We'd like to welcome Microcopy Dental to the Dental Hacks Podcast! Alan has been using Microcopy single patient use diamonds for most of his career...we think you're going to love them! Check them out at dentalhacks.com/Microcopy.

Alan speaks with Jeremy Henderson of Bioclear to talk about some spectacular Bioclear news! 3M and Bioclear are working together to bring the Bioclear Method closer to home for dentists across the U.S.! For instance:

• 3M reps across the country have been trained up on the Bioclear method and can give live demos/lunch and learns in your office! You can check that out at 3m.com/bioclearmethod!
• Bioclear and 3M are taking a 6 hour CE course on the road to teach dentists the Bioclear method in a venue close to home for just about everyone! Check out the schedule at bioclear.live/3m and sign up before they sell out (and they will!)
• Head to Tacoma for an in depth course on the Bioclear Method at the Bioclear Learning Center!

The Dental Hacks have always been big fans of Bioclear and we're pretty excited that Bioclear is now coming to you!

We'd like to welcome Microcopy Dental to the Dental Hacks Podcast! Alan has been using Microcopy single patient use diamonds for most of his career...we think you're going to love them! Check them out at dentalhacks.com/Microcopy.

Last weekend was a big one for Jason and Alan! We spent the whole weekend with dental podcast enthusiasts in Scottsdale, AZ. Both of us presented at the Voices of Dentistry meeting, and today we're going to share those presentations with you!

Jason presented about what dentists are doing wrong with Facebook and other online advertising. He's got a bunch of helpful tips and actionable advice about how to crush your Facebook advertising! Click here to download Jason's slides!

[caption id="attachment_1155" align="alignleft" width="278"] Al's slides[/caption]

Alan presented on the pros and cons of social media and how to make your social media life better! You can download Alan's slides here.

Links from the show:

Voices of Dentistry

Cosmecore from Cosmedent is a versatile, dual cured core material that handles great, comes in 3 great shades and won't gouge when you prep it! It comes in two handy sizes (50g and 8g syringes) and once you start using it, it will become your "go to" for ideal tooth preps! Go check it out at dentalhacks.com/cosmecore!

The Dental Hacks Nation closed Facebook group has over 25,000 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 info@dentalhacks.com!

Go Hack Yourself:

Jason: WagoTrix matrix rings

Alan: Butcher Box

If you have any questions or comments for us please drop us an email at info@dentalhacks.com or find us (and like us!) at www.facebook.com/dentalhacks. Or, if you prefer…give us a call at (866) 223-5257 and leave us a message. You might be played in the show! If you like us, why not leave us a review on iTunes? It helps us get found by like minded people and might even help us get into “What’s Hot” in the iTunes store! Go to this link and let the world know about the Dental Hacks! Finally, if you aren’t an Apple person, consider reviewing us on Stitcher at: stitcher.com/podcast/the-dentalhacks-podcast!

If you would like to support the podcast you can check out our Patreon page! Although the show will always remain free to download, our Patreon supporters get access to special bonus content including (at least) one extra podcast episode every months! Also be sure to check out the Dental Hacks swag store where you can find t-shirts, stickers coffee mugs and all sorts of other things that let the world know you’re a part of the Hacks Nation.

Jason and Alan had the pleasure of podcasting LIVE with Dr. Mike DiTolla at the 3rd annual Voices of Dentistry meeting! We got to talk with Mike about a topic that's VERY hot right now...direct to consumer dentistry. We talk about orthodontic aligners sans dentist, where this trend is going and how the direct to consumer dentistry is going to put the endodontists out of business! 

Alan talks with Dr. Lance Timmerman about the "Third Agreement" of "The Four Agreements." The author don Miguel Ruiz suggests never taking anything personally. This is an amazing suggestion and rule, but hard to follow. Lance has lots to say about it!

Lance was amazing at the Voices of Dentistry and is hilarious on the "Working Interferences" podcast with Dr. Josh Austin!

Links from the show:

Stress Management and Mindfulness for the Dental Professional (Dr. Dawn Kulongowski's group mentioned on the show)

Spear Online

Dr. Darin Dichter is full time faculty at Spear Education. He's a prosthodontist, but practiced general dentistry for a lot of years before heading to UCLA for a pros residency! We talk about Spear Education, restorative dentistry and residency programs. We discussed:

• How does Spear Education work? Online vs. campus? Seminar vs. workshop?
• What was pros residency like for someone who had practiced dentistry for a lot of years?
• How did Frank Spear react to Darin's choice about residency? How about Gregg Kinzer? And Bob Winter?
• How does Darin feel about the "super GP" concept? (Darin doesn't like endo)
• Are we "cutting bait" with teeth too early now that implants are so common? What about implant complications?
• "Minimally destructive" vs. "minimally invasive" treatment planning. Trying to treatment plan yourself out of a case.
• Wow does Spear talk about orthodontics a lot! Perhaps the least destructive treatment option out there.
• Treatment planning by "thinking out loud"
• The best way to break bad habits is not get them in the first place!
• Why is photography important?
• What's the best way to make sure you're always taking photographs?

Links from the show:

Spear Education

Dr. Craig Harder gives us a Clinical Hack of the Week about making a jig for immediate dentures to maintain vertical when you reline!

#whyVoD? We'll be LIVE STREAMING some of the speakers at VoD! Head over to the Dental Hacks Nation for details! Check out Implant Compare on Instagram!

Corky Willhite is offering his amazing "Transitional Bonding" course at the Cosmedent CEE in Chicago on March 14-15th! This course focuses on the benefits and step-by-step techniques of transitional bonding, an extremely practical new option requiring little or no prep for most cases. This course will cover the rationale for using composite. Work on one tooth against an arch or plan for a full mouth rehabilitation. This hands-on course presents practical occlusal guidelines for predictable function and longevity – including increasing V.D.O. and building anterior guidance as well as how to handle bruxers and non-compliant patients. Go check it out at dentalhacks.com/Corky!

The Dental Hacks Nation closed Facebook group has over 25,000 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 info@dentalhacks.com!

Go Hack Yourself:

Jason: The One Question Persuasion Course by Blair Warren

Alan: Easy Pull Chopper and Manual Food Processor

If you have any questions or comments for us please drop us an email at info@dentalhacks.com or find us (and like us!) at www.facebook.com/dentalhacks. Or, if you prefer…give us a call at (866) 223-5257 and leave us a message. You might be played in the show! If you like us, why not leave us a review on iTunes? It helps us get found by like minded people and might even help us get into “What’s Hot” in the iTunes store! Go to this link and let the world know about the Dental Hacks! Finally, if you aren’t an Apple person, consider reviewing us on Stitcher at: stitcher.com/podcast/the-dentalhacks-podcast!

If you would like to support the podcast you can check out our Patreon page! Although the show will always remain free to download, our Patreon supporters get access to special bonus content including (at least) one extra podcast episode every months! Also be sure to check out the Dental Hacks swag store where you can find t-shirts, stickers coffee mugs and all sorts of other things that let the world know you’re a part of the Hacks Nation.

Laura Maly and Michael Anderson of the Wonderist Agency join Alan to talk about marketing. Laura and Michael have a lot to say about dentists being involved with their own marketing. Some of the topics we discuss are:

• Why it isn't smart for dentists to "just write the check" for their marketing
• Why is it so important to have authentic marketing for your practice instead of a cookie cutter approach?
• How can a dentist have unique content for marketing without having to spend a lot of time creating it?
• What does "done is better than perfect" mean and how does it affect dental marketing?
• How can a dentist make a habit of creating content for their own marketing?

The Wonderist Agency is one if the sponsors of the Voices of Dentistry so make sure to find them when you're there!

Alan has a chance to talk with Craig Cody, a CPA, tax coach and an adviser to all kinds of small business owners! In episode 60 we discuss:

• How does Craig's experience as a cop in Manhattan help him in his current gig?
• How often should you be talking to your accountant?
• What state has the worst tax laws? (spoiler: he didn't commit to one!)
• How do taxes for dentists compare to other small businesses?

You should get Craig's newest book for free by clicking on dentalhacks.com/CraigCody

Craig will be starting a podcast called "The Progressive Dentist," so keep your eyes open for that! Also...Craig is is one of the sponsors of the upcoming Voices of Dentistry!

Some people say that dental podcasts haven't given endo enough love. Episode 223 is here to fix that! Jason and Alan were joined by three general dentists that love endo to talk all things root canals! Dr. Mac Jones, Dr. Zach Meiners and Dr. Kevin Fryer join the Dental Hacks and talk about:

• What's the most common presentation of teeth needing endo in their offices?
• How do these general dentists handle endo diagnosis?
• What tricks have they learned about case selection? What to punt and what to keep?
• How do you fit endo into a GP practice and make it work?
• Hot access opening talk
• Al's bleach accident...on his dad
• Click here for their endo sequences!
• When do you two step your root canals?
• What are you doing for obturation?

Links from the show:

Pathways of the Pulp

Cliff Ruddle CD’s (Clean, Shape, Pack)

Mark Oleson’s "Endodontics Unsponsored" courses

Style Italiano Endo

John Khademi/Eric Herbranson episode

WAMkey

Brasseler BR0 file

Endobender Instruments

Denjoy iFinder

#whyVoD? We're one week away from the most innovative dental meeting in the world! Come meet all of your internet pals at the funnest and most "networkable" dental meeting ever and stay at the gorgeous Double Tree resort in Scottsdale! The Voices of Dentistry will be at the DoubleTree resort on January 25-26! Go buy your tickets at www.voicesofdentistry.com right now.

One of the coolest things about Cosmedent's Renamel NANO Plus is the shades. It comes in a whole bunch of them! They're particularly great for shade matching because Cosmedent's composites match the Vita shade guide that you already know and trust! So not only is Renamel NANO Plus the nicest handling, nicest polishing composite you'll ever use. It's also the easiest to match shades with! Go check it out at dentalhacks.com/nanoplus!

The Dental Hacks Nation closed Facebook group has over 25,000 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 info@dentalhacks.com!

Go Hack Yourself:

Jason: Reddit

Kevin: Hygenic Nonlatex rubber dam, Hedy Isodam

Mac: Schwed gutta percha points

Zach: Real World Endo, John Rhodes Endo

Alan: Mac mini

If you have any questions or comments for us please drop us an email at info@dentalhacks.com or find us (and like us!) at www.facebook.com/dentalhacks. Or, if you prefer…give us a call at (866) 223-5257 and leave us a message. You might be played in the show! If you like us, why not leave us a review on iTunes? It helps us get found by like minded people and might even help us get into “What’s Hot” in the iTunes store! Go to this link and let the world know about the Dental Hacks! Finally, if you aren’t an Apple person, consider reviewing us on Stitcher at: stitcher.com/podcast/the-dentalhacks-podcast!

If you would like to support the podcast you can check out our Patreon page! Although the show will always remain free to download, our Patreon supporters get access to special bonus content including (at least) one extra podcast episode every months! Also be sure to check out the Dental Hacks swag store where you can find t-shirts, stickers coffee mugs and all sorts of other things that let the world know you’re a part of the Hacks Nation.

Very Dental Student host Mohamed Abo-Basha wrapped up his D2 year and started his summer session of D3! Mohamed checks in by telling us a bit about his class load and new clinical experiences! Also, Mo answers some Q & A from listeners!

Q & A's:

• I've been waitlisted for dental school...what should I do?
• What's been the hardest part about dental school?
• What has been your favorite class in dental school?
• What has been your favorite memory from clinic?
• What are the pros and cons of AEGD/GPR and are you planning on doing one?

Join the Very Dental Facebook group using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or "McWethy," "Papa Randy" or "Lipscomb!"

The Very Dental Podcast network is and will remain free to download. If you’d like to support the shows you love at Very Dental then show a little love to the people that support us!

--

Crazy Dental has everything you need from cotton rolls to equipment and everything in between and the best prices you’ll find anywhere! If you head over to verydentalpodcast.com/crazy and use coupon code “VERYDENTAL10” you’ll get another 10% off your order! Go save yourself some money and support the show all at the same time!

--

The Wonderist Agency is basically a one stop shop for marketing your practice and your brand. From logo redesign to a full service marketing plan, the folks at Wonderist have you covered! Go check them out at verydentalpodcast.com/wonderist!

--

Enova Illumination makes the very best in loupes and headlights, including their new ergonomic angled prism loupes! They also distribute loupe mounted cameras and even the amazing line of Zumax microscopes! If you want to help out the podcast while upping your magnification and headlight game, you need to head over to verydentalpodcast.com/enova to see their whole line of products!

--

CAD-Ray offers the best service on a wide variety of digital scanners, printers, mills and even  their very own browser based design software, Clinux! CAD-Ray has been a huge supporter of the Very Dental Podcast Network and I can tell you that you’ll get no better service on everything digital dentistry than the folks from CAD-Ray. Go check them out at verydentalpodcast.com/CADRay!

We sat down with Dr. Mark Fleming of CEREC Doctors at DS World last September. Alan and Mark go WAY back to DentalTown days (circa 2001). Mark has made some interesting moves in his career and has ended up on faculty at CEREC Doctors in Scottsdale! FYI Mark pushed on Darin O'Bryan's nose during this podcast.

Links from the show:

CEREC Doctors

Voices of Dentistry

What starts as an innocent question about his family becomes a near tirade by Dr. Lance Timmerman! We hear what it's like working in someone else's practice from a guy who has owned his own practice since the beginning! This episode is hilarious and it touches on the fact that in most dentist's careers we will have to work in an office that we're not familiar with. If you've ever had to get used to equipment or treatment plans that weren't your own...you'll get a lot out of this one!

Links from the show:

Voices of Dentistry 

The Working Interferences Podcast

Dr. Jason Smithson makes a triumphant return to the Dental Hacks Podcast! Jason and Alan spent an hour talking about what's going on in the life of one of our most requested guests! Jason tells us about:

• Being forced into a different practice (and practice model) as a mid-career dentist
• All the fixed/removable cases he's seeing (and what it must have been like to be a prosthodontist in 1968)
• How trying something completely new can beat boredom in practice
• How does working with other dentists and dental team members makes for better patient outcomes
• How does the financial security make for better patient outcomes?
•  What does mentorship look like to Jason Smithson? Who is ready to be mentored? Who is ready to be a mentor?
• The pros and cons of social media for dentists
• How do younger dentists learn differently from mid-career dentists
• Why do dentists forget the fundamentals?
• How does he handle working with compromise cases and still feel great about his results?

Links from the Show:

Dynamag Denture Attachments

#whyVoD? We're mere weeks away from the most innovative dental meeting in the world! Come meet all of your internet pals at the funnest and most "networkable" dental meeting ever and stay at the gorgeous Double Tree resort in Scottsdale! The Voices of Dentistry will be at the DoubleTree resort on January 25-26! Go buy your tickets at www.voicesofdentistry.com right now.

Everyone knows about Cosmedent’s hands on, face to face courses in Chicago. But did you know that Cosmedent offers virtual courses online of many of their most popular courses? Check out Buddy Mopper’s “Catch the Composite Wave and Ride it’s Potential” virtual course at www.dentalhacks.com/virtualbuddy. Use the coupon code "Wave" before January 31. 2019 for $100 off!

The Dental Hacks Nation closed Facebook group has over 25,000 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 info@dentalhacks.com!

Go Hack Yourself:

Jason: The Culture Code, by Daniel Coyle

Alan: QDSLRDashboard 

If you have any questions or comments for us please drop us an email at info@dentalhacks.com or find us (and like us!) at www.facebook.com/dentalhacks. Or, if you prefer…give us a call at (866) 223-5257 and leave us a message. You might be played in the show! If you like us, why not leave us a review on iTunes? It helps us get found by like minded people and might even help us get into “What’s Hot” in the iTunes store! Go to this link and let the world know about the Dental Hacks! Finally, if you aren’t an Apple person, consider reviewing us on Stitcher at: stitcher.com/podcast/the-dentalhacks-podcast!

If you would like to support the podcast you can check out our Patreon page! Although the show will always remain free to download, our Patreon supporters get access to special bonus content including (at least) one extra podcast episode every months! Also be sure to check out the Dental Hacks swag store where you can find t-shirts, stickers coffee mugs and all sorts of other things that let the world know you’re a part of the Hacks Nation. 

Dentists hate hiring. We hate hiring so much we hang on to employees longer than we should. So what's the solution? 

Kiera Dent is here to help! Kiera has a bunch of actionable ideas that you're going to love!

• writing an ad (be different)
• where (and when) to post (Craigslist...seriously)
• why do you care what an applicant's favorite ice cream is?
• how to interview (short and on the phone)
• how to get your team involved
• what are score cards and how do they work?

Kiera's links:

Kiera's Dental Consulting

The Dental Masters

Kiera's Employee Assessment form

Dr. Lance Timmerman joins Alan to talk about the pros and cons of sedation dentistry. Does marketing for sedation patients actually attract crazy patients? When would you want to use IV sedation vs. oral? You'll find this conversation interesting!

Links from the show:

Voices of Dentistry 

In today's episode Jason and Alan are joined by 3 Brain Trust noobs and they CRUSH IT! We have long time friends of the show (and Dental Hacks Nation) Dr. Craig Harder, Dr. Rusty Fitton and Dr. Daniel Smith join us for this live to tape episode that went all over the place! In episode 221 we discuss:

• The Voices of Dentistry and why every listener of the Dental Hacks should be going!
• Dr. Craig Harder's security camera
• How much Christmas break is too much? Is there ever too much break?
• Dr. Rusty Fitton's commute and how he developed a mini-specialty by caddying for oral surgeons in a past life
• Dr. Daniel Smith's transition from mom and pop shop to a Heartland affiliate
• Triumphs of 2018
• Intraoral scanners (Craig and Rusty just got Medit i500s!)
• Upcoming CE

Some links from the show:

Dr. Daniel Smith's episode of the "Alan Mead Experience"

#whyVoD? Because the room block has been extended into January! Come meet all of your internet pals at the funnest and most innovative dental meeting ever and stay at the gorgeous Double Tree resort in Scottsdale! The Voices of Dentistry will be at the DoubleTree resort on January 25-26! Go buy your tickets at www.voicesofdentistry.com right now.

Jason and Alan have been using Spear Education online for awhile now. Spear online has resources for doctor education, patient education and team education! There is no better way to get great CE, do patient education, get CE credit and learn a better way to practice dentistry that signing up for Spear Education online. You get so much with your membership, it's kind of astonishing. The biggest problem is having the time to learn everything! Our most recent obsession...the Spear Online iPad app! Go check it out at dentalhacks.com/Spearonline and you can get $20/month off of your Spear online subscription!

You need a microfill! Nothing handles like a microfill, nothing polishes like a microfill and nothing holds a polish like a microfill. Our friends at Cosmedent are the microfill people! Go check out Renamel microfill in syringes and compules at dentalhacks.com/microfill!

The Dental Hacks Nation closed Facebook group has over 25,000 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 info@dentalhacks.com!

Go Hack Yourself:

Jason: Yongnuo LED Wand

Rusty: Rumble Roller

Daniel: Salvin PDL-evator

Craig: An idea notebook for capturing ideas on the fly (for instance, like this one!)

Alan: Pixel 3 XL phone

If you have any questions or comments for us please drop us an email at info@dentalhacks.com or find us (and like us!) at www.facebook.com/dentalhacks. Or, if you prefer…give us a call at (866) 223-5257 and leave us a message. You might be played in the show! If you like us, why not leave us a review on iTunes? It helps us get found by like minded people and might even help us get into “What’s Hot” in the iTunes store! Go to this link and let the world know about the Dental Hacks! Finally, if you aren’t an Apple person, consider reviewing us on Stitcher at: stitcher.com/podcast/the-dentalhacks-podcast!

If you would like to support the podcast you can check out our Patreon page! Although the show will always remain free to download, our Patreon supporters get access to special bonus content including (at least) one extra podcast episode every months! Also be sure to check out the Dental Hacks swag store where you can find t-shirts, stickers coffee mugs and all sorts of other things that let the world know you’re a part of the Hacks Nation.

Firing. Most everyone hates it, so often we don't do it as soon as we should.

Kiera Dent has a different take on firing. Why not make it so the employee that needs to go understands exactly why they're going, expects it and maybe even thanks you? Does it sound too good to be true? You need to take a listen to how she does it!

 Kiera's links:

Kiera's Dental Consulting

The Dental Masters

Kiera's Employee Assessment form

Gino Andreozzi creates video. Essentially he's the guy that makes the Spear Online videos as good as they are. Alan had a chance to pick his brain about how he does what he does and more importantly...how can WE make better video for our office! You're going to find this interview with Spear's video guru fascinating!

Gino's links:

Spear Online

[caption id="attachment_1105" align="alignright" width="500"] Jason and Alan on stage at Spear Education, moments before they brought the hook[/caption]

Jason and Alan do a wrap of to the year that was 2018! In this episode we discuss:

• What the hell is Jason doing? Practice sales, startups and where he's working. It's a JLips state of the union!
• Favorite new additions in our offices for 2018
  • Designs for Vision LED Daylite Wireless Mini
  • Acteon Cube Piezo
  • Dentotemp by Itena
  • Foamies
• How can dentists avoid being targets by marketers, etc.
• What kind of CE are we looking at for 2019?
• Shaming Alan for not treating sleep apnea (#woke)
• Is Social Media good or bad? (or both?)
• Greatest professional regrets of 2018
• Staff issues for 2018

Some links from the show:

#whyVoD? Because the room block is closing by December 31st! Come meet all of your internet pals at the funnest and most innovative dental meeting ever and stay at the gorgeous Double Tree resort in Scottsdale! The Voices of Dentistry will be at the DoubleTree resort on January 25-26! Go buy your tickets at www.voicesofdentistry.com right now.

Jason and Alan have been using Spear Education online for awhile now. Spear online has resources for doctor education, patient education and team education! There is no better way to get great CE, do patient education, get CE credit and learn a better way to practice dentistry that signing up for Spear Education online. You get so much with your membership, it's kind of astonishing. The biggest problem is having the time to learn everything! Our most recent obsession...the Spear Online iPad app! Go check it out at dentalhacks.com/Spearonline and you can get $20/month off of your Spear online subscription!

Our friend Dr. Arthur Volker is giving a class at Cosmedent next year! It's called "POWERlooking: Anterior Direct Composite Course" and it's going to be on February 21-22 in Chicago at the amazing Center for Esthetic Excellence! You'll learn smile design including the ever important midline placement, materials, colors, palatal stents...all the good stuff! Artie is a great guy and a really good teacher and you'll get tons of face time with the man himself! Go check it out at dentalhacks.com/Artie! I can't wait for this one!

The Dental Hacks Nation closed Facebook group has over 25,000 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 info@dentalhacks.com!

Go Hack Yourself:

Jason: The Culture Code by Daniel Coyle

Alan: Spider-man: Into the Spiderverse and Crimetown Season 2

If you have any questions or comments for us please drop us an email at info@dentalhacks.com or find us (and like us!) at www.facebook.com/dentalhacks. Or, if you prefer…give us a call at (866) 223-5257 and leave us a message. You might be played in the show! If you like us, why not leave us a review on iTunes? It helps us get found by like minded people and might even help us get into “What’s Hot” in the iTunes store! Go to this link and let the world know about the Dental Hacks! Finally, if you aren’t an Apple person, consider reviewing us on Stitcher at: stitcher.com/podcast/the-dentalhacks-podcast!

If you would like to support the podcast you can check out our Patreon page! Although the show will always remain free to download, our Patreon supporters get access to special bonus content including (at least) one extra podcast episode every months! Also be sure to check out the Dental Hacks swag store where you can find t-shirts, stickers coffee mugs and all sorts of other things that let the world know you’re a part of the Hacks Nation.

Kiera Dent joins us again, this time to give us some specific "KPIs" (Key Performance Indicators) for your practice! We talk about:

• The most important things to track
• The number that feeds your ego vs. the number that feeds your family
• How to look at write offs
• How do you track attrition (spoiler: use a dashboard)
• How to track case acceptance and how your software might be fibbing to you
• Do you need new patients?

Kiera's Links:

Kiera's Dental Consulting

The Dental Masters

Kiera's "Master Tracker" Excel sheet

Kiera's "Master Tracker" protocol (Word Doc)

Directions from Kiera:

• accurate % tracking for case acceptance
• you'll be able to see who (TC) is strong/needs verbiage training
• you'll be able to see who (HYG/DA) is strong/needs verbiage training
• AWESOME call lists!! You can use the 2-2-2 method easily with these lists b/c you can pull them up on the dates needed for 2 days/weeks/months ago and call those who didn't schedule their TX --- easy peasy!!!"

Voices of Dentistry (sign up soon! The room block closes December 31!...we got an extension)

Podium for reviews!

Dr. Shashikant "Shashi" Singhal is a biomaterials expert...a dentist and researcher with Ivoclar. After a short discussion about the best way to find interesting food when traveling, Shashi and Alan have a deep conversation about advances in cementation of indirect restorations.

• Ivoclar's goal is to give as many options as possible while making the options simple to use
• Read your instructions!
• Ivoclar is interested in finding the "pain points" of the clinician and solving them!
• Offering a light cured AND dual cured option...flexibility is the key
• Ivoclar has nailed color stability between light cured and dual cured (imagine cementing a veneer next to a full crown)
• What is Ivoclar Academy? (a BUNCH of free continuing education!)

Some links from the show:

• Ivoclar Variolink Esthetic
• Ivoclar Academy
• Ivoclar Adhese Universal

Do you have questions for Dr. Singhal? You can get in touch with him at Shashikant.Singhal@ivoclar.com! 

We spoke with Dr. Sameer Puri during our trip to Spear Education earlier this month. Alan has known Sam since the early days of DentalTown and they had a LOT to talk about. It turns out that Sam has created a lot of great stuff in dentistry since then! We discuss:

• How we first met online and old school DentalTown!
• How clueless Sam and Tarun were when they put the first Townie Meeting together, and how they "learned by doing."
• The difference between graduating from dental school in the late 90's to now.
• The importance of photography in dentistry.
• When Sam started with CEREC and how that blossomed into CEREC Doctors.
• How did Cdocs become involved with the Scottsdale Center and Spear Education
• Where is "home" for Sam...Southern California or Arizona?

Sameer's links:

CEREC Doctors

Townie Meeting

Some links from the show:

Clinical Hack of the Week: user presets on DSLR cameras, specifically from Photomed!

Go get your copy of the ebook "Improving Your Practice's Clinical Photography" from Spear Education. It's free and it's a step by step guide on how to use your digital SLR camera to make comprehensive treatment planning a "thing" in your practice! Check it out at dentalhacks.com/Spearphotography

#whyVoD? Because the room block is closing by December 31st! Come meet all of your internet pals at the funnest and most innovative dental meeting ever and stay at the gorgeous Double Tree resort in Scottsdale! The Voices of Dentistry will be at the DoubleTree resort on January 25-26! Go buy your tickets at www.voicesofdentistry.com right now.

Jason and Alan have been using Spear Education online for awhile now. Spear online has resources for doctor education, patient education and team education! There is no better way to get great CE, do patient education, get CE credit and learn a better way to practice dentistry that signing up for Spear Education online. You get so much with your membership, it's kind of astonishing. The biggest problem is having the time to learn everything! Our most recent obsession...the Spear Online iPad app! Go check it out at dentalhacks.com/Spearonline and you can get $20/month off of your Spear online subscription!

It's a Christmas miracle! Cosmedent is offering its Virtual CEE courses (Catch the Composite Wave by Dr. Buddy Mopper and CPR for the Worn Dentition by Dr. Dennis Hartlieb) to you for a special deal! Use the coupon code "Holiday" on checkout from the website and they'll knock $100 off the course fee! You'll have some time over the break to earn some CE credits in the comfort of your flannel PJs! Check it out at dentalhacks.com/virtualCE and be sure to use coupon code "Holiday" at check out!

The Dental Hacks Nation closed Facebook group has over 25,000 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 info@dentalhacks.com!

Go Hack Yourself:

Jason: Founder's Card

Alan: Neumann BCM 705 microphone

If you have any questions or comments for us please drop us an email at info@dentalhacks.com or find us (and like us!) at www.facebook.com/dentalhacks. Or, if you prefer…give us a call at (866) 223-5257 and leave us a message. You might be played in the show! If you like us, why not leave us a review on iTunes? It helps us get found by like minded people and might even help us get into “What’s Hot” in the iTunes store! Go to this link and let the world know about the Dental Hacks! Finally, if you aren’t an Apple person, consider reviewing us on Stitcher at: stitcher.com/podcast/the-dentalhacks-podcast!

If you would like to support the podcast you can check out our Patreon page! Although the show will always remain free to download, our Patreon supporters get access to special bonus content including (at least) one extra podcast episode every months! Also be sure to check out the Dental Hacks swag store where you can find t-shirts, stickers coffee mugs and all sorts of other things that let the world know you’re a part of the Hacks Nation.

Alan had a chance to speak with Dr. Kenton Ross about the importance of participating in a study club. Specifically his Spear Study Clubs While they visited Spear Education earlier this month the Dental Hacks ran into a lot of people who participate In Spear Study Clubs. Dr. Ross has been participating in study clubs for quite some time and is a leader of his own local Spear Study Club in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He explains how the group is smarter than any one member and how it's affected his career.

Kenton's links:

Spear Study Clubs

Spear Online

Podium

Voices of Dentistry (time is running out on the hotel block!)