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!

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 Dr. Gary Holtzclaw. It is officially a tradition as Erin and Gary join the guys to break down how they are spending the holidays and what has changed in their lives over the last twelve months.

In this festive episode, the group shares their unique Christmas traditions, ranging from Icelandic rice pudding games to seafood feasts and tongue-in-cheek "virgin sacrifices." Beyond the holiday cheer, they dive into significant life updates. Kevin discusses the transition of selling his practice to become an associate and his growing obsession with pickleball. Erin shares the joys of empty nesting and her quest to visit every NFL stadium. Gary reveals why he deleted his social media accounts to reclaim his attention span and his commitment to taking real vacations, while Zach opens up about the realities of taking over full ownership of his family practice. It is a candid look at the personal and professional evolution of four dentists at different stages of their careers.

Join the Very Clinical Facebook group!

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 holiday edition, Alan starts off feeling the weight of the Winter Solstice and a bit of "podcasting burnout," questioning whether an audio veteran needs to pivot to video to stay relevant. However, he refuses to stay in a funk. Alan shares his real-time strategy for getting his head straight for the holidays, including a change of recording venue, hacking his own social media algorithms to remove toxicity, and finally getting back to the gym. He also shares updates on his practice's workflow, his renewed passion for Bioclear, and why you need to be in Arizona this January.

Some links from the show:

• Voices of Dentistry

• Go check out Bioclear from courses to gear to matrices, you can get 15% off your order with code: VeryDental8TON

• Crazy Dental: Get free shipping with code: VeryDentalShip

• Net32: Check out great pricing at net32.com/verydental

• Relevance Online Marketing: Mention "Very Dental" to get your setup fee waived.

• dr.mike on lemon water

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; please support the people who support us!

Crazy Dental has everything you need—from cotton rolls to equipment—at the best prices! Get an free shipping on your order by visiting verydentalpodcast.com/crazy and using coupon code VERYSHIP. Save money and support the show.

The Wonderist Agency is your one-stop shop for marketing your dental practice and brand. They cover everything from logo redesign to a full-service marketing plan. 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 Zumax microscopes! Boost your magnification/headlight game and support the podcast at verydentalpodcast.com/enova.

CAD-Ray offers the best service on a wide variety of digital scanners, printers, mills, and their own browser-based design software, Clinux. See the brand new scanner from Shining 3D, the Elf! Get the best service on all things digital dentistry at verydentalpodcast.com/CADRay!

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 World held in Orlando. Dr. Rouse elaborated on the Seattle Protocol and the essential approach to airway management in dentistry. Jeff broke down the differences between airway issues and sleep apnea, emphasizing the importance of nasal breathing and the role of night guards. He also addresses screening techniques using high-resolution pulse oximetry and cardiopulmonary coupling and the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration involving ENT specialists and orthodontists.

Some links from the show:

Jeff's links:

• Spear Education
• The Seattle Protocol

Links from the show:

Al's article in the November issue of Dental Economics: "7 tips to make anterior composites more predictable, profitable and fun"

Go Hack Yourself:

• Jason: Mindnode 5
• Alan: Foamies by Piksters

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!

Kevin and Alan are joined again by Dr. Dhaval Patel to discuss the significant shifts occurring in digital dentistry, moving beyond the traditional CEREC workflow. Dhaval explains that his highly popular online group, "Keep CERECing," was recently renamed "Keep CAD/CAMing" after he consulted with Dentsply Sirona's legal team regarding trademark usage, which prompted him to broaden the group's scope. This change has led to a natural expansion in technology focus, now encompassing the wider CAD/CAM landscape including 3D printing and 5-axis milling. Dhaval details how he uses 3D printing for models, surgical guides, and night guards, and leverages a 5-axis mill for larger, multi-unit cases and zirconia restorations, highlighting the cost efficiency and ability to run large jobs overnight. The conversation also explores the rise of dedicated, outsourced digital designers and the potential for artificial intelligence (AI) to handle design in the near future.

Some links from the show:

• Keep CADCAMing Facebook group
• Dhaval's Instagram
• Keep CADCAMing website (where you can find information about their upcoming meeting October 15-17th, 2026!)

Join the Very Clinical Facebook group!

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!

Alan explores the state of prevention in dentistry, inspired by his constant sense of smelling periodontitis everywhere. He argues that while the profession talks a good game about prevention, its core focus remains surgical intervention. Alan stresses that the success of dental health hinges on the 363 days of patient home care outside the office, yet dentists often fail to properly educate patients on effective techniques beyond generic instructions to "brush and floss." Drawing on insights from hygiene experts, he calls for a radical shift to front-load prevention—moving past a reliance on periodic exams to actively equipping patients with the customized tools and knowledge needed for effective, daily self-care.

Some links from the show:

• Michelle Strange's Instagram

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; please support the people who support us!

Crazy Dental has everything you need—from cotton rolls to equipment—at the best prices! Get an free shipping on your order by visiting verydentalpodcast.com/crazy and using coupon code VERYSHIP. Save money and support the show.

The Wonderist Agency is your one-stop shop for marketing your dental practice and brand. They cover everything from logo redesign to a full-service marketing plan. 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 Zumax microscopes! Boost your magnification/headlight game and support the podcast at verydentalpodcast.com/enova.

CAD-Ray offers the best service on a wide variety of digital scanners, printers, mills, and their own browser-based design software, Clinux. See the brand new scanner from Shining 3D, the Elf! Get the best service on all things digital dentistry at verydentalpodcast.com/CADRay!

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 that really true?

Alan is joined again by Dr. Gary Holtzclaw for a conversation that needs to be had. The conversation includes the role of AI in dentistry, skepticism towards new technologies, the evolution of social media, and the impact of sports betting on the integrity of sports. They explore the benefits and potential threats of AI, the changing landscape of social media interactions, and the implications of gambling in sports. The conversation highlights the need for critical thinking in the face of overwhelming information and the importance of maintaining integrity in both technology and sports.

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!

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 Alan (sorry, no Zach this episode, he's busy mourning the record of his Kansas City Chiefs) welcome Dr. Dhaval Patel to the show. Our plan was to talk about his journey into CAD-CAM dentistry and don't worry, we get there. But he tells the story of how he became a dentist in the US after his training in India and the story is AMAZING. Let's just say that Dhaval has taught us that you need to ask for the things that you want.

Following this amazing story, Dr. Patel recounts his unexpected introduction to CEREC technology in 2006, starting with a dust-collecting Red Cam unit at his Pacific Dental Services office. Despite initial skepticism from colleagues about "shitty crowns," a half-day training session with Dr. Bob Conrad ignited his passion for the technology, leading him to fully embrace it, become an owner-doctor, an early adopter of the Omnicam, a renowned speaker, and the founder of the popular Keep CERECing Facebook group in 2016. He concludes by announcing the upcoming Third Annual Keep CAD Camming meeting in Austin, October 15th-17th, 2026, which will expand beyond CEREC to cover a wider range of CAD/CAM and digital dentistry topics.

Some links from the show:

• Keep CADCAMing Facebook group
• Dhaval's Instagram
• Keep CADCAMing website (where you can find information about their upcoming meeting October 15-17th, 2026!)

Join the Very Clinical Facebook group!

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!