AME: The Averages

Very Dental Classics: Finesse, Panache, Elan with Dr. Bart Schultz

In this throwback episode of the Very Dental Podcast, Alan sits down with his long-time friend and dental school classmate, Dr. Bart Schultz, for a wide-ranging, candid conversation that blends nostalgia with clinical reality. Celebrating their entry into the 50-year-old club, the duo reflects on the evolution of their careers from green, baby-faced associates to seasoned clinicians. They swap unforgettable stories from the trenches, ranging from a "barbaric" old-school practice that recycled extracted teeth as autograft pontics to the historical misuses of Miracle Mix as a permanent restorative material. The heart of the episode explores the profound breakdown in patient communication—analyzing why patients frequently lose track of complex treatment plans and how shifting terminology from "root canal" to "tooth disinfection" can dramatically improve patient comfort and comprehension. Finally, the two dive into clinical insights surrounding predictable sinus lifts, the true cost of full-arch clear-cut procedures, and finding professional sanity outside the high-volume insurance grind. Some links from the show: * GC Miracle Mix [https://www.gc.dental/america/products/operatory/endodontic-and-core-materials/miracle-mix] Join the Very Clinical Facebook group! [https://www.facebook.com/groups/1731846006905360] Join the Very Dental Facebook Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/752256272130042] using one of these passwords: Timmerman, Paul, 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! We're proud to be supported by the folks at Net32! https://www.net32.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=very-dental-fb I'm a big fan of the Bioclear Method [https://www.bioclearmatrix.com/bioclear-learning-center/]! 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 [http://www.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 [http://www.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 [http://www.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 [http://www.verydentalpodcast.com/CADRay]!

AME: The Averages

Alan discusses the distinct economic realities of general dentistry, focusing on why the industry relies almost exclusively on a traditional flat-fee structure rather than complexity-based or hourly pricing. While individual clinical procedures exist on a vast continuum—ranging from effortless five-minute wins to grueling, unpredictable clinical nightmares—general practitioners routinely charge the exact same fee for both extremes. Alan breaks down how profitability structurally relies on "the averages," where highly efficient, straightforward procedures inevitably subsidize the time-consuming and difficult cases. The episode explores the unique consumer pressures of dentistry that mandate this setup: unlike the bureaucratic insulation of medicine, dentists are required to provide transparent, upfront financial estimates to patients navigating static insurance maximums. Ultimately, Alan challenges the status quo of the standard fee schedule, opening a debate on whether independent practice owners should implement tiered pricing models for high-complexity cases or simply accept the math of the middle. Join the Very Dental Facebook Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/752256272130042] using one of these passwords: Timmerman, Paul, 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! We're proud to be supported by the folks at Net32! https://www.net32.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=very-dental-fb I'm a big fan of the Bioclear Method [https://www.bioclearmatrix.com/bioclear-learning-center/]! 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 [http://www.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 [http://www.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 [http://www.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 [http://www.verydentalpodcast.com/CADRay]!

Group Function: From Hours to Minutes with Erez Druk and Dr. Giles Damron

Alan welcomes Erez Druk, the co-founder of Freed.ai, and returning guest Dr. Giles Damron to explore how artificial intelligence is revolutionized clinical documentation. Giles shares his firsthand experience of using Freed's AI-scribing software over the last two years to write thorough, accurate, and highly detailed dental notes in a fraction of the time. Erez dives into the heartwarming origin story of Freed—which began as a tool to help his family medicine physician wife fight burnout—and explains how the technology seamlessly filters out dental operatory noise, handles multiple languages, drafts instant patient-friendly instructions, and continuously learns from clinician feedback. Whether you are looking to reclaim your evenings, improve your clinical records, or get a sneak peek at the future of AI-powered front desk receptionists, this episode is a must-listen for every dental professional. Some links from the show: * Freed.ai [https://www.getfreed.ai/] * Use coupon code VERYDENTAL for 50% off your first three months of Freed.ai! Join the Very Dental Facebook Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/752256272130042] using one of these passwords: Timmerman, Paul, Bioclear, Hornbrook, Gary, McWethy, Papa Randy, Frank 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! We're proud to be supported by the folks at Net32! https://www.net32.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=very-dental-fb I'm a big fan of the Bioclear Method [https://www.bioclearmatrix.com/bioclear-learning-center/]! 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 [http://www.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 [http://www.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 [http://www.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 [http://www.verydentalpodcast.com/CADRay]!

Very Clinical: Streamline Your Implant "Tackle Box" with Dr. Chris Salierno

In this throwback episode, Kevin and Zach feature Dr. Chris Salierno talk about the real-world operational realities of implant dentistry. Moving past the textbook "before and after" presentation, Chris shares valuable lessons learned from his early residency clinical errors, examining how aesthetic, functional, and hygienic complications ultimately shape a successful final restoration. The conversation highlights the value of beginning with the end in mind and showcases the practical workflows of the Neoss implant system, demonstrating how a streamlined design and smart component features can elevate both clinical accuracy and business efficiency in daily practice. Some links from the show: * Neoss Dental Implants [https://www.neoss.com/en-us/] Join the Very Clinical Facebook group! [https://www.facebook.com/groups/1731846006905360] Join the Very Dental Facebook Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/752256272130042] using one of these passwords: Timmerman, Paul, 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! We're proud to be supported by the folks at Net32! https://www.net32.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=very-dental-fb I'm a big fan of the Bioclear Method [https://www.bioclearmatrix.com/bioclear-learning-center/]! 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 [http://www.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 [http://www.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 [http://www.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 [http://www.verydentalpodcast.com/CADRay]!

AME: The Rise of the Instant Expert

Alan gets real about a major pet peeve that's been festering on his Instagram feed: the rise of the "sobriety influencer." Celebrating over 24 years of clean time himself, Alan breaks down why the highly curated, aesthetic world of online recovery culture—full of sunny morning routines, mocktails, and six-month "experts"—feels completely detached from the gritty, anonymous reality of church basements and smoky bingo halls. He then flips the camera onto the dental world, revealing the exact same "pink cloud" script being run by young, inexperienced dental influencers. From flawless 12-unit veneer highlights to performative vulnerability, Alan tackles the toxic comparison culture of social media, the danger of the "instant expert," and why real clinical excellence requires the one thing you can't shortcut: actual, long-term experience. Some links from the show: * Belograd Academy [https://belograd.com/] * A recent endo/restorative video from Maxim Belograd [https://www.instagram.com/p/DaiYnKooQSG/] Join the Very Dental Facebook Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/752256272130042] using one of these passwords: Timmerman, Paul, 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! We're proud to be supported by the folks at Net32! https://www.net32.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=very-dental-fb I'm a big fan of the Bioclear Method [https://www.bioclearmatrix.com/bioclear-learning-center/]! 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 [http://www.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 [http://www.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 [http://www.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 [http://www.verydentalpodcast.com/CADRay]!