The Very Dental Podcast Network

Latest Episodes:

Very Dental: How to Avoid Burnout with Dr. Frank Spear Jul 12, 2024

Show notes

Today we throw back to one of the greatest Dental Hacks episodes of all time!

Jason and Alan had the honor of talking with Dr. Frank Spear of Spear Education! This was their first conversation with him since the COVID outbreak and the conversation focused a lot on changes in the landscape of dentistry and dental education!

How has COVID affected dentistry and dental practices?
Some dental practices have done BETTER in 2020! What are the things that these practices have in common?
- Messaging (stay in touch, let them know you're available!)
- Proactive messaging about safety
- "We're concerned about your dental health."
- Efficiency ("if you're coming in, let's get it done!")
"The Big Dip" (hygiene scheduling)
The history of dental infection control...why is dentistry ahead of this curve?
How is "on campus" going at Spear Education?
"Live Virtual" seminars...better than in person?
Faculty club round tables...the best value at Spear!
The new occlusion curriculum on Spear Online!
New research in occlusion...now incorporated into the Spear curriculum!
Cause and effect is often not as simple as we'd like
What cases does Frank wish he could have a time machine to re-treat (spoiler: it's about airway and orofacial pain)
What does Frank think about Orofacial Pain becoming a specialty?
How can a dentist avoid burnout in dentistry? (spoiler: eliminate what you don't enjoy)

Go Hack Yourself:

Jason: Teladoc
Al: Public Rec

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 Clinical: Don't Get Tired of Dancing with Dr. Frank Clayton Jul 09, 2024

Show notes

"The cat's out of the bag."

--Dr. Frank Clayton

Dr. Frank Clayton joins Kevin and Zach to talk about things we've changed our minds about.

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 Frank about some things we've changed our minds about the business of dentistry.

Frank swore that he would never sell his practice to a DSO, but he did!
Frank got some things in writing that he didn't think he ever would and sold!
Frank swears by being left alone. Also taking care of his employees.
How are Zach and Kevin feeling about DSOs?

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!

Very Dental Student: Is It Ride or Die? with the Dental Guys Jul 08, 2024

Show notes

Mohamed is joined by The Dental Guys, Dr. Jon Rogers and Dr. Wes Mullins to talk about comprehensive dentistry.

The Dental Guys are an OG dental podcast who have been talking about high quality dentistry, research and data for years! Wes and Jon even joined Alan in the very first "podcast lounge" at the glorious (and very first) Voices of Dentistry in Nashville, TN!

This conversation goes all over the place and is part one of a two part series. Part two will be over on the Dental Guys podcast!

What is comprehensive dentistry?
Dental school and single tooth dentistry
Comprehensive dentistry means different things to different people
Comprehensive isn't about procedure competency, it's about understanding the big picture
Etiology drives diagnosis
Do people deserve the ideal plan?
Is it possible for dental school to make you an excellent diagnostician?
Understanding the fundamentals
Where to start with comprehensive dentistry
How will your first job affect your ability to learn and deliver comprehensive dentistry? (where, what kind of practice, demographics)
Developing a niche (easier in a less saturated area?)
Instagram dentistry: where are the hard cases?
Not everyone deserves to be treated the same way (how are new patients brought in to the practice?)
Coming soon: what are the strategies and paths to take in order to become a comprehensive dentist?

Some links from the show:

The Dental Guys podcast

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: Can Patients Actually Understand? with Dr. Bart Schultz Jul 05, 2024

Show notes

In this throwback episode from the summer of 2021 Al is joined by his best friend from dental school, Dr. Bart Schultz. They had a wide ranging conversation about dental school, early dental practice and how much patients can really understand about their treatment. Also, the jobs they had in dental school and other stuff.

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: What Dr. Craig Harder Has Learned About Life Jul 02, 2024

Show notes

"I don't want to die from something that could have been prevented."

--Dr. Craig Harder

Dr. Craig Harder joins the guys again to talk about things we've changed our minds about.

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 life in general.

Craig has gotten back to the gym, weight training.
Weight training has changed how he feels on a regular basis...basically his knees don't hurt.

Some links from the show:

Starting Strength

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!

AME: Testing and Improving Systems Jul 01, 2024

Show notes

"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!

Very Dental: Focus! with Dr. Jason Smithson Jun 28, 2024

Show notes

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!

Very Clinical: Dr. Craig Harder Has Seen Some Business Jun 25, 2024

Show notes

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!

Very Dental Student: Mohamed Starts D3! Jun 24, 2024

Show notes

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!

Very Dental Extra: Dr. Shashikant Singhal on Simplifying Cementation Jun 22, 2024

Show notes

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:

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