Voices from The Bench

This week we wrap up the conversations at the exocad (https://exocad.com/) Insights 2024 meeting from Mallorca, Spain. Elvis and Barb can not thank exocad enough for this amazing opportunity to showcase some many AMAZING people in our industry. Things were learned, friends were made, laptops were returned, and memories were made. Thank you exocad! First up is dental technician that is working on business development at Nobel Biocare (https://www.nobelbiocare.com/en-us), Chuck Genco. Chuck is 35 year veteran in various dental labs. He's now with Nobel Biocare helping them create a solution based digital workflow with a emphasis on "time to teeth". He talks about his journey, his role at Nobel, and what some interesting things they are working on. Then we talk to two friends in Spain, from Syria, working in Sweden. Yousef Ibrahim is a ceramist. Maher Al Hanfeish is the cad/cam technician. After leaving Syria, they both found their way to the same lab in Sweden and have been friends ever since. They talk about their journey into the lab, getting to Sweden, and their daily life in a lab. As a special BONUS, we talk to the Chair of the Foundation for Dental Laboratory Technology (https://dentallabfoundation.org/), Jen Ludwig and the Executive Director, Lindsey Rowan. They both come on to talk about the upcoming Race for the Future happening on September 15th, 2024 in Fort Worth, Texas. Join the Race: https://fdlt.memberclicks.net/donor-form DONATE TODAY: https://fortworth.californiatriathlon.org/Race/Register/?raceId=99407 Introducing Ivotion Digital Dentures (https://www.ivoclar.com/en_us/products/digital-processes/ivotion) from Ivoclar (https://www.ivoclar.com/en_us) – Experience unparalleled precision and efficiency with Ivoclar‘s state-of-the-art digital denture workflow. Ivotion is available in their patent pending monolithic disc that combines denture base and tooth materials in one seamless puck. Or if you lab needs more flexibility, Ivotion is also available as stand-alone discs - Ivotion Base, Dent and Dent Multi all in 98mm width to fit your favorite milling machine. With Ivotion you can streamline your lab’s processes, reduce production time, and enhance patient satisfaction. Elevate your lab's capabilities with Ivotion Digital Dentures – where innovation meets perfection. Discover the future of dentures today with Ivoclar." Thanks for your continued support of the podcast Ivoclar. Join the GOLDEN BENCH CLUB! All you have to do is leave us a 5-star review and comment on the Apple Podcast app (or any other app and email us a screen shot) and we will read your review on the podcast and welcome you to the Golden Bench Club. This super elite club is only for the best of the best. Special Guests: Chuck Genco, Jennifer Ludwig, CDT, Lindsey Rowan, Maher Al Hanfeish , and Yousef Ibrahim.

Join the GOLDEN BENCH CLUB! All you have to do is leave us a 5-star review and comment on the Apple Podcast app (or any other app and email us a screen shot) and we will read your review on the podcast and welcome you to the Golden Bench Club. This super elite club is only for the best of the best. As we continue the amazing conversations we got while at exocad Insights 2024 in Mallorca, Spain, we want to thank again the good people at exocad that made all this possible. This episode brings us three fantastic conversations with 3 fantastic people. First up is Dr. Marcus White from England who is one of the UK's foremost opinion leaders in digital dentistry and intra oral scanning. Dr. White talks about his on-site lab, utilizing remote designers and milling centers, and his view of the full arch workflow. Next is UK lab owner, Ashley Bryne. Ashley is the son of a lab owner that told him not to get into the business. It's a great thing he didn't listen to him, because now Ashley owns Brynes Dental Lab, one of the biggest labs into digital and implants in England. Ashley talks about his journey, why his labs uses both exocad and 3shape, bringing technicians to Insights, and being a part of the Conus Group of laboratories. Then we wrap up the episode with Seth Potter. Since the age of 12, Seth knew he wanted to be a dental technician. After school and working in a lab, Seth soon found himself needing a new direction. So, he got a laptop and exocad and started looking for work. Now he's not only a freelance designer but also a Independent Certified exocad Trainer. Introducing Ivotion Digital Dentures (https://www.ivoclar.com/en_us/products/digital-processes/ivotion) from Ivoclar (https://www.ivoclar.com/en_us) – Experience unparalleled precision and efficiency with Ivoclar‘s state-of-the-art digital denture workflow. Ivotion is available in their patent pending monolithic disc that combines denture base and tooth materials in one seamless puck. Or if you lab needs more flexibility, Ivotion is also available as stand-alone discs - Ivotion Base, Dent and Dent Multi all in 98mm width to fit your favorite milling machine. With Ivotion you can streamline your lab’s processes, reduce production time, and enhance patient satisfaction. Elevate your lab's capabilities with Ivotion Digital Dentures – where innovation meets perfection. Discover the future of dentures today with Ivoclar." Thanks for your continued support of the podcast Ivoclar. Special Guests: Ashley Byrne, Dr. Marcos White, and Seth Potter.

Join the GOLDEN BENCH CLUB! All you have to do is leave us a 5-star review and comment on the Apple Podcast app (or any other app and email us a screen shot) and we will read your review on the podcast and welcome you to the Golden Bench Club. This super elite club is only for the best of the best. Can we explain how thankful we are to exocad (https://exocad.com/) for providing us the opportunity to talk to all these amazing people in our industry while in Mallorca, Spain. This week is no exception to great conversations as we start by meeting the NEW President of exocad North America, Beth Collington. Beth is no stranger to dental, with 28 years of experience she come to exocad because of their wonderful culture and their leading innovation into dental software. Then we talk to a lab owner in Portugal, Luis Saraiva. Luis talks about his journey into dental technology, opening a lab with his wife, and understanding the importance of letting technicians do what they do best to create the best restorations. We wrap up the episode with Nuno Borrego, also from Portugal, who has create an online platform that allows designers the ability to match with dentist and labs to find work. It’s a great way for technicians to maybe supplement their income or even work from home. Check it out at cadcammasters.com (https://www.cadcammasters.com/). On September 11th in Fort Worth, Texas, the 10th annual Race For the Future (https://dentallabfoundation.org/news-events/race-for-the-future/) will take place to raise money for the Foundation For Dental Laboratory Technology (https://dentallabfoundation.org/). Barb is doing her 9th solo race and Elvis is teaming up with Mark Williamson and Bobby Kenney to form The Abutments. Go to dentallabfoundation.org and click on the DONATE TODAY button. There you need to log in or create an account. Then select “Race for the Future” and enter the name of either Barb Warner or the Abutments, then the amount you want to donate. Wanting to take your knowledge and skills to the next level? If you are looking for the best education dedicated to dentistry in both the labs and clinics, check out Ivoclar Academy. (https://resources.ivoclar.com/lab/en/academy) From on-demand webinars to in-person training, Ivoclar Academy has a program to meet your busy schedule. Check out all they have to offer HERE! (https://resources.ivoclar.com/lab/en/academy) Special Guests: Beth Collington, Luis Saraiva, and Nuno Borrego.

Join the GOLDEN BENCH CLUB! All you have to do is leave us a 5-star review and comment on the Apple Podcast app (or any other app and email us a screen shot) and we will read your review on the podcast and welcome you to the Golden Bench Club. This super elite club is only for the best of the best. Mallorca Spain is known for exporting wonderful almonds, oranges, lemons, olives, olive oil, grapes, wine and excellent cheeses. But did you also know they are known for exporting amazing conversations from people changing dentistry? This week we are back with even more conversation from exocad Insights 2024. First up is the stellar sister duo of Kristina Vaitelyte and Margarita Vaitelyte. Kristina was on the podcast a while ago but this time we caught them together. They talk about the importance of communication, since Kristina designs in England and Margarita finishes in Lithuania, the workflow of near instant patient treatment planning, and always working with the end result in mind. Then we learn what a Dental Therapist is when we chat with Cat Edney. Cat started as a hygienist, but knew she could do more and went to get her Dental Therapist license. Now she is working to spread the word of how that role fits within the dental team, allows more (and proper) care to public, and how she communicates to the other members on the team. On September 11th in Fort Worth, Texas, the 10th annual Race For the Future (https://dentallabfoundation.org/news-events/race-for-the-future/) will take place to raise money for the Foundation For Dental Laboratory Technology (https://dentallabfoundation.org/). Barb is doing her 9th solo race and Elvis is teaming up with Mark Williamson and Bobby Kenney to form The Abutments. Go to dentallabfoundation.org and click on the DONATE TODAY button. There you need to log in or create an account. Then select “Race for the Future” and enter the name of either Barb Warner or the Abutments, then the amount you want to donate. Wanting to take your knowledge and skills to the next level? If you are looking for the best education dedicated to dentistry in both the labs and clinics, check out Ivoclar Academy. (https://resources.ivoclar.com/lab/en/academy) From on-demand webinars to in-person training, Ivoclar Academy has a program to meet your busy schedule. Check out all they have to offer HERE! (https://resources.ivoclar.com/lab/en/academy) Special Guests: Cat Edney, Kristina Vaitelyte, and Margarita Vaitelyte.

Join the GOLDEN BENCH CLUB! All you have to do is leave us a 5-star review and comment on the Apple Podcast app (or any other app and email us a screen shot) and we will read your review on the podcast and welcome you to the Golden Bench Club. This super elite club is only for the best of the best. This week we start with the conversations we got while in Mallorca, Spain recording at the exocad Insights 2024 meeting. THANK YOU exocad (https://exocad.com/) for inviting us to this amazing meeting. It's held every two years, so go ahead and plan on attending in 2026! First up with talk with a certified exocad trainer, Jaime Moreno. Jaime talks about his boutique lab, the technology he uses, and common questions a trainer gets. Jaime is also the gentleman that took time out of his busy schedule to go to the Barcelona airport lost and found, pick up my laptops, box them, and ship them. He is the hero that has made every conversation from exocad Insights possible to be released. Then we chat with Saulius Janusevicius & Alex Chabachevitch. These two technicians meet at exocad Insights two years ago and have remained friends since. Saulius is from Lithuania and Alex is from Canada but found a common likeness for teeth and exocad. They talk about their journey into dental technology, what they specialize in now, and what they get out of going to exocad Insights. Then we wrap up the episode with Pinhas Adar. Pinhas owns a lab in Atlanta, Georgia. But his story starts at the age of 14 in Israel. Pinhas talks about his amazing journey, people that have influenced him along the way, and how he can charge the same for a full arch and a single unit. On September 11th in Fort Worth, Texas, the 10th annual Race For the Future (https://dentallabfoundation.org/news-events/race-for-the-future/) will take place to raise money for the Foundation For Dental Laboratory Technology (https://dentallabfoundation.org/). Barb is doing her 9th solo race and Elvis is teaming up with Mark Williamson and Bobby Kenney to form The Abutments. Go to dentallabfoundation.org and click on the DONATE TODAY button. There you need to log in or create an account. Then select “Race for the Future” and enter the name of either Barb Warner or the Abutments, then the amount you want to donate. Wanting to take your knowledge and skills to the next level? If you are looking for the best education dedicated to dentistry in both the labs and clinics, check out Ivoclar Academy. (https://resources.ivoclar.com/lab/en/academy) From on-demand webinars to in-person training, Ivoclar Academy has a program to meet your busy schedule. Check out all they have to offer HERE! (https://resources.ivoclar.com/lab/en/academy) Special Guests: Alex Chabachevitch, Jaime Aisa Moreno, Pinhas Adar MDT, CDT, and Saulius Janusevicius.

On September 11th in Fort Worth, Texas, the 10th annual Race For the Future (https://dentallabfoundation.org/news-events/race-for-the-future/) will take place to raise money for the Foundation For Dental Laboratory Technology (https://dentallabfoundation.org/). Barb is doing her 9th solo race and Elvis is teaming up with Mark Williamson and Bobby Kenney to form The Abutments. Go to dentallabfoundation.org and click on the DONATE TODAY button. There you need to log in or create an account. Then select “Race for the Future” and enter the name of either Barb Warner or the Abutments, then the amount you want to donate. We love meeting dental technicians from all over the world. It's even better when we meet them when they are in other parts of the world when recording. Sabine Mayer started in a lab 32 years ago and for 28 years it was just a job. There was no passion or obsession. Then she fell in love with another dental technician and that passion helped create a passion for teeth. Sabine grew her skills, got on social media, and now she and her boyfriend are teaching courses around the world. Shera Model Resin: https://shera.de/en/produkte/3d-druck-material/ As a special bonus, the president of the NADL and past podcast guest, Denise Burris, stopped by the Jensen Dental booth while we were at the FDLA Symposium a few weeks ago. Denise updates us on all things NADL (https://nadl.org/) like their new website and job board, the NBC (https://nbccert.org/homepage.cfm) and the success of the Digital Workflow Specialty, and how the FDLT (https://dentallabfoundation.org/) can help you obtain your CDT. Allie Williamson's DLT Training: https://dlttraining.com/ Wanting to take your knowledge and skills to the next level? If you are looking for the best education dedicated to dentistry in both the labs and clinics, check out Ivoclar Academy. (https://resources.ivoclar.com/lab/en/academy) From on-demand webinars to in-person training, Ivoclar Academy has a program to meet your busy schedule. Check out all they have to offer HERE! (https://resources.ivoclar.com/lab/en/academy) Special Guests: Denise Burris, CDT and Sabine Mayer.

On September 11th in Fort Worth, Texas, the 10th annual Race For the Future (https://dentallabfoundation.org/news-events/race-for-the-future/) will take place to raise money for the Foundation For Dental Laboratory Technology (https://dentallabfoundation.org/). Barb is doing her 9th solo race and Elvis is teaming up with Mark Williamson and Bobby Kenney to form The Abutments. Go to dentallabfoundation.org and click on the DONATE TODAY button. There you need to log in or create an account. Then select “Race for the Future” and enter the name of either Barb Warner or the Abutments, then the amount you want to donate. There are a LOT of full arch restorations being made in out industry. Usually referred to as an “all-on-X”, these are amazing life changing treatments that come with a hefty price tag and in turn a decent profit for everyone. It’s not super complicated to do a case, but a lot can happen during and after that will require the work of a team to overcome. Two dentists are changing the mindset in dentistry to make sure everyone involved is on the same page. Dr. Ryan Dunlop from Full Arch Masters (https://www.fullarchmasters.com/) and Dr. Johnathan Abenaim from X-Cell Dental Implant Center (https://needteethnow.com/) want to make sure everyone on the team understands the need to do it right. Usually teaching separate courses, Dr. Dunlop and Dr. Abenaim felt it necessary to join forces and give the unsponsored, truthful, and RAW look at what goes into giving a patient a good looking, functioning restoration. Both talk about why they got into teaching and what they have learned along the way like learning to customize the treatment to the patient, learning to communicate better with in the team, changing the status quo, and changing the mindset of dentistry. Attend FULL ARCH RAW, August 8 & 9, 2024 in Miami Florida (https://fullarchraw.com/) Wanting to take your knowledge and skills to the next level? If you are looking for the best education dedicated to dentistry in both the labs and clinics, check out Ivoclar Academy. (https://resources.ivoclar.com/lab/en/academy) From on-demand webinars to in-person training, Ivoclar Academy has a program to meet your busy schedule. Check out all they have to offer HERE! (https://resources.ivoclar.com/lab/en/academy) Special Guests: Dr. Jonathan M. Abenaim and Dr Ryan Dunlop.

Voices From the Bench is headed back to Florida THIS WEEK for the FDLA Southern States Symposium & Expo (https://www.fdla.net/) all thanks to the great people at Jensen Dental (https://jensendental.com/). You know, the makers of MIYO! (https://miyoworld.com/). Come visit Elvis & Barb in the Jensen booth June 7 & 8 in Orlando. Register today at FDLA.NET! Could you imagine buying a lab without knowing anything about teeth? Well, that is exactly what Thomas Brainsky did. Thomas is an entrepreneur that thought it was a great idea and soon learned the hard way that it isn't easy. Thomas talks about buying the lab, of course buying a second lab, struggling with growth and retention, learning what his lab does differently, connecting with David Lesh, changing his marketing, and all about the lessons he learned along the way. Discover How Employers are benefiting from an Annual Tax savings upwards of $300 to $600 per employee with ZERO Net Cost & Increasing their employees NET Take Home Pay (https://capstonehealthplan.com/employers/?utm_source=252&utm_campaign=tbrainsky) Episode 295 featuring David Lesh (https://www.voicesfromthebench.com/295) Brainsky Unleased (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCamO_SVBjxo1TUQuZskezQQ) Wanting to take your knowledge and skills to the next level? If you are looking for the best education dedicated to dentistry in both the labs and clinics, check out Ivoclar Academy. (https://resources.ivoclar.com/lab/en/academy) From on-demand webinars to in-person training, Ivoclar Academy has a program to meet your busy schedule. Check out all they have to offer HERE! (https://resources.ivoclar.com/lab/en/academy) Whether you are looking to elevate your craftsmanship or looking to cut back costs, look no further – VITA MFT Teeth (https://vitanorthamerica.com/en-US/VITA-MFT-Anterior-369,273,126133.html) are the ultimate solution for creating lifelike and stunning smiles. Crafted with precision and backed by cutting-edge technology, VITA MFT Teeth offers unparalleled esthetics and durability. And since VITA (https://vitanorthamerica.com/) believes in the power of experiencing excellence firsthand, for a limited time only, they’re offering you the chance to get a complimentary case sample. That’s right, a full case, absolutely free. Just visit vitanorthamerica.com/freemft (https://www2.vitanorthamerica.com/mft/) Don’t wait any longer to start providing your customers with a premium tooth at an economy price. Redeem your free case sample and if you’re ready to buy, VITA will even give you an extra 10% discount by shopping online on their newly launched online store. Join the VITA family today. Special Guest: Thomas Brainsky.

Voices From the Bench is headed back to Florida for the FDLA Southern States Symposium & Expo (https://www.fdla.net/) all thanks to the great people at Jensen Dental (https://jensendental.com/). You know, the makers of MIYO! (https://miyoworld.com/). Come visit Elvis & Barb in the Jensen booth June 7 & 8 in Orlando. Register today at FDLA.NET! We all know that a majority of labs use 3shape (https://www.3shape.com/). We also know that a majority of the labs outsource designs in some capacity. Have you ever wondered how it works so efficiently? This week Elvis and Barb chat with Cole Bishop who is the Global Head of Design Quality with 3Shape Design Services (https://www.3shape.com/en-us/services/design-services). Cole comes from a long background of working in dental labs and really understands that no two people want the same design. He talks about his journey, getting into digital, developing the design options for Full Contour, transition to 3shape, and helping them to develop the 90 second AI design service called Automate (https://www.3shape.com/en-us/services/automate). Wanting to take your knowledge and skills to the next level? If you are looking for the best education dedicated to dentistry in both the labs and clinics, check out Ivoclar Academy. (https://resources.ivoclar.com/lab/en/academy) From on-demand webinars to in-person training, Ivoclar Academy has a program to meet your busy schedule. Check out all they have to offer HERE! (https://resources.ivoclar.com/lab/en/academy) Whether you are looking to elevate your craftsmanship or looking to cut back costs, look no further – VITA MFT Teeth (https://vitanorthamerica.com/en-US/VITA-MFT-Anterior-369,273,126133.html) are the ultimate solution for creating lifelike and stunning smiles. Crafted with precision and backed by cutting-edge technology, VITA MFT Teeth offers unparalleled esthetics and durability. And since VITA (https://vitanorthamerica.com/) believes in the power of experiencing excellence firsthand, for a limited time only, they’re offering you the chance to get a complimentary case sample. That’s right, a full case, absolutely free. Just visit vitanorthamerica.com/freemft (https://www2.vitanorthamerica.com/mft/) Don’t wait any longer to start providing your customers with a premium tooth at an economy price. Redeem your free case sample and if you’re ready to buy, VITA will even give you an extra 10% discount by shopping online on their newly launched online store. Join the VITA family today. Special Guest: Cole Bishop.

Our first episode since returning from the AMAZING Exocad (https://exocad.com/) Insights meeting in SPAIN! Thank you to all the wonderful people that put on the show and to everyone that stopped by and recorded with us. We can't wait to release all the episodes! Go show some love to Jaume Aisa Moreno (https://www.facebook.com/jaume.aisamoreno) who is reuniting Elvis with his podcast laptop! Shaana Gripp started off as a dental assistant because of her grandmother. After getting into doing some lab work, found out that she really enjoyed it. In the early 2000s she was exposed to CEREC and a passion for designing started. Moving to a full-time position in a lab was where she picked up all the skills as they moved her from models, waxing, and eventually ceramics. Now Shaana is running an in-office lab that does the work of 8 dentists in 4 locations. Shaana talks about her journey, learning how to self-teach, daily life in her lab, and how photography plays a big part in her full arch work. Wanting to take your knowledge and skills to the next level? If you are looking for the best education dedicated to dentistry in both the labs and clinics, check out Ivoclar Academy. (https://resources.ivoclar.com/lab/en/academy) From on-demand webinars to in-person training, Ivoclar Academy has a program to meet your busy schedule. Check out all they have to offer HERE! (https://resources.ivoclar.com/lab/en/academy) Whether you are looking to elevate your craftsmanship or looking to cut back costs, look no further – VITA MFT Teeth (https://vitanorthamerica.com/en-US/VITA-MFT-Anterior-369,273,126133.html) are the ultimate solution for creating lifelike and stunning smiles. Crafted with precision and backed by cutting-edge technology, VITA MFT Teeth offers unparalleled esthetics and durability. And since VITA (https://vitanorthamerica.com/) believes in the power of experiencing excellence firsthand, for a limited time only, they’re offering you the chance to get a complimentary case sample. That’s right, a full case, absolutely free. Just visit vitanorthamerica.com/freemft (https://www2.vitanorthamerica.com/mft/) Don’t wait any longer to start providing your customers with a premium tooth at an economy price. Redeem your free case sample and if you’re ready to buy, VITA will even give you an extra 10% discount by shopping online on their newly launched online store. Join the VITA family today. Special Guest: Shaana Gripp.

Voices From the Bench is headed back to Florida for the FDLA Southern States Symposium & Expo (https://www.fdla.net/) all thanks to the great people at Jensen Dental (https://jensendental.com/). You know, the makers of MIYO! (https://miyoworld.com/). Come visit Elvis & Barb in the Jensen booth June 7 & 8 in Orlando. Register today at FDLA.NET! After countless past guests on the podcast (and Barb) sing the praises of the MIYO system (https://miyoworld.com/), it only makes sense that we talk to the makers of it, Jensen Dental (https://jensendental.com/). Kevin Mahan has been with Jensen Dental for 32 years and has seen the company go from alloy and refining to a leader in the ceramic space. Kevin talks about his journey, the story of how they got the name MIYO, and how he meet Kite Saito. Kite is an amazing ceramist from Ozark Prosthodontics (https://ozarkpros.com/). He talks about his journey to America to fulfill a dream of being a blues guitarists, learning about the dental technology program at the LA city college (https://www.lacc.edu/academics/pathways/hs/dental-technology-dept#:~:text=The%20Program%20includes%20instruction%20in,dental%20prosthesis%20including%20implant%20prosthodontics.), working in Beverly Hills, taking Ed McLaren’s course, and so many great tips and tricks he has learned over the years with MIYO. Wanting to take your knowledge and skills to the next level? If you are looking for the best education dedicated to dentistry in both the labs and clinics, check out Ivoclar Academy. (https://resources.ivoclar.com/lab/en/academy) From on-demand webinars to in-person training, Ivoclar Academy has a program to meet your busy schedule. Check out all they have to offer HERE! (https://resources.ivoclar.com/lab/en/academy) Whether you are looking to elevate your craftsmanship or looking to cut back costs, look no further – VITA MFT Teeth (https://vitanorthamerica.com/en-US/VITA-MFT-Anterior-369,273,126133.html) are the ultimate solution for creating lifelike and stunning smiles. Crafted with precision and backed by cutting-edge technology, VITA MFT Teeth offers unparalleled esthetics and durability. And since VITA (https://vitanorthamerica.com/) believes in the power of experiencing excellence firsthand, for a limited time only, they’re offering you the chance to get a complimentary case sample. That’s right, a full case, absolutely free. Just visit vitanorthamerica.com/freemft (https://www2.vitanorthamerica.com/mft/) Don’t wait any longer to start providing your customers with a premium tooth at an economy price. Redeem your free case sample and if you’re ready to buy, VITA will even give you an extra 10% discount by shopping online on their newly launched online store. Join the VITA family today. Special Guests: Kevin Mahan and Kite Saito, MDC, CDT.

Voices From the Bench is headed back to Florida for the FDLA Southern States Symposium & Expo (https://www.fdla.net/) all thanks to the great people at Jensen Dental (https://jensendental.com/). You know, the makers of MIYO! (https://miyoworld.com/). Come visit Elvis & Barb in the Jensen booth June 7 & 8 in Orlando. Register today at FDLA.NET! Most people don't like to talk about health insurance. Because it's usually with some insurance broker that doesn't know anything about the dental lab industry and is just looking to make money off of us. But one man is changing all of that. Michael Clark was the Senior Vice President of Domestic Sales and Marketing for Argen (https://argen.com/) for 10 years. Michael spent years learning, helping, and growing dental labs around the country. After some personal "events", Michael decided to fall back on another passion of his, providing good employee benefits. But because of his love for the dental lab industry, he is focusing on labs and technicians. Michael talks about his history before Argen, life at Argen, and how a few simple (and inexpensive) changes a lab can make to benefit every employee that works there. https://www.mbclarkcompanies.com/ Wanting to take your knowledge and skills to the next level? If you are looking for the best education dedicated to dentistry in both the labs and clinics, check out Ivoclar Academy. (https://resources.ivoclar.com/lab/en/academy) From on-demand webinars to in-person training, Ivoclar Academy has a program to meet your busy schedule. Check out all they have to offer HERE! (https://resources.ivoclar.com/lab/en/academy) Whether you are looking to elevate your craftsmanship or looking to cut back costs, look no further – VITA MFT Teeth (https://vitanorthamerica.com/en-US/VITA-MFT-Anterior-369,273,126133.html) are the ultimate solution for creating lifelike and stunning smiles. Crafted with precision and backed by cutting-edge technology, VITA MFT Teeth offers unparalleled esthetics and durability. And since VITA (https://vitanorthamerica.com/) believes in the power of experiencing excellence firsthand, for a limited time only, they’re offering you the chance to get a complimentary case sample. That’s right, a full case, absolutely free. Just visit vitanorthamerica.com/freemft (https://www2.vitanorthamerica.com/mft/) Don’t wait any longer to start providing your customers with a premium tooth at an economy price. Redeem your free case sample and if you’re ready to buy, VITA will even give you an extra 10% discount by shopping online on their newly launched online store. Join the VITA family today. Special Guest: Michael Clark.

It's time again to raise money for the Race For the Future 10.0 (https://dentallabfoundation.org/news-events/race-for-the-future/)! This year it's being held in Fort Worth, Texas on September 15th. Go to dentallabfoundation.org and click the “donate today” button. Log in or create an account, then select the “Race for the Future” option and enter The Abutments or Barb Warner to donate. All the money goes towards furthering the education for dental technicians. Voices From the Bench is headed back to Florida for the FDLA Southern States Symposium & Expo (https://www.fdla.net/) all thanks to the great people at Jensen Dental (https://jensendental.com/). You know, the makers of MIYO! (https://miyoworld.com/). Come visit Elvis & Barb in the Jensen booth June 7 & 8 in Orlando. Register today at FDLA.NET! This week we showcase that last 4 conversations we got while in the Ivoclar (https://www.ivoclar.com/en_us) Ballroom at LMT Lab Day Chicago 2024 (https://lmtmag.com/lmtlabday). First up is Randi James from Renstrom Dental Studio (https://www.renstrom.com/) and Carrie Ling from Lifelike Dental Studio (https://lifelikedental.com/) who talk about meeting for the first time and forming an important friendship that has helped them grow both of their labs. Then we are visited once again by David Lesh from 8&9 Consulting (https://www.8and9consulting.com/) who gives us all the low down on gross profit margins, cost of good sales, and how labs can make a few changes to go from breaking even to turning a profit. Following up is Nitasha Rizvi who does ALL the work for a surgical group within a DSO. She talks about going the New York City College of Technology and finding her way to be a technician and teacher at Harvard. We wrap up the whole weekend with a stellar cast of dental technicians from the UK. Bethany Brown, Lola Welch, and Julia Glancey stop by to tell us about their experience of coming to America, comparing Lab Day to show in the UK, and what they are speaking on for some upcoming shows. Wanting to take your knowledge and skills to the next level? If you are looking for the best education dedicated to dentistry in both the labs and clinics, check out Ivoclar Academy. (https://resources.ivoclar.com/lab/en/academy) From on-demand webinars to in-person training, Ivoclar Academy has a program to meet your busy schedule. Check out all they have to offer HERE! (https://resources.ivoclar.com/lab/en/academy) Whether you are looking to elevate your craftsmanship or looking to cut back costs, look no further – VITA MFT Teeth (https://vitanorthamerica.com/en-US/VITA-MFT-Anterior-369,273,126133.html) are the ultimate solution for creating lifelike and stunning smiles. Crafted with precision and backed by cutting-edge technology, VITA MFT Teeth offers unparalleled esthetics and durability. And since VITA (https://vitanorthamerica.com/) believes in the power of experiencing excellence firsthand, for a limited time only, they’re offering you the chance to get a complimentary case sample. That’s right, a full case, absolutely free. Just visit vitanorthamerica.com/freemft (https://www2.vitanorthamerica.com/mft/) Don’t wait any longer to start providing your customers with a premium tooth at an economy price. Redeem your free case sample and if you’re ready to buy, VITA will even give you an extra 10% discount by shopping online on their newly launched online store. Join the VITA family today. Special Guests: Beth Brown, Carrie Ling, David Lesh, Julia Glancey, Lola Welch, Nitasha Rizvi, and Scott & Randi James.

Want to go on the ULTIMATE exocad (https://exocad.com/) vacation? Endless fun, epic weather, amazing food, exotic culture, and two days all about the greatest software in dental, exocad. Join Elvis and Barb on May 9 and 10 on the beautiful Spanish island of Mallorca (https://www.spain.info/en/region/mallorca-island/). It's called exocad Insights 2024 and it's full of amazing speakers, great breakout sessions, evening events, and attendees from all over the world. Don't wait, register today at exocad.com/insights2024 and use the code VFTB15 to save 15% off the fee. We will see you there! Voices From the Bench is headed back to Florida for the FDLA Southern States Symposium & Expo (https://www.fdla.net/) all thanks to the great people at Jensen Dental (https://jensendental.com/). You know, the makers of MIYO! (https://miyoworld.com/). Come visit Elvis & Barb in the Jensen booth June 7 & 8 in Orlando. Register today at FDLA.NET! We are back to the episodes we got while in the Ivoclar (https://www.ivoclar.com/en_li) Ballroom at LMT Lab Day Chicago 2024. First up is a group of designers from Ziemek Dental Lab (https://www.ziemekdentallab.com/) out of Washington State. What's cool is that only one for them actually works in the lab. Nichoel Burdge is the cad/cam manager and currently has 13 remote designers around the country. Joining her in Chicago is Kay Fritze from Michigan and Allison Cook from Nebraska. They all talk about the dynamic of having remote workers, communicating between themselves and the dentists, and staying disciplined when you can work in your pajamas. Then we are joined once again by Jen Ludwig who talks about her new role at her new home, Renstrom Dental Studio (https://www.renstrom.com/). She's also joined by Mike Claugherty who has a unique story of being the only dental technician stuntman when he was used for the dental scenes in "A Serious Man". Check out the scene here: https://youtu.be/Rru5jRWqj0c?si=aRgoI2rMCZO8YSoJ We wrap up the episode with two technicians that have made the better articulator. Scott Gallacher & Dee Grimm from Black Diamond Innovations (https://bdiart.com/) talk about their extensive history in the industry, why and how they made a better articulator, and how they keep in relevant with digital models. Wanting to take your knowledge and skills to the next level? If you are looking for the best education dedicated to dentistry in both the labs and clinics, check out Ivoclar Academy. (https://resources.ivoclar.com/lab/en/academy) From on-demand webinars to in-person training, Ivoclar Academy has a program to meet your busy schedule. Check out all they have to offer HERE! (https://resources.ivoclar.com/lab/en/academy) Whether you are looking to elevate your craftsmanship or looking to cut back costs, look no further – VITA MFT Teeth (https://vitanorthamerica.com/en-US/VITA-MFT-Anterior-369,273,126133.html) are the ultimate solution for creating lifelike and stunning smiles. Crafted with precision and backed by cutting-edge technology, VITA MFT Teeth offers unparalleled esthetics and durability. And since VITA (https://vitanorthamerica.com/) believes in the power of experiencing excellence firsthand, for a limited time only, they’re offering you the chance to get a complimentary case sample. That’s right, a full case, absolutely free. Just visit vitanorthamerica.com/freemft (https://www2.vitanorthamerica.com/mft/) Don’t wait any longer to start providing your customers with a premium tooth at an economy price. Redeem your free case sample and if you’re ready to buy, VITA will even give you an extra 10% discount by shopping online on their newly launched online store. Join the VITA family today. Special Guests: Allison Cook, Dee Grimm CDT, Jennifer Ludwig, CDT, Kay Fritze, Mike Claugherty CDT, Nichoel Burdge, and Scott Gallacher.

The shirts and hoodies are BACK! Back in January we sold "Dental Technicians: Making Dentist Look Good since the 1700s" shirts for Lab Day. So many people asked us to bring them back, so we did! Get them here before April 18! https://www.bonfire.com/vftb-the-zippered-hoodie-era/ This week we talk all about the exocad (https://exocad.com/) event of the year, exocad Insights 2024 (https://exocad.com/insights2024). Christine McClymont is the Global Head of Marketing and Communication for exocad and comes on to tell us all about the speakers, topics, the expert’s corner, and parties that are happening May 9 and 10 in Mallorca, Spain. Also joining her is Dr. August de Oliveria who is a speaker at Insights, but also talks about his journey in digital, some of the lessons he has learned, and what he’s doing now with virtual reality and augmented reality in dentistry. The Vectra Face Scanner Dr. de Oliveria talked about: https://www.canfieldsci.com/imaging-systems/vectra-m3-3d-imaging-system/ Want to go on the ULTIMATE exocad (https://exocad.com/) vacation? Endless fun, epic weather, amazing food, exotic culture, and two days all about the greatest software in dental, exocad. Join Elvis and Barb on May 9 and 10 on the beautiful Spanish island of Mallorca (https://www.spain.info/en/region/mallorca-island/). It's called exocad Insights 2024 and it's full of amazing speakers, great breakout sessions, evening events, and attendees from all over the world. Don't wait, register today at exocad.com/insights2024 and use the code VFTB15 to save 15% off the fee. We will see you there! Wanting to take your knowledge and skills to the next level? If you are looking for the best education dedicated to dentistry in both the labs and clinics, check out Ivoclar Academy. (https://resources.ivoclar.com/lab/en/academy) From on-demand webinars to in-person training, Ivoclar Academy has a program to meet your busy schedule. Check out all they have to offer HERE! (https://resources.ivoclar.com/lab/en/academy) Whether you are looking to elevate your craftsmanship or looking to cut back costs, look no further – VITA MFT Teeth (https://vitanorthamerica.com/en-US/VITA-MFT-Anterior-369,273,126133.html) are the ultimate solution for creating lifelike and stunning smiles. Crafted with precision and backed by cutting-edge technology, VITA MFT Teeth offers unparalleled esthetics and durability. And since VITA (https://vitanorthamerica.com/) believes in the power of experiencing excellence firsthand, for a limited time only, they’re offering you the chance to get a complimentary case sample. That’s right, a full case, absolutely free. Just visit vitanorthamerica.com/freemft (https://www2.vitanorthamerica.com/mft/) Don’t wait any longer to start providing your customers with a premium tooth at an economy price. Redeem your free case sample and if you’re ready to buy, VITA will even give you an extra 10% discount by shopping online on their newly launched online store. Join the VITA family today. Special Guests: Christine McClymont and Dr. August de Oliveira.

Want to go on the ULTIMATE exocad (https://exocad.com/) vacation? Endless fun, epic weather, amazing food, exotic culture, and two days all about the greatest software in dental, exocad. Join Elvis and Barb on May 9 and 10 on the beautiful Spanish island of Mallorca (https://www.spain.info/en/region/mallorca-island/). It's called exocad Insights 2024 and it's full of amazing speakers, great breakout sessions, evening events, and attendees from all over the world. Don't wait, register today at exocad.com/insights2024 and use the code VFTB15 to save 15% off the fee. We will see you there! The shirts and hoodies are BACK! Back in January we sold "Dental Technicians: Making Dentist Look Good since the 1700s" shirts for Lab Day. So many people asked us to bring them back, so we did! Get them here before April 18! https://www.bonfire.com/vftb-the-zippered-hoodie-era/ We have even more conversations this week from the Ivolcar (https://www.ivoclar.com/en_li) Ballroom at LMT Lab Day Chicago 2024 with: James "The Denture Man" Angelone Jr and James Angelone III talking about being at the Smart Denture Conversion (https://smartdentureconversions.com/) booth all weekend, why they don't do "Big Hole" conversions anymore, teaching the next generation, and using Ivotion (https://www.ivoclar.com/en_ca/products/digital-processes/ivotion) dentures. Ivoclar's premier educator, Patrick Coon, stops by to talk about his history in the Air Force, on boarding with Ivoclar (https://www.ivoclar.com/en_li), being moved up to Digital Consultant, and some exciting things Ivoclar is working on. Then a special unexpected guest sits down, Peggy Alexander. Peggy is 87 years young and talks about the struggles of becoming a female dentist in the 50s, getting into teaching at the University of Texas, the importance of working with your lab, and life after retirement (which she hasn’t even happened yet). Wanting to take your knowledge and skills to the next level? If you are looking for the best education dedicated to dentistry in both the labs and clinics, check out Ivoclar Academy. (https://resources.ivoclar.com/lab/en/academy) From on-demand webinars to in-person training, Ivoclar Academy has a program to meet your busy schedule. Check out all they have to offer HERE! (https://resources.ivoclar.com/lab/en/academy) Whether you are looking to elevate your craftsmanship or looking to cut back costs, look no further – VITA MFT Teeth (https://vitanorthamerica.com/en-US/VITA-MFT-Anterior-369,273,126133.html) are the ultimate solution for creating lifelike and stunning smiles. Crafted with precision and backed by cutting-edge technology, VITA MFT Teeth offers unparalleled esthetics and durability. And since VITA (https://vitanorthamerica.com/) believes in the power of experiencing excellence firsthand, for a limited time only, they’re offering you the chance to get a complimentary case sample. That’s right, a full case, absolutely free. Just visit vitanorthamerica.com/freemft (https://www2.vitanorthamerica.com/mft/) Don’t wait any longer to start providing your customers with a premium tooth at an economy price. Redeem your free case sample and if you’re ready to buy, VITA will even give you an extra 10% discount by shopping online on their newly launched online store. Join the VITA family today. Special Guests: James Angelone III, James Angelone “The Denture Man” , Patrick Coon, CDT, TE, and Peggy Alexander.

The shirts and hoodies are BACK! Back in January we sold "Dental Technicians: Making Dentist Look Good since the 1700s" shirts for Lab Day. So many people asked us to bring them back, so we did! Get them here before April 18! https://www.bonfire.com/vftb-the-zippered-hoodie-era/ Want to go on the ULTIMATE exocad (https://exocad.com/) vacation? Endless fun, epic weather, amazing food, exotic culture, and two days all about the greatest software in dental, exocad. Join Elvis and Barb on May 9 and 10 on the beautiful Spanish island of Mallorca (https://www.spain.info/en/region/mallorca-island/). It's called exocad Insights 2024 and it's full of amazing speakers, great breakout sessions, evening events, and attendees from all over the world. Don't wait, register today at exocad.com/insights2024 and use the code VFTB15 to save 15% off the fee. We will see you there! On June 9 & 10, Voices From the Bench will be back at the Florida Dental Lab Association Symposium (https://www.fdla.net/symposium) that's to the wonderful people at Jensen Dental (https://jensendental.com/). Be sure to check out FDLA.NET to see the line up and to register. This week we continue the conversations from the Ivolcar (https://www.ivoclar.com/en_li) Ballroom at LMT Lab Day Chicago 2024 with: Dr. Sandy and James Kirk who own One Dental Labs (https://www.onedentallabs.com/). Dr. Sandy is a dentist from Chile who met James when he was there on a mission trip. Falling in love, the build the lab and ran it together as Dr. Sandy continues to get her license in the US. Dr. Ed McLaren stops by to talk about minimal invasive dentistry, the importance of bonding, and how he continues to make parody movies featuring dental technicians. Check some of the movies here: https://www.youtube.com/user/edwardmclaren Patrick Allen sits down to talk about the Illinois Denturist Association (https://illinoisdenturist.com/), taking his practice digital, and bringing BPS (Suction) Denture education to the US Wanting to take your knowledge and skills to the next level? If you are looking for the best education dedicated to dentistry in both the labs and clinics, check out Ivoclar Academy. (https://resources.ivoclar.com/lab/en/academy) From on-demand webinars to in-person training, Ivoclar Academy has a program to meet your busy schedule. Check out all they have to offer HERE! (https://resources.ivoclar.com/lab/en/academy) Whether you are looking to elevate your craftsmanship or looking to cut back costs, look no further – VITA MFT Teeth (https://vitanorthamerica.com/en-US/VITA-MFT-Anterior-369,273,126133.html) are the ultimate solution for creating lifelike and stunning smiles. Crafted with precision and backed by cutting-edge technology, VITA MFT Teeth offers unparalleled esthetics and durability. And since VITA (https://vitanorthamerica.com/) believes in the power of experiencing excellence firsthand, for a limited time only, they’re offering you the chance to get a complimentary case sample. That’s right, a full case, absolutely free. Just visit vitanorthamerica.com/freemft (https://www2.vitanorthamerica.com/mft/) Don’t wait any longer to start providing your customers with a premium tooth at an economy price. Redeem your free case sample and if you’re ready to buy, VITA will even give you an extra 10% discount by shopping online on their newly launched online store. Join the VITA family today. Special Guests: Dr. Ed McLaren, Dr. Sandy Kirk, James Kirk, and Patrick Allen, LD.

Want to go on the ULTIMATE exocad (https://exocad.com/) vacation? Endless fun, epic weather, amazing food, exotic culture, and two days all about the greatest software in dental, exocad. Join Elvis and Barb on May 9 and 10 on the beautiful Spanish island of Mallorca (https://www.spain.info/en/region/mallorca-island/). It's called exocad Insights 2024 and it's full of amazing speakers, great breakout sessions, evening events, and attendees from all over the world. Don't wait, register today at exocad.com/insights2024 and use the code VFTB15 to save 15% off the fee. We will see you there! On June 9 & 10, Voices From the Bench will be back at the Florida Dental Lab Association Symposium (https://www.fdla.net/symposium) that's to the wonderful people at Jensen Dental (https://jensendental.com/). Be sure to check out FDLA.NET to see the line up and to register. This week we start the conversations that we recorded in the Ivoclar Ballroom during Lab Day Chicago 2024. This week brings us: Michael Wandling from Summit-Horizon Dental Lab (https://www.summit-horizon.com/) talking about writing the question for the CDT tests and working on getting enough CDTs to become a Master CDT. Vinod Dudhat tells the story of changing careers after coming to America from India and opening American Dental Designs (https://americandentaldesigns.com/) that sees the value of offering education to dentists. Brian Johns, who was a fixed technician that wanted to add removable to his lab Spectrum Dental Science (https://spectrumdentalscience.com/). Thanks to Ivoclar, Ivotion, and the PM7, Brian was able to bring in digital dentures and eventually full arch fixed hybrids. Rob Fletcher loves lean manufacturing. Starting in the automotive industry, Rob was recruited to bring lean manufacturing to Knight Dental and is now bringing it to Bayshore Dental Studio (https://bayshoredentalstudio.com/). Rob explains the process and how labs can eliminate waste and increase productivity. Wanting to take your knowledge and skills to the next level? If you are looking for the best education dedicated to dentistry in both the labs and clinics, check out Ivoclar Academy. (https://resources.ivoclar.com/lab/en/academy) From on-demand webinars to in-person training, Ivoclar Academy has a program to meet your busy schedule. Check out all they have to offer HERE! (https://resources.ivoclar.com/lab/en/academy) Whether you are looking to elevate your craftsmanship or looking to cut back costs, look no further – VITA MFT Teeth (https://vitanorthamerica.com/en-US/VITA-MFT-Anterior-369,273,126133.html) are the ultimate solution for creating lifelike and stunning smiles. Crafted with precision and backed by cutting-edge technology, VITA MFT Teeth offers unparalleled esthetics and durability. And since VITA (https://vitanorthamerica.com/) believes in the power of experiencing excellence firsthand, for a limited time only, they’re offering you the chance to get a complimentary case sample. That’s right, a full case, absolutely free. Just visit vitanorthamerica.com/freemft (https://www2.vitanorthamerica.com/mft/) Don’t wait any longer to start providing your customers with a premium tooth at an economy price. Redeem your free case sample and if you’re ready to buy, VITA will even give you an extra 10% discount by shopping online on their newly launched online store. Join the VITA family today. Join Elvis & Barb as Voices From the Bench goes international! On May 9th and 10th, the podcast will be recording at https://exocad.com/insights2024 on the beautiful Spanish island of Mallorca (https://www.seemallorca.com/). This is a fantastic educational event for all of you in the lab industry – and your clinical colleagues! The international speaker line-up is top-notch. There will be: keynote presentations from master dental technicians, digital experts, implant surgeons, lab owners, and more! Exocad’s software experts will run hands-on sessions so you can get to know the latest releases…including DentalCAD 3.2 Elefsina (https://exocad.com/our-products/dentalcad-elefsina)…which was released recently. Techs…. Do you have a problem with a design? Just bring your stl file and let the Application Specialists take a look at it. Check out exocad.com/insights2024 to see the AMAZING line up of speakers and to register. Use promo code VFTB15 to save 15% off registration to what will be one of the greatest events of the year. See you there! Special Guests: Brian K. Johns, Michael Wandling CDT, Rob Fletcher, and Vinod Dudhat.

QUEENS -Women In The Industry event is happening April 5th & 6th 2024 at Bellisimo Castle! Check out queenswomenintheindustry.com to register for this wonderful event Elvis and Barb cannot believe Voices from the Bench is still going after 6 years! We owe it all to the listeners, the sponsors, and of course the guests that make this podcast what it is. 6 years ago, one educator agreed to be our very first guest, not knowing that she would be coming back every year. Renata Budny is a professor in the Restorative Dentistry (https://www.citytech.cuny.edu/restorativedentistry/dental-laboratory-aas.aspx) program at New York City College of Technology (https://www.citytech.cuny.edu/)and updates us on the school, how students find it, where they go after, and how as an industry we can help the school help the industry. This year, Renata brings on the podcast a recent graduate that has a unique story on why he signed up, Paul Beck. Paul talks about his experience in the program, what he learned, and why he decided to take his knowledge and social skills to Sierra Dental Tools. 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 powders that normally sinter at different intervals, to be combined into one material which sinters uniformly. The manufacturing process not only optimizes the translucent properties but also creates a seamless progression of shade while maintaining optimal strength. ZirCAD prime is now more affordable than ever and will give you results that your Dentists will notice! Contact your local Ivoclar Sales representative today to find out more about Prime and how Ivoclar can support your success! Tell them you heard it on the podcast and get a FREE Prime disc to try – just use promo code 723! Whether you are looking to elevate your craftsmanship or looking to cut back costs, look no further – VITA MFT Teeth (https://vitanorthamerica.com/en-US/VITA-MFT-Anterior-369,273,126133.html) are the ultimate solution for creating lifelike and stunning smiles. Crafted with precision and backed by cutting-edge technology, VITA MFT Teeth offers unparalleled esthetics and durability. And since VITA (https://vitanorthamerica.com/) believes in the power of experiencing excellence firsthand, for a limited time only, they’re offering you the chance to get a complimentary case sample. That’s right, a full case, absolutely free. Just visit vitanorthamerica.com/freemft (https://www2.vitanorthamerica.com/mft/) Don’t wait any longer to start providing your customers with a premium tooth at an economy price. Redeem your free case sample and if you’re ready to buy, VITA will even give you an extra 10% discount by shopping online on their newly launched online store. Join the VITA family today. Join Elvis & Barb as Voices From the Bench goes international! On May 9th and 10th, the podcast will be recording at https://exocad.com/insights2024 on the beautiful Spanish island of Mallorca (https://www.seemallorca.com/). This is a fantastic educational event for all of you in the lab industry – and your clinical colleagues! The international speaker line-up is top-notch. There will be: keynote presentations from master dental technicians, digital experts, implant surgeons, lab owners, and more! Exocad’s software experts will run hands-on sessions so you can get to know the latest releases…including DentalCAD 3.2 Elefsina (https://exocad.com/our-products/dentalcad-elefsina)…which was released recently. Techs…. Do you have a problem with a design? Just bring your stl file and let the Application Specialists take a look at it. Check out exocad.com/insights2024 to see the AMAZING line up of speakers and to register. Use promo code VFTB15 to save 15% off registration to what will be one of the greatest events of the year. See you there! Special Guests: Paul Beck and Renata Budny, CDT, TE.

Want to go on the ULTIMATE exocad (https://exocad.com/) vacation? Endless fun, epic weather, amazing food, exotic culture, and two days all about the greatest software in dental, exocad. Join Elvis and Barb on May 9 and 10 on the beautiful Spanish island of Mallorca (https://www.spain.info/en/region/mallorca-island/). It's called exocad Insights 2024 and it's full of amazing speakers, great breakout sessions, evening events, and attendees from all over the world. Don't wait, register today at exocad.com/insights2024 and use the code VFTB15 to save 15% off the fee. We will see you there! One of Elvis and Barb's favorite meetings every year is Cal-Lab (https://cal-lab.org/). Barb loves it so much she sits on the board and will be the Chair in 2026. This year the board asked if Voices From the Bench would record during their cocktail reception on Thursday night. We jumped at the chance to have an opportunity to talk to such amazing lab owners and managers. On this episode we talk to: Basil Callahan, the VP of Derby Dental Laboratories (https://www.derbydental.com/) who talks about his journey from janitor to VP, the importance of technology and data, and working with Elvis Sean Siegel from Castable Ceramics (https://www.apexlabgroup.com/castable-ceramics/) and Jim Thacker from Utah Valley Dental Lab (https://www.utahvalleydentallab.com/) talk about what Cal-Lab means to them, what they get out of it every year, some of the speakers from the day, and how other labs can join this association. Jeff Stronk, the current Chair of Cal-lab and owner of Treasure Dental Studio (https://treasuredentalstudio.com/) talks about what's it like being on stage among so many peers and friends, how Cal-Lab is reinventing themselves for a better meeting, how they choose the topics and speakers, getting Jim Glidewell to be the Keynote, and bring back epic evening parties. 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 powders that normally sinter at different intervals, to be combined into one material which sinters uniformly. The manufacturing process not only optimizes the translucent properties but also creates a seamless progression of shade while maintaining optimal strength. ZirCAD prime is now more affordable than ever and will give you results that your Dentists will notice! Contact your local Ivoclar Sales representative today to find out more about Prime and how Ivoclar can support your success! Tell them you heard it on the podcast and get a FREE Prime disc to try – just use promo code 723! Whether you are looking to elevate your craftsmanship or looking to cut back costs, look no further – VITA MFT Teeth (https://vitanorthamerica.com/en-US/VITA-MFT-Anterior-369,273,126133.html) are the ultimate solution for creating lifelike and stunning smiles. Crafted with precision and backed by cutting-edge technology, VITA MFT Teeth offers unparalleled esthetics and durability. And since VITA (https://vitanorthamerica.com/) believes in the power of experiencing excellence firsthand, for a limited time only, they’re offering you the chance to get a complimentary case sample. That’s right, a full case, absolutely free. Just visit vitanorthamerica.com/freemft (https://www2.vitanorthamerica.com/mft/) Don’t wait any longer to start providing your customers with a premium tooth at an economy price. Redeem your free case sample and if you’re ready to buy, VITA will even give you an extra 10% discount by shopping online on their newly launched online store. Join the VITA family today. Join Elvis & Barb as Voices From the Bench goes international! On May 9th and 10th, the podcast will be recording at https://exocad.com/insights2024 on the beautiful Spanish island of Mallorca (https://www.seemallorca.com/). This is a fantastic educational event for all of you in the lab industry – and your clinical colleagues! The international speaker line-up is top-notch. There will be: keynote presentations from master dental technicians, digital experts, implant surgeons, lab owners, and more! Exocad’s software experts will run hands-on sessions so you can get to know the latest releases…including DentalCAD 3.2 Elefsina (https://exocad.com/our-products/dentalcad-elefsina)…which was released recently. Techs…. Do you have a problem with a design? Just bring your stl file and let the Application Specialists take a look at it. Check out exocad.com/insights2024 to see the AMAZING line up of speakers and to register. Use promo code VFTB15 to save 15% off registration to what will be one of the greatest events of the year. See you there! Special Guests: Basil Callahan, Jeff Stronk, Jim Thacker, and Sean Siegel.