This throwback episode was originally recorded live from the main stage at Voices of Dentistry 2022 where the original Dental Hacks—Dr. Alan Mead and Dr. Jason Lipscomb—reunite for a hilarious and nostalgic session. The duo kicks things off by catching up on life since their "breakup" and going head-to-head in a competition to determine who has endured the worst patient horror story of the pandemic era. Later in the show, the classic Brain Trust format returns as Dr. Mark Costes and Dr. Justin Moody join the stage for a round of "Ask Us Anything." The panel covers a wide range of topics, including their surprising hobbies outside of dentistry, pandemic takeaways, and critical advice regarding practice startups versus acquisitions for the next generation of dentists.

Join the Very Dental Facebook Group using one of these passwords: Timmerman, Bioclear, Hornbrook, Gary, 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!

I’m a big fan of the Bioclear Method! I think you should give it a try and I’ve got a great offer to help you get on board! Use the exclusive Very Dental Podcast code VERYDENTAL8TON for 15% OFF your total Bioclear purchase, including Core Anterior and Posterior Four day courses, Black Triangle Certification, and all Bioclear products.

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 “VERYSHIP” you’ll get free shipping on 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!

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 and humbling story about his recent shoulder surgery and the universality of missed nerve blocks, Mike shifts focus to the material science of modern dentistry. He details the specific use cases for full-strength versus translucent zirconia, explains why he treats cement margins like narrow Class V restorations, and offers precise protocols for adjusting and polishing without damaging the ceramic. From the "Lipscomb Scale" of removal difficulty to the critical importance of decontamination after try-in, this conversation offers practical, universal solutions for simplifying the zirconia workflow.

Join the Very Dental Facebook Group using one of these passwords: Timmerman, Bioclear, Hornbrook, Gary, 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!

I’m a big fan of the Bioclear Method! I think you should give it a try and I’ve got a great offer to help you get on board! Use the exclusive Very Dental Podcast code VERYDENTAL8TON for 15% OFF your total Bioclear purchase, including Core Anterior and Posterior Four day courses, Black Triangle Certification, and all Bioclear products.

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 “VERYSHIP” you’ll get free shipping on 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!

This classic Dental Hacks episode features a long-form interview with Dr. Rella Christensen of TRAC Research (formerly CRA). The discussion covers the history of independent product evaluation, the challenges of maintaining objectivity in dental research, and significant findings regarding restorative materials and caries management. The original interview had really poor sound quality but a little help from an Adobe AI filter really cleared it up. This interview was worth another listen, I think!

Key Interview Highlights

1. The Origins and Ethics of TRAC Research

• History: The organization began in 1976 (founded by Gordon Christensen) with the goal of collecting subjective data from clinicians to create objective "Consumer Reports" style rankings for dentistry.

• Unbiased Stance: Dr. Christensen emphasized that TRAC is a non-profit foundation that accepts no funding from manufacturers. If a company refuses to provide a product for testing (often fearing a negative review), TRAC purchases it on the open market to ensure the data is captured.

• The "File Drawer" Effect: They discussed how negative research is rarely published in journals due to corporate influence in dental schools and editorial boards. TRAC aims to publish the truth, even when it is negative.

2. Restorative Materials: The Zirconia Revolution

• 10-Year Study Results: Dr. Christensen detailed a 10-year study comparing various ceramic systems.

  • The Failure: Zirconia substructures (like Lava) survived well, but the veneering ceramics (porcelain layered on top) had massive failure rates (chipping and cracking).

  • The Winner: The study pointed toward monolithic zirconia (specifically BruxZir) and lithium disilicate (e.max) as the most durable options.

• Translucency Warning: She noted that as manufacturers push for more translucent (anterior) zirconia, they often lower the flexural strength (from ~1200 MPa to ~600 MPa). She cautioned that the long-term fracture toughness of these newer, "prettier" zirconias was still unknown at the time

3. The "Bombshell": Enamel Remineralization & Caries

• The Study: TRAC performed an in-depth clinical study on 330 orthodontic patients (high risk for white spot lesions). They tested various protocols including MI Paste, Fluoride Varnish, Ozone, and Xylitol against a control group.

• The Result: None of the products performed statistically better than the control group (who did nothing special), with the exception of PreviDent 5000, which was only marginally better.

• The Conclusion: Dr. Christensen concluded that you cannot arrest caries or remineralize enamel if the patient's diet is not addressed. She stated that dental caries is "the only infectious disease we attempt to treat while allowing the cause [sugar] to continue."

Join the Very Dental Facebook Group using one of these passwords: Timmerman, Bioclear, Hornbrook, Gary, 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!

I’m a big fan of the Bioclear Method! I think you should give it a try and I’ve got a great offer to help you get on board! Use the exclusive Very Dental Podcast code VERYDENTAL8TON for 15% OFF your total Bioclear purchase, including Core Anterior and Posterior Four day courses, Black Triangle Certification, and all Bioclear products.

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 “VERYSHIP” you’ll get free shipping on 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!

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. Gregg Kinzer. This interview was originally released back in 2018 and it marked the first time Jason, Frank, and Gregg sat down together on the podcast, delivering a conversation packed with history, philosophy, and actionable practice management advice.

The conversation traces the evolution of dental continuing education, moving from Frank’s early days of disjointed lectures to the structured, curriculum-based approach of the Spear Center today. The group discusses the dynamics of Frank and Gregg’s successful 20-year partnership, emphasizing the importance of shared vision over finding a "clone." They provide deep insights into patient communication, specifically how to filter new patients using the "Emergency Room vs. Mayo Clinic" analogy and how to re-engage long-time patients in comprehensive care without making them feel neglected. Finally, they cover the importance of fighting burnout through clinical growth and the future of restorative dentistry, including the integration of airway health and online team education.

Some links from the show:

• Periowise Periodontal Probes
• Jason: BeadSmith 3mm Hooked Dimple Pliers
• Alan: Ugly Delicious

Join the Very Dental Facebook Group using one of these passwords: Timmerman, Bioclear, Hornbrook, Gary, 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!

I’m a big fan of the Bioclear Method! I think you should give it a try and I’ve got a great offer to help you get on board! Use the exclusive Very Dental Podcast code VERYDENTAL8TON for 15% OFF your total Bioclear purchase, including Core Anterior and Posterior Four day courses, Black Triangle Certification, and all Bioclear products.

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 “VERYSHIP” you’ll get free shipping on 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!

Al features and interview of his co-host of the Dental Hacks Podcast, Dr. Jason Lipscomb! First released on April 26, 2019 Al and JLips talk about dental school, boards, early career steps and a whole lot more.

Key Points:

• The challenges and anxieties of dental school: the guys share their personal experiences with the demanding curriculum, preclinical lab work, and board exams. They discuss the pressure to succeed and the lack of mental health support available at the time.
• The transition from dental school to practice: Jason recounts his early career experiences, including awkward interviews, temping as a hygienist, and ultimately stumbling into practice ownership. He highlights the importance of having a supportive team and mentors during this transition.
• Reflections on practice ownership: Jason and Al discuss the challenges and rewards of owning a dental practice, including the importance of building a strong team, creating efficient systems, and finding personal satisfaction in clinical work.
• Favorite and least favorite aspects of dentistry: The guys share their favorite and least favorite classes in dental school, as well as their ideal clinical days. They discuss the importance of finding a balance between productivity and personal enjoyment in dentistry.

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

Welcome to the very first episode of what I'm calling "Very Dental Classics!" In this inaugural episode, we delve into the archives and revisit a captivating Dental Hacks Podcast episode from September 2020. Join me along with my co-host Dr. Jason Lipscomb and guests Dr. Mark Costes, Dr. Brad Keener as they share their personal experiences of facial trauma and reconstruction.

This episode offers a unique perspective on dentistry, highlighting the patient experience and the impact it can have on one's life and career path. Mark and Brad recount their accidents, the subsequent treatments and how these events shaped their outlook on dentistry.

Key Takeaways:

• Nostalgia in the time of COVID: The episode begins with a discussion about seeking comfort in nostalgia during challenging times, particularly revisiting the 80s.
• The Time Machine Question: The hosts contemplate what advice they would give themselves if they could travel back to January 2020, knowing what they know now about the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Silver Linings: Despite the difficulties of 2020, the hosts share unexpected positive outcomes that emerged from the COVID era.
• Facial Trauma and Reconstruction: Mark and Brad recount their experiences with facial trauma, detailing their accidents, surgeries, and the long road to recovery.
• Impact on Dentistry: Both dentists discuss how their personal experiences with dental trauma and reconstruction have influenced their approach to patient care, emphasizing empathy and understanding.

Some links from the show:

• Zirc Dental Products Color Method

Go Hack Yourself:

Jason: Duncan Trussell on Joe Rogan

Mark: mergers with the selling dentist holding paper (banks aren't lending, yo)

Brad: Crossfit

Alan: "Harley Quinn" season 2

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