The Very Dental Podcast Network – Details, episodes & analysis

Alan discusses his "whirlwind" travel plans for the Chicago Midwinter Meeting, reviews the new Bioclear TSS Matrix system, and shares his first impressions of the remarkably small Shining 3D Elf scanner.

Alan is opting for a surgical strike on Chicago this year:

• The Schedule: Working Thursday, driving to Indiana, hitting the McCormick Center all day Friday for recording, and driving back Friday night.

• The Goal: Maximizing "content in the can" by recording with attendees and exhibitors without the expense of a multi-day hotel stay.

• Connect: If you're at McCormick Place on Friday the 20th, reach out via Facebook to say hello.

Alan breaks down the new Tooth Surface Specific (TSS) matrix system from Bioclear.

• The Workflow: Labeled by tooth number (6–11) and surface (mesial/distal), making it "assistant-proof."

• Performance: Stiffer than previous iterations with better gingival control and less "over-bulking," significantly reducing finishing and polishing time.

• Essential Accessory: QwikStrips(specifically the Red and White versions) for breaking contacts before matrix placement.

Listener Discount: Use code VERYDENTAL8TON at Bioclear for 15% off your order (includes courses and products).

Purchased through CAD-Ray, this new scanner is making waves for its form factor.

• Size: Comparable to a curing light or intraoral camera; it plugs directly into USBC with no external power brick.

• Speed: Extremely fast full-arch scans with high accuracy on soft tissue (ideal for removable cases).

• Ease of Use: "Plug and play" installation with immediate functionality, even for those used to the Medit ecosystem.

Some links from the show:

• Bioclear TSS Matrix Kit (Use code VERYDENTAL8TON at Bioclear for 15% off your order (includes courses and products)
• Qwikstrips (white and red)
• Shining 3D Aoralscan Elf from CAD-Ray

Join the Very Dental Facebook Group using one of these passwords: Timmerman, Paul, Bioclear, Hornbrook, Gary, 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!

I'm a big fan of the Bioclear Method! I think you should give it a try and I've got a great offer to help you get on board! Use the exclusive Very Dental Podcast code VERYDENTAL8TON for 15% OFF your total Bioclear purchase, including Core Anterior and Posterior Four day courses, Black Triangle Certification, and all Bioclear products.

Are you a practice owner who feels like the bottleneck in your own business? If you're tired of being the hardest-working person in your office, I've got something you need to hear. Dr. Paul Etchison, is hosting a virtual event that is a total game-changer. Paul is honestly one of the most brilliant minds in dental leadership today, and he's hosting the 3-Day Freedom Practice Workshop from February 19th through the 21st. He's going to show you exactly how to break through that two-million-dollar revenue ceiling while actually compressing your clinical week. It's about building a leadership team that takes ownership so you can finally step into the CEO role you deserve. Head over to DentalPracticeHeroes.com/freedom to grab your spot. And do me a favor—mention the Very Dental podcast when you sign up. It's 100% guaranteed, so you've got nothing to lose but the stress.

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 "VERYSHIP" you'll get free shipping on 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!

In this episode of the Group Function podcast, host Alan Mead sits down with Dr. Alex Kantor and Dr. Eric Applesies from the Just a Couple of Dentists podcast to unpack the "regular ass dentist" experience of buying, starting, running and selling dental practices! Fresh off their presentation at the 2026 Voices of Dentistry conference, the Eric and Alex (a married couple of dentists) dive into the logistics of optimizing a practice for sale, emphasizing that maximum value is built in the 18 to 24 months before a transition by tightening systems and improving hygiene "show rates." The conversation balances technical advice on EBITDA and overhead reduction with a candid—and occasionally spicy—critique of the post-COVID hygiene labor market, ultimately highlighting how dentists can prepare their businesses for a successful handoff to either a private buyer or a DSO.

In their session and conversation with Alan, Dr. Alex Cantor and Dr. Eric Applesies highlighted several key levers to pull when prepping a practice for sale. Their core philosophy is that "a dollar saved is $4 to $6 earned" during a valuation.

• The 12-to-24-Month Runway: Valuations are typically based on the last 12 months of profit (EBITDA). To ensure your systems are fully "flushed out" and consistent, start implementing changes 18 to 24 months before you intend to sell.

• Hygiene "Show Rates": Increasing your show rate from 70% to 90% is considered "low-hanging fruit." Because hygiene has low variable costs (mostly just prophy paste and floss), nearly every dollar of a kept hygiene appointment goes directly to the bottom line, which is then multiplied during a sale.

• Aggressive Appointment Confirmation:

  • Use automated texts to keep appointments top-of-mind.

  • The "48-Hour Rule": If a patient hasn't confirmed 48 hours out, inform them they will be removed from the schedule.

  • Follow Through: Actually remove unconfirmed patients to give your team two days to fill the spot with someone who wants to be there.

• Overhead Reduction (The "Spend" Side):

  • Supplies: Move away from the "old school" model of buying through a single rep who brings donuts. Use platforms like Crazy Dental or Net 32 to treat supplies as a commodity and secure the lowest price.

  • Labs: Look for efficiency gains through model-less workflows and digital scanning, which can reduce lab fees and turnaround times.

• Clinical Extraction: If you want to retire immediately after the sale, stop working clinically one year prior. This proves to a buyer (especially a DSO) that the practice's revenue is sustained by systems and associates, not just your individual production.

• Know Your "Game":

  • Private Buyer: Better if you want a quick exit (6–12 months) and have a smaller practice.

  • DSO Buyer: Better for high-revenue practices ($5M+ range), but usually requires you to stay on for several years as an associate.

Some links from the show:

• Just A Couple of Dentists Podcast

Join the Very Dental Facebook Group using one of these passwords: Timmerman, Paul, Bioclear, Hornbrook, Gary, 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!

I'm a big fan of the Bioclear Method! I think you should give it a try and I've got a great offer to help you get on board! Use the exclusive Very Dental Podcast code VERYDENTAL8TON for 15% OFF your total Bioclear purchase, including Core Anterior and Posterior Four day courses, Black Triangle Certification, and all Bioclear products.

Are you a practice owner who feels like the bottleneck in your own business? If you're tired of being the hardest-working person in your office, I've got something you need to hear. Dr. Paul Etchison, is hosting a virtual event that is a total game-changer. Paul is honestly one of the most brilliant minds in dental leadership today, and he's hosting the 3-Day Freedom Practice Workshop from February 19th through the 21st. He's going to show you exactly how to break through that two-million-dollar revenue ceiling while actually compressing your clinical week. It's about building a leadership team that takes ownership so you can finally step into the CEO role you deserve. Head over to DentalPracticeHeroes.com/freedom to grab your spot. And do me a favor—mention the Very Dental podcast when you sign up. It's 100% guaranteed, so you've got nothing to lose but the stress.

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 "VERYSHIP" you'll get free shipping on 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!

In this throwback Dental Hacks episode, I am joined by Dr. Jason Lipscomb to welcome two absolute legends in dental education: Dr. Frank Spear and Dr. Gregg Kinzer. This interview was originally released back in 2018 and it marked the first time Jason, Frank, and Gregg sat down together on the podcast, delivering a conversation packed with history, philosophy, and actionable practice management advice.

The conversation traces the evolution of dental continuing education, moving from Frank's early days of disjointed lectures to the structured, curriculum-based approach of the Spear Center today. The group discusses the dynamics of Frank and Gregg's successful 20-year partnership, emphasizing the importance of shared vision over finding a "clone." They provide deep insights into patient communication, specifically how to filter new patients using the "Emergency Room vs. Mayo Clinic" analogy and how to re-engage long-time patients in comprehensive care without making them feel neglected. Finally, they cover the importance of fighting burnout through clinical growth and the future of restorative dentistry, including the integration of airway health and online team education.

Some links from the show:

• Periowise Periodontal Probes
• Jason: BeadSmith 3mm Hooked Dimple Pliers
• Alan: Ugly Delicious

Join the Very Dental Facebook Group using one of these passwords: Timmerman, Bioclear, Hornbrook, Gary, 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!

I'm a big fan of the Bioclear Method! I think you should give it a try and I've got a great offer to help you get on board! Use the exclusive Very Dental Podcast code VERYDENTAL8TON for 15% OFF your total Bioclear purchase, including Core Anterior and Posterior Four day courses, Black Triangle Certification, and all Bioclear products.

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 "VERYSHIP" you'll get free shipping on 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!

Recorded live at the Chicago Midwinter meeting in February 2025, this episode features Alan in conversation with Dr. Jason Goodchild from Premier Dental. Jason provides an in-depth look at three innovative new products designed to enhance everyday restorative dentistry.

They discuss Veneer Now, an injectable matrix system for creating predictable and aesthetic anterior composite restorations like veneers and Class IVs with minimal finishing. Next, the conversation shifts to the new TSZ Tech ZX burs, engineered with super coarse diamonds, enhanced bonding, and leveling technology for significantly faster and more efficient zirconia crown removal and adjustment. Finally, Jason introduces Buffer Pro, a groundbreaking single-use, carpule-by-carpule local anesthetic buffering device, designed to make injections work faster, be less painful, and offer impressive shelf stability, addressing common frustrations with previous buffering systems

Some links from the show:

• Premier Dental
• Veneer Now
• TSZtech ZX burs
• BufferPro
• Septodont USA

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!

Welcome to season 1, episode 28 of the Clinical Hacks Podcast

Mac Jones passed out just prior to the recording due to stress and anxiety, don't worry he's ok

Kevin and Zach powered through.  This was recording during Thanksgiving week and the gang wanted to give thanks for different dental products that make their life easier or save/make them money.

Highlights include, but are not limited to:

• Optragate
• Hedy Isodam
• Vortex Blue 15.04
• Edge Glidepath
• Canon Rebel DSLR
• Lester Dine Camera System
• Flash Air Cards
• Samsung Tap A 10"
• Pac-Dent IMatrix
• Parkell Diamonds
• Teflon Tape
• Koolbond SE
• (a clone of Prelude SE)
• Cerec

If you want to interact with us, head over to the closed Facebook Group Clinical Hacks

We want to produce episodes about the questions you have, it's a great place to post a clinical topic, you don't even have to post a photo!

Do us a favor and go vote for the Dental Hacks podcast at www.dentalhacks.com/vote!

Enjoy a classic episode featuring an interview with Dr. Ryan McCall!

Jason and Alan had the privilege to speak with Dr. Rebecca Bockow, a dual trained orthodontist/periodontist and cutting edge advocate for understanding airway. Rebecca has been teaching at Spear Education for a couple of years and will be one of the instructors in the newly revamped "interdisciplinary treatment planning" course that Spear is putting together. She's also been featured on our "Queens of the Airway" episodes as well. The Dental Hacks had a wide ranging discussion with Rebecca which included:

• How does a dentist decide on a dual specialty and why orthodontics/periodontics? (spoiler: she almost ended up as a prosthodontist!)
• Expansion before expansion was cool
• The Airway "Ah HA" moment
• How teaching is a type of marketing for a reknowned specialist like Rebecca
• The paradigm shift to treating younger patients orthodontically
• Pediatric airway screening with a one page questionnaire
• What in the whole world needs to change to better address airway issues
• How can regular dentists understand and evaluate the literature about airway
• How to rehabilitate a patient with excessive wear/gummy smile and more
• Looking at how the malocclusion/skeletal development came to be
• What's Rebecca's "elevator pitch" about how to incorporate airway into your practice
• How do gummy smiles and airway relate to each other?
• How to open the palatal suture once you're an adult (TAD expanders vs. Hyrax expanders)
• Surgery + orthodontics = airway magic
• What % of people breathe through their nose?
• How do we evaluate tongue tie?

Becca is a genius and if you get a chance to see her teach, DO NOT MISS IT!

Some links from the show:

The Voices of Dentistry is just over two months away! We have an amazing speaker line up, some very exciting exhibitors and the best party in all of dentistry! Go check it out and register at www.voicesofdentistry.com!

VoD 2019 Highlight video

The Dental Hacks Nation closed Facebook group has 28,000 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!

YAPI can help make all of your holiday dreams come true! Jason was dreaming of smooth and effortless front desk efficiency and a giant YAPI puppy explained how his dreams could be reality! Go get your own YAPI puppy by getting a demo at dentalhacks.com/YAPI. It's a funny name but serious software!

Go Hack Yourself

Jason: 00s Rock Anthems

Alan: J. Geils Band, "Showtime"

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.

Enjoy the second episode of the Dental Hacks Podcast! 

Welcome to season 1, episode 27 of the Clinical Hacks Podcast

You've heard Kevin Fryer be the interviewer before, but it's his turn to be the interviewee.

What's the back story on Kevin?

• childhood dental trauma actually turned Kevin into a dental enthusiast
• 1989 Graduate of THE Ohio State University
• Regular-ass dentistry for the first 25 years
• Strupp's mailed newsletter was a practice changer for him in the non-internet era
• Dental Town was a paradigm shift
• PowerProx braces was his first step into his current practice life
• Cerec was a massive practice shift
• 3D Dentists got him into sleep apnea, implants, and more ortho
• Implant Pathway got him 10X'd on his Implants
• Multiple Equipment purchases, Cone Beam, newer Cerec - is it paying off?
• Would Kevin do it again?  Would he do it in a different order?

If you want to interact with us, head over to the closed Facebook Group Clinical Hacks

We want to produce episodes about the questions you have, it's a great place to post a clinical topic, you don't even have to post a photo!

Enjoy the very first episode in of the Dental Hacks Podcast!