The Very Dental Podcast Network

In today's episode, we begin a discussion of continuing education. We bring together all kinds of CE junkies and talk about the good, the bad and the ugly of dental continuing education. In our interview segment, we talk to Dr. Mike Melkers. Dr. Melkers is a published researcher, teacher and admitted CE junkie. He's not ready to stop learning, but he assures us he can stop any time he wants. We discuss how new dentists (and experienced dentists who want to send their career in a new direction) should start their CE journey. What do you want to become? Where do you want to end up? What is the appropriate CE provider for you? In the Brain Trust segment, we bring together Dr. Lance Timmerman, Dr. Melissa Zettler and Dr. Tarun Agarwal to talk about their experiences for CE. How do you choose what you need to know? What's the best bang for your buck? GPR/AEGD? Or is T-bone's suggestion of a "PPR" (private practice residency) the best way to go. This conversation is really funny and really informative. If you're a CE junkie or only aspire to be, this episode is for you!

Alcoholism. Addiction. Chemical dependence. Whatever you call it, we don't talk about it much. Even though upwards of 15% of dentists are directly affected, it's something we don't talk about. Until now, that is. Today's episode of the DentalHacks podcast is a bit of a departure from our typical format. In this episode we present a conversation between two friends (Alan and Dr. Brett Kessler) who have direct experience with addiction. Both of us have multiple years of recovery from drug and alcohol addiction and you probably have never heard two dentists speak so openly and candidly about what we've been through and what we've seen. If you have any questions about the conversation I hope you'll email us at info@dentalhacks.com.

Last episode, Dr. Rob Ritter explained what it's like to be a speaker on the dental CE circuit. This episode we get down to business. We discuss his DIY website for his speaking business and how almost anyone can have an amazing web presence for next to no money. Take digital photos and show the world what you're doing for almost next to free. Then we talk about who dentistry has transitioned into an almost completely digital experience. He discusses digital impression scanners in depth (he's tried all of them) and gives his recommendation as well as what we should be looking for in the near future. Rob is a font of knowledge on materials and techniques and we've only just scratched the surface! Look for him to be a guest again! Then we pick up where we left off with the Brain Trust's marketing round table. What are the keys to having a successful direct mail campaign? Can Facebook marketing work for dentists? How about TV and radio? Magazines? The Brain Trust weighs in on all of this. Join previous DentalHacks interview guests Dr. Lance Timmerman and Dr. Ryan McCall as well as Brain Trust regulars Dr. Matt Standridge, Dr. Matt Garrison and Dr. Melissa Zettler as they continue discussing what works and what doesn't in dental marketing!

This week, the DentalHacks podcast features Dr. Rob Ritter. Rob is a dentist in Jupiter, FL that focuses primarily on cosmetic dentistry. He's got a lot to share on both clinical and practice management issues, but today's episode went off on an interesting tangent. Rob has been speaking to dental groups for quite some time and at one time was doing 40 or more presentations per year! So we talked to him about how get got started being a featured CE speaker, what he loves about it and what he doesn't love so much about it. Anyone who's ever thought they'd like to get into speaking to dentists will find this interview very enlightening! Also in episode 21 the Brain Trust turns their incredible intellect and experience toward dental marketing. We welcome back our first two interviewees, Dr. Lance Timmerman and Dr. Ryan McCall as well as Brain Trust regulars Dr. Matt Standridge, Dr. Matt Garrison and Dr. Melissa Zettler! Have you ever wondered what marketing works the best? How important is your location and sign? How can you track the ROI of any given marketing? Should you try direct mail? These guys have tried it all! The good, the bad and the ugly. And they might just save you from an expensive marketing mistake! DO NOT MISS THIS EPISODE!

This week's show picks up with the second half of our interview with Kevin Henry. Kevin is the Group Content and Editorial Director at Advanstar Communications. Kevin spends some time talking about dental publishing, its history and its future. For instance, he thinks that there will always be a place for print (magazines) as most people won't take their iPad in the bathtub. We talk a little bit about how selling to dentists has changed and also how an aspiring dental writer could have their writing published. Finally, Kevin weighs in on who's up and coming in the dental education world. Another DentalHacks interview not to be missed! In today's Brain Trust segment we continue talking about the question: "if you could only do one procedure for the rest or your career, what would it be?" They talk about new patients and delivering bad news along with the near universal love of immediate dentures. Then the Brain Trust moves in a different direction. If you could choose a procedure to NEVER do again, what would it be? You can get to know Dr. Matt Garrison in today's episode along with veteran Brain Trust members Dr. Dawn Kulongowski, Dr. Tammy Bailey and Dr. Tiffany Lee for another legendary segment!

This week's interview features Kevin Henry. Kevin is the Group Content and Editorial Director at Advanstar Communications. What that means is he's involved (and has been involved) with the production of online content as well as dental magazine publishing. Have you heard of "Dental Products Report?" Yeah...that's him! In today's episode Kevin shares what he's learned about dental teams. And it's a lot! We talk about dental office managers and what they can do for your practice as well as finding the best training for dental teams! In today's Brain Trust segment we're asked the question: "if you could only do one procedure for the rest or your career, what would it be?" The answers from our Brain Trust are enlightening and hilarious! We get down to the nuts and bolts of extractions and direct composite restorations. This is "can't miss" content for anyone who takes teeth out or places composites! We introduce a new member, Dr. Matt Garrison, in today's episode as well. Matt joins veterans Dr. Dawn Kulongowski, Dr. Tammy Bailey and Dr. Tiffany Lee for an entertaining and informative segment.

In the second half of our interview with Dr. Armen Mirzayan we dig a little deeper into 3D imaging. Does it have value in evaluating past endodontic treatment? Does it replace all radiographs in the dental office? Also we talk about Armen's 10+ year stint as the official dentist of the LA Dodgers! In episode 18 of the DentalHacks podcast the Brain Trust continues their discussion of patient "red flags." There were many true and hilarious suggestions on Facebook that we covered live during the recording! Jason and Alan joined Dr. Frank Clayton and newcomer to the Brain Trust Dr. Melissa Zettler in this enlightening discussion!

Do you need to have a 3D scan to place implants? Dr. Armen Mirzayan says, "yes!" Armen feels so strongly about this that he started CAD-Ray to help make it really easy for dentists and their patients to take advantage of 3D scanning and guided implant surgeries. This interview is so full of information, you'll probably want to listen to it twice! In this episode of the DentalHacks podcast the Brain Trust discusses "red flags." You know those signals that patients give you that let you know there might be trouble with them in the future. This topic got a REALLY passionate response on Facebook and it turned out hilarious and insightful! Jason and Alan joined Dr. Frank Clayton and newcomer to the Brain Trust Dr. Melissa Zettler in this enlightening discussion! Thanks again to our listeners! If you like the show we'd appreciate it if you tell a friend and leave us a rating and review on iTunes!

What's the deal with bulk filled composite materials? Are they ready for prime time? Dr. Robert Lowe is a fan and has used and evaluated them all! How do they work? Why can you bulk fill with them? Dr. Lowe makes sense of this up and coming material type and helps you choose which ones work. The DentalHacks Brain Trust continue their discussion about the worst and best purchases that they've bought over the years. This episode spends a little more time talking about what they're glad they bought! Check out this week's Brain Trust panel: Dr. Thom Caspers of Seattle, WA, Dr. Tiffany Lee of Torrance, CA, Dr. Dawn Kulongowski of Holly, MI, Dr. Matthew Standridge (aka: Bear Cream) of Eureka, KS and Dr. Tammy Bailey of Wausau, WI.

How often to we see deep decay that's completely asymptomatic? That's just one of the things that host Dr. Alan Mead talks to Dr. Robert Lowe about in today's interview. Dr. Lowe is a general dentist who practices in Charlotte, NC. On top of that, he teaches all over the U.S. and internationally. Dr. Lowe talks about new techniques in caries removal as well as using several new products to treat deep cavities without going right to root canal therapy. The DentalHacks Brain Trust discussion for episode 15 begins a discussion on the worst and best purchases that they've made in dentistry. This episode of the Brain Trust features Dr. Thom Caspers of Seattle, WA, Dr. Tiffany Lee of Torrance, CA, Dr. Dawn Kulongowski of Holly, MI, Dr. Matthew Standridge of Eureka, KS and Dr. Tammy Bailey of Wausau, WI.