Voices From The Bench

Be sure to come see us in the Ivoclar (https://www.ivoclar.com/en_li) Ballroom during LMT Lab Day Chicago 2024 (https://lmtmag.com/lmtlabday). Register today! When two technicians that work well together can, only great things can come out of it. Bobby Kenney started in a model room soon after the Army. Eventually he found his way to Barksdale Dental Laboratory (https://barksdaledentallab.com/) to help them open their removable department. Seeking warmer weather and more experience, Bobby went to Florida to work in-office doing implants and conversions. After a small tour of other labs, he took all this knowledge back to Barksdale. Blake Barksdale is the lab manager creating a QUALITY production lab. Makes sense that they are together again. We have a lot of fun talking about full arch workflows with photogrammetry, using exocad, learning for dentists, and growing the lab though education. Join John Wilson from Sunrise Dental Lab (https://www.sunrisedentallaboratory.com/index.php) and many others in the Ivoc

Be sure to come see us in the Ivoclar (https://www.ivoclar.com/en_li) Ballroom during LMT Lab Day Chicago 2024 (https://lmtmag.com/lmtlabday). Register today! Resin 3D printing is going strong in our industry. Almost to the point of not remembering how we functioned without one. Well it's time for the next "phase" of 3D printing. Metal. This week we talk to Josh Williams from GPS Digital RPD (https://gpsdigitalrpd.com/) in Orlando, Florida. Josh runs a 100% digital metal printing facility specializing (as of now) in partial frameworks. He talks about his early days of learning the analog method of making frames, owning his own lab in a bait shop, and partnering up with GPS Dental (https://gpsdental.com/) to take it all digital. Josh also talks about researching the printers, the complete workflow, how they overcame issues, and some of the maintenance these highly fascinating machines take to produce perfect fitting metal frameworks. What we love is that Josh doesn't sell printers or metal. He just uses them e

Be sure to get a SUPER LIMITED edition ZIPPERED HOODIE (or shirt) before JANURARY 6th. Get your "Dental Technicians: Making Dentist Look Good Since the 1700s" HERE! (https://www.bonfire.com/vftb-the-zippered-hoodie-era/) HAPPY 2024! We are super excited to start another year of the podcast with a wonderful guest that is a ceramist in London. Alina CeClan's mother recommended a dental technology school while she was in Romania. Not loving it at first, she struggled. But by the third year she was as obsessed with teeth as the rest of us. Love took her to the UK where she discovered that she is more suited for quality over quantity and fell in love with MIYO. Now she's killing it on Instagram and teaching others in other countries her skills. Did you know that not all Zirconia is the same? ZirCAD Prime (https://www.ivoclar.com/en_li/products/digital-processes/ips-e.max-zircad-prime-family) Zirconia from Ivoclar (https://www.ivoclar.com/en_us) is uniquely produced with Gradient Technology which allows two powder

Happy Holidays and HAPPY 300th episode of Voices From the Bench. Elvis and Barb can't thank everyone enough for listening every week that has brough us to 300 weeks since we recorded the first episode. Also, a big thanks to our sponsors (show them some love) and to all the guests we have had on. (You should also go show them some love too by telling them how much you loved their episode) Be sure to get a SUPER LIMITED edition ZIPPERED HOODIE (or shirt) before JANURARY 6th. Get your "Dental Technicians: Making Dentist Look Good Since the 1700s" HERE! (https://www.bonfire.com/vftb-the-zippered-hoodie-era/) You have heard Elvis talk about the Mastering exocad (https://exocad.com/) Course he took from the Institute of Digital Dentistry (https://instituteofdigitaldentistry.com/). Well we had the amazing opportunity to talk to the instructor of the series, Marjorie Andrade. Marjorie has a fascinating and fast-tracked journey into the world of teeth. While still in Brazil, she went to technician school and found her

We love talking to dentist on the podcast. We also love talking to people from different countries. This week we double down on both as we chat with Dr. Ahmad Al-Hassiny who comes to us all the way from New Zealand. Dr. Ahmad grew up with dentist parents that both owned their own practices. After graduating, he ended up at his father’s practice where he was introduced to digital dentistry. He attended a study club where a seller of a IOS system talked about how good it was when he knew it wasn’t. That drove him to start reviewing IOS systems. The non-biased reviews grew in popularity and the Institute of Digital Dentistry (https://instituteofdigitaldentistry.com/) was born. Now iDD covers a ton of topics covering all aspects of digital dentistry with multiple instructors. We cover all things digital, the importance of still having a lab, dentistry in New Zealand, and his new podcast Digital Dentistry Decoded with iDD (https://instituteofdigitaldentistry.com/digital-dentistry-decoded-podcast/). Are you in the

We talk to many vendors and milling centers on the podcast. But never have we talked to a company in Australia that does both. Sam Talassinos grew up in his father’s lab and never wanted to be in the industry. After a brief time in retail, Sam found himself in the lab (of course) and introducing digital to their workflow. It took a bad experience while getting some new equipment that drove him to open XYZ Dental (https://xyzdental.com.au/), offering milling services and equipment to other labs in the area. Sam talks about growing up in the industry, how he approaches customer service, and why he joined the board of Australian Dental Industry Association (https://www.adia.org.au/) to help the profession grow. Are you in the market for top-notch digital equipment, such as mills, scanners, or furnaces? Well, the time to act is NOW! Ivoclar (https://www.ivoclar.com/en_li), has introduced unbeatable rates exclusively for customers in North America. Ivoclar has made it easier for you to invest in cutting-edge dig

This week we finally get another implant company on the podcast. At the DTG Symposium (https://dtgevents.com/product/2023-dtg-symposium/) we met Joel Gonzales from MegaGen America (https://megagenamerica.com/). Joel likes to keep it real when talking about dental surgeries because he’s been there. Starting as an assistant in the Air Force and then working with a strict Prosthodontist, He started his implant career with Lifecore and it wasn’t long before MegaGen wanted him to be the VP of America. From surgical protocols, to why he thinks we are doing too much bone reduction, why guides are not being used correctly, what makes a morse taper implant connection better, to why MegaGen not only come in different sizes and lengths, but why they come in different core sizes and thread sizes. There is SO MUCH implant stuff covered, you don't want to miss it. Are you in the market for top-notch digital equipment, such as mills, scanners, or furnaces? Well, the time to act is NOW! Ivoclar (https://www.ivoclar.com/en_l

When someone in the industry seems to spend more time teaching others than working on their own work, we want to learn more. Elvis had the opportunity to take a 2 day hands-on course about pink layering on full arch zirconia and PMMA. The teacher was the wonderful Marina Caponigro (https://www.facebook.com/marina.ya.7). Of course, we had to have her on the podcast to learn about the technician behind the "fire in the belly". Marina talks about coming to America from the Ukraine to marry and work with a Prosthodontist, learning to do full arch restorations and perfecting the pink layering of composites and stains. It wasn't long before she was encouraged to teach others and travels the country teaching both technicians and clinical staff. Wanting to do more for others, Marina and her daughter opened the Smileology Group Dental Lab specializing in helping other labs create beautiful full arch restorations. Are you in the market for top-notch digital equipment, such as mills, scanners, or furnaces? Well, the ti

Getting dental offices to send you work is not the easiest thing to do. If it was, we would all be a lot happier. You could offer your "first crown free" or "$10 off your first order", but what are you doing? Are you creating a lasting partnership or are you getting a doctor that will move to the next lab that offers the same deal. Enter David Lesh. David grew up in his father's lab. After sitting in every seat, David saw the need to create a lab EXCULISVE to doing work for other labs. After owning another lab, David decided to help others in the industry grow and increase profitability by teaching them what he has learned over the years. So he started 8 and 9 Consulting (https://www.8and9consulting.com/), where he helps labs in areas they might be lacking in. David talks about creating a sales plan, hiring salespeople, using strategic pauses, finding prospect challenges, buying signals, and doing more solution based sales. It's a great conversation for everyone in the lab, not just salespeople. Are you in t

It’s amazing that so much time has passed since the 2023 DTG Symposium that happened last September. It’s also amazing all the wonderful people we were able to connect with and record. This week wraps up those conversations with two outstanding technicians in different points of their careers. First up is Salvador Carrillo who talks about learning about dental technology in Mexico, coming to the states for college, connecting with so many people in our industry, “retiring”, and using his ability to bring technicians and techniques to both Mexio and the US. Then we chat with Renata Vano, the “never stop teaching” technician from Brazil. Renata talks about dental life in Brazil, coming to the DTG symposium in 2016, learning English to teach a hands-on course at Lab Day, teaching others around the world, and how she makes amazing clear digital dentures. Are you in the market for top-notch digital equipment, such as mills, scanners, or furnaces? Well, the time to act is NOW! Ivoclar (https://www.ivoclar.com/en_l

Be sure to check out Part 3 of Ivoclar's "THE DENTAL SHOWDOWN" where Elvis Dahl and Dr. David Rice will discuss the complicated relationship of dental lab and dental office..... LIVE! November 9th at 7:00 pm Eastern. Register and bring your questions! (https://www.linkedin.com/events/thedentalshowdown-part3-customi7120030751261171713/) It's amazing how many people traveled from all over the world to go to the GC America (https://www.gc.dental/america/) facility in Alsip, Ill to attend the DTG Symposium back in September. We would have thought them crazy until we got to attend the symposium and meet some of them. We would fly around the world to go to that show. This week brings three conversations from 3 different countries. First up is SUPER close to the meeting. Dan Boskocevic is the Senior Marketing Manager for GC America and talks about his beginnings, the history of GC America, the early days of the DTG, and some great trends he is seeing in dental. Then we talk to a talented technician out of Latvia, Ko

Back in September, a group called the DTG (https://www.dentaltechniciansguild.com/) gathered for the first time in a while at the GC America (https://www.gc.dental/america/) facility in Alsip, Illinois. Luckily, we were honored to be a part of this amazing show. There was so many talented technicians in one room, our biggest regret is not getting to talk to all of them. BUT we did get two reluctant people to sit down and share their stories. First up is Shelia Raquel, president of White Peaks Dental Solutions USA (https://whitepeaks-usa.com/). Shelia talks about being a dental assistant in the military, working on the bench, and her new female empowered group called "Queens - Women in the Industry" (https://www.queenswomenintheindustry.com/). Next we sat down with Quint Whipple from Phoenician Dental Studio (https://www.phoeniciandental.com/). Quint talks about wanting to be a dentist, getting wise, working in Las Vegas, how occlusion affects overall health, and the history behind the famous DTG coins. Are

Back in September, Elvis and Barb attended the DTG Symposium (https://dtgevents.com/product/2023-dtg-symposium/) that was held in the GC America (https://www.gc.dental/america/) facility in Alsip, Illinois. Such an amazing meeting filled with fantastic people. This week we start the collection of wonderful conversations. First up we talk to two talented technicians that are killing it in a in-office lab and they only graduated from New York City Tech (https://www.citytech.cuny.edu/restorativedentistry/dental-laboratory-aas.aspx) in 2019! Erika Ramirez and Marjola Paloka are two of the three techs that are creating smiles at Gdental (https://www.gdental.com/) in New York City. From patient treatment planning to waxing and pressing emax to milling zirconia, these two are doing more than most technicians do in a full service lab.... while having too much fun along the way. Then we get some amazing updates from past podcast guest, Beatrice Robichaud from Panthera (https://pantheradental.com/). Beatrice comes on

Kristina Vaitelyte was born in Lithuania the day it gained its independence to a family were every member ended up in dental. Even after trying not to have a career in teeth, Kristina couldn't fight her destiny when she saw digital dental design at IDS one year. While getting her Bachelor degree at Utena College (https://www.utenos-kolegija.lt/), Kristina traveled the world to learn dental technology in different countries. She eventually found her home in the UK, working in an in-office lab getting to work directly with patients helping them get the smile they deserve. Join Kristina Vaitelyte, Elvis Dahl, Barbara Warner, and so many more at exocad Insights May 9 - 10, 2024 in Mallorca, Spain! (https://exocad.com/insights2024) Did you know that Ivoclar (https://www.ivoclar.com/en_us) has Digital Equipment Sales Specialists (https://www.ivoclar.com/en_us/landing-pages/digital-equipment)? These experienced professionals are here to help make your transition to digital, a smooth one. They help provide customize

Looking to learn exocad? Check out the Institute of Digital Dentistry (https://instituteofdigitaldentistry.com/) for a great online training program. Elvis approved! Join Elvis and Barb in Mallorca, Spain in May 2024 for exocad Insights (https://exocad.com/insights2024). Make plans today and more details to follow! We love stories of success in the dental lab industry. One such story is the career of Todd Reid. Todd learned about dental technology from a high school friend and was soon on a path that led to owning Access Dental Laboratories (https://accessdentallaboratories.com/) in Syracuse, NY. It definitely wasn’t an easy journey, but luckily he had the opportunity to work for and with a lot of great people that helped him along the way. Todd talks about learning every “seat” in a lab, some unique opportunities that most technicians don’t get, deciding to open a lab and how he went about it, and creating a working environment that centers around treating his employees with respect. If you are looking for

Nightshift Online Symposium! November 21: Removables with Jenelle Tabakovic and Emily Pittard (https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/nightshift-online-symposium-prosthetics-tickets-701562661807?aff=oddtdtcreator) November 22: Crown and Bridge with Dora Rodriges and Lisa Johnson (https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/nightshift-online-symposium-crown-and-bridge-tickets-701572671747?aff=oddtdtcreator) Check out Part 1 of the Dental Showdown by Ivoclar featuring Elvis Dahl and Dr. David Rice! (https://www.ivoclar.com/en_us/course/consistency-or-lack-thereof/168934?) Join us for a FREE and LIVE Ivoclar webinar on October 12 at 7:00 pm eastern time. (https://www.linkedin.com/events/thedentalshowdown-part2-deliver7113201623367131137/comments/) In 2024, an iconic company in the dental space will turn 100 years old! To start the celebration we welcome the Director of Marketing Communications with VITA North America (https://www.vitanorthamerica.com/) Sam Nekola to the podcast. Sam comes on to talk about her role, the history of

We love dental legacies. When we got contacted by a dental technician that works in a dental office with 3 family members as dentists and another getting ready to graduate dental school, we knew a great story of a busy technician would be there. Dr. Jill Morris and Dr. Burr Bakke own World Class Dentistry (https://sarasotadentist.com/) in Sarasota, Florida dealing in high-end cosmetic work and ceramic implants. They are joined by their son, Dr. Cameron Johnson who specializes in ortho and airway. Both of the younger siblings went to the New York City Tech School of Restorative Dentistry (https://www.citytech.cuny.edu/restorativedentistry/). Sydney Johnson went on to dental school while Kelton Johnson became the in-office (https://sarasotadentist.com/team/higher-aesthetics-laboratory/) technician. They talk about family life, workflow, treatment planning, and leaving a legacy for future generations of this dental family. Did you know that not all Zirconia is the same? ZirCAD Prime (https://www.ivoclar.com/en_

We constantly talk about the lack of technicians in our industry. So why are the few programs left struggling to fill the seats? Brooke Harris is out to change that. Brooke is the Director of Dental Technology Program at the Indiana University Fort Wayne (https://fortwayne.iu.edu/dental-education/technology/index.html) school. Brooke talks about getting into dental technology, the labs she worked at, going back to teach, becoming the director, creating a better program, switching to a bachelor program, and trying to raise awareness of the program and the profession in general. Did you know that Ivoclar (https://www.ivoclar.com/en_us) has Digital Equipment Sales Specialists (https://www.ivoclar.com/en_us/landing-pages/digital-equipment)? These experienced professionals are here to help make your transition to digital, a smooth one. They help provide customized solutions, analyze your ROI, provide hands on assistance and localized support. All of this, catered to your needs. Contact a Digital Equipment Sales

Join Elvis and Barb THIS WEEKEND at the DTG Symposium on September 15-16 at the GC America Facility in Alsip, IL (https://dtgevents.com/) Join Elvis Dahl from Derby Dental Laboratory (https://www.derbydental.com/) and the Voices From The Bench Podcast (https://www.voicesfromthebench.com/) and Dr. Dr. David Rice from igniteDDS (https://ignitedds.com/) as they break down the challenges that happen between the clinics and labs. We are calling it “THE DENTAL SHOWDOWN”. This 3 part Ivoclar (https://www.ivoclar.com/en_us) webinar on LinkedIn kicks off September 14 at 7pm eastern. It’s LIVE so we encourage everyone to show up and voices your own challenges. It’s time to talk about it. Register TODAY! (https://www.linkedin.com/events/thedentalshowdown-part1-consist7093223016590970880/) This week we bring you a collection of "Speed Recordings" we got during the "Speed Dating" at the Ladies of the Mill Summit (https://www.ladiesofthemill.com/). We talk to so many about so many things, it's best to just list all 17 gues

For the last three years, we have gone to the Ladies of the Mill (https://www.ladiesofthemill.com/) Summit and recorded a ton of amazing females in our industry. This year is no different and we talked to some fantastic people. First up, we had our first opportunity to record ON-STAGE in front of a LIVE audience with Jessica Scott and Mandy Arena. Then we had a conversation with the force behind the NADL (https://nadl.org/), NBC (https://nbccert.org/), and the FDLT (https://dentallabfoundation.org/), Rachel Luoma. After that we start our "Speed Recording" by spending just a few minutes with Jill Swafford, Christina Heaslip, Angelika Roseberry, Joetta Dixon, Amy Joers, and Becca Williams. It's jam packed with conversations, laughs, and new friendships. And it's only part 1...... Did you know that not all Zirconia is the same? ZirCAD Prime (https://www.ivoclar.com/en_li/products/digital-processes/ips-e.max-zircad-prime-family) Zirconia from Ivoclar (https://www.ivoclar.com/en_us) is uniquely produced with Gradi