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.

From wire-bending machines and digital ortho workflows to Vulcanite dentures and photogrammetry, this episode from the DLAT floor is packed with stories, laughs, and a whole lot of dental lab wisdom.

First up, the crew sits down with Jason Dyas — better known these days as the man behind Ortho Outlaw and everyone’s favorite outlaw mascot, Clyde. Jason shares his journey from construction work and garage-built orthodontic appliances to running successful ortho labs and diving headfirst into digital technology. What started with fax-machine marketing and Walmart bench grinders eventually evolved into automated wire-bending machines, digital scanning, social media content creation, and a growing mission to help older labs embrace modern workflows instead of shutting their doors. The conversation covers everything from AI-driven ortho tech and the future of wire bending to building a brand, traveling to industry events around the world, and how Ortho Outlaw became one of the most recognizable new names in orthodontic lab social media.

Then the podcast catches up with longtime friend of the show Jim Collis for an incredible deep dive into 45 years of dental technology experience. Jim talks about teaching hands-on courses at DLAT, helping labs transition from analog workflows into digital dentures and 3D printing, and why education is still the key to success in modern dentistry. From discussing AI-assisted denture design and automated workflows to reminiscing about fixing Vulcanite dentures and the earliest days of implants, Jim delivers one amazing story after another. Along the way, he shares lessons from his CDT journey, the mentors who shaped his career, his passion for consulting and education, and why he still loves this industry after nearly five decades. It’s equal parts history lesson, technology discussion, and classic Voices From the Bench chaos — complete with Star Trek references, Slurpee stories, and enough off-topic tangents to make Barb proud.

Special Guests: Clyde, Jason Dyas, and Jim Collis CDT.

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.

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, Elvis and Barb sits down with Katherine Steinbock-Dyke of Whip Mix to talk legacy, leadership, and the evolution of a family-run powerhouse in the dental industry. As part of the Steinbock lineage, Katherine shares what it was like growing up around the business—from selling Girl Scout cookies on the shop floor to eventually stepping into the CEO role. Her journey wasn’t a straight line, starting instead in international business and corporate HR before finding her way back to Whip Mix and working her way through multiple roles across the company.

The conversation dives into the realities of running a multi-generational company in a rapidly changing industry. Katherine talks about balancing tradition with innovation, from gypsum and articulators to digital workflows and resin development. She opens up about the challenges of staying relevant, the importance of continuous improvement (hello, WIN program), and what it really means to lead a team she genuinely cares about.

Along the way, there’s plenty of classic bench banter—everything from assembling pizzas at Papa John’s to the chaos of early 3D printing workflows and navigating massive trade shows like IDS. The episode wraps with a look at where Whip Mix is headed, Katherine’s focus on reconnecting with labs and customers, and how the next generation is shaping the future of dental manufacturing while respecting its roots.

Special Guest: Katherine Steinbock-Dyke.

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.

Alright, Voices From the Bench listeners—We’re coming to you live from Dallas at DLAT, and we had to grab a quick pop-in from the floor.

That’s right—because when you’re walking a show this big, you never know who you’re going to run into… and sure enough, we caught up with Jordan Greenberg—yeah, the HyperDent guy.

No booth this time, just cruising the floor, connecting with partners, supporting dealers, and checking in with labs looking to level up their workflows.

And get this—he’s not just talking theory. We’re talking fully automated solutions for preform abutments… no human nesting. That’s right—automation that knows your blank size, optimizes your workflow, and keeps production moving without missing a beat.

It’s the kind of innovation that’s pushing labs forward—faster, smarter, and more efficient.

So if you’re at DLAT, keep your eyes open… because the future of CAM might just be walking right past you.

This week, we catch up with the always entertaining and wildly unconventional Seth Potter—live from Paraguay. From sailing the world with his family to building a thriving remote design business, Seth shares a story that’s anything but typical. What starts as a conversation about exocad Insights quickly turns into a deep dive into faith, freedom, digital dentistry, and what it really takes to create a life on your own terms.

Seth walks us through his unique upbringing—growing up with a missionary dentist father, assisting on dental trips in the Dominican Republic, and spending his teenage years living on a sailboat. That early exposure to dentistry (and adventure) eventually led him into dental technology, where he combined analog fundamentals with a self-taught digital workflow to become a leader in remote design.

We also get into the evolution of his career—from working in a small lab and helping implement digital systems, to launching one of the first remote CAD design businesses in Canada. Seth shares how he hustled for his first clients (hint: it involves Indeed and a clever pitch), scaled through efficiency, and ultimately hit a breaking point that forced him to rethink balance, burnout, and what success actually looks like.

Now splitting his time between Canada and Paraguay, Seth has built a lifestyle that many dream about—while still pushing the limits of productivity, workflow systems, and digital education with exocad.

If you’ve ever thought about going remote, improving your efficiency, or just wondered what’s possible in this industry… this one’s for you.

Join us at exocad Insights 2026, happening April 30–May 1, 2026, on the stunning island of Mallorca, Spain. This two-day event features powerhouse keynotes, hands-on workshops, live software demos, and top-tier industry showcases—all in one unforgettable setting.

Barb and Elvis will be on site bringing you exclusive interviews, plus don’t miss the FIRST 5k run on the coast! And of course, cap it all off with the legendary exoGlam Night under the stars.

Tickets are limited. Visit exocad.com/insights-2026 and use code VFTBPalma15 for 15% off.

Special Guest: Seth Potter.

Walking the Lab Day Chicago floor? Make it worth it.

Stop by the FOLLOW-ME! hyperDENT booth (E-27, East Hall) and take part in their Milling Roadmap—a quick, scavenger-hunt-style activity that leads you to key milling partners like Axsys, Imagine, DOF, and Roland.

Collect stamps at booths you’re likely visiting anyway and get entered to win some great giveaways—including this year’s grand prize: a foldable Honda electric scooter.

You’re already walking the floor. Now it might carry you.

Come see and talk to Elvis and Barb at all these amazing shows in 2026*

• Cal-Lab Association Meeting in Chicago Feb 19-20 https://cal-lab.org/
• LMT Lab Day Chicago Feb 19-21 https://lmtmag.com/lmtlabday
• Dental Lab Association of Texas Meeting in Dallas Apr 9-11 https://members.dlat.org/
• exocad Insights in Mallorca, Spain Apr 30 - May 1 https://exocad.com/insights-2026

This week we sit down with Michael Joseph, a London-based lab owner whose journey through dental technology is anything but traditional. From delivering impressions on a scooter through the streets of London to completely rebuilding his lab as a fully digital operation, Michael shares a candid, honest look at what it really takes to survive—and thrive—in today’s dental lab landscape.

Michael walks listeners through his early days pouring hundreds of stone models by hand, navigating education with dyslexia, and eventually earning his degree in dental technology. After years at the bench, he pivoted into dental sales, working with companies like Orascoptic, Sirona, and Skillbond/Argen—experience that gave him deep insight into materials, equipment, and the business side of dentistry. That sales background ultimately fueled his return to lab ownership and helped him build a strong network of clinicians from day one.

The conversation takes a powerful turn as Michael opens up about the challenges of Brexit, COVID, staffing losses, and personal upheaval that nearly ended his lab altogether. Instead of quitting, he made a bold decision: gut the lab completely and rebuild it from the ground up as a fully digital operation. Investing heavily in milling, printing, Exocad, and workflow automation, Michael shares how committing to systems, protocols, and vertical integration transformed not just his lab—but his mindset.

Elvis and Barb dig into Michael’s digital workflows, including photogrammetry, full-arch immediate load cases, remote design teams, LMS integration with GreatLab, and why reliability and consistency are the real competitive advantages. Michael also explains how peer referrals—not ads—became his strongest growth engine, and how simplifying communication with dentists through WhatsApp, QR codes, automation, and self-booking systems has completely changed the way his lab operates.### If you want to grow your business, you need clear insight into what’s happening inside your operation and across your customer journey. That’s where Icortica comes in.

At Canadian Dental Labs, Icortica has become a cornerstone of how we operate—giving us at-a-glance visibility into performance, helping us focus our efforts, spot opportunities early, and solve problems before they grow. It takes the guesswork out of decision-making and shows us what to do next.

Plus, the Icortica team is incredibly responsive and feels like a true partner in our success.

If you’re serious about growing your business and understanding your customers better, Icortica can get you there. Learn more at icortica.com/voices — Icortica, helping dental labs grow.

Join us at exocad Insights 2026, happening April 30–May 1, 2026, on the stunning island of Mallorca, Spain. This two-day event features powerhouse keynotes, hands-on workshops, live software demos, and top-tier industry showcases—all in one unforgettable setting.

Barb and Elvis will be on site bringing you exclusive interviews, plus don’t miss the Women in Dentistry Lunch, celebrating career growth, wellbeing, and the real stories shaping our profession. And of course, cap it all off with the legendary exoGlam Night under the stars.

Tickets are limited. Visit exocad.com/insights-2026 and use code VFTBPalma15 for 15% off.

Starting the year strong in the dental lab isn’t about goals—it’s about results. Predictable productivity is what drives real profitability, and unpredictability is costly when remakes rise and production slows.

That’s why labs rely on Roland DGA’s DGSHAPE milling solutions. With consistent accuracy, minimal downtime, and automation you can count on, systems like the DWX-53DC deliver reliable output day after day—making ROI measurable and growth predictable.

See consistency in action at LMT Lab Day Chicago, Booth I-20.

Choose DGSHAPE. Crafted with Japanese precision. Trusted by dental professionals worldwide.

Learn more at rolanddental.com

Special Guest: Michael Joseph.