The Very Dental Podcast Network

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Very Clinical: Glad We Medit! Scanners and Software with Scott Shrader May 06, 2025

Show notes

Kevin and Zach welcome back Scott Shrader to talk digital dentistry and specifically about Medit scanners and software. Both Zach and Al are current Medit users so the episode is a great one if you're new to scanning or want to incorporate digital dentistry into your workflow even more!

3D Dentist Approach: While courses often involve scanners, 3D Dentist is largely scanner-agnostic, focusing on techniques.
Importance of Training & Support: Scott emphasizes the critical role of knowledgeable support and hands-on training (like that provided by 3D Tech/3D Dentist) when integrating technology, contrasting it with less specialized support from large suppliers. Support is ongoing for products purchased through them.
Medit Overview: A South Korean company celebrating 25 years (mostly lab scanners, ~7 years for intraoral).
Medit's Value Proposition: No annual fees, free software, and free software upgrades are key differentiators.
Medit Link Software Suite (The "Apps"):
- A powerful, free suite accessible even to non-Medit scanner users (importing STLs).
- Includes free apps like Model Builder, Crown Design, Night Guard/Bite Splint, Ortho Simulation.
- Newer, more powerful CAD features (AI Final Crown, Provisional, Inlays/Onlays, Bridge Design) are being introduced with a per-export fee, but the core remains free.
AI Crown Design: Discussion on how AI differs from standard proposals (better morphology matching, less tweaking, potential AI margination) vs. algorithms.
Practical Scanning Tips & Troubleshooting:
- Marking margins: Alan does, Zach doesn't – lab preferences vary.
- Sluggish scanning fixes: Ensure the laptop is plugged in, perform all updates (Windows, graphics drivers, Medit Link), check scanner tip condition (rated for ~100 autoclave cycles, look for degradation/spots).
- Technique: Dry teeth well, use the white light setting for scanning through blood, proper path/tissue capture (especially around canines).
Hardware: i700 vs. i900: The i900 is smaller, lighter, has a larger scan area, multiple tip sizes, and is generally smoother, especially for full arches and scanning through blood. The i900 "Classic" brings back the physical button many users missed.
Recommended Medit Apps to Explore:
- Model Builder & Bite Splint: Great, easy entry points for CAD, good for team delegation (requires printer for output).
- Ortho Simulation: Automated simulation of tooth movement.
- Smile Design: Powerful tool using even basic phone photos, creates a shareable before/after slider for patient communication.
App Access: Apps run on the scanning computer but can be accessed remotely by logging into your Medit Link account on another computer (requires downloading case files).
Integrations: Medit Link integrates with third-party software and platforms (SprintRay Cloud, Exocad, etc.).

Some links from the show:

If you decide to look in to CareStack, be sure to let them know that you heard about them on the podcast!

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

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

AME: Live Patient Hands On CE in the Motor City with Dr. Ara Nazarian May 05, 2025

Show notes

Alan is joined by Dr. Ara Nazarian an in person recording at GoldenDent in Roseville, MI! Ara teaches extraction and grafting techniques featuring the Physics Forceps that were developed by the one and only Dr. Richard Golden! Ara took a couple minutes away from teaching to fill me in on the experience you'll get taking their course. I can't wait until I can get back down to take it!

Some links from the show:

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!

Very Dental: Advertising, Insurance and the Golden Age of Dentistry with Dr. Richard Golden May 02, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Very Dental Podcast Alan interviews Dr. Richard Golden of GoldenDent in Roseville, Michigan. Dr. Golden is known for developing the "Physics Forceps" and GoldenDent provides extensive hands-on training in extractions, grafting, and implant placement, utilizing local facilities like Wayne County Community College for live patient courses!

Dr. Golden shares the fascinating history of his father's dental practice in Detroit during the 1940s, the impact of legislation on dental advertising, and the introduction of dental insurance in the 1970s. He explains how these changes influenced the industry and his decision to open multiple dental offices. Dr. Golden also delves into his efforts to create a training center for new dentists, emphasizing the importance of efficient practice and the challenges of managing numerous locations. This episode offers a comprehensive look at the evolution of dental practices and the business of dentistry.

Some links from the show:

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!

Very Clinical: How to Integrate Technology with Scott Shrader Apr 29, 2025

Show notes

Kevin and Zach, along with Alan welcome Scott Shrader from 3D Dentists to the podcast! Scott shares his journey from general sales into dental implant and equipment sales. Now part of the 3D Dentist team, Scott focuses on partnerships and the technology division, guiding dentists through the complexities of selecting and implementing digital tools like scanners, printers, and software.

The conversation dives into the practicalities of bringing new digital technology into a dental practice. Key themes include overcoming the fear of rapid obsolescence (highlighting how software updates extend hardware life), the importance of having a clear implementation plan to avoid team frustration, and tailoring the approach—whether it's adopting 3D printing, in-house design software like Exocad, or outsourcing—to fit the specific practice's goals, volume, and team capabilities.

Some links from the show:

3D Dentists

If you decide to look in to CareStack, be sure to let them know that you heard about them on the podcast!

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

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

AME: Two Years on Three Days Apr 28, 2025

Show notes

Recorded amidst the sounds of spring on the dock in his pond, Alan dives deep into his experience shifting from a 4-day to a 3-day clinical work week two years ago. Alan breaks down the motivations, the schedule change specifics, and offers a candid list of pros and cons he's observed over the past two years.

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!

Very Dental: Dr. Russell Schafer is Selling Out! Apr 25, 2025

Show notes

Alan is once again joined by the incomparable Dr. Russell Schafer! This time Al and Russ are in person in the fishbowl at the Chicago Midwinter dental meeting! The two of them chat about Chicago weather, what they're looking forward to seeing at the meeting and most importantly...Russ wants you to buy his practice! If you've ever wanted to experience life as a dentist in the Big Easy, today is your lucky day!

Some links from the show:

Russell's courses:
- Digitaldentistry.rsvpify.com
- dcgdental.com
Russell's FB (buy his practice!)

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!

Very Clinical: Stacking Up the Benefits of CareStack with Jamie Flanagan Apr 22, 2025

Show notes

In another Zachless episode, Kevin is joined by Missy Fryer, Al and special guest Jamie Flanagan from CareStack for a candid discussion about their practice's transition to the CareStack dental software platform. They move beyond the hype to share their specific experiences, highlighting the intuitive interface, the power of the real-time dashboard, the efficiency gains from Voice Stack's AI call logging, and the stress reduction from using Care Revenue for insurance management. Discover how consolidating multiple functions into one cloud-based system improved transparency, streamlined workflows, enhanced cash flow, and even made onboarding new team members easier.

Some links from the show:

CareStack
3D Dentists
Cleveland Museum of Natural History: https://www.cmnh.org/
Cleveland Museum of Art: https://www.clevelandart.org/
Great Lakes Science Center: https://greatscience.com/
A Christmas Story House: https://www.achristmasstoryhouse.com/
Minnesota Renaissance Festival: https://www.renaissancefest.com/

If you decide to look in to CareStack, be sure to let them know that you heard about them on the podcast!

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

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

AME: Leftover Scallions Apr 21, 2025

Show notes

Alan takes a trip down memory lane, revisiting "The Scallion," a satirical dental news project he and colleagues created (inspired by The Onion) back in the Dental Hacks era (circa 2017-2018).

In this episode, Alan reads several archived "Scallion" articles, finding they still hold up with humor poking fun at:

Aggressive sales reps at dental meetings.
Dentists avoiding shop talk at parties.
Exaggerated links between periodontal disease and other health issues.
Hilariously inaccurate dental stock photography.
The shocking revelations that can come with using dental loupes for the first time.
Over-the-top (and potentially condescending) marketing advice.
The classic "I hate dentists" patient comment.
Stubborn dentists arguing online.

We don't laugh at the profession enough. This should help!

Some links from the show:

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!

Very Dental: Katrina Klein, RDH on Protecting Your Career with Dental Ergonomics Apr 18, 2025

Show notes

Today's episode is another one that was recorded live at the Chicago Midwinter Meeting! Alan Mead chats with renowned dental ergonomics expert Katrina Klein. Katrina shares her incredible journey from just starting out to becoming a leading voice in the field, emphasizing the critical role of ergonomics in career longevity. Discover why this often-overlooked aspect of dentistry is essential for preventing pain, improving wellness, and how small, practical changes can make a significant impact on your daily practice and overall health.

Some links from the show:

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!

Very Clinical: A CareStack Story with Jamie Flanagan of CareStack Apr 15, 2025

Show notes

In today's Zachless episode, Kevin is joined Alan, along with co-hosts Missy Fryer and Jamie Flanagan of CareStack! They Share insights on transitioning to CareStack, a cloud-based practice management software. The conversation covers initial fears, benefits of the system, and the comprehensive support provided by CareStack during the switch. Jamie outlines the advantages, including consolidation of operations, enhanced security, and operational efficiency. Missy reflects on the seamless data migration and robust ongoing support that alleviated initial concerns.

Some links from the show:

If you decide to look in to CareStack, be sure to let them know that you heard about them on the podcast!

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

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

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