Voices From The Bench

Imagine taking your skill and talents working on the bench everyday and becoming known as the "best-of-the-best" in overdentures. You can! For the last 4 years Panthera Dental (https://pantheradental.com/) has put on the Panther Master Cup (https://pantheradental.com/master-cup/), a contest featuring the best technicians from around the world competing in making the best double overdenture case. The co-founder of Panthera and past podcast guest Béatrice Robichaud comes on the show to talk about the history of the cup and the process of making the top 10. We are also joined by the 2020 second place winner Jeffrey Luk from the Shaw Lab Group (https://shawlabgroup.com/) in Canada. Jeffrey talks about the experience of submitting his initial photos, getting the models for the contest and having to learn new skills, and making the top 3 in this amazing yearly event. Pre-register for the 2021 Pathera Master Cup or suggest a colleague or friend (https://pantheradental.com/master-cup/) The UP 3D P5 milling maching (

It all started with a meme we made on Facebook August 25th, 2020. Check it out (https://www.facebook.com/Voicesfromthebench/photos/3316421435103695). Dentsply Sirona (https://www.dentsplysirona.com/en-us) reached out to us wanting to have someone one the podcast to talk about what they are doing. Lucky for us, we got to talk to Jimmy Stegall. Jimmy is a true laboratory technician who has a loud voice within Dentsply Sirona. He talks about his early days and his decision to leave the lab and work for a manufacturer. Now he spends his time traveling the country training labs on the Lucitone Digital Printed Denture (https://www.dentsplysirona.com/en-us/categories/lab/3d-printed-dentures.html) using the Carbon printer (https://www.carbon3d.com/). He also answers questions on why Dentsply Sirona recently got rid of some analog materials and how they are structuring the company to support the labs. The UP 3D P5 milling maching (https://www.aurident.com/p5/) from Aurident (https://www.aurident.com/)is a 5 axis,

Regardless of size, dental laboratories need to be productive, efficient, and to deliver products on time. Imagine a software that can help you do all those things so you can free up time to concentrate on the quality and consistency. Richard Pickard came to the US with a concept of helping dental labs with their production. He started Inventrix (http://inventrix.us.com/homePage.html), a company that makes the LabTrac Enterprise software (http://inventrix.us.com/product.html) that will allow labs to schedule cases and track them in real-time. Richard talks about the history of LabTrac, how LabTrac works (when you let it work), why it's a good fit for most labs but not all, and what amazing advancements and partnerships they are creating to bring you a better LabTrac in the future. The UP 3D P5 milling maching (https://www.aurident.com/p5/) from Aurident (https://www.aurident.com/)is a 5 axis, efficient, dry mill. Great for milling zirconia, PMMA and wax. It boasts software that produces high precision and f

**Vote for Voices From the Bench for best dental podcast of 2020!!! (https://dentalpodcast.org/vote-for-your-favorite-dental-podcast-2020/?fbclid=IwAR2MgKcWLw7_L5M1Sbgjtxqq4XJSebIB2EcY5Be9DGGsTEhEdmN164ylAfI) This podcast is all about featuring people from and associated with our industry. But it's not very often that we get to talk with someone that 100% of the people in dentistry have heard of. Jim Glidwell from Glidewell Laboratories (https://glidewelldental.com/), comes on the podcast to talk about how he accidently and without a plan grew to be one of the largest and most successful dental laboratories in the world with multiple locations worldwide. Jim is a technician at heart that explains that you have to "constantly mess up" to deal with the "Constant Change". From his kitchen table to 5,000+ employees, there is sure to be something learned from him. Jim talks about the importance of advertising, popularizing monolithic zirconia, how COVID affected him personally and the lab, and his new book comi

Don Bell, the Vice President of Product Marketing in North America for Ivoclar Vivadent (https://www.ivoclarvivadent.us/), has seen a lot of products come and go. He has seen a lot of technology come and go. As labs and manufacturers enter this new era of dentistry, Don and Ivoclar has had to adapt. But in a good way. Don talks about what happened at Ivoclar during the shutdown and how they are coming back, their one-puck denture milling system called Ivotion, the e.max ZirCAD Prime, and what's next for Ivoclar. The UP 3D P5 milling maching (https://www.aurident.com/p5/) from Aurident (https://www.aurident.com/)is a 5 axis, efficient, dry mill. Great for milling zirconia, PMMA and wax. It boasts software that produces high precision and fast milling. It can mill a crown in 14 minutes and the tool life yields about 60-80 hours of quality restorations. A game changer for labs of all sizes, big and small. For under $20K, a small lab can now do their own milling instead of outsourcing and reducing their profi

When you can't be somewhere, the next best thing is to talk to the people who could. That is what Elvis and Barb did in early October. Argen (https://argen.com/#/) partnered up with VFTB to set up a computer and a microphone at the DLAT (Dental Laboratory Association of Texas) (https://members.dlat.org/membership/) conference and talk to many of the attendees. This week wraps up all of the fantastic conversations from wonderful people who were brave enough to attend the first in-person meeting since the beginning of the pandemic. First up is Jason Stubbs, who is amazing at getting the word out on social media about all the amazing things the DLAT is doing and also speaking at the event about using Texas Dental Lab law to get new clients. Then sitting down is a one-woman lab owner, Bianka Nathery, who talks about the pros and cons of working by yourself and learning the craft in Germany where she grew up. Then we wrap up the whole conference with Mel Thorp, who 50 years ago was in a horrible accident th

What do you do when you can't travel to see friends? You do the next best thing. The Dental Laboratory Association of Texas (https://members.dlat.org/membership/) held their annual conference in October this year. While Elvis and Barb wanted to be there, they couldn't. So the good people at Argen (https://argen.com/#/) set up a computer and microphone at their booth and got people from the event to sit down and do the next best thing we are calling "Live, Not Live" from the Argen booth at the DLAT. Up first we talk with Larry Mercadel CDT. He's retired from the Air Force and he's retired from the bench and loving every minute of it. Still passionate for the industry and the DLAT, Larry is there to learn, mingle, and help the show run. Next up is Scott McGaha, owner of Precision Ortho (http://precisionortho.biz/), who comes on to talk about his lab, how he got started, what they do, and adapting with new technology. Great times from the Argen booth at the DLAT. The UP 3D P5 milling maching (https://www.aurid

Remember Lab Day Chicago? When dental technicians from around the world could get together with our worry or concern. When the pandemic hit every show, event, conference, and symposium got pushed to a later date or canceled. Most moved until 2021. But not Texas! Texas pulled off a successful IN-PERSON conference in early October. Unfortunately Voices From the Bench could not attend... physically. But our good friends at Argen, set up a booth with a computer and microphone, and got a ton of attendees and speakers to sit down and chat with us. It was fantastic talking to people again with the feel of being in person. This week kicks of a series of conversations we are calling "Live, Not Live From Argen (https://argen.com/#/) booth at the DLAT (https://members.dlat.org/membership/)". First up we chat with Matthew Douglas, the president of the DLAT. Then long-time fan of the podcast, Lauren Blanton, who actually moved far away and flew back to attend the conference talks with us about multiple CDTs and the

It's amazing how far zirconia has come in our industry. There are monolithic crown that have such good translucency that they rival lithium disilicate. But so many labs still layer them to get the desired results. Enter MIYO (https://jensendental.com/miyo/). the liquid ceramic that is taking the lab industry by storm (a name of one of their translucent colors). Don Cornell saw a need to improve the monolithic zirconia crown. To make it better. To make it look more like a natural tooth. With the resources of Jensen Dental (https://jensendental.com/) (already an expert in Zirconia and ceramics), Don was able to create a layering ceramic that gives the qualities of a natural tooth with less sacrifice of the crown material. Don talks about his early days, teaming up with Jensen, and how he and his team created MIYO. Pre-order: Constant Change: Adventures in business and life – my journey from start-up to 5,000 employees by Jim Glidewell (https://www.amazon.com/Constant-Change-Adventures-business-employees/dp/0

We hear about dental offices having a in-office dental lab, but what we don't hear enough is a dental lab in a dentist office doing what they are doing at Family Dental Associates (http://www.dralexbell.com/) in Georgia. Dr. Jack Bell is sailing the vessel as Patch Garcia (Excel Dental Lab (http://www.dralexbell.com/excel-dental-lab)) is the crew that every successful dentist needs. Together they are leading the digital workflow and providing top-of-the-line restorations to the "land lovers'' in the south. Hoisting the flag when a full arch is seated, they truly are "Bad To The Bone Dental (https://www.facebook.com/badtothebonedental/)". Dental Services Group (https://www.dentalservices.net/)is proud to support the National Board of Certification in Dental Technology and proudly promotes certification for dental technicians throughout their national network of laboratories. The CDT Designation sets certified dental technicians apart from others in their field demonstrating a mastery of knowledge and applie

Voices From the Bench is all about showcasing people that love what they do, show true passion for it, and do everything they can to share it with our community. Not many people do this more than Josef Kolbeck. Josef came into our industry through jewelry and has not stopped learning and growing since. His passion is strong and he wanted to educate others what he has learned. He developed the OMP, the Phi tool-guide, and takes education one on one with the "Webinar-in-a-box". Find out why many refer to this as the Kolbeck technique. Get yourself one of these amazing tools: OMP Clear (https://www.ebay.com/itm/274222406014) OMP Blue (https://www.ebay.com/itm/274437959166) Phi (https://www.ebay.com/itm/274497710036) To get going on the Webinar in a Box email Josef at kolbeckdental@gmail.com Dental Services Group (https://www.dentalservices.net/)is proud to support the National Board of Certification in Dental Technology and proudly promotes certification for dental technicians throughout their national netwo

Dental Technicians, learn about a possible career path. This weekend is the National Denturist Association Virtual Conference - October 16-17, 2020 (https://nationaldenturist.com/). CHECK IT OUT! Vincent Silva is a technician that saw a need for computers being built specifically for dental CAD/CAM systems. Jed Archibald is a mega technician with experiences most of us could only dream of having. Putting these two together, we end up with a very exciting new format for dental laboratories to expand their resources. Imagine having a mill go down. You can put on your VR goggles and have a trained technician show you in real (3D) times how to make the repair yourself to keep production going. Imagine attending an in-person hands of training seminar without leaving your lab. Keep an eye on these two. We have a feeling it's only going to get better. VHS (Virtual Healthcare Systems) (https://www.vhs-vr.com/) See the latest on their Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/virtualhealthcaresystems/) Dental Servic

Denturism is a great way for a dental technician to take their career to the "next level". It's really the best of both worlds. Maybe you don't think you can do it? Maybe it's not regulated in your state? On this week's episode the president of the National Denturist Association Eric Hansen and past guest Patrick Allen talk about running their practices during COVID, working with states to become regulated, and their annual conference that is being held virtually this year and how it is a great way for a technician to get a "taste" of denturism. National Denturist Association Virtual Conference - October 16-17, 2020 (https://nationaldenturist.com/) Dental Services Group (https://www.dentalservices.net/)is proud to support the National Board of Certification in Dental Technology and proudly promotes certification for dental technicians throughout their national network of laboratories. The CDT Designation sets certified dental technicians apart from others in their field demonstrating a mastery of knowledge a

We love it when we have a guest on and we get surprised with all the amazing things they do. Daniel Alter did just that. We knew he was a teacher at the New York City College of Technology (http://www.citytech.cuny.edu/restorativedentistry/) restorative department and did something with IDT magazine (https://www.aegisdentalnetwork.com/idt), but as the conversation unfolded, Daniel's passion for our industry was strong. Daniel talks about learning the craft and opening a lab, taking that desire to learn more and passing it on to students, and how he stays relevant in an industry that always seems to be changing. Dental Services Group (https://www.dentalservices.net/)is proud to support the National Board of Certification in Dental Technology and proudly promotes certification for dental technicians throughout their national network of laboratories. The CDT Designation sets certified dental technicians apart from others in their field demonstrating a mastery of knowledge and applied skills in the art of denti

BEFORE September 27th order a Voices From the Bench: The Face Mask. (https://www.bonfire.com/voices-from-the-bench-the-face-mask/) His friends call him Taco. His enemies call him Taco. But the industry tells him thanks. Gary Iocco from Apex Dental Group has been a promoter and supporter of our industry for a long time. As he starts his "semi-" retirement, Gary reflects back on the early days of getting into the industry, opening his own lab, and getting with other technicians to start a group to help them all succeed. That history gives him a nice perspective of where our profession is going and what labs can do to stay relevant in business and technology. FDLA Virtual Symposium - October 2, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (EST) (https://www.fdla.net/symposium/) 2020 DLAT Southwest Conference & Expo - October 2 & 3, 2020 (https://members.dlat.org/membership/) National Denturist Association Virtual Conference - October 16-17, 2020 (https://nationaldenturist.com/events) Dental Services Group (https://www.

### Order a "Voices From the Bench: The Face Mask" today! (https://www.bonfire.com/voices-from-the-bench-the-face-mask/) We welcome Leonard Hoffman to the podcast. Leonard took over his family's business, Aurident (https://www.aurident.com/) in 1983. Since then he has had to adapt the business to the digital needs of the industry. He talks about the early days with same day delivery, getting into zirconia and digital scanners, and making sure that customer service still remains number one on the services provided. Dental Services Group (https://www.dentalservices.net/)is proud to support the National Board of Certification in Dental Technology and proudly promotes certification for dental technicians throughout their national network of laboratories. The CDT Designation sets certified dental technicians apart from others in their field demonstrating a mastery of knowledge and applied skills in the art of dentistry. Certification also raises the standards of dental health through education in all aspects of d

Happy Labor Day 2020. I think most can agree that we deserve a day off. But let's talk about a little tool that has taken a lot of the manual labor out of dental labs over the years. As digital workflow grew and expanded, mills became a necessary piece of equipment. But inside these workhorses are the true "laborers'', the burs. These small, yet crucial pieces allow most labs to do what they do all day long. Greg Everett and Nick Alonge with Sierra Dental Tool (https://www.sierradentaltool.com/) come on to talk about their journey to making burs. These two bring a passion stronger than just selling burs. They bring years of lab experience and the desire to help any lab that needs assistance. But who wouldn't want a bur that last up to 10x as long. It's all about how you make or "GROW" them. If you have a mill, you don't want to miss this episode. We Team Up Dental Video Blog (https://www.weteamup-dental.com/) Dental Services Group (https://www.dentalservices.net/)is proud to support the National Board

With news of LMT Lab Day Chicago being pushed back to May, this is a great time to stay connected with the industry though the podcast. Like us on Facebook and Instagram, share the episodes with your friends, co-workers, vendor reps, and doctors. Leave us a review and send us an email at info@voicesfromthebench.com. We want to hear from you! Every lab looks for a partner that they can align with that allows them to have a better workflow and a better restoration. Scott Mappin from Strategy Milling (https://strategygoldmilling.com/) is one such partner. Scott comes on the podcast to talk about how he got into the gold milling business, what makes Strategy Milling unique, all about this facinating process, and why we all think full cast crown will be around for a long time to come. DDC World with Digital Dental Craftsmen (https://www.digitaldentalcraftsmen.com/) Whip Mix (https://whipmix.com/) introduces the Bellus3D Dental Pro Face Scanning Solution. This new, practical addition to dentistry provides the dent

Roe Dental is known for being on the cutting edge of just about everything in our industry. If you ever got to hear B.J. Kowalski speak, you would know. Elvis and Barb had a chance to chat with B.J. a few weeks ago to find out what goes on in the mind of Roe's owner. B.J. talks about getting into the business, being a early adopter to the digital workflow, getting into guided surgery, using a system to control implant parts, bringing in a dentist to provide dental care to all his employees, using a unique program to give other technicians a chance to do chairside conversion, and a lot more. It's a jam packed conversation that covers a ton. CHAIR: Clinical Help & Assistance In-Region (https://www.chairsidesupport.com/) Inventrix : LabTrac (https://www.inventrix.us.com/) Zimbus: Smart Inventory Cabinets (https://zimbis.com/) Kettenbach (http://www.kettenbachusa.com/) is a company that wants to partner with your lab to make sure you are getting the impressions you need. You know dental offices often ask dental l

Most dental technicians have a little nerd in them. You know, that desire to learn more about what we do. The most used material on the fixed side of our industry is Zirconia. Introduced in the mid-2000's, it has taken over as the "go to" restoration in dentistry. But what exactly is Zirconia? How does it get from the earth into a mill? Paul Cascone from Argen (https://www.argen.com/#/) comes on the podcast to explain all of this in terms that Elvis and Barb can understand. Everything from the mining to the fabrication of the pucks to getting the shade right. Amazing information to feed your inner nerd. ArgenZ HT+ Zirconia Discs (https://argen.com/store/products/9164#/) Few things create more interest today than the Digital Denture. Whip Mix (https://whipmix.com/) has developed a processing system for printed dentures, which uses Dentca (https://whipmix.com/products/dentca/), the first 3D-printed denture and denture teeth resins to receive FDA clearance. Their physical properties and biocompatibility pas