Episodes
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Group Function: Skipping Class for Scopes and Ergos with Jeff Metcalf and Spencer Smith
Live from the exhibit floor at the 2026 Bioclear Summit in Scottsdale, Alan sits down with Jeff Metcalf (Zumax) and Spencer Smith (Enova) to demystify high-magnification clinical optics . The conversation explores the advantages of intimate boutique conferences over massive trade shows, why…
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Very Clinical: Getting Ahead of It, part 4: Endodontics
Zach, Kevin and Alan tackle the art of "getting ahead of it" in clinical endodontics—managing patient expectations before a single bur touches tooth structure so clinical realities sound like explanations rather than post-op excuses. The crew breaks down scripts and practical protocols for…
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AME: True Stories
Alan examines how authentic storytelling has been hijacked by modern social media algorithms, manipulative "negative hook" advertising, and political spin . Reflecting on Seth Godin's early blogging philosophy and the honest conversations shared among colleagues at dental meetings, Dr. Mead...
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Very Dental: Dr. Tuan Pham on Regret Minimization and Dental Maverick AI
Alan catches up with longtime colleague and Dental Maverick founder Dr. Tuan Pham to explore his transition from clinical practice to the forefront of dental software innovation. Tuan shares the life-first philosophy that led him to retire early to spend formative years with his young children,...
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Very Clinical: Getting Ahead of It, part 3: Fixed Prosthodontics
In this pre-Halloween clinical roundtable, hosts Zach and Kevin are joined by Alan to tackle the subtle art of "getting ahead of it" in "fixed prosthodontics." After kicking things off with childhood Halloween prank confessions—ranging from flaming bags on doorsteps to near-arson in the storm...
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AME: Dueling AIs
In this episode of The Alan Mead Experience, Alan dives into the fast-moving, subscription-heavy world of artificial intelligence and its rapid convergence in everyday dental practice . From wrestling with multiple monthly fees to testing dedicated AI recording hardware like the Plaud NotePin,...
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Very Dental: Treating the Disease, Not Just the Tooth with Dr. Josh Solomon
Recorded live at the Bioclear Summit in Scottsdale, Alan sits down with pediatric dentist Dr. Josh Solomon for a wide-ranging, candid conversation on treating disease rather than just teeth . The two dive into the eye-opening power of high magnification and microscopes in daily practice,...
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AME: The Absurdist Dentist
"Biology remains undefeated." Alan reflects on the stark contrast between social media's flawless clinical highlight reels and the sobering reality of burnout and mental health struggles in the profession . Borrowing from the philosophy of absurdism and the myth of Sisyphus, he argues that…
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Very Dental: Dr. Taras Konanec on Bringing Modern Restorative Techniques to Dental School
Live from the Bioclear Summit Alan sits down with Dr. Taras Konanec, Director of Operative Dentistry at McGill University . The two discuss the realities of modern dental education and the struggle to get clinic instructors on the same page . Taras details how McGill successfully integrated the...
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Very Clinical: Getting Ahead of It, part 2: Everyday Operative
Kevin and Zach welcome back Alan to dive into the art of "getting ahead of it" in everyday operative dentistry to prevent patient complaints before they start . From anticipating shade discrepancies caused by tooth dehydration during anterior composite restorations to managing lingual thickness…
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Very Dental: The Art of Longevity with Dr. Marco Maiolino
Alan is joined by Dr. Marco Maiolino live from the 2026 Bioclear Summit to challenge the profession's obsession with superficial aesthetics and make the definitive case for longevity dentistry. Drawing on over two decades of clinical experience in Sicily, Marco breaks down the psychological…
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Very Clinical: Getting Ahead of It, part 1: Anesthesia and Occlusion
In this episode of the "Getting Ahead of It" series, Zach, Kevin, and guest Dr. Alan Mead break down practical communication strategies to preempt patient complaints and callbacks before they happen. Starting with local anesthesia, the trio covers common chairside dilemmas: setting realistic...
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AME: Radical Consent and the Lost Art of Tooth Preservation
Fresh from the 2026 Bioclear Alumni Summit, Alan reflects on the power of tooth preservation, the lost art of "herodontics," and why the default move to implant therapy might be selling patients short . Addressing recent listener feedback about network reruns and solo monologues, Alan dives into...
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Very Dental: A New Twist on Dental Instruments with Kyle Lim of Power Dental Group
Alan welcomes Kyle Lim, the dynamic owner of Power Dental Group, to discuss how a second-generation family sharpening and retipping business evolved into a disruptive direct-to-dentist brand. Kyle pulls back the curtain on taking over his father's blue-collar manufacturing roots, shifting away…
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Very Dental Classics: The Implant Pathway Story with Dr. Justin Moody
In this throwback episode Dr. Justin Moody joins Alan to chronicle the remarkable evolution of Implant Pathway—from early hotel seminars to establishing a massive, purpose-built 32-operatory clinical training and nonprofit center in Scottsdale . Together, they break down the philosophy of the…
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AME: Is Podcasting Dead?
Alan reflects on the stark contrast between social media reach and traditional audio podcast listenership after short Instagram clips featuring guest Dr. Brady Smith quickly garnered tens of thousands of views while overall podcast downloads remained steady . Looking back on the evolution of…
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Very Dental: 18 Board Complaints and Selling Out Comedy Clubs with Dr. Brady Smith
What happens when you combine an aggressive 16-hour clinical shift, 18 frivolous state dental board investigations, and a completely fabricated, highly inappropriate anesthesia technique? You get Dr. Brady Smith's return to the Very Dental Podcast. Alan sits down with Brady to unpack his…
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Very Dental Classics: The Legacy of the Vedder Society
In this throwback episode, the Dental Hacks (Alan and Jason) kick things off by breaking down the realities of practice build-outs, avoiding the dreaded "construction valley," and weathering economic downturns before revisiting a milestone live recording from northern Michigan . Recorded on...
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AME: Different Sports
Fresh off his annual trip north for the Francis B. Vedder Society meeting, Alan dives into the notorious dental slump known as "Sucktember" and unpacks the clinical disconnect many general practitioners feel during high-end continuing education . While watching master-level prosthodontists and...
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Very Dental: Inviting Your Demons in for Tea with Dr. Dawn Grimes
Alan is joined by longtime friend and meditation teacher Dr. Dawn Grimes for a candid, reflective conversation on navigating change, managing career stress, and breaking the cycles of mental exhaustion. Moving from updates on moving houses, farm animals, and September financial anxiety into deep...
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Very Clinical: Extractions, Sticky Bone, and Guided Implants
Zach and Kevin catch up on summer milestones before diving deep into hands-on surgical dentistry with guests and fellow course instructors Dr. Shane Wingler and Dr. Emily Wojtowicz. Ahead of their upcoming TRT course, the panel shares actionable, real-world clinical pearls across the three…
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AME: Everything Is Amazing and Nobody in Dentistry Is Happy
Marking nearly three decades in clinical practice, Alan takes a candid, nostalgic look at how dental technology has evolved from analog drudgery into science fiction made reality. Drawing inspiration from a classic Louis C.K. routine, Alan reflects on our tendency to take miraculous advances for...
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Very Dental: Dr. Lance Timmerman on Guided Biofilm Therapy & Frictionless Case Acceptance
In this throwback episode, Alan is joined by frequent guest and co-host Dr. Lance Timmerman to explore game-changing shifts in clinical efficiency and practice workflows. Lance shares his firsthand experience integrating Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT) and EMS Airflow technology into his...
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Very Clinical: How to Stop Doing Fillings and Love Practice Ownership
Zach and Kevin welcome Dr. Emily Wojtowicz and Dr. Shane Wingler to the podcast for an honest conversation about career evolution, ownership, and practice growth. After recapping summer highlights—from National Parks and World Cup matches to East Coast camping—Emily and Shane share how getting...
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AME: Unprompted
Broadcasting from a shady Michigan porch alongside an overly affectionate cat, Alan details his first clinical experiences integrating biofilm guided hygiene protocols into practice. From navigating setup quirks to pairing Ivoclar's OptraGate with Zirc's disposable Mr. Thirsty bite block, he…
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Very Dental: Dr. Katie To on Biological Dentistry and Finding the Root Cause
Alan welcomes Dr. Katie To to discuss her transformative journey in restorative and biological dentistry. From purchasing an established prosthodontic practice in Katy, Texas, and scaling it using Digital Smile Design (DSD) to facing a career-threatening health crisis caused by heavy metal...
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Very Dental Classics: Is Solo Practice Dead?
In this Very Dental (Dental Hacks) Classic throwback from the 2018 Voices of Dentistry meeting, Alan captures an impromptu, high-energy conversation right from the after-party. Dr. Peter Boulden and Dr. Craig Spodak (hosts of the Bulletproof Dental Practice Podcast) sit down with DSO attorney…
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AME: Clinical Rage Bait
Recording from the office on a Sunday while assembling new equipment, Alan unpacks the unspoken and infuriating little annoyances that every clinical dentist experiences but rarely posts on social media. From syringes that may or may not have enough composite left to the mysterious physics of...
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Very Dental: AI with Arms and Legs with Dr. Richard Low
Alan is joined by longtime friend and dental podcasting veteran Dr. Richard Low. Moving past the initial hype and overwhelm of modern artificial intelligence, Richard breaks down how dentists and small business owners can actually put AI to work as a tangible personal assistant—giving it "arms…
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Spear Education All-Stars on Prosthodontics, Mentorship & Mastery
This throwback episode of the Group Function Podcast captures a candid roundtable originally recorded in August 2021 during a Spear Education virtual summit. Host Dr. Alan Mead is joined by an all-star lineup of Spear resident faculty to explore the origins of their careers, their transition into...
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AME: Talking Myself Off the Ledge
In this throwback episode of The Alan Mead Experience, Alan dives into the universal struggle every clinician faces: the days (or weeks) when it feels like everything you touch falls apart and imposter syndrome sets in. Drawing from an insightful thread in the Very Dental Facebook community, Alan...
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Very Dental: Losing My Practice and Saving My Life with Dr. Tiffany Paiva
Dr. Tiffany Paiva joins Alan for a deeply candid conversation about addiction, professional burnout, and the emotional toll of practice ownership. From overcoming a prescription opioid dependency sparked during dental school to navigating staff crises, embezzlement, and a practice closure, Dr....
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Very Clinical: Avoiding Compounding Errors in Endodontics with Dr. Ash Mark
In today's throwback Very Clinical episode Kevin and Zach welcome Dr. Ash Mark of YouTube's "All Things Dentistry" to discuss practical clinical strategies for navigating calcified root canals. The conversation dives into essential tips for identifying and treating calcified cases, including the...
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AME: 5 Tips for Rock Solid Interproximal Contacts
Alan dives into the frustrating challenge of open and light interproximal contacts in restorative dentistry. Drawing from recent personal dental experiences and clinical observations, Alan delivers five actionable tips to consistently achieve tight, reliable Class II contacts: Prewedging Staged...
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Very Dental: Intentional Dentistry and the Art of Saving Teeth with Dr. Matt Nejad
Alan Mead welcomes Southern California cosmetic and biomimetic dentist Dr. Matt Nejad. Matt shares his career journey—from buying a modest two-chair practice straight out of dental school to run his own self-directed "residency" in meticulous care, to becoming part of an aspirational practice in...
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Very Clinical: All Things Calcified...Navigating Tough Canals with Dr. Ash Mark
In today's throwback Very Clinical episode Kevin and Zach welcome Dr. Ash Mark of YouTube's "All Things Dentistry" to discuss practical clinical strategies for navigating calcified root canals. The conversation dives into essential tips for identifying and treating calcified cases, including the...
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AME: The Other Side of the Chair
How often do you experience your own office like a patient? As luck would have it, Alan lost a filling and had the chance to see what it's like to be a patient in his own office and he learned a lot! Alan discusses the unexpected anxiety of losing a restoration, attempting to place a temporary...
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Very Dental: Making the Case for Going Rural with Dr. Dave Whitlock
This throwback episode features a great conversation with Dr. Dave Whitlock! They discuss the unique opportunities, lifestyle perks, and financial benefits of practicing dentistry in rural communities. Having transitioned from high-competition, high-cost metro markets like Phoenix and Dallas to...
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Very Clinical: Dr. Sully Sullivan on Replacing Yourself
In this throwback episode of the Very Clinical Podcast, Zach and Kevin welcome back Dr. Sully Sullivan from Nashville, Tennessee. Sully shares the unique origin story of the 3D Dentists Mastermind, which began when he and Hootan stepped in to help run a course in Texas after Dr. T-Bone had a…
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AME: Escaping the Outrage Machine with Dr. Dawn Grimes
In this engaging throwback episode Alan Mead is joined by frequent guest Dr. Dawn Grimes. They have a thoughtful conversation on mental health, specifically how consuming the news and the media's "outrage machine" can negatively impact daily life. Dr. Mead shares his new strategy of driving his...
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Group Function: Decoding DSOs with Dr. Mark Costes & Dr. Paul Etchison
In this throwback episode of the Group Function Podcast, Alan Mead sits down with two titans of dental podcasting: Dr. Mark Costes and Dr. Paul Etchison! Together they decode the rapidly evolving world of Dental Service Organizations (DSOs). They break down complex industry jargon like EBITDA,...
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Very Clinical: Feed the Associate First with Dr. Sully Sullivan
In this throwback episode of the Very Clinical Podcast, hosts Zach and Kevin welcome Dr. Sully Sullivan from Nashville, Tennessee. Sully shares his journey of joining his father's successful dental practice and the strategic moves that propelled their exponential growth. From overcoming...
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AME: The "After This..." Trap
Recorded straight from the front porch of the farm, Alan reflects on the relief—and the sudden realization—that comes after hosting a massive high school graduation party for his son, Sean. Surrounded by the ambient sounds of wind chimes and ducks, Alan explores the "Arrival Fallacy" (or...
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Very Dental: The Truth About "Printed Ceramics" & AI Design with Damien Bonner
Alan welcomes back CAD-Ray's Damien Bonner to demystify the rapidly evolving world of chairside 3D printing and digital restorative workflows. The two kick off the conversation with a lighthearted look at phishing scams targeting clinicians before diving into CAD-Ray's scanner lineup, including…
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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...
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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...
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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…
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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...
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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…
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Very Dental: Recovery and Layered Learning with Dr. Steve Ratcliff
This episode of the Very Dental podcast is actually a terrific throwback to the Dental Hacks days! Step into the time machine as Al and Jason welcome Dr. Steve Ratcliff from the boardrooms overlooking the impressive Spear Education auditorium. This candid conversation delves into Dr. Ratcliff's...