The Very Dental Podcast Network
Episodes
Very Dental: Airway, Orthodontics and Omissions with Dr. Matt Standridge, part 1
26 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Alan is once again joined by podcast veteran Dr. Matt Standridge to dissect the American Association of Orthodontists' (AAO) controversial 2026 white ...
Very Clinical: Is Academic Dentistry Better Than Private Practice?
23 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This throwback episode from 2023 features Dr. Meylinda Meredith. Zach and Kevin sit down with Meylinda, a fellow UMKC dental school alumnus and curr...
AME: No More Joint Premedication?
22 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Alan dives into the long-awaited alignment between dentists and orthopedic surgeons regarding antibiotic premedication for joint replacement patients....
Very Dental: "Super Flowables," Color Stability and the Bioclear Method with Dr. David Clark
19 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Alan once again sits down with Dr. David Clark for a deep dive into a massive paradigm shift shaking up the Bioclear Method! Dave discusses the clinic...
Very Clinical: Very Rock and Roll, part 4
16 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Zach, Kevin and Al have been tiptoeing around it for three episodes, but today we do a deep dive on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! The guys break dow...
AME: The Disney Experience
15 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Alan returns from a high-stakes, five-day marathon chaperoning a high-school band trip to Orlando. Behind the magic of Disney venues,...
Very Dental: 12 Years in Podcasting, part 2
12 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Celebrating his 12th anniversary in podcasting, host Dr. Alan Mead presents a special episode of The Very Dental Podcast featuring a re-release of the...
Very Dental: 12 Years in Podcasting, part 1
12 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Celebrating his 12th anniversary in podcasting, host Dr. Alan Mead presents a special episode of The Very Dental Podcast featuring a re-release of the...
Very Clinical: Very Rock and Roll, part 3
09 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back to Very Clinical for "Rock and Roll, Part 3"—the latest installment of our ongoing, completely dentistry-free detour into the music tha...
AME: Zen and the Art of Dental Hygiene
08 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Alan discusses the unexpected clinical and relational insights discovered after a part-time hygienist's departure forced him to step back into the hyg...
Very Dental: The Rise of the Dental Marketplace with Susan Cahill
05 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Alan welcomes Susan Cahill, the Chief Operating Officer of Net32, to break down how the online marketplace model is fundamentally reshaping how dental...
Very Clinical: Bevels, Bonds, and Sleep Apnea Red Flags
02 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, the guys dive deep into the multifactorial nature of noncarious cervical lesions (NCCLs). Moving past outdated single-cause theories ...
AME: The Shame Drawer
01 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Alan Mead Experience, Alan faces down a long-hidden clinical shortcoming: his "shame drawer" of inadequate patient charting. Tr...
Group Function: Negative Pressure, Positive Results: Engineering the Perfect HVE Isolation
29 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Group Function, Alan connects with fellow Michiganders Austin and Lindsay Ritter, the husband-and-wife team behind Ascentcare Denta...
Very Clinical: Very Rock and Roll, part 2
26 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The crew is back for Part 2 of their deep dive into classic rock and roll, shifting the conversation from the physical exhibits of the Rock and Roll H...
AME: Better Chart Notes with AI
25 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Alan explores his recent deep dive into hardware-based AI recorders like the Plaud AI and HiDock P1. He details how he successfully utilized the HiDoc...
Group Function: Reclaiming the "C" Word: Fixing the Reputation of Dental Consulting
22 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Group Function podcast, Alan sits down with Joe Chickerillo and Lana Rivera to recap an incredible Chicago Midwinter meeting an...
Very Clinical: Very Rock and Roll, part 1
19 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this special, off-topic feature of the Very Clinical Podcast, hosts Zach and Kevin trade dental bonding agent chat for guitars and grit. They welco...
AME: Pain Tolerance vs. Profound Anesthesia and Other Clinical Nightmares
18 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Alan dives into the clinical and psychological mysteries of pain tolerance and the supreme value of profound anesthesia. Alan opens up about a humblin...
Very Dental: Transparency vs. Tradition and the New Rules of Dental Supplies with George Khoury
15 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Alan sits down with George Khoury, VP of Enterprise Sales at Net32, to discuss the evolution of the dental supply industry. Drawing on his 30-year ca...
AME Redux: Joint Ventures and the Prophylaxis Problem
12 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this throwback episode from 2023 Alan revisits a long-standing "chip on his shoulder": the persistent and often unscientific demand for antibiotic ...
AME: Caries Anonymous
11 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Alan recovers from a Mother's Day brunch—feeling a bit like a boa constrictor that swallowed a goat—to discuss a profound connection between the w...
Very Dental: "I Hate Dentists"
08 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this special compilation episode of the Very Dental Podcast, Alan explores one of the most universal and uniquely blunt experiences in the professi...
VC: The Changing of Very Clinical Minds
05 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This throwback episode from May 2024 brings together Zach, Kevin and Al for a candid look at how their clinical philosophies have evolved over decades...
AME: The Evolution of Online Reviews
04 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Alan explores the shifting landscape of digital reputation, from the "gold rush" era of 2018 to the current state of consumer skepticism and review fa...
Group Function: Reflecting on Efficiency with Kate and Brian from Zirc
01 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Recorded live at the Chicago Midwinter Meeting,Alan is joined by Kate Reinert and Brian Shoberg from Zirc Dental Products to the podcast lounge. The t...
AME Redux: Mental Hygiene and the Outrage Machine with Dr. Dawn Grimes
28 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this throwback episode Alan and Dr. Dawn Grimes explore the unexpected parallels between physical and mental decluttering. Starting with the simple...
AME: Polypharmacy, Comfort Food and Bisphosphonates
27 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Alan gets candid about the "aging practice" and the sobering clinical hurdles of geriatric dentistry. As both he and his long-term patients cross majo...
Very Dental: Mastering the Microscope with Dr. Michael Wenzel
24 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Alan sits down with Dr. Michael Wenzel (known to his YouTube fans as "Michael the Dentist") to discuss the transformative power of the dental microsc...
Kevin and Zach on Dental School Reunions
21 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Very Clinical podcast, Zach and Kevin take a nostalgic trip through the evolution of technology and the social dynamics of the ...
AME: The Nostalgia Playlist
20 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Alan explores why musical tastes often freeze in middle school and why a 54-year-old dentist still feels like he's in his twenties—until he sees the...
Very Dental: The Explicit Truth with Teresa Duncan
17 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Alan catches up with dental administration expert Teresa Duncan at the "posh" Chicago Midwinter Meeting press center to discuss the shifting landscap...
Very Dental: Dentistry in 2050 with Dr. Alex Kantor and Dr. Eric Applesies
14 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This special episode of the Very Dental Podcast flips the script, featuring Dr. Alan Mead as a guest on the Just a Couple of Dentists podcast with hos...
AME: Outrunning the Discounts with Dr. Bart Schultz
13 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Alan catches up with his longtime friend and dental school classmate, Dr. Bart Schultz. The duo takes a nostalgic and candid look back at Al's "super ...
Very Dental: Why Dentistry is Still a "Safe Bet" for Lenders with Kirk Dewart
10 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Alan sits down with Kirk Dewart of US Bank to pull back the curtain on the world of dental practice finance. With 15 years of experience in the health...
Very Clinical: The Skeptical Patient
07 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Zach and Kevin are joined by Alan to navigate the murky waters of patient skepticism. The trio explores the frustration of the "impasse"—when clinic...
AME: It's Only Rock and Roll
06 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Alan returns from a 1,000-mile Spring Break 2026 road trip to share reflections on family, travel, and a "brain-breaking" visit to the Rock and Roll H...
Very Dental: Sound Check with Papa Randy (aka: Dr. Randy Houska)
03 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this "impromptu soundcheck" turned full-length conversation, Alan sits down with the legendary Dr. Randy Houska (affectionately known as Papa Randy...
Very Clinical: Experience Isn't Everything
31 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Kevin and Zach are joined by Alan once again, this time to dive into a candid discussion about the humbling realities of long-term dental practice. T...
AME: Confessions of a Dentist Doing Hygiene
30 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Alan reflects on a recent shift in his clinical routine: stepping back into the role of a dental hygienist due to staffing transitions and vacations. ...
Very Dental: Selling Your Dental Practice in 2026 with Jack Minahan
27 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Alan is joined by Jack Minahan from Henry Schein Practice Transitions for a deep dive into the modern landscape of dental practice sales, recorded liv...
Very Dental Classics: The Art of the Believable Tooth with Dr. Jason Smithson
26 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In honor of this weekend's Spear Summit, this episode of Very Dental Classics features a conversation with the legendary Dr. Jason Smithson on a Frid...
AME: Trusting Your Gut
23 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Alan reflects on the fine line between clinical intuition and cognitive bias. Sparked by a failed trivia question about SpongeBob SquarePants, Alan d...
Very Dental: The 33% Solution with Dr. Deren Flesher
20 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
You're missing 33% of incoming calls at your office. That's a huge deal. But what if there was a simple way to make sure you miss NONE of them? In th...
Very Dental Classics: Check Your Ego at the Operatory Door with Dr. Gregg Kinzer
19 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this "Classics" episode, Alan sits down with Dr. Gregg Kinzer at the 2022 Spear Summit to discuss the long-awaited return of in-person dental educa...
AME: New Toys
16 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Alan dives into the rejuvenating power of a tech refresh in the dental operatory. After a brief detour discussing the bittersweet postseason fate of t...
Very Dental: Dr. Matt Burton on the Renewable (Profit) Resource of Dentistry
13 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Alan sat down with Dr. Matt Burton to talk shop in a "swanky" new Chicago Dental Society podcast lounge that's a far cry from the usual exhibit hall ...
Very Dental Classics: A Conversation with Dr. Frank Spear
10 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
"If people don't value dental health, I don't care if it's free. They're not doing it." — Dr. Frank Spear In this "Very Dental Classics" throwbac...
AME: Bad Influencer
09 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Alan reflects on the grogginess of "springing forward" and why he's perfectly content being a "bad influencer" in an era of highly curated dental cont...
Very Dental: Two Years to Life with Dr. Tiana Hall
06 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Very Dental Podcast, Alan sits down with Dr. Tiana Hall at the 2026 Voices of Dentistry meeting in Gilbert, Arizona, to explore...
Very Clinical: Ask Us Anything, Again!
03 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Today's Very Clinical Throwback episode brings us back to November 2023 with Kevin and Zach at their very best answering scenarios with a voluminous "...
AME: The Withering Gaze and the Obituaries
02 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Alan balances the local charm of a family trip to the Henry Ford Museum with the heavy, often unspoken emotional realities of a "mom-and-pop" dental p...
Very Dental: Relatability is the New Flossing with Whitney DiFoggio
27 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this high-energy episode recorded live at the 2026 Chicago Midwinter Dental Meeting, Alan once again sits down with Whitney DiFoggio, better known ...
Very Clinical: "Crushing It" with Zach and Al
24 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This throwback episode is actually an older episode of Very Dental featuring one of the amazing co-hosts of Very Clinical! In this wide-ranging "shop ...
AME: The Price of Dabbling
23 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
"I'm excited for this disruption. I'm excited for the 'price of dabbling' to come down... I'm okay with high-quality products that are less expensive ...
Group Function: Bread and Butter Reality with Dr. Mitch Hopkins, Dr. Russell Schafer and Dr. Matt Standridge
20 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
"Instagram is dentistry and Facebook is where friends and family are... Instagram is like meth, I can't get off it." — Alan Mead Alan sits down with...
Very Clinical: The Olds
17 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Kevin and Zack welcome back Dr. Alan Mead for a discussion of modern geriatric dentistry. It's not as much a recipe book for treating older patients...
AME: 8 Essential Truths About High-Magnification Dentistry
16 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Alan dives deep into his decades-long journey with high magnification dentistry. In this episode, Alan breaks down why high-powered magnification isn'...
Very Dental Extra: Chicago Midwinter Preview with Dr. Phil Schefke, President of the Chicago Dental Society
14 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This special Saturday episode of the Very Dental Podcast is all about the upcoming Chicago Midwinter Dental Meeting! Alan Mead sits down with Dr. Phi...
Very Dental: The $500,000 Question with Dr. Paul Etchison
13 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
"I think we're reaching a breaking point where people are starting to reflect and say, 'Man, I don't know if the juice is worth the squeeze anymore.'...
Very Clinical: The "Resurrected" Patient...Sometimes They Come Back
10 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Zach and Kevin welcome Alan back to the show by commiserating over those moments where you look at your schedule and wonder why you (or your past self...
AME: Injection Molding with TSS and Scanning with Elves
09 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Alan discusses his "whirlwind" travel plans for the Chicago Midwinter Meeting, reviews the new Bioclear TSS Matrix system, and shares his first impre...
Group Function: The "Regular Ass" Dentist's Guide to Selling Your Practice with Dr. Alex Kantor and Dr. Eric Applesies
06 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 Dentist...
Very Dental: Turf Battles and Surgery on Awake People with Dr. Abe Hoellrich
30 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Alan sits down with Dr. Abe Hoellrich in Scottsdale, Arizona, during the Voices of Dentistry conference! Abe's practice focuses on sed...
Very Clinical: OG Dental Social Media
27 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Very Clinical podcast, Zach and Kevin explore the evolution of social media within the dental profession, tracing the landscape...
Very Dental: The Crazy Way to Lower Your Overhead with Jay Glazer
23 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Recorded live from VoD 2026 in Gilbert, Arizona Alan is joined by Jay Glazer from Crazy Dental to tackle the rising costs of running a dental practice...
Very Dental Classics: Live from VoD...The Dental Hacks Reunion!
16 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This throwback episode was originally recorded live from the main stage at Voices of Dentistry 2022 where the original Dental Hacks—Dr. Alan Mead an...
Very Dental Classics: Is Zirconia Too Strong? Protocols for Posterior Restorations with Dr. Mike DiTolla
09 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this classic episode Dr. Mike DiTolla returns to the show to break down the clinical realities of working with zirconia. After sharing a humorous a...
Very Dental Classics: Sugar, Science and Dr. Rella Christensen
02 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This classic Dental Hacks episode features a long-form interview with Dr. Rella Christensen of TRAC Research (formerly CRA). The discussion covers the...
Very Clinical: New Year, New Gear with Dr. Gary Holtzclaw and Dr. Erin Elliott
30 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's New Year's Eve Eve! Zach and Kevin return to close out the year with returning guests Dr. Gary Holtzclaw and Dr. Erin Elliott. In this final epis...
AME: Hitting Pause and Rewind in 2026
29 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this candid episode, Alan announces he is taking a hiatus from recording new content for the Very Dental Podcast Network. Feeling momentarily "tapp...
Very Dental: Facially Generated Success, a conversation with Dr. Frank Spear and Dr. Gregg Kinzer
26 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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....
A Very Clinical Christmas with Dr. Erin Elliott and Dr. Gary Holtzclaw
23 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join hosts Zach and Kevin for the annual Very Clinical holiday wrap-up! This week, they welcome back the recurring year-end duo, Dr. Erin Elliott and ...
AME: Getting Your Head Straight for the Holidays
22 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this holiday edition, Alan starts off feeling the weight of the Winter Solstice and a bit of "podcasting burnout," questioning whether an audio vet...
Very Dental Classics: It's the Airway, Stupid with Dr. Jeff Rouse
19 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This throwback Dental Hacks episode features one of Alan and Jason's classic airway discussions with Dr. Jeff Rouse. This was recorded at the 2018 DS ...
Very Clinical: Keep CADCAMing with Dr. Dhaval Patel
16 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kevin and Alan are joined again by Dr. Dhaval Patel to discuss the significant shifts occurring in digital dentistry, moving beyond the traditional CE...
AME: 363 Days
15 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Alan explores the state of prevention in dentistry, inspired by his constant sense of smelling periodontitis everywhere. He argues that while the prof...
Very Dental: AI Skepticism with Dr. Gary Holtzclaw
12 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
AI is in the conversation all the time these days. Most people are convinced that the productivity gains that AI promises are all to the good, but is ...
Very Clinical: You Won't Know if You Don't Ask with Dr. Dhaval Patel
09 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On the Very Clinical podcast we're suckers for a good story, and our guest, Dr. Dhaval Patel tells one of the best ones we've ever heard! Kevin and...
Very Dental Student: Mo on Boards and Externships!
08 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Very Dental Student Podcast, host Mohamed Abo-Basha and Dr. Alan Mead discuss his journey through the fall semester of his D4 y...
Very Dental: One Move Makes All the Difference with Dr. Martin Mendelson
05 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Alan is joined once again by Dr. Martin Mendelson to talk about about his new book, 'One Move Makes All the Difference.' They discuss the journey of w...
Very Clinical: Dr. Nate Lawson in 3D!
02 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this throwback episode of the Very Clinical Podcast, hosts Zach and Kevin are joined by Dr. Nate Lawson to dive into the evolving world of 3D print...
AME: The Beginner's Mindset
01 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Alan opens the episode by discussing his experiences teaching his two sons, particularly his youngest, Jacob, how to drive. This experience, which he ...
Very Dental: The $10,000 Bioclear Tooth and Other Tales with Dr. David Clark
28 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode features host Alan welcoming back guest Dr. David Clark, the founder of the Bioclear Method, for an insightful and entertaining discussio...
Very Clinical: Three Parts of a Dental Career with Dr. Frank Clayton
25 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Very Clinical Podcast, hosts Zach and Kevin welcome back special guest Dr. Frank Clayton for a deep-dive conversation sharing e...
AME: The Average Dentist
24 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Alan reflects on his self-described "average" skill level as a dentist and explores how adopting prescriptive, systematic approaches can help practit...
Very Dental: The Long Run with Andrew Johnston
21 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is a special interview where Alan is the guest! He's interviewed by his long-time friend and podcasting colleague, Andrew Johnston, the ...
Very Clinical: Stepping Away with Dr. Frank Clayton
18 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode features hosts Zach and Kevin, who welcome returning guest Dr. Frank Clayton to discuss the psychology and process of retiring from denti...
AME: Entropy and Reading Directions
17 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Alan reflects on his recent return to the Bioclear Learning Center, an experience that served as a powerful system reset for his restorative dentistry...
Very Dental: An Evening with Dr. Lance Timmerman
14 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode features host Dr. Alan Mead sitting down with his friend, Dr. Lance Timmerman, in the artsy Hotel Murano lobby in Tacoma, Washington, whi...
Very Clinical: Tissue Issues: Grafting and Recession
11 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hosts Zach and Kevin put the sports talk (mostly) aside to dive deep into a critical area of everyday dentistry: various scenarios involving soft and ...
AME: Recommendation Engine--Tacoma Edition
10 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Alan records from his hotel in Tacoma, Washington, after finishing day three of a four-day Bioclear anterior and posterior certification course. Desp...
Very Dental: Dr. Tim Anderson has the Midas Touch
07 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Alan sits down once more with Dr. Tim Anderson to dive deep into the rapidly evolving landscape of digital dentistry. The episode begins with a hilari...
Very Clinical: Pickleball and Perio
04 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Zach and Kevin kick off this episode by catching up and discussing a shared, recent hobby: pickleball. They share their experiences, the learning curv...
AME: Intentional Culture
03 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Alan gets candid about the concept of intentional culture, reflecting on his own experience taking over a dental practice where the culture was largel...
Very Dental: Confessions of a CE Junkie with Dr. Lance Timmerman
31 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Alan welcomes his first-ever podcast guest, Dr. Lance Timmerman, back to the show for a candid look at the life of a "CE Junkie." Lance shares his ext...
Very Clinical: More Value, Less Grind with Dr. Sully Sullivan
28 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This throwback episode of the Very Clinical Podcast features hosts Kevin and Zach welcoming back Dr. Sully Sullivan to discuss his involvement with 3D...
AME: Transparency and Your Overhead
27 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Alan shares his recent findings on dental supply purchasing, questioning the long-standing industry model where dentists pay a premium for the conveni...
Brain Trust: Audio, Print and Influence with Julieanne O'Connor and Michael Keeter
24 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Back in August Alan talked with guests Julianne O'Connor and Michael Keeter, the founders of Influential Dental. They discussed the company's effort...
Very Clinical Takeover: Al's Crown Prep Hacks
21 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Alan Mead steps in for Zach and Kevin in this "Very Clinical Takeover" episode to share his efficient and refined workflow for single-tooth crown ...