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    <fireside:genDate>Sat, 20 Jun 2026 06:30:03 +0000</fireside:genDate>
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    <title>Voices from The Bench - Episodes Tagged with “Analog Skills”</title>
    <link>https://www.voicesfromthebench.com/tags/analog%20skills</link>
    <pubDate>Mon, 15 Jun 2026 06:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
    <description>A weekly podcast dedicated to the dental laboratory industry. Featuring anyone associated with the profession from all over the world. Host are in their own dental laboratory every day making teeth and interviewing people from the industry on their time off. New episodes every Monday morning.</description>
    <language>en-us</language>
    <itunes:type>episodic</itunes:type>
    <itunes:subtitle>A Dental Laboratory Podcast</itunes:subtitle>
    <itunes:author>Elvis Dahl &amp; Barb Warner</itunes:author>
    <itunes:summary>A weekly podcast dedicated to the dental laboratory industry. Featuring anyone associated with the profession from all over the world. Host are in their own dental laboratory every day making teeth and interviewing people from the industry on their time off. New episodes every Monday morning.</itunes:summary>
    <itunes:image href="https://media24.fireside.fm/file/fireside-images-2024/podcasts/images/e/e7665600-2cb9-4cb2-b0ba-2eada9f69007/cover.jpg?v=3"/>
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    <itunes:keywords>Dental Laboratory, Dentistry, Removable, Fixed, Crowns, teeth, technicians, CDT, dentures, partials, mills, printers, dentist, zirconia, emax</itunes:keywords>
    <itunes:owner>
      <itunes:name>Elvis Dahl &amp; Barb Warner</itunes:name>
      <itunes:email>info@voicesfromthebench.com</itunes:email>
    </itunes:owner>
<itunes:category text="Health &amp; Fitness">
  <itunes:category text="Medicine"/>
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<itunes:category text="Science">
  <itunes:category text="Life Sciences"/>
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  <title>429: exocad Insights 2026 Part 3:  Andreea Bordea, Denisse Ramos, &amp; Daniela Torres</title>
  <link>https://www.voicesfromthebench.com/429</link>
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  <pubDate>Mon, 15 Jun 2026 06:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
  <author>Elvis Dahl &amp; Barb Warner</author>
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  <itunes:episode>429</itunes:episode>
  <itunes:title>exocad Insights 2026 Part 3:  Andreea Bordea, Denisse Ramos, &amp; Daniela Torres</itunes:title>
  <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
  <itunes:author>Elvis Dahl &amp; Barb Warner</itunes:author>
  <itunes:subtitle>At exocad Insights, Elvis and Barb sit down with Andreea Bordea, Denisse Ramos, and Daniela Torres to talk about digital dentistry, social media, exocad, zirconia, 3D printing, and building careers around the world. From Spain to Florida to Chile, each conversation shows how passion and technology are transforming the dental lab industry.</itunes:subtitle>
  <itunes:duration>1:09:46</itunes:duration>
  <itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit>
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  <description>&lt;h3&gt;Hello voices from the bench community, &lt;a href="https://sunrisedentallaboratory.com/" rel="nofollow noopener"&gt;John Wilson&lt;/a&gt; here and I wanted to share some news about the evolution of the Programill lineup. Most importantly, &lt;a href="https://www.ivoclar.com/en_us" rel="nofollow noopener"&gt;Ivoclar&lt;/a&gt;’s new &lt;a href="https://www.ivoclar.com/en_us/products/digital-equipment/programill-pm7" rel="nofollow noopener"&gt;PrograMill 7&lt;/a&gt;. What stands out right away is the reduced air consumption this mill requires, but what you'll notice first is that impressive new touchscreen. For us, the biggest advantage has been increased spindle power. Next time you see your Ivoclar representative, be sure to ask about the PrograMill 7 and tell them John Wilson sent you. Thank you.&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;hr&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;At exocad Insights in beautiful Mallorca, we finally caught up with Felix from &lt;a href="https://www.imagineusa.com/" rel="nofollow noopener"&gt;Imagine USA&lt;/a&gt;—and the timing couldn’t have been better. As an exocad dealer on the front lines of digital dentistry, Felix shared his excitement about the strong turnout, the familiar faces, and most importantly, the innovation coming from exocad. What stood out most? The new exocad Hub and its cloud-based capabilities, along with powerful AI-driven tools inside DentalDB designed for efficient batch processing. For Felix and the Imagine team, it’s not just about seeing what’s new—it’s about putting it to the test. By running new features through their own production facility first, they ensure real-world performance before bringing solutions to their customers.&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Fresh off the beaches and lectures of the beautiful island of Mallorca at the &lt;a href="https://exocad.com/" rel="nofollow noopener"&gt;exocad&lt;/a&gt; Insights 2026 , Elvis and Barb sat down with three incredible women proving that digital dentistry is global, creative, and fueled by passion. First up is &lt;strong&gt;Andreea Bordea&lt;/strong&gt;, a ceramist and lab owner originally from Romania who found her way into dental technology after narrowly missing acceptance into dental school. From analog waxing and staining zirconia with a single A2 shade to opening her own lab in Spain and building a digital workflow around exocad, Andreea shares the journey of learning everything the hard way. She talks about teaching herself digital dentistry, building a team, and how social media unexpectedly became her outlet while working alone in her lab. The conversation also dives into Ivoclar materials, zirconia, and the excitement around new products launched at Insights.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Then the microphones turn to &lt;strong&gt;Denisse Ramos&lt;/strong&gt; from for one of the most energetic conversations of the event. Denisse talks about her journey from Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Coca-Cola into the dental industry, eventually becoming a major force in digital workflows, 3D printing, and equipment sales. From Dentsply to Desktop Health and now leading sales at New Stetic USA, Denisse shares stories about mentorship, industry evolution, women in dentistry, and why labs need to charge for their expertise. We all talk about the rise of digital dentistry, treatment planning frustrations, social media, the future of dentures, and the importance of giving back through organizations like Ladies of the Mill and the NADL.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Finally, Elvis met &lt;strong&gt;Daniela Torres&lt;/strong&gt;, better known online as “Danny Designer,” a digital designer from Chile whose Instagram portfolio turned into a thriving business. Daniela explains how she taught herself exocad through YouTube before traveling to Madrid for advanced training, eventually working at the MOD Institute in South Carolina before returning to Chile to build her own remote design business. From designing full arch restorations and dentures to handling dozens of cases a day entirely through email and WhatsApp, Daniela proves how powerful digital dentistry and social media have become for technicians worldwide. The conversation wraps with excitement around exocad’s newest updates, the exocad Hub, and what it means to be recognized as an exocad Hero.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Special Guests: Andreea Bordea, Daniela Torres, and Denisse Lasso Ramos.&lt;/p&gt;
</description>
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  <content:encoded>
    <![CDATA[<h3>Hello voices from the bench community, <a href="https://sunrisedentallaboratory.com/" rel="nofollow noopener">John Wilson</a> here and I wanted to share some news about the evolution of the Programill lineup. Most importantly, <a href="https://www.ivoclar.com/en_us" rel="nofollow noopener">Ivoclar</a>’s new <a href="https://www.ivoclar.com/en_us/products/digital-equipment/programill-pm7" rel="nofollow noopener">PrograMill 7</a>. What stands out right away is the reduced air consumption this mill requires, but what you'll notice first is that impressive new touchscreen. For us, the biggest advantage has been increased spindle power. Next time you see your Ivoclar representative, be sure to ask about the PrograMill 7 and tell them John Wilson sent you. Thank you.</h3>

<hr>

<h3>At exocad Insights in beautiful Mallorca, we finally caught up with Felix from <a href="https://www.imagineusa.com/" rel="nofollow noopener">Imagine USA</a>—and the timing couldn’t have been better. As an exocad dealer on the front lines of digital dentistry, Felix shared his excitement about the strong turnout, the familiar faces, and most importantly, the innovation coming from exocad. What stood out most? The new exocad Hub and its cloud-based capabilities, along with powerful AI-driven tools inside DentalDB designed for efficient batch processing. For Felix and the Imagine team, it’s not just about seeing what’s new—it’s about putting it to the test. By running new features through their own production facility first, they ensure real-world performance before bringing solutions to their customers.</h3>

<p>Fresh off the beaches and lectures of the beautiful island of Mallorca at the <a href="https://exocad.com/" rel="nofollow noopener">exocad</a> Insights 2026 , Elvis and Barb sat down with three incredible women proving that digital dentistry is global, creative, and fueled by passion. First up is <strong>Andreea Bordea</strong>, a ceramist and lab owner originally from Romania who found her way into dental technology after narrowly missing acceptance into dental school. From analog waxing and staining zirconia with a single A2 shade to opening her own lab in Spain and building a digital workflow around exocad, Andreea shares the journey of learning everything the hard way. She talks about teaching herself digital dentistry, building a team, and how social media unexpectedly became her outlet while working alone in her lab. The conversation also dives into Ivoclar materials, zirconia, and the excitement around new products launched at Insights.</p>

<p>Then the microphones turn to <strong>Denisse Ramos</strong> from for one of the most energetic conversations of the event. Denisse talks about her journey from Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Coca-Cola into the dental industry, eventually becoming a major force in digital workflows, 3D printing, and equipment sales. From Dentsply to Desktop Health and now leading sales at New Stetic USA, Denisse shares stories about mentorship, industry evolution, women in dentistry, and why labs need to charge for their expertise. We all talk about the rise of digital dentistry, treatment planning frustrations, social media, the future of dentures, and the importance of giving back through organizations like Ladies of the Mill and the NADL.</p>

<p>Finally, Elvis met <strong>Daniela Torres</strong>, better known online as “Danny Designer,” a digital designer from Chile whose Instagram portfolio turned into a thriving business. Daniela explains how she taught herself exocad through YouTube before traveling to Madrid for advanced training, eventually working at the MOD Institute in South Carolina before returning to Chile to build her own remote design business. From designing full arch restorations and dentures to handling dozens of cases a day entirely through email and WhatsApp, Daniela proves how powerful digital dentistry and social media have become for technicians worldwide. The conversation wraps with excitement around exocad’s newest updates, the exocad Hub, and what it means to be recognized as an exocad Hero.</p><p>Special Guests: Andreea Bordea, Daniela Torres, and Denisse Lasso Ramos.</p>]]>
  </content:encoded>
  <itunes:summary>
    <![CDATA[<h3>Hello voices from the bench community, <a href="https://sunrisedentallaboratory.com/" rel="nofollow noopener">John Wilson</a> here and I wanted to share some news about the evolution of the Programill lineup. Most importantly, <a href="https://www.ivoclar.com/en_us" rel="nofollow noopener">Ivoclar</a>’s new <a href="https://www.ivoclar.com/en_us/products/digital-equipment/programill-pm7" rel="nofollow noopener">PrograMill 7</a>. What stands out right away is the reduced air consumption this mill requires, but what you'll notice first is that impressive new touchscreen. For us, the biggest advantage has been increased spindle power. Next time you see your Ivoclar representative, be sure to ask about the PrograMill 7 and tell them John Wilson sent you. Thank you.</h3>

<hr>

<h3>At exocad Insights in beautiful Mallorca, we finally caught up with Felix from <a href="https://www.imagineusa.com/" rel="nofollow noopener">Imagine USA</a>—and the timing couldn’t have been better. As an exocad dealer on the front lines of digital dentistry, Felix shared his excitement about the strong turnout, the familiar faces, and most importantly, the innovation coming from exocad. What stood out most? The new exocad Hub and its cloud-based capabilities, along with powerful AI-driven tools inside DentalDB designed for efficient batch processing. For Felix and the Imagine team, it’s not just about seeing what’s new—it’s about putting it to the test. By running new features through their own production facility first, they ensure real-world performance before bringing solutions to their customers.</h3>

<p>Fresh off the beaches and lectures of the beautiful island of Mallorca at the <a href="https://exocad.com/" rel="nofollow noopener">exocad</a> Insights 2026 , Elvis and Barb sat down with three incredible women proving that digital dentistry is global, creative, and fueled by passion. First up is <strong>Andreea Bordea</strong>, a ceramist and lab owner originally from Romania who found her way into dental technology after narrowly missing acceptance into dental school. From analog waxing and staining zirconia with a single A2 shade to opening her own lab in Spain and building a digital workflow around exocad, Andreea shares the journey of learning everything the hard way. She talks about teaching herself digital dentistry, building a team, and how social media unexpectedly became her outlet while working alone in her lab. The conversation also dives into Ivoclar materials, zirconia, and the excitement around new products launched at Insights.</p>

<p>Then the microphones turn to <strong>Denisse Ramos</strong> from for one of the most energetic conversations of the event. Denisse talks about her journey from Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Coca-Cola into the dental industry, eventually becoming a major force in digital workflows, 3D printing, and equipment sales. From Dentsply to Desktop Health and now leading sales at New Stetic USA, Denisse shares stories about mentorship, industry evolution, women in dentistry, and why labs need to charge for their expertise. We all talk about the rise of digital dentistry, treatment planning frustrations, social media, the future of dentures, and the importance of giving back through organizations like Ladies of the Mill and the NADL.</p>

<p>Finally, Elvis met <strong>Daniela Torres</strong>, better known online as “Danny Designer,” a digital designer from Chile whose Instagram portfolio turned into a thriving business. Daniela explains how she taught herself exocad through YouTube before traveling to Madrid for advanced training, eventually working at the MOD Institute in South Carolina before returning to Chile to build her own remote design business. From designing full arch restorations and dentures to handling dozens of cases a day entirely through email and WhatsApp, Daniela proves how powerful digital dentistry and social media have become for technicians worldwide. The conversation wraps with excitement around exocad’s newest updates, the exocad Hub, and what it means to be recognized as an exocad Hero.</p><p>Special Guests: Andreea Bordea, Daniela Torres, and Denisse Lasso Ramos.</p>]]>
  </itunes:summary>
</item>
<item>
  <title>428: exocad Insights 2026 Part 2: Pinhas Adar, Javier Perez Lopez, &amp; Dora Rodrigues</title>
  <link>https://www.voicesfromthebench.com/428</link>
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  <pubDate>Mon, 08 Jun 2026 06:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
  <author>Elvis Dahl &amp; Barb Warner</author>
  <enclosure url="https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/e7665600-2cb9-4cb2-b0ba-2eada9f69007/4b5349b3-2fb2-4238-b8ee-9cd506d2291d.mp3" length="62269440" type="audio/mpeg"/>
  <itunes:episode>428</itunes:episode>
  <itunes:title>exocad Insights 2026 Part 2: Pinhas Adar, Javier Perez Lopez, &amp; Dora Rodrigues</itunes:title>
  <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
  <itunes:author>Elvis Dahl &amp; Barb Warner</itunes:author>
  <itunes:subtitle>At exocad Insights 2026, we talk with members of Oral Design International Foundation, Pinhas Adar and Javier Perez Lopez about the lasting legacy of Willi Geller and the importance of passion, mentorship, and community in dental technology. Then Dora Rodrigues shares her journey into advanced digital workflows, becoming a certified exocad trainer, and teaching full-arch dentistry around the world.</itunes:subtitle>
  <itunes:duration>1:04:47</itunes:duration>
  <itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit>
  <itunes:image href="https://media24.fireside.fm/file/fireside-images-2024/podcasts/images/e/e7665600-2cb9-4cb2-b0ba-2eada9f69007/episodes/4/4b5349b3-2fb2-4238-b8ee-9cd506d2291d/cover.jpg?v=1"/>
  <description>&lt;h3&gt;Hello voices from the bench community, &lt;a href="https://sunrisedentallaboratory.com/" rel="nofollow noopener"&gt;John Wilson&lt;/a&gt; here and I wanted to share some news about the evolution of the Programill lineup. Most importantly, &lt;a href="https://www.ivoclar.com/en_us" rel="nofollow noopener"&gt;Ivoclar&lt;/a&gt;’s new &lt;a href="https://www.ivoclar.com/en_us/products/digital-equipment/programill-pm7" rel="nofollow noopener"&gt;PrograMill 7&lt;/a&gt;. What stands out right away is the reduced air consumption this mill requires, but what you'll notice first is that impressive new touchscreen. For us, the biggest advantage has been increased spindle power. My laboratory's known for these larger cases with complex geometries, and I can tell you that extra power really makes a difference. Next time you see your Ivoclar representative, be sure to ask about the PrograMill 7 and tell them John Wilson sent you. Thank you.&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;hr&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;At exocad Insights in beautiful Mallorca, we finally caught up with Felix from &lt;a href="https://www.imagineusa.com/" rel="nofollow noopener"&gt;Imagine USA&lt;/a&gt;—and the timing couldn’t have been better. As an exocad dealer on the front lines of digital dentistry, Felix shared his excitement about the strong turnout, the familiar faces, and most importantly, the innovation coming from exocad. What stood out most? The new exocad Hub and its cloud-based capabilities, along with powerful AI-driven tools inside DentalDB designed for efficient batch processing. For Felix and the Imagine team, it’s not just about seeing what’s new—it’s about putting it to the test. By running new features through their own production facility first, they ensure real-world performance before bringing solutions to their customers. Beyond the technology, Felix emphasized the value of being there in person—connecting face-to-face with partners, having meaningful conversations, and stepping back to see where the industry is headed. And of course, doing it all in Mallorca doesn’t hurt either.&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p&gt;This week Elvis and Barb are back at exocad Insights 2026 where the microphones captured two very different conversations that somehow landed on the exact same thing: passion still matters. First up, we sat down with longtime dental technicians and &lt;a href="https://www.oraldesign.org/" rel="nofollow noopener"&gt;Oral Design International Foundation&lt;/a&gt; members &lt;strong&gt;Pinhas Adar&lt;/strong&gt; and &lt;strong&gt;Javier Perez&lt;/strong&gt; to talk about the legacy of the legendary Willi Geller and how one man helped elevate dental technicians from the shadows to respected members of the restorative team. From stories of learning under masters in Switzerland to building a worldwide family of 127 members across 34 countries, the conversation dives deep into friendship, mentorship, craftsmanship, and why face-to-face connection still matters in a digital world. They also share details about upcoming memorial and symposium events dedicated to carrying on Willi’s philosophy of passion, respect, and sharing knowledge without ego.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Then the crew caught up with returning guest &lt;strong&gt;Dora Rodrigues&lt;/strong&gt;, who has gone from conversion queen to certified exocad trainer, full-arch educator, and lab owner running an increasingly digital workflow. Dora talks about finally bringing milling in-house, the terrifying learning curve that came with it, and how mastering workflows like split bars and partial CAD has completely changed the way she designs full-arch restorations. Between traveling internationally to lecture, teaching labs how to streamline their workflows, and still designing cases herself, Dora proves that digital dentistry still takes serious technical skill, problem-solving, and obsession with detail. It’s an episode full of passion, legacy, technology, and the reminder that no matter how digital dentistry gets… the people behind it still make all the difference.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Today’s dental labs are under more pressure than ever — tighter turnaround times, staffing challenges, and nonstop production demands. That’s why efficiency and reliability matter more than ever before.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;More laboratories continue turning to &lt;a href="https://www.rolanddga.com/products/dental/dwx-series" rel="nofollow noopener"&gt;Roland DGA&lt;/a&gt; and the proven performance of the DGSHAPE DWX Series milling solutions to keep production moving smoothly. Reliable workflows help reduce downtime, minimize remakes, and allow technicians to focus on quality work instead of troubleshooting equipment.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;For labs exploring digital dentures, the Elevate Denture Solution offers a streamlined workflow with validated CAM strategies and Ivotion compatibility through &lt;a href="https://www.follow-me-tech.com/hyperdent/" rel="nofollow noopener"&gt;hyperDENT software&lt;/a&gt; — helping labs adopt digital production without unnecessary complexity.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Because labs don’t need more stress. They need dependable systems that simply work.&lt;br&gt;
 Special Guests: Dora Rodrigues, Javier Perez Lopez, and Pinhas Adar MDT, CDT.&lt;/p&gt;
</description>
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  <content:encoded>
    <![CDATA[<h3>Hello voices from the bench community, <a href="https://sunrisedentallaboratory.com/" rel="nofollow noopener">John Wilson</a> here and I wanted to share some news about the evolution of the Programill lineup. Most importantly, <a href="https://www.ivoclar.com/en_us" rel="nofollow noopener">Ivoclar</a>’s new <a href="https://www.ivoclar.com/en_us/products/digital-equipment/programill-pm7" rel="nofollow noopener">PrograMill 7</a>. What stands out right away is the reduced air consumption this mill requires, but what you'll notice first is that impressive new touchscreen. For us, the biggest advantage has been increased spindle power. My laboratory's known for these larger cases with complex geometries, and I can tell you that extra power really makes a difference. Next time you see your Ivoclar representative, be sure to ask about the PrograMill 7 and tell them John Wilson sent you. Thank you.</h3>

<hr>

<h3>At exocad Insights in beautiful Mallorca, we finally caught up with Felix from <a href="https://www.imagineusa.com/" rel="nofollow noopener">Imagine USA</a>—and the timing couldn’t have been better. As an exocad dealer on the front lines of digital dentistry, Felix shared his excitement about the strong turnout, the familiar faces, and most importantly, the innovation coming from exocad. What stood out most? The new exocad Hub and its cloud-based capabilities, along with powerful AI-driven tools inside DentalDB designed for efficient batch processing. For Felix and the Imagine team, it’s not just about seeing what’s new—it’s about putting it to the test. By running new features through their own production facility first, they ensure real-world performance before bringing solutions to their customers. Beyond the technology, Felix emphasized the value of being there in person—connecting face-to-face with partners, having meaningful conversations, and stepping back to see where the industry is headed. And of course, doing it all in Mallorca doesn’t hurt either.</h3>

<p>This week Elvis and Barb are back at exocad Insights 2026 where the microphones captured two very different conversations that somehow landed on the exact same thing: passion still matters. First up, we sat down with longtime dental technicians and <a href="https://www.oraldesign.org/" rel="nofollow noopener">Oral Design International Foundation</a> members <strong>Pinhas Adar</strong> and <strong>Javier Perez</strong> to talk about the legacy of the legendary Willi Geller and how one man helped elevate dental technicians from the shadows to respected members of the restorative team. From stories of learning under masters in Switzerland to building a worldwide family of 127 members across 34 countries, the conversation dives deep into friendship, mentorship, craftsmanship, and why face-to-face connection still matters in a digital world. They also share details about upcoming memorial and symposium events dedicated to carrying on Willi’s philosophy of passion, respect, and sharing knowledge without ego.</p>

<p>Then the crew caught up with returning guest <strong>Dora Rodrigues</strong>, who has gone from conversion queen to certified exocad trainer, full-arch educator, and lab owner running an increasingly digital workflow. Dora talks about finally bringing milling in-house, the terrifying learning curve that came with it, and how mastering workflows like split bars and partial CAD has completely changed the way she designs full-arch restorations. Between traveling internationally to lecture, teaching labs how to streamline their workflows, and still designing cases herself, Dora proves that digital dentistry still takes serious technical skill, problem-solving, and obsession with detail. It’s an episode full of passion, legacy, technology, and the reminder that no matter how digital dentistry gets… the people behind it still make all the difference.</p>

<p>Today’s dental labs are under more pressure than ever — tighter turnaround times, staffing challenges, and nonstop production demands. That’s why efficiency and reliability matter more than ever before.</p>

<p>More laboratories continue turning to <a href="https://www.rolanddga.com/products/dental/dwx-series" rel="nofollow noopener">Roland DGA</a> and the proven performance of the DGSHAPE DWX Series milling solutions to keep production moving smoothly. Reliable workflows help reduce downtime, minimize remakes, and allow technicians to focus on quality work instead of troubleshooting equipment.</p>

<p>For labs exploring digital dentures, the Elevate Denture Solution offers a streamlined workflow with validated CAM strategies and Ivotion compatibility through <a href="https://www.follow-me-tech.com/hyperdent/" rel="nofollow noopener">hyperDENT software</a> — helping labs adopt digital production without unnecessary complexity.</p>

<p>Because labs don’t need more stress. They need dependable systems that simply work.</p><p>Special Guests: Dora Rodrigues, Javier Perez Lopez, and Pinhas Adar MDT, CDT.</p>]]>
  </content:encoded>
  <itunes:summary>
    <![CDATA[<h3>Hello voices from the bench community, <a href="https://sunrisedentallaboratory.com/" rel="nofollow noopener">John Wilson</a> here and I wanted to share some news about the evolution of the Programill lineup. Most importantly, <a href="https://www.ivoclar.com/en_us" rel="nofollow noopener">Ivoclar</a>’s new <a href="https://www.ivoclar.com/en_us/products/digital-equipment/programill-pm7" rel="nofollow noopener">PrograMill 7</a>. What stands out right away is the reduced air consumption this mill requires, but what you'll notice first is that impressive new touchscreen. For us, the biggest advantage has been increased spindle power. My laboratory's known for these larger cases with complex geometries, and I can tell you that extra power really makes a difference. Next time you see your Ivoclar representative, be sure to ask about the PrograMill 7 and tell them John Wilson sent you. Thank you.</h3>

<hr>

<h3>At exocad Insights in beautiful Mallorca, we finally caught up with Felix from <a href="https://www.imagineusa.com/" rel="nofollow noopener">Imagine USA</a>—and the timing couldn’t have been better. As an exocad dealer on the front lines of digital dentistry, Felix shared his excitement about the strong turnout, the familiar faces, and most importantly, the innovation coming from exocad. What stood out most? The new exocad Hub and its cloud-based capabilities, along with powerful AI-driven tools inside DentalDB designed for efficient batch processing. For Felix and the Imagine team, it’s not just about seeing what’s new—it’s about putting it to the test. By running new features through their own production facility first, they ensure real-world performance before bringing solutions to their customers. Beyond the technology, Felix emphasized the value of being there in person—connecting face-to-face with partners, having meaningful conversations, and stepping back to see where the industry is headed. And of course, doing it all in Mallorca doesn’t hurt either.</h3>

<p>This week Elvis and Barb are back at exocad Insights 2026 where the microphones captured two very different conversations that somehow landed on the exact same thing: passion still matters. First up, we sat down with longtime dental technicians and <a href="https://www.oraldesign.org/" rel="nofollow noopener">Oral Design International Foundation</a> members <strong>Pinhas Adar</strong> and <strong>Javier Perez</strong> to talk about the legacy of the legendary Willi Geller and how one man helped elevate dental technicians from the shadows to respected members of the restorative team. From stories of learning under masters in Switzerland to building a worldwide family of 127 members across 34 countries, the conversation dives deep into friendship, mentorship, craftsmanship, and why face-to-face connection still matters in a digital world. They also share details about upcoming memorial and symposium events dedicated to carrying on Willi’s philosophy of passion, respect, and sharing knowledge without ego.</p>

<p>Then the crew caught up with returning guest <strong>Dora Rodrigues</strong>, who has gone from conversion queen to certified exocad trainer, full-arch educator, and lab owner running an increasingly digital workflow. Dora talks about finally bringing milling in-house, the terrifying learning curve that came with it, and how mastering workflows like split bars and partial CAD has completely changed the way she designs full-arch restorations. Between traveling internationally to lecture, teaching labs how to streamline their workflows, and still designing cases herself, Dora proves that digital dentistry still takes serious technical skill, problem-solving, and obsession with detail. It’s an episode full of passion, legacy, technology, and the reminder that no matter how digital dentistry gets… the people behind it still make all the difference.</p>

<p>Today’s dental labs are under more pressure than ever — tighter turnaround times, staffing challenges, and nonstop production demands. That’s why efficiency and reliability matter more than ever before.</p>

<p>More laboratories continue turning to <a href="https://www.rolanddga.com/products/dental/dwx-series" rel="nofollow noopener">Roland DGA</a> and the proven performance of the DGSHAPE DWX Series milling solutions to keep production moving smoothly. Reliable workflows help reduce downtime, minimize remakes, and allow technicians to focus on quality work instead of troubleshooting equipment.</p>

<p>For labs exploring digital dentures, the Elevate Denture Solution offers a streamlined workflow with validated CAM strategies and Ivotion compatibility through <a href="https://www.follow-me-tech.com/hyperdent/" rel="nofollow noopener">hyperDENT software</a> — helping labs adopt digital production without unnecessary complexity.</p>

<p>Because labs don’t need more stress. They need dependable systems that simply work.</p><p>Special Guests: Dora Rodrigues, Javier Perez Lopez, and Pinhas Adar MDT, CDT.</p>]]>
  </itunes:summary>
</item>
<item>
  <title>309: Positive Reinforcement with John Rano </title>
  <link>https://www.voicesfromthebench.com/309</link>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">96811fda-f986-48d3-b930-3d0d92242a16</guid>
  <pubDate>Mon, 26 Feb 2024 06:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
  <author>Elvis Dahl &amp; Barb Warner</author>
  <enclosure url="https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/e7665600-2cb9-4cb2-b0ba-2eada9f69007/96811fda-f986-48d3-b930-3d0d92242a16.mp3" length="58650166" type="audio/mpeg"/>
  <itunes:episode>309</itunes:episode>
  <itunes:title>Positive Reinforcement with John Rano </itunes:title>
  <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
  <itunes:author>Elvis Dahl &amp; Barb Warner</itunes:author>
  <itunes:subtitle>Meet John Rano. Son of a dental technician from Argentina. After working for his dad, John sets off on his own and eventually opens Unique Solutions Dental Lab specializing in full arch and he talks about helping to improve the next generation of technicians with a little positive reinforcement.</itunes:subtitle>
  <itunes:duration>1:01:01</itunes:duration>
  <itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit>
  <itunes:image href="https://media24.fireside.fm/file/fireside-images-2024/podcasts/images/e/e7665600-2cb9-4cb2-b0ba-2eada9f69007/episodes/9/96811fda-f986-48d3-b930-3d0d92242a16/cover.jpg?v=2"/>
  <description>&lt;p&gt;We are all back from Lab Day and very tired.... but yet we are still all going to the bench because the work never stops.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;
&lt;strong&gt;THANK YOU Ivoclar, for hosting us over the weekend!&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;This week we get to meet John Rano. John's dad was a dental technician, so it only made sense that John would end up in the family business. At the age of 14, John started learning what he could. By 18, he was doing conversions. But John wanted more. So after working at another lab and learning even more, John opened &lt;a href="https://www.uniquesolutionsdentallab.com/" rel="nofollow noopener"&gt;Unique Solutions Dental Lab&lt;/a&gt;. John comes on to talk about his journey, what he learned about providing a positive environment for new employees, and using digital for his full arch workflow. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;Did you know that not all Zirconia is the same?&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ivoclar.com/en_li/products/digital-processes/ips-e.max-zircad-prime-family" rel="nofollow noopener"&gt;ZirCAD Prime&lt;/a&gt; Zirconia from &lt;a href="https://www.ivoclar.com/en_us" rel="nofollow noopener"&gt;Ivoclar&lt;/a&gt; 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.&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;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!&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;hr&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;Whether you are looking to elevate your craftsmanship or looking to cut back costs, look no further – &lt;a href="https://vitanorthamerica.com/en-US/VITA-MFT-Anterior-369,273,126133.html" rel="nofollow noopener"&gt;VITA MFT Teeth&lt;/a&gt; are the ultimate solution for creating lifelike and stunning smiles.&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;Crafted with precision and backed by cutting-edge technology, VITA MFT Teeth offers unparalleled esthetics and durability. And since &lt;a href="https://vitanorthamerica.com/" rel="nofollow noopener"&gt;VITA&lt;/a&gt; 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 &lt;a href="https://www2.vitanorthamerica.com/mft/" rel="nofollow noopener"&gt;vitanorthamerica.com/freemft&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;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.&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;Join the VITA family today.&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;hr&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.candulor.com/en-us" rel="nofollow noopener"&gt;Candulor&lt;/a&gt; a dental supply company from Switzerland has solutions no matter if you are analog or digital&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;Check out their &lt;a href="https://www.candulor.com/en-us/product-portfolio/tooth-lines/physioset-tcr" rel="nofollow noopener"&gt;PhysioSet TCR&lt;/a&gt; tooth line that has been complemented with 18 new shapes. A total of 48 age-appropriate anterior tooth shapes are available for the laboratory or dental practice to select from.&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;The &lt;a href="https://ssop.swiss/en-us" rel="nofollow noopener"&gt;Swiss School of Prosthetics&lt;/a&gt; in Springfield, Missouri is the place to learn all things removable. America with get supported and supplied by the only authorized partner &lt;a href="https://edmondsdentalsupply.com/" rel="nofollow noopener"&gt;Edmonds Dental Supply&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;Candulor, High End Only&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Special Guest: John Rano.&lt;/p&gt;
</description>
  <itunes:keywords>dental, technician, laboratory, Lab Day, florida, train, canada, clear choice, setting teeth, conversion, traveling technician, analog skills, devalue, discouraged, encouragement, self awareness, feedback, attitude, love their job, scanners, digital jig, podcast, voices from the bench</itunes:keywords>
  <content:encoded>
    <![CDATA[<p>We are all back from Lab Day and very tired.... but yet we are still all going to the bench because the work never stops.<br><br>
<strong>THANK YOU Ivoclar, for hosting us over the weekend!</strong></p>

<p>This week we get to meet John Rano. John's dad was a dental technician, so it only made sense that John would end up in the family business. At the age of 14, John started learning what he could. By 18, he was doing conversions. But John wanted more. So after working at another lab and learning even more, John opened <a href="https://www.uniquesolutionsdentallab.com/" rel="nofollow noopener">Unique Solutions Dental Lab</a>. John comes on to talk about his journey, what he learned about providing a positive environment for new employees, and using digital for his full arch workflow. </p>

<h3>Did you know that not all Zirconia is the same?</h3>

<h3><a href="https://www.ivoclar.com/en_li/products/digital-processes/ips-e.max-zircad-prime-family" rel="nofollow noopener">ZirCAD Prime</a> Zirconia from <a href="https://www.ivoclar.com/en_us" rel="nofollow noopener">Ivoclar</a> 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.</h3>

<h3>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!</h3>

<hr>

<h3>Whether you are looking to elevate your craftsmanship or looking to cut back costs, look no further – <a href="https://vitanorthamerica.com/en-US/VITA-MFT-Anterior-369,273,126133.html" rel="nofollow noopener">VITA MFT Teeth</a> are the ultimate solution for creating lifelike and stunning smiles.</h3>

<h3>Crafted with precision and backed by cutting-edge technology, VITA MFT Teeth offers unparalleled esthetics and durability. And since <a href="https://vitanorthamerica.com/" rel="nofollow noopener">VITA</a> 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 <a href="https://www2.vitanorthamerica.com/mft/" rel="nofollow noopener">vitanorthamerica.com/freemft</a></h3>

<h3>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.</h3>

<h3>Join the VITA family today.</h3>

<hr>

<h3><a href="https://www.candulor.com/en-us" rel="nofollow noopener">Candulor</a> a dental supply company from Switzerland has solutions no matter if you are analog or digital</h3>

<h3>Check out their <a href="https://www.candulor.com/en-us/product-portfolio/tooth-lines/physioset-tcr" rel="nofollow noopener">PhysioSet TCR</a> tooth line that has been complemented with 18 new shapes. A total of 48 age-appropriate anterior tooth shapes are available for the laboratory or dental practice to select from.</h3>

<h3>The <a href="https://ssop.swiss/en-us" rel="nofollow noopener">Swiss School of Prosthetics</a> in Springfield, Missouri is the place to learn all things removable. America with get supported and supplied by the only authorized partner <a href="https://edmondsdentalsupply.com/" rel="nofollow noopener">Edmonds Dental Supply</a></h3>

<h3>Candulor, High End Only</h3><p>Special Guest: John Rano.</p>]]>
  </content:encoded>
  <itunes:summary>
    <![CDATA[<p>We are all back from Lab Day and very tired.... but yet we are still all going to the bench because the work never stops.<br><br>
<strong>THANK YOU Ivoclar, for hosting us over the weekend!</strong></p>

<p>This week we get to meet John Rano. John's dad was a dental technician, so it only made sense that John would end up in the family business. At the age of 14, John started learning what he could. By 18, he was doing conversions. But John wanted more. So after working at another lab and learning even more, John opened <a href="https://www.uniquesolutionsdentallab.com/" rel="nofollow noopener">Unique Solutions Dental Lab</a>. John comes on to talk about his journey, what he learned about providing a positive environment for new employees, and using digital for his full arch workflow. </p>

<h3>Did you know that not all Zirconia is the same?</h3>

<h3><a href="https://www.ivoclar.com/en_li/products/digital-processes/ips-e.max-zircad-prime-family" rel="nofollow noopener">ZirCAD Prime</a> Zirconia from <a href="https://www.ivoclar.com/en_us" rel="nofollow noopener">Ivoclar</a> 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.</h3>

<h3>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!</h3>

<hr>

<h3>Whether you are looking to elevate your craftsmanship or looking to cut back costs, look no further – <a href="https://vitanorthamerica.com/en-US/VITA-MFT-Anterior-369,273,126133.html" rel="nofollow noopener">VITA MFT Teeth</a> are the ultimate solution for creating lifelike and stunning smiles.</h3>

<h3>Crafted with precision and backed by cutting-edge technology, VITA MFT Teeth offers unparalleled esthetics and durability. And since <a href="https://vitanorthamerica.com/" rel="nofollow noopener">VITA</a> 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 <a href="https://www2.vitanorthamerica.com/mft/" rel="nofollow noopener">vitanorthamerica.com/freemft</a></h3>

<h3>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.</h3>

<h3>Join the VITA family today.</h3>

<hr>

<h3><a href="https://www.candulor.com/en-us" rel="nofollow noopener">Candulor</a> a dental supply company from Switzerland has solutions no matter if you are analog or digital</h3>

<h3>Check out their <a href="https://www.candulor.com/en-us/product-portfolio/tooth-lines/physioset-tcr" rel="nofollow noopener">PhysioSet TCR</a> tooth line that has been complemented with 18 new shapes. A total of 48 age-appropriate anterior tooth shapes are available for the laboratory or dental practice to select from.</h3>

<h3>The <a href="https://ssop.swiss/en-us" rel="nofollow noopener">Swiss School of Prosthetics</a> in Springfield, Missouri is the place to learn all things removable. America with get supported and supplied by the only authorized partner <a href="https://edmondsdentalsupply.com/" rel="nofollow noopener">Edmonds Dental Supply</a></h3>

<h3>Candulor, High End Only</h3><p>Special Guest: John Rano.</p>]]>
  </itunes:summary>
</item>
  </channel>
</rss>
