Voices From The Bench

On August 27th many brave and fearless dental technicians will take to the water and road to participate in the 2023 Chicago Triathlon (https://www.chicagotriathlon.com/). They don't do it for fame or personal gain, but to raise money for the Foundation For Dental Laboratory Technology (https://dentallabfoundation.org/). PLEASE head over to dentallabfoundation.org (https://dentallabfoundation.org/) and click the DONATE TODAY button. Log in and choose the “Race for the Future” option. There you can put the name of a racer you want to sponsor. You can put: Barb Warner Team Abutments (Elvis Dahl, Mark Williamson, Bobby Kennedy) Voices From the Bench (50/50 split between Barb and Elvis' team) Come see Elvis and Barb on stage together for the first time as we record an episode in front of a live audience! Register for the Ladies of the Mill Summit in Chattanooga, TN on July 21-22 (https://www.ladiesofthemill.com/) We talk a lot about Barb and Elvis raising money by participating in the Race For the Future 9.0 on A

On August 27th many brave and fearless dental technicians will take to the water and road to participate in the 2023 Chicago Triathlon (https://www.chicagotriathlon.com/). They don't do it for fame or personal gain, but to raise money for the Foundation For Dental Laboratory Technology (https://dentallabfoundation.org/). PLEASE head over to dentallabfoundation.org (https://dentallabfoundation.org/) and click the DONATE TODAY button. Log in and choose the “Race for the Future” option. There you can put the name of a racer you want to sponsor. You can put: Barb Warner Team Abutments (Elvis Dahl, Mark Williamson, Bobby Kennedy) Voices From the Bench (50/50 split between Barb and Elvis' team) Come see Elvis and Barb on stage together for the first time as we record an episode in front of a live audience! Register for the Ladies of the Mill Summit in Chattanooga, TN on July 21-22 (https://www.ladiesofthemill.com/) Back in May, Elvis and Barb loaded up the gear and headed out to LMT (https://lmtmag.com/) Lab Day We

On August 27th many brave and fearless dental technicians will take to the water and road to participate in the 2023 Chicago Triathlon (https://www.chicagotriathlon.com/). They don't do it for fame or personal gain, but to raise money for the Foundation For Dental Laboratory Technology (https://dentallabfoundation.org/). PLEASE head over to dentallabfoundation.org (https://dentallabfoundation.org/) and click the DONATE TODAY button. Log in and choose the “Race for the Future” option. There you can put the name of a racer you want to sponsor. You can put: Barb Warner Team Abutments (Elvis Dahl, Mark Williamson, Bobby Kennedy) Voices From the Bench (50/50 split between Barb and Elvis' team) Come see Elvis and Barb on stage together for the first time as we record an episode in front of a live audience! Register for the Ladies of the Mill Summit in Chattanooga, TN on July 21-22 (https://www.ladiesofthemill.com/) We finally got a chance to take the podcast to the west coast. That's right, hanging out with the goo

On August 27th many brave and fearless dental technicians will take to the water and road to participate in the 2023 Chicago Triathlon (https://www.chicagotriathlon.com/). They don't do it for fame or personal gain, but to raise money for the Foundation For Dental Laboratory Technology (https://dentallabfoundation.org/). PLEASE head over to dentallabfoundation.org (https://dentallabfoundation.org/) and click the DONATE TODAY button. Log in and choose the “Race for the Future” option. There you can put the name of a racer you want to sponsor. You can put: Barb Warner Team Abutments (Elvis Dahl, Mark Williamson, Bobby Kennedy) Voices From the Bench (50/50 split between Barb and Elvis' team) This week we talk about the underappreciated model room technicians that make the foundation of everything we make possible. Marsha Mais found herself in a dental laboratory. They put her where they put everyone when they start, the model room. Marsha loved it. She was good at it. Unfortunately she saw that she did not get t

Come see Elvis and Barb on stage together for the first time as we record an episode in front of a live audience! Register for the Ladies of the Mill Summit in Chattanooga, TN on July 21-22 (https://www.ladiesofthemill.com/) Let's say you get a nice implant case in the lab. Obviously, there is a need for custom abutments. You can do everything in the lab quickly, except the abutments. You already must scan and design them, but when you send them out, how long do you have to wait to get them back? 4 days? A week? Two Weeks? How would you like it in 20 minutes? The Vice President of Preat (https://www.preat.com/), Ruben Arebalo, comes on the podcast to talk about his history getting to Preat and taking them from attachments to a complete digital implant restorative solution. The CEO of Digital Dental (https://www.digitaldental.com/), Jon Barnes, comes on to talk about getting into dental and running a company that has been making mills since the 70s. They have partnered up to provide a FDA compliant workflow

Send us your audio thanks to celebrate CDT and Dental Technology Appreciation Month. Every episode in June we will feature technicians thanking the ones that have made a positive impact on their dental Journey. It's super easy and fun. Just record yourself on your phone or computer. Just say your name, where you are from, who you are thanking, and why. Then email it to info@voicesfromthebench.com. Get a shirt that highlights "Dental Technicians Have Better Technique". Head over to https://www.bonfire.com/we-have-better-technique-the-shirt/ before June 10th to order a shirt, hoodie, or even a tank top. 100% of the profits are donated to the Foundation of Dental Laboratory Technology. (https://dentallabfoundation.org/) Ever hear of a Crozat (https://www.instagram.com/daily_crozat/) appliance? We haven't either, but luckily this week we talk to one of the only four technicians that makes these palate expanding devices, Jay Work III. Jay tells the amazing story of stumbling upon a gentleman specializing in these

Send us your audio thanks to celebrate CDT and Dental Technology Appreciation Month. Every episode in June we will feature technicians thanking the ones that have made a positive impact on their dental Journey. It's super easy and fun. Just record yourself on your phone or computer. Just say your name, where you are from, who you are thanking, and why. Then email it to info@voicesfromthebench.com. Get a shirt that highlights "Dental Technicians Have Better Technique". Head over to https://www.bonfire.com/we-have-better-technique-the-shirt/ before June 10th to order a shirt, hoodie, or even a tank top. 100% of the profits are donated to the Foundation of Dental Laboratory Technology. (https://dentallabfoundation.org/) In a time where many are saying the labs are closing or consolidating, here on the podcast we hear about labs owners killing it every week. This episode features a technician that went out to prove to everyone that this industry is still a great profession to find success. Daniel Hassler learned

Can you believe that LMT (https://lmtmag.com/) Lab Day Chicago was almost 3 months ago? We got 7 hours of recordings when we were set up in the Ivoclar (https://www.ivoclar.com/en_us) Ballroom. This week wraps it all up with 4 amazing conversations from that wonderful weekend. First up is Susan van Kensbergen who is the Vice President of Myerson (https://www.myersontooth.com/). Susan talks about her journey from being a ceramist, moving up in lab responsibility, managing the world's largest LAVA milling center, and finding her new home at Myerson, the home of Durflex (https://www.myersontooth.com/duraflex/) and an upcoming "game changing" printer. Then we chat with Neal Allen from Mustard Seed Dental Studio (https://www.mustardseeddental.com/). Neal spent 20 years in a large lab before moving into a growing lab owned by a Prosthodontist. Neal talks about the importance of creating a happy lab culture and treating the employees like family. Next is the "better" half of Artifex Dental Lab (https://artifexlab.c

Can you believe we are still bringing out conversations from LMT Lab Day Chicago 2023 in May? It was last February when we set up in the Ivoclar (https://www.ivoclar.com/en_us) Ballroom and recorded all weekend long. This week brings three more amazing conversations with a few past guests and a new friend. First up is Katie Rinaldo and Mandy Arena. These two removable technicians are trying to get the state of Illinois to make Denturism legal. Katie was on the podcast back on episode 78 & 79. They are back to give us an update on the status of the legislation and to remind everyone how they can help. Go to the Illinois Denturist website (https://illinoisdenturist.com/) or DONATE TODAY! (https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LUUWFULZMRKPQ&fbclid=IwAR32HlkUp_DzM9kdSYZ31Ir9qMi_w476uHLAAJ7SsARy9edTLlP0cFwG9m0) Then we chat with the wonderful, talented, and gifted Jen Ludwig. Jen (and all her amazing personality) stops by the booth to update us on life after receiving CDT of the YEAR (https://nbccert

Hope to see you all at LMT Lab Day West (https://lmtmag.com/lmtlabdaywest)! Come find us in the Ivoclar (https://www.ivoclar.com/en_us) Room. June is CDT and Dental Technician Appreciation Month. Every year we highlight those that mean a lot to all of us. For every episode in June we will play YOUR audio clips thanking that special someone in or around our industry. Just record yourself on your phone or computer and email it to info@voicesfromthebench.com and we will play it on the show. Back in February, there is the biggest dental lab meeting in the US called Lab Day Chicago. We were set up in the Ivoclar (https://www.ivoclar.com/en_us) Ballroom all weekend and recorded a ton of great people. This week brings two fantastic conversations. First up is Chet Spivey. Chet has been with Ivoclar for over 25 years and tells us about the journey of the innovative company. With so many products under their belt, Ivoclar can celebrate their 100th year by honoring the customers. Then we finally get to chat with Canadia

As Elvis and Barb prepare to record at LMT Lab Day West (https://lmtmag.com/lmtlabdaywest) on May 12 & 13, they bring you three more conversations from the Ivoclar Ballroom at LMT Lab Day Chicago 2023. First up is Alan Banks from Roe Dental Laboratory (https://www.roedentallab.com/). Alan talks about his many roles in the lab and their new and interesting way to take accurate full arch implant impressions without the need of photogrammetry called just Grammetry (https://www.roedentallab.com/products/implants/full-arch-fixed-options/grammetry/). Next up is Millie Tang, owner of Hunan Vsmile Biotechnology Co (https://www.vsmilecadcamzirconia.com/), a manufacturer of zirconia in China. Millie talks about their zirconia, how they distribute it, and her 10 year goal of taking over the dental world. Wrapping up the episode is Monica Buchanan. Monica is a CDT in orthodontics and talks about the experience getting it virtually. Monica also talks about all the appliances she makes being an in-office technician in a t

We are still amazed by all the conversations Elvis and Barb got while at in the Ivoclar Ballroom during LMT Lab Day Chicago 2023. Didn't get a chance to record with us? You have another chance, as we will be again with Ivoclar (https://www.ivoclar.com/en_us) at Lab Day WEST May 12 - 13 in Garden Grove, California (https://lmtmag.com/shows/lmt-lab-day-west-2023). Come say hi and be on the podcast! This week brings us 4 conversations with 6 people! First up is Tobias Specht who is a Master Dental Technician and has been with Ivoclar for 23 years. He gives us some insight into Empress, emax, Ivotion, the "red lips", and so much more. Then we catch up with the two newest employees of Oaks Dental Design (https://www.oaksdentaldesigns.com/). Eiron Simmons come back on to talk about all that she is learning and Olivia Davis, who recently joined the lab, talks about what she is learning and inspiring to do next. After that we chat with Crystal Heung from Sumc Dental Lab (https://www.sunmc.hk/) in China. Crystal t

Back in late February, Elvis and Barb set up their gear in the Ivoclar (https://www.ivoclar.com/en_us) Ballroom during LMT (https://lmtmag.com/) Lab Day Chicago 2023 to record all the great people attending that amazing event. This week we bring you three of the conversations from that wonderful weekend. First up is the Chief Marketing Officer for Ivoclar (https://www.ivoclar.com/en_us), Patric Frank. Patric comes all the way from the Headquarters in Liechtenstein chin to celebrate their 100 year anniversary. Patric talks about why he works for Ivoclar, attending Chicago, getting ready for IDS, and some exciting new Ivoclar products coming out. Then we chat with Jess Mashewske, who started in a "big box" dental office. Once she learned to become a technician, she soon realized that her talents were being wasted and wanted to go somewhere she can excel. Now she is running Finger Lakes Dental Lab (https://fingerlakesdental.com/finger-lakes-dental-lab-team/) that services a 7-office DSO and looking to grow. And

It was so good to be back at LMT Lab Day Chicago back in February! We got to talk to so many amazing people while recording in the Ivolcar (https://www.ivoclar.com/en_us) Ballroom. We are just as excited to start releasing these conversations in no particular order. First up is a very special friend of the podcast, Allie Williamson. Allie is well known for being an excellent in-lab trainer, working at some pretty decent sized labs. After a time in Florida, Allie found herself back in the Midwest looking for her next chapter. Seeing a need to take dental lab training to more people, Allie started DLT Training & Education (https://dlttraining.com/). Allie talks about why it’s important to understand not only the basics but to also understand the why. This fun conversation covers all the different programs she is offering like fundamentals, PTC, CDT study clubs, and so much more. Check out DLTtraining.com and take your career to the next level! If efficiency and performance are what you are looking for in a mil

Every time you blink, technology and materials change in dentistry. One man who seems to keep up on a lot of it is Brian Binnie. Brian grew up in his father's lab but never really had the hands to do the work. Moving over to a supply vendor sent him on a journey to be a part of many big releases in dental laboratory history. Brian talks about the introduction of Empress to North America, the early days of Cerec, the formation of the Leixir Group (https://leixir.com/), and his current role at Pac-Dent (https://pac-dent.com/). It is a wonderful look at where the industry has been and where it is going. If efficiency and performance are what you are looking for in a compact milling system, then the PrograMill DRY (https://www.ivoclar.com/enus/products/digital-equipment/programill-dry) from Ivoclar (https://www.ivoclar.com/enus) is the right choice for you. Produce precise zirconium oxide crowns and bridges plus a range of PMMA materials including the innovative IVOTION (https://www.ivoclar.com/enca/products/dig

We love passion on this podcast. We love talking to people that just by the tone of their voice when talking about teeth, you can tell they are smiling. Tracy Graham loves teeth. But she wanted more. After being chairside for many years, Tracy decided to go the extra step and become a dental technician. Tracy talks about the transition to the program at LSU (https://www.lsusd.lsuhsc.edu/FSDLT.html), the classes, and the workflow with having a clinic in the same building. Going the extra step, Tracy has already set up a lab at home to continue her success after graduation. This conversation is all about passion, dedication, balance, and growth. If efficiency and performance are what you are looking for in a milling system, then the high-performance PrograMill PM7 (https://www.ivoclar.com/en_us/products/digital-equipment/programill-pm7) from Ivoclar (https://www.ivoclar.com/en_us) is the right choice for you. Equipped with a high-performance spindle, this high-power 5-axis milling machine efficiently produces b

We can hardly believe that for the last 260 straight weeks, we have been able to talk to so many amazing people in and around the dental laboratory industry. Early on we thought we would struggle to find guests, but as it turns out, our industry is even more amazing than we thought. Every year on our anniversary we catch up with the first guest who took a chance on us, Renata Budny. Renata is a professor at the New York City College of Technology Restorative Dentistry program (https://www.citytech.cuny.edu/restorativedentistry/). She again updates us on the school but brings along some amazing past students and now adjunct instructors who just happen to be married, Oscar and Natalie Galvis. Oscar and Natalie talk about attending the school, going back to teach, what they are seeing in new students, and balancing all that with their own lab and family. Cheers to another 5 years! If efficiency and performance are what you are looking for in a compact milling system, then the PrograMill DRY (https://www.ivoclar.

We know how fun it is working with a dentist right out of school, right? Well imagine working with them while they are still in school. Raul Garcia was a police officer in Dallas. Wanting to change and also meeting the right person, Raul soon found himself as a intern working with the digital workflow at a trauma clinic. It wasn't long before the University of Oklahoma (https://www.ou.edu/) found him and put him in charge of the their digital laboratory at the School of Dentistry (https://www.ou.edu/admissions/academics/dentistry). Raul talks about the journey, his daily workflow, researching on equipment and materials, and working with different types of students. If efficiency and performance are what you are looking for in a milling system, then the high-performance PrograMill PM7 (https://www.ivoclar.com/en_us/products/digital-equipment/programill-pm7) from Ivoclar (https://www.ivoclar.com/en_us) is the right choice for you. Equipped with a high-performance spindle, this high-power 5-axis milling machine

We are always fascinated by technicians that are married and work together. Successfully. This week we talk to Lola and Mark Welch. Both technicians from the UK who worked in the same area. After finally running into each other, Mark and Lola dated and eventually got married. Still working together, their careers grew and soon went different but similar paths. They talk about their journey in dental technology, the journey together, and what they are doing now. Mark is with Nexa3D (https://nexa3d.com/), helping to bring a new printer to the industry and Lola is growing on Instagram, teaching courses, and now a proud member of the DTG (https://www.dentaltechniciansguild.com/) family. Lola's upcoming courses: The power of conversion- All on X full arch immediate load at the North of England Dentistry Show (https://dentistry.co.uk/shows/north-of-england-dentistry-show-2023/) Staining and Characterizing of 3D printed and milled teeth (https://www.the-dts.co.uk/stand-education?utm_campaign=1234919_Healthcare++DTS2

We are back from LMT Lab Day Chicago 2023 with an episode we recorded before the epic event. Dr. Mark Nation is a prosthodontist out of Louisville, Kentucky in a practice called Advanced Dental Solution (https://adslouisville.com/)s. Dr. Nation is known for the one to fix the unproperly planned full arch restorations. Working with all the ones that "don't work", he is able to work with patients to get them restored the way they should. Dr. Nation talks about getting into Oral Surgery, his time in school, understanding how the patient's symptoms or complaints are not just teeth, and how doctors and labs can work together to better treatment plan and restore full arches. The new PrograScan PS3 and PS5 (https://www.ivoclar.com/en_us/products/digital-equipment/prograscan-ps5-and-ps3-laborscanner) provide true-to-detail, high-resolution and accurate scans for coordinated digital workflows that are precise, fast, and always accurate. The PS3 and PS5 are powered by the popular and intuitive DentalCAD software from E