At exocad Insights in beautiful Mallorca, we finally caught up with Felix from Imagine USA—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.

This episode finally brings a long-awaited conversation to life with Kent Kohli, a name many in the industry recognize—but maybe don’t fully know the story behind. From an unexpected entry into dentistry (thanks to marrying his orthodontist’s daughter) to becoming a lifelong student of ceramics and education, Kent’s journey is anything but typical.

What starts as a pre-dental path quickly shifts once Kent discovers the lab side of dentistry—and more importantly, where his passion truly lives. From pouring models and grinding metal to studying under legends like John Archibald, Kent shares how mentorship, curiosity, and relentless work ethic shaped his career. Along the way, he opens up about the early struggles—working 100-hour weeks, barely making ends meet, and choosing quality over the “race to the bottom” that burned out many of his peers.

Kent dives deep into the evolution of dental technology, from the early days of PFMs and Empress to today’s digital workflows and liquid ceramics. But at the heart of it all is a consistent theme: education. Whether it’s learning from the “giants” of the industry or now helping guide the next generation through his role at Ivoclar, Kent sees it as a responsibility to pass on what was given to him.

He also shares insights into his current mission—bringing hands-on education back to the forefront, blending traditional techniques with modern materials, and helping technicians elevate their craft beyond just production.

Rising costs, tighter deadlines, and greater demands are challenging labs everywhere. When efficiency matters, you need tools that deliver—every day.

Roland DGShape milling solutions are reliable and easy to use. Just turn them on and let them run—no babysitting required. Fewer remakes and less wasted material mean your team can focus on getting cases out the door.

With the Elevate Denture solution, step into digital dentures without disrupting your workflow. Validated CAM strategies and Ivoclar compatibility mean you're building on a system you already trust.

Ready to boost efficiency? Explore DG Shape DWX Milling Solutions and the Elevate Dental Solution at RolandDental.com.

Special Guest: Kent Kohli.

If you’re passionate about creating natural, beautiful smiles—but want to simplify your workflow without sacrificing aesthetics—this is for you. I’m honored to be part of Ivoclar’s development team introducing a powerful new stain and glaze system featuring Structure Paste, IPS e.max Ceram Art. Create stunning depth and lifelike color in as little as one firing.

Let’s continue to innovate, simplify, and create meaningful change—one smile at a time.

CAM has been a major topic lately, and a lot of that conversation keeps coming back to hyperDENT. But instead of just talking about the software itself, it’s worth looking at real-world experience. Imagine USA has been using hyperDENT in their own lab for over 15 years. That kind of longevity says a lot—they’re not just selling and supporting it, they’re relying on it in their own production every single day. That’s what really sets them apart.

This week’s episode brings it full circle as Elvis reconnects with one of the podcast’s very first guests, Renata Bundy, now a longtime professor at New York City College of Technology. Along with her are two technicians who represent both sides of the journey—lab owner Roberto Rossi and workflow master Eugene Vega—creating a conversation that dives deep into education, mentorship, and what it really takes to succeed in today’s dental lab world.

Roberto shares his unlikely path from working sanitation in New York to building a thriving lab, Synergy Dental Studio, over nearly three decades. With a relentless focus on quality, constant improvement, and embracing digital (while still questioning it), he explains how his lab has grown into a tight-knit, high-level operation. Eugene adds perspective from inside the lab, describing his evolution from student to managing daily workflow, highlighting how important environment, mentorship, and work ethic are when transitioning from school to real-world production.

Renata ties it all together from the educational side, reflecting on over 20 years of teaching and how the program has evolved alongside the industry—from analog fundamentals to digital workflows—while still preparing students for the realities they’ll face after graduation. The group doesn’t shy away from the tough truths either: low starting pay, steep learning curves, and the high dropout rate among new technicians. But the message is clear—stick with it, find the right lab, and the opportunity is there.

It’s a conversation about growth, grit, and the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people—whether that’s in the classroom or the lab. And if nothing else, you’ll learn that a little Italian lunch might just be the secret to building a loyal team.

Special Guests: Eugene Vega, Renata Budny, CDT, TE, and Roberto Rossi.

Come enjoy and sun with us on May 9 -10, 2024 in Mallorca, Spain at exocad Insights! An amazing line up of speakers all talking about an amazing design program! Register here!

This week we prepare for what is sure to be the best LMT Lab Day Chicago ever! Once again Elvis and Barb will be in the Ivoclar Ballroom all weekend recording all the amazing people in our industry willing to sit down with us. But what else is going on in the ballroom? One of the speakers on stage is Jessica Love (formerly Birrell). Jessica comes on the podcast to talk about her artistry beginnings, how she discovered dental technology, opening her own lab, discovering new ways to teach emax, getting into speaking, and how she now owns Capture Dental Health & Beauty Center that takes what a dentist sees in the mouth and can help your whole body physically and mentally heal.

Also joining the episode is Laura Gilbert, the General Manager of Ivoclar Canada. Laura updates us on her new and exciting role with the company and also runs down other Lab Day events like the other speakers and courses going on all weekend!

Join Luke LaRocque-Walker & Paul Imperius from True North Denture & Implant Centre and many others in the Ivoclar Ballroom at LMT Lab Day Chicago 2024. February 22-24, the biggest dental lab show in America happens and the place to be is in the Ivoclar Ballroom where all weekend Elvis Dahl and Barbara Warner will be set up recording everyone all weekend. Head over to voicesfromthebench.com/ivoclar to see a complete line up of all the lectures going on all weekend! We will see you there!

Whether you are looking to elevate your craftsmanship or looking to cut back costs, look no further – VITA MFT Teeth 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 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

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.

Candulor a dental supply company from Switzerland has solutions no matter if you are analog or digital

Check out their PhysioSet TCR 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.

The Swiss School of Prosthetics in Springfield, Missouri is the place to learn all things removable. America with get supported and supplied by the only authorized partner Edmonds Dental Supply

Candulor, High End Only

Special Guests: Jessica Love (Birrell) and Laura Gilbert.

If efficiency and performance are what you are looking for in a milling system, then the high-performance PrograMill PM7 from Ivoclar is the right choice for you.

Equipped with a high-performance spindle, this high-power 5-axis milling machine efficiently produces both wet and dry restorations.

Ivoclar provides white glove delivery service, training, choice of service contracts and their outstanding after sales service and support.

Contact your friendly Ivoclar sales representative today and create a digital solution that’s right for you!

Candulor a dental supply company from Switzerland has solutions no matter if you are analog or digital

Check out their PhysioSet TCR 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.

The Swiss School of Prosthetics in Springfield, Missouri is the place to learn all things removable. America with get supported and supplied by the only authorized partner Edmonds Dental Supply

Candulor, High End Only

Special Guest: Alexandra (Allie) Williamson, AAS, BS, CDT-E.

If efficiency and performance are what you are looking for in a milling system, then the high-performance PrograMill PM7 from Ivoclar is the right choice for you.

Equipped with a high-performance spindle, this high-power 5-axis milling machine efficiently produces both wet and dry restorations.

Ivoclar provides white glove delivery service, training, choice of service contracts and their outstanding after sales service and support.

Contact your friendly Ivoclar sales representative today and create a digital solution that’s right for you!

Candulor a dental supply company from Switzerland has solutions no matter if you are analog or digital

Check out their PhysioSet TCR 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.

The Swiss School of Prosthetics in Springfield, Missouri is the place to learn all things removable. America with get supported and supplied by the only authorized partner Edmonds Dental Supply

Candulor, High End Only

Special Guest: Tracy Graham.

DLAT Southwest Conference and Expo April 1 & 2: Dallas / Fort Worth Airport Mariott

Let's do the math. 52 weeks a year. 208th episode. Never missed a week. It's the 4th year anniversary of the podcast! Amazing we are still going and still loving every minute of it. And it wouldn't be a celebration unless we bring back our good friend that was on episode 1 and 52 and 156, Renata Budny. Renata leads the Restorative Dentistry program at the New York City College of Technology. Joining her is past student and now Professor Jamie Rubin. Jamie talks about getting into the program, her experiences going through the classes, and what it's like being in front of the students and working full time at an in-office lab. Renata updates us on what's happening with the school, dental technology education in general, and what we can do to help schools provide us the trained technicians that we need. We are never too cool for dental technology school.

Accreditation Standards for Dental Laboratory Technology Education Programs

List of CODA accredited schools

Whip Mix, known today for its digital equipment and materials, has been known for decades as a leader in occlusion products with its Whip Mix, Hanau, and Denar articulators and facebows.

The most popular of these is the Denar Mark 300 Series articulator. These popular semi-adjustable instruments are engineered for superior performance and tested thoroughly based on proven methodology. They bring a new standard of interchangeability with factory set accuracy within 20 microns. With their sleek, ergonomic design and powder-coated finish, these articulators have a contemporary look that’s as durable as it is aesthetically pleasing.

The Denmat Mark 320 articulator features Adjustable condylar inclination with 0 to 60,° and Progressive side shift fixed at 15°. The Denar Mark 300 comes complete with: Dust cover, 10 magnetic mounting plates, instructions and standard black carrying case.

Head over to Whipmix.com to order one today.

Is your lab in a position to take on new customers? Do you have the capacity to service more doctors? AmericaSmiles has helped hundreds of labs across the country to acquire new dental accounts.They're the biggest name in Dental Laboratory marketing. Don't waste time mailing and calling hundreds of doctors just to see poor results and hear overwhelming rejection. Let AmericaSmiles do all the heavy lifting for you. For just $195 a month, the AmericaSmiles One Voice program will help you skip to the front of the line. They'll prospect your local or target area, produce your creative marketing, and do all of the cold calling to leave you with extremely qualified appointments; guaranteed to help you find your ideal clients and grow your business.

Visit AmericaSmiles.net/One-Voice to learn more about how you can increase your lab's bottom line. Use promo code VOICESFROMTHEBENCH during checkout to qualify for a month-to-month agreement enabling you the freedom to cancel the marketing service any time! If you’d like to speak with an agent who can answer your questions about a time-tested, completely done-for-you approach to marketing, please call 708 279 9031. Join AmericaSmiles One Voice today - Getting new dentists to try your lab has never been easier.

Did you know that most inLab MCX5 users that have ordered burs from Gro3X once, keep on ordering Gro3X burs over and over again? Because Gro3X burs are engineered by some of the folks who have been providing burs to some of the largest US production labs for years.

Did you also know, that most Roland and DGShape users have no idea what they are missing out?

To give Roland and DGSHAPE users the opportunity to find out for themselves how good Gro3X burs work also for their machines, Gro3X is now offering a BUY 3, GET 2 BURS FREE special. This is exclusively for Voices From The Bench listeners.

Simply go to the Gro3X website at gro3x.com click on burs, then select Roland & DGSHAPE. Add five burs of your choice to your cart, click on CHECK-OUT, enter discount code B3G2Burs and check out.

Special Guests: Jamie Rubin and Renata Budny, CDT, TE.