Today's special episode is brought to you by Microcopy Dental, the "single patient use" company!

Alan is joined by Cody Sunderland from Microcopy Dental. Microcopy is one of Alan's favorite companies and he's been using their single patient use burs and polishers for 20+ years!

Some topics we covered:

• How did Microcopy Dental get into the "single patient use" business? (the answer makes perfect sense)
• What makes Microcopy products different and better? (natural diamonds, single piece construction, etc. etc.)
• Microcopy is the sample company and their catalog is like a Christmas wish book!
• Microcopy Z-cutters (for removing zirconia)
• What do new users notice?
• Microcopy polishers!
• Al's single use bur "flex." 
• Why is single use important?
• How do they choose bur shapes and products?
• What are the best selling burs?
• Al's favorites
• Who is the toughest nut to crack? Dentists? Assistants?

Some links from the show:

• Microcopy Dental
• The Catalog
• Inverted Pear 0512C 
• Inverted Pear 0508M
• Crown preps 1214.8C 
• Very fine composite finishing burs

Go get a sample of your favorite bur shape!

Alan is joined again by Kate Reinert, a clinical efficiency consultant with our friends at Zirc Dental Products! We focused on the concept of "Lean Workflow" to achieve efficiency, free up time and increase profitability in dental practices!  Zirc Dental Products is a company that basically helps offices understand how much better things can be in the dental office!

Some topics we covered:

• How does the Color Method work to create a lean workflow
• Gathering data about existing clinical workflow and finding a "champion."
• Change is hard...how Zirc sets offices up for success!
• Digging into materials and instrument for each procedure
• It's not about tubs, trays or cassettes as much as the whole process.
• What is a lean process?
• Lean processes and dental hygiene
• Tub building
• Implementing the plan
• "Make ready" station and instrument processing
• Al's light bulb moment...the colors make it easy to bring instruments and materials together in the operatory so you'll have everything you need!
• Too lean vs. wasteful
• Office renovation vs. new design

Some links from the show:

• Zirc's website
• The Color Method
• Get your free sample of the Crystal HD mirror

Today's episode has been brought to you by our friends at Ivoclar!

Alan is joined by dental superstar Dr. David Rice! Dave and Al recently spent some time together at the Chicago midwinter and discuss David's thoughts on dental meetings and where they're going. 

Then they launched into a discussion about zirconia! Did you know that not all zirconia is the same? David has recently written an article for Dental Economics entitled "The Why's and Y's of Zirconia!" and it's the subject of today's episode!

• What's the difference between the strongest zirconia and the prettiest zirconia?
• 3Y-->5Y zirconia
• Ask your lab what they're using!
• Ivoclar's IPS e.max ZirCAD Prime zirconia 
• Preparing teeth for zirconia restorations
• Cementing vs. bonding zirconia restorations
• David on podcasting!

Some links from the show:

• IPS e.max ZirCAD Prime zirconia
• Dentistry Unmasked podcast
• Dental Economics
• Dentistry IQ
• ZirCAD Prime blocks (podcast coming soon!)

Alan is joined by Kate Reinert who is a dental assistant who now works with Zirc Dental Products as a clinical efficiency consultant. We had a wide ranging conversation where we talked about implementing new procedures (from the standpoint of the team) as well as helping find and fix "pain points" in clinical systems. Zirc Dental Products is a company that basically helps offices understand how much better things can be in the dental office!

Some topics we covered:

• implementing new procedures
• finding pain points
• the history of "processing dental instruments"
• Central Sterilization as the "heart of the dental office"
• "Instrument creep" and how cassettes can fix it
• Say no to cabinets and lean operatories
• Get Zirc involved DURING the design process
• Getting rid of the "hit by the bus" notebook and reducing training time
• The advantages of resin

Some links from the show:

• Zirc's website
• The Color Method
• Get your free sample of the Crystal HD mirror

"One of the key attributes of an invisible DSO is the doctor is still an owner and therefore continues to lead the practice as an owner. He's making all of the crucial decisions...not the DSO."

Chip Fichtner, Large Practice Sales

Alan is joined again by Chip Fichtner of Large Practice Sales to talk about an interesting practice model called "Invisible Dental Support Organization." 

We drill down on the concept and how it differs from a more traditional group/multiple practice as well as a traditional DSO. 

Does an invisible DSO sound like something that would be a good fit for you? Get in touch with Chip at Large Practice Sales!

The old model of practice sales went something like this. A doctor decides he wants to sell his practice. Someone helps him determine a sale price and it usually ends up somewhere between 60-80% of collections depending on your geographic area and the type of practice.

A dentist with a large practice will struggle to sell their practice to another dentist using this model for lots of reasons. But large practices are selling all over the country. What am I missing?

Chip Fichtner of Large Practice Sales joins me to talk about this interesting development. Chip explains the developments in the buying and selling of these practices and how younger dentists have new and interesting options to grow their existing large practices!