Voices From The Bench

What a strange week for the world. We can't even begin to express our feelings for everyone and our industry. That is why we wanted to bring in the Executive Director of the NADL to give us an update for our industry on the COVID-19 virus. NADL COVID-19 Resource Links (https://nadl.org/news/#n1166) The Foundation of Dental Laboratory Technology Learning Library (http://fdlt.peachnewmedia.com/store/provider/provider09.php) Then because we want everyone to have some sense of normalcy we continue with the originally planned episode. Back in January and thanks to Kettenbach (http://www.kettenbachusa.com/), Elvis and Barb went to the Voices of Dentistry. A event geared towards podcast in the dental field. Being the only podcast dedicated to dental laboratories at the event, we were able to talk to a bunch of people that give us an interesting perspective that we normally don't see. First up is Jordon Comstock from Boomcloud (https://boomcloudapps.com/). Jordon comes from the lab and now runs a service to hel

There is always a need for good leadership in dental laboratories. Ricki Braswell talks about taking a current leader or a technician turned leader and working with them to excel at their new role. Ricki Braswell was a co-executive director of the NADL for years and fell in love with our industry. She took that love and became the CEO of the Pankey Institute where she made the dental technician a key part of the program. Now Ricki has taken her skill and experience to dental practices and to dental laboratories. She talks about some wonderful ideas to help your lab create great leaders and great teams. March 26 – 28 Dental Laboratory Association Texas Conference – Grapevine, Tx (https://members.dlat.org/membership/conference-registration-portal/) Alien Milling Technologies (https://www.alienmilling.com/) is a cutting-edge Dental Milling Center known for using the latest methods and technologies in milling top dental prosthetics. They can help your lab by milling everything, like crowns, abutments, partials,

Elvis and Barb wrap up the conversation they got while at the Vision 21 meeting from Las Vegas back in January. Elvis met Jesse Flor who owns a laboratory in California that has become a 100% digital lab, but also with his background working for DSOs has also opened up a few dental practices. His ownership of both has given him an interesting perspective into both fields. Then Elvis talks to two of the four participants who were on stage during the “Fireside Chat” about second generation lab owners. Michael Farago and Dory Sartoris both took a path in life that originally had them doing something other than the family lab. But they have now taken a leadership roll in their lab and are killing it by bringing non-bench-technician experiences into the workflow. March 26 – 28 Dental Laboratory Association Texas Conference – Grapevine, Tx (https://members.dlat.org/membership/conference-registration-portal/) *Ortho Technicians!!! Register for the AOLP meeting! * (https://assocolp.org/2020-conference-and-expo/) L

Way back in January 2020, the National Association of Dental Laboratories (NADL) put together a meeting in Las Vegas called Vision 21. This outstanding dental laboratory business meeting is a must attend for anyone on the business side of their lab. While there they gave Elvis and Barb a table to record some of the high profile attendees and speakers. This first episode from Vision 21 features 5 amazing people from our industry. Sean Siegel - Castable Ceramics, Steve Killion CDT - Killian Dental Ceramics Don Albensi - NDX Albensi Heather Voss CDT - Legacy Dental Arts Denise Burris CDT - By Design Dental Studio They talk about the Foundation of Dental Laboratories, one of the Keynote Speakers, becoming part of the NDX family, and the 2019 CDT of the Year! It's a lot of conversations, with a lot of people, for a whole lot of fun. See what you missed! Keynote Speaker mentioned: Diana Kander (https://dianakander.com/) Order her book HERE! (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0692135944/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_

Happy 100th episode! A big thanks to everyone that has been a guest, listened to, or sponsored Voices From the Bench! We love bringing you the podcast every week and have enjoyed every second of it. And we have a GREAT episode for you this week. To celebrate our 100th episode we welcome Anton Woolf, CEO of the Argen Corporation (https://argen.com/#/) to the show. Anton is a living icon in our industry by leading Argen to be one of the most established and innovated companies in our industry. Anton comes on the podcast to talk about the start of Argen, how he came to be the CEO, his family's involvement, becoming more than just a alloy company, and what new and exciting things Argen is working on next. March 26 – 28 Dental Laboratory Association Texas Conference – Grapevine, Tx (https://members.dlat.org/membership/conference-registration-portal/) *Ortho Technicians!!! Register for the AOLP meeting! * (https://assocolp.org/2020-conference-and-expo/) Last year was a huge success and we loved this show. We are

LMT LAB DAY Chicago is this weekend! Elvis and Barb are super excited to be there recording as many people as we can. But first we must bring you a fantastic interview we got a few months ago. Eugene Royzengurt is an assistant that became a technician, who then became an educator, and is now becoming a denturist (https://nationaldenturist.com/) living in a state he can't even be a denturist in. Eugene talks about his beginnings, running a one-person lab, and attending the American Denturist School (https://americandenturistschool.com/). Thanks to the wonderful people at ARGEN (https://www.argen.com/#/), Elvis and Barb will be recording at LMT Lab Day Chicago 2020 - February 21 & 22 (https://lmtmag.com/lmtlabday). We will be set up at the Argen Booth (I16/I17) (https://argen.com/chicago-midwinter#/) to talk to all the amazing attendees, educators, vendors, and anyone else willing to sit down. If you want to schedule a time, be sure to send us an email at info@voicesfromthebench.com and we can get it lined up

We really enjoy talking to people that are passionate about what they do. When JDT released their 2020 “Who’s Hot” there was one technician that stood out. Christopher Gajewski is a man on the mission to organize and educate all the ortho laboratories. Chris owned a ortho lab but has now started working 100% for the Association of Orthodontic Laboratory Professionals. We talk to Chris about his beginning, were he sees ortho labs going in the age of digital dentistry, his opinion on clear aligners, starting the AOLP, and his desire to educate the public. Check out the AOLP: Association of Orthodontic Laboratory Professionals (https://assocolp.org/) Thanks to the wonderful people at ARGEN (https://www.argen.com/#/), Elvis and Barb will be recording at LMT Lab Day Chicago 2020 - February 21 & 22 (https://lmtmag.com/lmtlabday). We will be set up at the Argen Booth (I16/I17) (https://argen.com/chicago-midwinter#/) to talk to all the amazing attendees, educators, vendors, and anyone else willing to sit down. If y

There are not many accredited schools left. They lack funds and enrollment. One school seems to be doing pretty good and they are positive about the future. While at the Eastern Conference of Dental Laboratories in Concord, NC, Elvis got to talk to three people associated with the program to get some different perspectives. First up is Erin Popov CDT who got into the industry via the school, graduated, and then came back to be an instructor. During the conversation, current student Jill Adams sits down to talk about why she signed up for the program and what she hopes to do with the knowledge after graduation. Then Elvis is joined by the 2020 NADL Educator of the Year award winner Greg Walton CDT who heads up the whole dental technology program at Durham Technical Community College. Greg went through the program, opened his own lab, and came back to help make the program what it is today. LMT Lab Day Chicago 2020 (https://lmtmag.com/lmtlabday) is only a few weeks away and Elvis and Barb have partnered with Ar

Celebrate 2020 and LMT Lab Day with these limited edition shirts! Sale extended until Feb 2, 2020 (https://www.bonfire.com/celebrate-lmt-lab-day-chicago-2020-vftb-shirt-1/) This week Elvis and Barb talk to a good friend to them and the whole industry. Jeff Stronk from Treasure Dental Studios (https://www.treasuredentalstudio.com/) sits down to talk about getting into the industry, buying out some partners, volunteering and leading various national boards, and is now the Chairperson of the Cal-Lab Association. Jeff tells us about this year’s amazing meeting that takes place February 20 & 21 in Chicago. This annual meeting is shaping up to be the best one yet. Do yourself and your lab a favor by registering for this peer-to-peer business meeting. Cal-Lab Annual Meeting (http://cal-lab.org/annual-meeting/) Also that same weekend, thanks to the wonderful people at ARGEN (https://www.argen.com/#/), Elvis and Barb will be recording at LMT Lab Day Chicago 2020 - February 21 & 22. We will be set up at the Argen Boot

Celebrate 2020 and LMT Lab Day with these limited edition shirts! On Sale until January 26, 2020 (https://www.bonfire.com/celebrate-lmt-lab-day-chicago-2020-vftb-shirt-1/) Elvis and President Barb are back from Las Vegas and the Vision 21 meeting. So many great people attended and so many great sponsors. Most of the events where we get our continued education are possible because of the great vendors in our industry. While at the Eastern Conference of Dental Laboratories in North Carolina, Elvis got to speak with two laboratory technicians turned vendor representative. First up is Greg Martin CDT, TE from Renfert who talks about how Renfert got started and the importance of quality products. Then he talked to Maurice “Mo” Whitlock, CDT from AmannGirrbach who got his start in the Air Force and now trains at dental schools and they talk about the move in our industry where laboratory technicians are setting up shop in dentist offices. Voices of Dentistry Podcast Summit Jan 24 & 25, 2020 - SCOTTSDALE - Hilton

How often do we have to call and get a new impression? How many times does the doctor ask what can they do better? What is your answer? Just do it again? This is why we welcome to the podcast Jason Kiser from Kettenbach (http://www.kettenbachusa.com/). Jason grew up in a lab that his dad owned (so he knows what a bad impression is), but was too much of an extrovert to sit at a bench. Now with Kettenbach, Jason see the importance of involving the lab in the very beginning to make sure we get the records that we need. He talks about different materials and give us some great tips and tricks to talk to doctors about when we are not getting the impressions that we need. YOU SHOULD STILL SIGN UP AND COME TO VEGAS THIS WEEKEND! Vision 21 Jan 16-18, 2020 - LAS VEGAS - Palms Casino Resort & Spa (https://nadl.org/events/v21/2020/) If you have never been to the meeting get in touch with the NADL to get a special discounted rate. Either by phone at (800) 950-1150 or by email at meetings@nadl.org and tell them you heard

Let's make 2020 the start of a new decade for dental laboratory technology! Get your limited edition LMT Lab Day 2020 Voices From the Bench Shirt: HERE (https://www.bonfire.com/celebrate-lmt-lab-day-chicago-2020-vftb-shirt-1/) Elvis had a chance to speak at the Eastern Conference of Dental Laboratories (http://www.eastern-conference.com/) and he can't go anywhere without bring some headphone mics and record some great conversations. This episode is the first of many featuring people he talked to at the Eastern Conference of Dental Laboratories. First up is "funny man" Donnie Bridges CDT from the Argen Corporation. Donnie talks about growing up in the lab, working for Argen, and because he is from Tupelo, Mississippi they had to talk about the real Elvis. Then Elvis talks with Joshua Fitzgerald who is a one person fix lab owner that has been growing with the digital times and gets most of his work from Facebook. Come see Elvis and Barb LIVE! Vision 21 Jan 16-18, 2020 - LAS VEGAS - Palms Casino Resort & Spa (h

There we were at LMT Lab Day East. Judy Fishman comes up to us and introduces us to Kamilla Siekierski CDT. She says we have to have her on the podcast. Kamilla tells us about her faciniating life of learning dental technology in Poland, coming to America, and eventually becoming a leader in our profession. This is a remakable tale that you don't hear very often and one that you don't want to miss. Vision 21 Jan 16-18, 2020 - LAS VEGAS - Palms Casino Resort & Spa (https://nadl.org/events/v21/2020/) If you have never been to the meeting get in touch with the NADL to get a special discounted rate. Either by phone at (800) 950-1150 or by email at meetings@nadl.org and tell them you heard about the Vision 21 Meeting from Voices From the Bench and you will get a special rate of almost $200 off the regular attendee price. Voices of Dentistry Podcast Summit Jan 24 & 25, 2020 - SCOTTSDALE - Hilton Scottsdale Resort & Villas (https://voicesofdentistry.com/) Thanks to our good friends at Kettenbach (http://www.kettenb

LAST TIME WE BEG VOTE for Voices From the Bench as the best dental podcast of 2019! VOTE HERE! (https://dentalpodcast.org/vote-for-your-favorite-dental-podcast-of-2019/) When we record at events and conventions, we talk to a lot of great people in our industry. Some of them sit down to chat. Sometimes we have to put a few together to get all the conversation out so we can release the ones we got at other events. There are just too many amazing people in dental laboratory technology and these three are no exception. First up we talk with Robert Gitman from NDX Thayer who talks about getting into the business from consulting and work at a lab that joins the NDX family. Then we talk to Bruce Barrish from Colonial Dental Lab. Bruce should consider stand-up comedy he's so funny. Bruce talks about his early days and how his lab markets using education. And the whole episode wraps up talking to previous lab owner tuned vendor speaker Jeremy Wohlers from Kulzer. Jeremy was presenting at LMT Lab Day East about creat

VOTE for Voices From the Bench as the best dental podcast of 2019! VOTE HERE! (https://dentalpodcast.org/vote-for-your-favorite-dental-podcast-of-2019/) Barb is a BIG fan of labs that are in their second or third generation of owners. As she took over for her dad, we have found out that there are many in our industry. Which says a lot about what we do. While at LMT Lab Day East 2019, Elvis and Barb talked to two families who tell the tale of starting in a spare room and eventually a child comes in to help and take it into the digital workflow. First up is father and son team Michael and Joe Young from Young Dental Lab right there in Philadelphia. The we talk to a mother and daughter from a orthodontics lab. Jane Hyatt started her lab in her parent’s basement and eventually Kristen Benitez came into the lab to help them become a leader in ortho digital workflow. What is your laboratory New Year's Resolution? Send us an email (info@voicesfromthebench.com) and tell us all about it. Give us your name and lab and

VOTE for Voices From the Bench as the best dental podcast of 2019! VOTE HERE! (https://dentalpodcast.org/vote-for-your-favorite-dental-podcast-of-2019/) We love a good story of someone following a dream or passion. While we were at LMT Lab Day East we got to follow up with past podcast guest Jeremiah Naas. We had him and his wife Amanda on about a year ago on episodes 30 (https://www.voicesfromthebench.com/30) & 31 (https://www.voicesfromthebench.com/31). This time Jeremiah fills us in on moving the family to Maine and going through the Denturist school. Vision 21 Jan 16-18, 2020 - LAS VEGAS - Palms Casino Resort & Spa (https://nadl.org/events/v21/2020/) If you have never been to the meeting get in touch with the NADL to get a special discounted rate. Either by phone at (800) 950-1150 or by email at meetings@nadl.org and tell them you heard about the Vision 21 Meeting from Voices From the Bench and you will get a special rate of almost $200 off the regular attendee price. Voices of Dentistry Podcast Summit

VOTE for Voices From the Bench as the best dental podcast of 2019! VOTE HERE! (https://dentalpodcast.org/vote-for-your-favorite-dental-podcast-of-2019/) Passion comes in all different styles and sizes. We love to talk to anyone who is passionate about what they do. Elvis had the extreme pleasure to talk to two people who have a passion that you usually don't hear about. First up is Sevan Pulurian who is the 3Shape Specialist at Pacific Dental and talks about some interesting things he has learned while using 3Shape. Then we talk with the Digital Marketing Specialist for Whip Mix, Chelsey Phillips, who really has a passion for sharing all things Whip Mix. Are you still doing full arch zirconia restorations? Why? There is a alternative that is better for your lab, the doctor, and the patients. Be sure to check out the AMAZING Nanoceramic Crystal Ultra® (https://crystalultra.com/voices/) from Digital Dental (https://digitaldental.com/). A Crystal Ultra arch is 60% lighter than a Zirconia arch; is easily adjus

Start off 2020 on the right foot by attending the 2020 NADL Vision 21 Meeting on January 16-18 in sunny Las Vegas. This year's premier business management meeting is looking to be the best one yet. On this episode we talk with three of the presenters that will be on stage during the meeting. Megan Nakanishi - Fireside Chat with 3 others about "Next Gen Laboratory Management" Joseph Apap CDT, MDT - "Powering Up Your Team" Shawna Suckow - "Recession Proofing Your Lab Now" Remember there are many more presenting and lots of events planned for the weekend. Check out the full line-up here. (https://nadl.org/events/v21/2020/pdfs/V21%20Schedule%20of%20Events_2020.pdf?pdf=1479792) REGISTER HERE if you have been before (https://nadl.org/events/v21/2020/registration/registration.cfm) If you have never been to Vision 21_ (and this episode convinced you to go)_ get in touch with the NADL to get a special discounted rate. Either by phone at (800) 950-1150 or by email at meetings@nadl.org and tell them you heard about the

Barb is back with Elvis to bring you two more interviews from the Whip Mix Digital Forum. VFTB loves when families work together. Joining us first is Allie and Mark Williamson CDTs. They met in a lab and still work together after all these years. Allie has "graduated" to become an educator at Ottawa Dental Lab and is doing what every lab wishes they could do. They talk about the program, encouraging technicians to become CDTS, and life in and out of the lab. Next they are joined by Reed Nunnally, CEO of Derby Dental Lab. Reed talks about taking over for his dad and growing up in a different way than most 2nd generation owners. He also dives into why and how he turned his lab into one of the early leaders with clear aligners. Vision 21 Jan 16-18, 2020 - LAS VEGAS - Palms Casino Resort & Spa (https://nadl.org/events/v21/2020/) If you have never been to the meeting get in touch with the NADL to get a special discounted rate. Either by phone at (800) 950-1150 or by email at meetings@nadl.org and tell them you h

Barb got held up at her lab over the weekend, Elvis is solo on this one. While at the Eastern Conference of Dental Laboratories Elvis took a break from speaking and recording to bring two conversations he got while at the Whip Mix Digital Forum back in early October. First up is the man, Denture Dan Elfring. He sits down to talk about his start back in the Air Force, working in a in-office laboratory, and being a SUPER Master CDT. Then Elvis is joined by the only identical twin laboratory owners Elise Holasek and Anita Cranford, both CDTs, who co-own a lab but their story on how they get into the industry is not a common one. Join us from Whip Mix’s Digital Forum. NEXT UP for Voices From the Bench – Visions 21 - January 16th – 18th (https://nadl.org/events/v21/2020/). If you have never been to the meeting get in touch with the NADL to get a special discounted rate. Either by phone at (800) 950-1150 or by email at meetings@nadl.org and tell them you heard about the Vision 21 Meeting from Voices From the Be