The Very Dental Podcast Network

Very Dental: Dr. Frank Spear on 3 Things To Do for a Long, Happy Dental Career

20 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

"What amazes me is how much you can communicate with so few words." - Dr. Jeff Rouse on Dr. Frank Spear  The Spear Summit is very much like a family...

Very Clinical: You Need a Crown on #2

17 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Let's say you need a crown on #2. And let's say you could magically prepare the crown on yourself using your own workflow. What material do you use? H...

Shorts: Another Opinion on Second Opinions

16 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Are people that seek a second opinions more likely to "hear what they want to hear" from a second opinion? What kind of biases do patients and provide...

Very Dental: "The Great Hygiene Migration" with Amy Morgan

13 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

"...a hygiene dollar, even in the best of times, has at best a 15-20% profit margin. A doctor dollar has up to 60%..." -Amy Morgan Amy Morgan will giv...

Very Clinical: Dr. Nate Lawson is an ICON!

10 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

"...on the conservativeometer..." --Zach Kevin and Zach are once again joined by Dr. Nate Lawson, this time to talk about the the minimally invasive ...

Shorts: Second Opinion

09 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When you hear the term "second opinion," what does through your mind? Al talks about his experience with a second opinion that's changed a lot about h...

Group Function: Dentistry Has a Denture Problem with Dr. Russell Schafer and Dr. Jason Lipscomb

06 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Alan is joined by Dr. Russell Schafer and Dr. Jason Lipscomb to talk about dentures, digital design and AirBnBs. Dentistry has a denture problem. Many...

Very Clinical: Kevin, Zach and Dr. Nate Lawson are OnlayFans

03 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

"Shillingburg." *mic drop* --Kevin Kevin and Zach are joined by repeat guest Dr. Nate Lawson to talk about onlays and partial coverage restorations! N...

Shorts: Do It Now!

02 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

That pile on your desk. You know the one. There are probably lots of tasks that come from that pile. And it mocks you. Al tells a little story of how ...

Very Dental: Some Days You're a Badass, Some Days You Want To Cry with Toothlife Irene

30 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Toothlife.Irene (aka: Irene Iancu) is a Canadian dental hygienist and practice owner. She opened a dental practice in Toronto during the pandemic. Sh...

Very Clinical: SVDV Rings In the New Year (also Digital Bite Splints and Photogrammetry)

27 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

SVDV (aka: Dr. Shawn Van de Vyver) joins Kevin and Zach for some incredibly sad New Year stories and a bunch of digital dentistry goodness! Shawn expl...

Shorts: Digital Design for Regular Dentists with Dr. Russell Schafer

26 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Russell Schafer joins Al for a wide ranging conversation covering podcasting, some courses he's putting together and most importantly how regular ...

Group Function: We Are All Content Creators with Laura Maly and Michael Anderson of Wonderist

23 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We all have a content creation machine in our pocket. The question that Alan discusses with Laura Maly and Michael Anderson is about content creation?...

Very Clinical: Dr. Shawn Van de Vyver is Your (Exocad) Christmas Bonus!

20 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Kevin and Zach are bringing you Christmas joy in the form of Dr. Shawn Van de Vyver! Shawn bought Exocad awhile back and decided that he wanted to hel...

Shorts: Don't Talk About It

19 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When you're upset about something, should you talk it out with a trusted friend? Well, that kind of depends on whether or not you want to do something...

Dentist Owner to Owner Dentist with Dr. Paul Etchison

16 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Paul Etchison is a dentist, practice owner, podcaster, coach and writer! Etch has recently released his second book entitled "Dental Practice Hero...

Very Clinical: After Awhile, Procodile with Dr. John Olmstead

13 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Kevin and Zach are joined again by Dr. John Olmsted. John is from High Point, North Carolina and teaches at UNC Chapel Hill in the endodontics departm...

Shorts: Dentures Are Like Marriage with Less Sex featuring Dr. Russell Schafer

12 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Russell Schafer joins Al to discuss denture patients and denture struggles. We refer to a couple classic papers that are worth a read: Difficult D...

Very Dental: Dr. Gregg Kinzer's Wish List

09 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Gregg Kinzer sat down for a conversation with Alan back in September at the incomparable Spear Summit! For those that aren't familiar with Gregg, ...

Very Clinical: The Mercedes of Endo Motors with Dr. John Olmsted

06 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Kevin and Zach are joined by an endodontist by the name of Dr. John Olmsted. John is from High Point, North Carolina and teaches at UNC Chapel Hill in...

Shorts: Congruency

05 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Al talks about his struggles to be congruent with what he believes to be the best way to practice dentistry...through a microscope. Also how he's atte...

Group Function: 3Shape, Medit and Everything Digital with CAD-Ray

02 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

If you're in to digital dentistry, you need to be working with CAD-Ray. Alan joined Dr. Armen Mirzayan, Damien Bonner and Jon Acker of CAD-Ray at thei...

Very Clinical: Confidence in Verbal Skills

29 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Kevin and Zach expand their discussion about verbal skills that they've developed for moving patients past potential objections.  Some links from the...

Shorts: Emails to Yourself

28 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Al shares an easy and free "time traveling" tool to help give you some perspective on life events and how anxiety is usually making payments on a bill...

Very Dental: An Army of Walking Billboards with Dr. Addison Killeen

25 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Alan is joined again by Dr. Addison Killeen! Addison has owned multiple practices, has bought existing practices and done startups. He has interesting...

Very Clinical: Invisalign Soft Skills

22 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Kevin and Zach talk about the soft skills involved with the Invisalign process! Whether it's how to sell it or how to talk about expectations, Kevin d...

Shorts: A Knowledge Problem?

21 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Is dental disease a lack of knowledge? Or is it more a lack of discipline or application of this knowledge in a patient's day to day life? Can we appr...

Very Dental: Dallas Teeth vs. Cornwall Teeth with Dr. Jason Smithson

18 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Jason Smithson sat down with Alan in September for an expansive conversation at the Spear Summit in Scottsdale, AZ! Their conversation ranged from...

Very Clinical: All Things Endo with Dr. Ash Mark

15 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this throwback episode Zach and Kevin talked with the incomparable Dr. Ash Mark of of All Things Dentistry Youtube page fame! Ash showered! He’s ...

Shorts: A Terrible Coupon

14 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A little rant about how patients misunderstand dental benefits. Some links from the show: My OG blog post: "A Gift Card From a Control Freak" (forgiv...

Very Dental: The Future of Continuing Education is Hands-On with Dr. Taher Dhoon

11 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Taher Dhoon created The Colorado Surgical Institute to teach dentists to place dental implants, among other things. He's a practice owner and one ...

Very Clinical: Use Your Cube with 2Kevins

08 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Kevin Nail joins Kevin and Alan again for more hot Acteon Piezotome Cube talk!  What is the best cookie? Intralift Kit Bone Surgery Kit Sinu...

Shorts: Touching Grass

07 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Al discusses two of his favorite strategies for blowing off steam and living a more peaceful existence. For the record neither of them includes "build...

Very Dental: Dr. Bob Winter on Preparation, Magnification and Being Vulnerable

04 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Bob Winter joined Alan for a wide ranging conversation. Bob teaches the legendary "Restorative Design" workshop on campus at Spear Education. Some...

Very Clinical: 2Kevins Gleaming the Cube with Dr. Kevin Nail

01 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Kevin welcomes Dr. Kevin Nail and fellow podcast host Alan Mead to talk about using the Acteon Piezotome Cube! Do you like surgery? Would you like to...

Shorts: Mead's Law

31 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A little riff on electric handpieces, dental gadgets and removing barriers to using cool new gear! Some links from the show: Crazy Dental's Very Dent...

Very Dental: Consciously Creating Habits with Dr. Martin Mendelson

28 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Martin Mendelson took a break from running the Spear Summit to have a chat with Alan! Some of the topics they covered were: Spear Education and t...

Very Clinical: Teenage Dirtbag (Operative)

25 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Once again Kevin and Zach are joined by Alan Mead to talk about the struggles (and triumphs?) that come along with the dental treatment of teenagers! ...

Shorts: CAD-Ray Fixes Scanner, Al Gets Taco Bell

24 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Al tells a little story about technology, really good technical support and getting lunch. Some links from the show: CAD-Ray CAD-Ray's browser based ...

Very Dental: "Eat Through Your Mouth, Breathe Through Your Nose" with Dr. Marianna Evans

21 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Marianna Evans is a dual specialty trained (perio/ortho) dentist who practices outside of Philadelphia! Marianna presented on the main stage at th...

Very Clinical: Teenage (Operative) Wasteland

18 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Kevin and Zach are joined by the other host of the Very Dental Podcast Network, Dr. Alan Mead, to talk about the troubles, trials and tribulations tha...

Shorts: Celebrating 5 Million Downloads with Zach and Kevin

17 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The whole Very Dental Podcast Network team comes together to celebrate 5 million downloads! Thanks everyone for listening and go tell a friend! Go get...

Very Dental: Don't Let Them Typecast Dr. Jeff Rouse!

14 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Alan welcomes back Dr. Jeff Rouse to the Very Dental podcast! Recorded at the Spear Summit 2022 back in September, the conversation is wide ranging as...

Very Clinical: Dr. Ray Bertolotti on Solving the Incredible Bulk (Fill)

11 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This throwback episode features Zach and Kevin talking to an adhesive dentistry pioneer!   Dr. Raymond Bertolotti is perhaps best known for introdu...

Shorts: No Comment

10 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Social media has changed us. Social media has allowed us to add our opinions and commentary to anything and everything. I’m completely guilty of thi...

Very Dental: You Need Dr. John Burgess on Your Shoulder

07 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Do you have advice that you've heard that you use on almost every single procedure? I do. And it came from today's guest, Dr. John Burgess. Dr. Burges...

Very Clinical: Bioactivity with Dr. Nate Lawson

04 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this throwback episode Zach and Kevin are joined again by Dr. Nate Lawson to wax poetic on bioactivity. What is it? If these bioactive ions are rel...

The Alan Mead Experience: Dr. Frank Clayton on Pig Farming and Single Tooth Dentistry

03 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Very Dental People...I give you an episode of the Alan Mead Experience from April 2018 featuring the one and only Dr. Frank Clayton!  In one of the g...

Very Dental: Dr. Gary DeWood on Believing It's Possible

30 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

"Why can't I talk to my patients like Gary does?" -me, quite often Alan is joined by Dr. Gary DeWood for another really good conversation about commu...

Very Clinical: Dr. Colin Lathrop on The Pathway (Implant and Otherwise)

27 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Kevin and Zach welcome back the one and only Dr. Colin Lathrop to talk about what's new in implant surgical education at the Implant Pathway!  Some l...

Shorts: Guard Rails

26 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Al discusses the idea of guard rails. Aka: boundaries. What are some things that you've chosen NOT to have in your life/practice/relationships that he...

Very Dental: Efficient Workflow Done Digitally with Dr. Darin Dichter

23 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Alan is joined by Dr. Darin Dichter for an in person interview at Spear Summit 2022! Spear Education is almost completely back to normal on campus! A...

Very Clinical: Sticking Ceramics to Teeth with Dr. Nate Lawson

20 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This throwback episode features dental materials superstar Dr. Nate Lawson talking about how to bond ceramic materials to teeth! Nate has an awesome I...

Shorts: Getting Access to the Lit with Dr. John Burgess

19 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As a clinician practicing dentistry we're obliged to use evidence based approaches. But access to the literature (aka: the evidence) is kind of limite...

Very Dental: Are Clear Aligners Right for Your Practice? with Dr. Avi Patel

16 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As you may have heard, everyone needs ortho. Specifically, many of your adult patients could benefit from some kind of orthodontic treatment. Once you...

Very Clinical: Next Steps in Tech

13 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Following the news of Zach's intraoral scanner epiphany, the guys discuss some options for the next step after incorporating a scanner! A lot of hot p...

Shorts: The Adult Treasure Chest

12 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

How do you let the patients that are a true pleasure to work on know that they are? In this episode Al rants about trying to be an excellent patient ...

Very Dental: A Scottsdale Story with Dr. Frank Spear and Dr. Gregg Kinzer

09 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

I've had the privilege to talk with Dr. Frank Spear and Dr. Gregg Kinzer on the podcast multiple times! The first time we ever had them on the podcast...

Very Clinical: Zach Jumps In to Digital Impressions!

06 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Kevin and Zach have returned from a short summer hiatus! Zach started using a Medit scanner and that's what the conversation centered on! How does an ...

Shorts: Phoning it In

05 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Who's paying attention to the patient experience at your office? Al rants about the fact that this often overlooked factor is mostly unimportant in a ...

Very Dental: Shrinking Dental Teams with Dr. Natalie Ballas

02 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Natalie Ballas is a dentist and practice owner in Canby, OR. Nat came out to Michigan to experience the Vedder Society last September and it's tak...

Very Clinical New Dentist Spectacular episode 8: Immediate Dentures!

30 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

More hot denture talk courtesy of our special guest Dr. Russell Schafer This time we get into immediate dentures and printed dentures.  Hot takes abo...

Shorts: Everyone Needs Ortho

29 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

If you're looking for it you realize that a vast majority of your adult patients would benefit from some kind of orthodontic intervention. Most of the...

Very Dental: FriedRiceTacoPizza with Dr. Gary Holtzclaw

26 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Gary Holtzclaw is a dentist and practice owner in Simpsonville, SC. Alan holds a special place in his hear for Gary because he was one of the very...

Very Clinical New Dentist Spectacular Episode 7: Dentures!

23 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Very Clinical guys reached out for help to talk about dentures. Apparently Zach, Mac and Kevin aren't red hot on full uppers and lowers. So they f...

Shorts: He Won!

22 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Just a little riff how much dentistry costs vs. how long it typically lasts. Join the Very Dental Facebook group using the password "Timmerman," Hor...

Very Dental: Is the Grass Greener? with Dr. Vince Buscemi

19 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Vince Buscemi is a dentist and podcaster from Michigan. He does his podcast with a partner, Dr. Jessical Gaul and it is called "ToothFaced the Pod...

Very Clinical New Dentist Spectacular Episode 6: Extractions!

16 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this throwback episode we feature Zach, Kevin and Dr. Mac Jones, the "Chuck Cunningham" of the early Very Clinical podcast!  Highlights today incl...

Shorts: Comparison is the Thief of Joy

15 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A riff on mountain biking and how comparing yourself to others can be pretty negative and is usually a waste of time. Join the Very Dental Facebook g...

Very Dental: "It Works in My Hands" with Dr. Frank Clayton

12 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Frank Clayton joins Alan for a rousing and wide ranging conversation about life and dentistry. Some of the topics include: Reminiscing about clas...

The Very Clinical New Dentist Spectacular episode 5: Sealants!

09 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

New dentists, take note! Not all dentists think that sealants are a wise preventive treatment! The very clinical guys, (Zach Meiners, Kevin Fryer, and...

Shorts: The Act of Measurement

08 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What metrics are you measuring? How does measurement affect long term outcomes? Whether it's tracking blood glucose, logging what you eat or checking ...

Very Dental: Measuring Success in Marketing with Michael Anderson of Wonderist

05 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Wonderist Agency is truly a one stop marketing solution. They take a personal and design centered approach to dental practice marketing. They've b...

Very Clinical: New Dentist Spectacular episode 4: Temporaries!

02 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

New (and used) dentists rejoice! In this riveting throwback episode, Kevin, Zach and Al discuss their methods for doing basic crown and bridge tempora...

Shorts: A Midsummer Recommendation Engine

01 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

After a restful July, Al has some things you should check out! From bicycle stuff, to podcasts to a switchblade knife, there's a little something for ...

Group Function: What Would You Do, 2? (Classic)

29 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Alan is joined by Dr. Dawn Kulongowski, Dr. Lance Timmerman, Dr. Jason Lipscomb and Dr. Frank Clayton to grapple with weird and difficult hypothetical...

Very Clinical New Dentist Spectacular episode 3: Tissue Retraction!

26 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this riveting throwback episode, each of the Very Clinical guys discusses their tissue retraction methods for crown and bridge impressions/scans. H...

Shorts: They Don't Talk About Money in Medicine with Dr. Bart Schultz

25 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this classic episode Dr. Bart Schultz joins Al to talk about medicine. Specifically some of the medical stuff that we've experienced in the last ye...

Very Dental: Dr. Nazariy Mykhaylyuk is a Sensation from Ukraine!

22 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Nazariy Mykhaylyuk is a phenomenon. He's a visionary microscope user, an amazing restorative dentist and he's changing how dentists learn restorat...

Very Clinical New Dentist Spectacular episode 2: Class III Composites!

19 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This summer we're featuring "clinical basics" from the Zach and Kevin (and others) that will benefit new dentists and grizzled veterans alike! Today's...

Shorts: Remember When Masks Were Scarce? with Dr. Craig Harder

18 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Remember a couple years ago when EVERYONE needed high quality masks and none were to be found? This throwback episode of the Shorts podcast features D...

Very Dental: Dr. Mike DiTolla Knows Zirconia

15 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Zirconia is widely used. Many love it, some hate it. But there aren’t many people that know more about it than the one and only Dr. Mike DiTolla! In...

Very Clinical New Dentist Spectacular episode 1: Local Anesthesia

12 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode begins a summer series featuring the amazing back catalog of Very Clinical episodes! July is the beginning of the careers of many new den...

Shorts: Check check 1-2, 1-2 (Dental Hacks Classic!)

11 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Years before COVID and the whole "Very Dental" thing, the Dental Hacks would show up at the Chicago Midwinter and record at a booth! This was a sound ...

Very Dental: How Did We Do? with Dr. Gary DeWood (A Dental Hacks Classic!)

08 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A little over two years ago our profession was faced with something we'd never experienced. The pandemic closed most of us down in March of 2020. We h...

Very Clinical: How to Retreat Endo with Dr. Ash Mark

05 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Ash Mark of "All Things Dentistry" joins Kevin and Zach again for an international podcast about endodontic retreats! Once you've decided to retre...

Shorts: The Unexpected Hole (Dental Hacks Classic!)

04 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Happy Independence Day 2022! This is a classic Dental Hacks episode that I think you're really going to enjoy! Jason and Alan discuss the best things...

Very Dental: The Biggest Group Practice in the World with Dr. Mike Mansell

01 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What if your patients always showed up and always accepted treatment? What if you could work with specialists of all kinds on whatever cases came your...

Very Clinical: When to Retreat Endo with Dr. Ash Mark

28 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Ash Mark of "All Things Dentistry" joins Kevin and Zach for an international podcast about endodontic retreats! When do you choose a retreat and w...

Shorts: 71°

27 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In late June, 71° is the coolest part of the day in central Michigan. In February or March, 71° is an amazing respite from winter! It's all about co...

Group Function: What Would You Do? (Classic)

24 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today's Group Function is a "classic." This was recorded back in the days of the Dental Hacks podcast, long before we were dealing with COVID. Alan is...

Very Clinical: Becoming Digital with Dr. Brad Mattison

21 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Something interesting is happening at Very Clinical this week! Zach goes against type and is trying a digital workflow for crown and bridge! Dr. Brad ...

Shorts: Finding the Flow State

20 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Do you recognize the flow state? You know, when you're super engaged and not distracted and everything just start coming together?  Al talks about th...

Very Dental: Make it Look Like a Car Payment with Dave Roehr

17 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

So much of our continuing education time is spent learning to do "big case" dentistry. For most patients the problem with selling life changing dentis...

Very Clinical: The "Plus" in Bulk EZ Plus with Dr. Brad Mattison

14 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Brad Mattison joins Zach and Kevin to talk about Zach's favorite material, Bulk EZ! It turns out that they are introducing a new and improved vers...

Shorts: Ode to the Contact Saw

13 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Al discusses one of the most underrated instruments on the restorative dentist's tray...the contact saw! Some links from the show: Qwikstrip ContacEZ...

Group Funtion: Cloud Software Built by Dentists for Dentists

10 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dental practice management software. Usually it's not the kind of thing that people get passionate about. Maybe you chose one back in 1998 and have ju...

Very Clinical: Kevin and Zach Wrap Up VoD!

07 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Kevin and Zach finally reach the last episode recorded at VoD 2022! They've done an amazing job and they tie up the VoD 2022 season in a nice, tight b...

Shorts: How to Keep Day to Day Dentistry Interesting!

06 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What do you do when the job gets monotonous? Dentistry is a great gig, but it's a pretty repetitive one. Sometimes we all could use some help keeping ...

Very Dental: Getting Hands On with Dr. Jason Smithson

03 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Alan is joined again by Dr. Jason Smithson to talk about the real benefits of "hands on" learning. Al recently went to Cosmedent to take a fundamental...