Voices from The Bench

436: Alyse Hifko & Martin Schmid Take Us Inside the Ivoclar Academy

August 3rd, 2026  |  48 mins 10 secs

3shape, all-on-x, alyse hifko, apprenticeship, auto nesting, brushes, buffalo, cad/cam, cad/cam dentistry, cam software, ceram art, ceramics, ceramics course, chairside dentistry, clinical education, commercial laboratory, connectors, continuing education, dental careers, dental community, dental craftsmanship, dental education, dental industry, dental innovation, dental lab, dental lab owner, dental laboratory, dental manufacturing, dental materials, dental milling, dental podcast, dental professionals, dental technician, dental technology, dentures, design limitations, digital dentistry, digital dentures, digital technician, digital workflow, dry milling, e.max, education, efficiency, elvis dahl, esthetic restorations, esthetics, firing, firing protocols, flat tools, full-arch restorations, germany, glazing, hands-on training, hybrid milling, implant restorations, implant workflows, in-person education, infiltration liquids, innovation., ivoclar, ivoclar academy, ivotion, johnny jackson, lab life, laboratory efficiency, laboratory excellence, laboratory growth, laboratory innovation, laboratory management, laboratory workflow, lithium disilicate, maintenance, martin schmid, mentorship, milling, milling limitations, milling software, milling strategies, mississauga, nesting, pink esthetics, porcelain layering, precision, production efficiency, productivity, programmill, programmill 7, programmill cam, programmill dry, research and development, restoration design, restorative dentistry, restorative workflow, santa fe springs, screw channels, sintering, stain and glaze, support structures, technical support, technician skills, technician training, titanium milling, troubleshooting, veneers, voices from the bench, wet milling, white esthetics, wieland, workflow automation, workflow optimization, zirconia, zirconia veneers, zirconium oxide

Ivoclar is taking education to the next level with the new Ivoclar Academy, and Elvis sits down with Martin Schmid and Alyse Hifko to learn what makes these hands-on courses a game changer for today's dental technicians. From creating lifelike esthetics with Ceram Art to unlocking powerful features hidden inside ProgramMill CAM software, this episode is packed with practical tips that can help any lab improve its workflow, no matter their experience level.

Episode 435: Matt Everatt is Making the Invisible Profession Visible

July 27th, 2026  |  58 mins 50 secs

3d printing, 3d printing dentistry, adaptability, adapting to change, additive manufacturing, agile business, agile dental laboratory, ai and dentistry, ai dental technology, ai future, ai in dentistry, ai trends, airway appliances, airway health, amazon prime, anaplastology, anti-snoring devices, artificial ears, artificial eyes, artificial intelligence, artisan, artistry, artistry in dentistry, attention to detail, attracting technicians, audible, audiobook, audiobooks, author, barb, behind the restoration, behind the scenes, behind the smile, better future, better health, better patient outcomes, better sleep, bite splints, bleaching trays, blockbuster, book recommendation, book review, book writing, brand positioning, british dental technician, building a business, building teams, business agility, business book, business coach, business coaching, business disruption, business efficiency, business excellence, business exit, business growth, business identity, business innovation, business lessons, business marketing, business mindset, business opportunities, business ownership, business processes, business profitability, business resilience, business strategy, business sustainability, business systems, cad cam, cad cam dentistry, career book, career change, career development, career inspiration, career journey, career stories, ceramist, change management, changing customer expectations, changing dental industry, changing lives, changing the narrative, changing the profession, client service, clinical excellence, clinical expertise, clinical partner, clinical partnership, clinical workflow, collaboration, collaboration over competition, commercial dental laboratory, communication, community support, company culture, competing on price, competitive advantage, content marketing, convenience, corporate dental laboratories, corporate dentistry, covid impact, covid-19, craftsmanship, craftsmanship in dentistry, cranial implants, cranioplasty, creativity, crown and bridge, custom appliances, custom dental appliances, customer expectations, customer service, delegation, dental artisans, dental business, dental cad cam, dental career, dental ceramics, dental community, dental conferences, dental expertise, dental healthcare, dental industry, dental industry author, dental industry history, dental industry networking, dental industry podcast, dental industry regulation, dental innovation, dental insurance, dental journalism, dental lab, dental lab acquisitions, dental lab book, dental lab business, dental lab entrepreneur, dental lab future, dental lab industry podcast, dental lab innovation, dental lab leadership, dental lab management, dental lab marketing, dental lab modernization, dental lab networking, dental lab owner, dental lab perspective, dental lab pricing, dental lab profitability, dental lab success, dental lab workflow, dental laboratory, dental laboratory business, dental laboratory communication, dental laboratory evolution, dental 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engagement, employee retention, employees as partners, empowering employees, entrepreneurial journey, entrepreneurial lessons, entrepreneurial mindset, entrepreneurship, evolving dental industry, excellence in dental technology, excellence in dentistry, exit strategy, facial prosthetics, fast turnaround, finding your niche, future of dental laboratories, future of dental technicians, future of dental technology, future of dentistry, future technicians, future-proof your lab, future-proofing, future-proofing dental labs, global dental industry, growing a business, growth mindset, growth opportunities, healthcare innovation, healthcare professionals, healthcare technology, helping patients, hidden profession, hiring technicians, history of dental technology, hope, hope for the future, hospital dental technology, hospital dentistry, hospital laboratory, illegal manufacturing, impact, improving lives, improving patient care, improving patient experience, independent dental lab, independent 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lovefilm, low-cost dentistry, making a difference, mandibular advancement devices, mandibular advancement splints, market disruption, marketing, marketing strategy, matt everatt, matt everatt interview, matthew everatt, maxillofacial prosthetics, maxillofacial surgery, maxillofacial technology, mentorship, milling, mindset, modern consumers, modern dental laboratory, modern dental technician, modern dental technician career, modern dental technology, motivation, motivational book, netflix, neurosurgery, new opportunities, next generation technicians, nhs dental laboratory, nhs dentistry, niche marketing, night guards, nonfiction, obturators, occlusal appliances, occlusal splints, ocular prosthetics, on-demand service, open laboratories, operational efficiency, opportunity, opportunity in dental labs, opportunity in dentistry, opportunity in technology, optimism, oral appliance therapy, oral appliances, oral health professionals, organizational growth, orthodontic appliances, orthodontic retainers, orthodontic technology, orthodontics, overcoming adversity, patient care, patient experience, patient impact, patient outcomes, patient-centered care, peer support, people management, people-first business, personal development, personal growth, personal journey, podcast conversation, podcast guest, positive business culture, positive culture, positive future, positive mindset, positivity, precision, premium dental laboratory, premium dentistry, premium pricing, premium service, premium turnaround, price competition, pricing strategy, pride in dental technology, pride in dentistry, pride in laboratory work, private dental laboratory, private dentistry, private equity, private ownership, process improvement, productivity, professional articles, professional book, professional challenges, professional community, professional development, professional evolution, professional excellence, professional growth, professional history, professional identity, professional impact, professional journey, professional motivation, professional networking, professional pride, professional recognition, professional respect, professional standards, professional writing, profitability, prosthetics, publishing, quality craftsmanship, quality dental laboratory, quality dentistry, quality of life, quality over price, race to the bottom, raising the profile, rapid service, rapid turnaround, reading, recruitment, regulatory challenges, reinventing the industry, relationship building, resilience, respect for dental technicians, retainers, revenue growth, s4s, same day dentistry, saving lives, saving marriages, scaling a business, scaling a dental lab, serial entrepreneur, service excellence, service innovation, sharing knowledge, sharing stories, skilled craftsmanship, skilled profession, skilled technicians, skilled trades, skull plates, sleep apnea, sleep apnea appliances, sleep apnea lab, sleep apnea treatment, sleep appliances, sleep dentistry, sleep medicine, sleep quality, snoring, snoring lab, snoring treatment, solutions for snoring, speaking out, specialization, specialized services, speed of service, staff development, staff retention, standing out, starting a business, starting a dental lab, startup strategy, storytelling, study models, successful dental businesses, successful dental labs, successful entrepreneurs, successful technicians, succession planning, sustainable business, sustainable growth, systemization, systemized business, talent acquisition, teaching hospitals, team building, team members, teamwork, technical excellence, technical expertise, technical skill, technician advocacy, technician collaboration, technician perspective, technician shortage, technician stories, technician visibility, technology adoption, technology and dentistry, technology future, technology trends, telling the story, the future is digital, the invisible profession, the invisible profession book, thought leadership, training technicians, transatlantic dental conversation, trusted advisor, turnaround time, twin blocks, uk dental industry, uk dental laboratory, united kingdom dentistry, uplifting others, us dental industry, value over price, value proposition, value-based service, valuing dental technicians, voices from the bench, voices from the bench interview, voices from the bench podcast, workflow optimization, workforce challenges, working in the business, working on the business, workplace culture, writing, writing a book

Matt Everatt joins Elvis and Barb to talk about his incredible journey through the dental laboratory industry, from maxillofacial prosthetics and sleep apnea appliances to co-founding a successful dental lab and eventually writing The Invisible Profession. They dive into the challenges facing dental technicians, the dangers of becoming a "busy fool," and why embracing technology, standing out, and becoming a true clinical partner are essential for the future of the laboratory industry.

Episode 431: exocad Insights 2026 Part 5: Beth Collington, Josh Jakson, & Robert Norton

June 29th, 2026  |  56 mins 10 secs

3d design, 3d modeling, advanced dental technology, advanced workflows, ai crown, ai dentistry, ai in dental labs, ai-assisted dentistry, ai-powered design, artificial intelligence, automotive parts design, bench talk, beth collington, cad design, cad designer, cad workflow, cad/cam, clinicians, continuing education, creative cad applications, crown and bridge, crown design, crown finalization, crown production, custom grills, custom jewelry, custom restorations, dental automation, dental business, dental cad, dental cad community, dental cad experts, dental cad software, dental cad training, dental collaboration, dental community, dental conference, dental craftsmanship, dental design, dental design innovation, dental design software, dental design techniques, dental discussion, dental education, dental educators, dental engineering, dental expertise, dental future, dental industry, dental industry leaders, dental industry podcast, dental innovation, dental innovation summit, dental jewelry, dental lab, dental lab future, dental lab professionals, dental lab technology, dental laboratory, dental laboratory management, dental laboratory podcast, dental laboratory workflows, dental leadership, dental manufacturing, dental manufacturing technology, dental podcast, dental professionals, dental prosthetics, dental restorations, dental scanning, dental software, dental software experts, dental software innovation, dental software platform, dental software training, dental software updates, dental solutions, dental technician, dental technician life, dental technician training, dental technology, dental technology conference, dental technology education, dental technology experts, dental technology trends, dental trends, dental workflow efficiency, dental workflow management, dental workflow solutions, dental workflows, digital dental education, digital dental laboratory, digital dental revolution, digital dental solutions, digital dentistry, digital dentistry podcast, digital design solutions, digital impressions, digital lab, digital manufacturing, digital prosthetics, digital restoration design, digital solutions, digital tools, digital transformation, digital workflows, emerging technology, exocad, exocad america, exocad community, exocad ecosystem, exocad innovations, exocad insights, exocad training, exocad users, exocad users meeting, exohub, freeform design, future of dentistry, future-ready dentistry, industry insights, industry leaders, industry networking, innovation in dentistry, intraoral scanning, josh jackson, lab technology, lab-to-clinic communication, laboratory best practices, laboratory conversations, laboratory digital transformation., laboratory education, laboratory education and training, laboratory efficiency, laboratory excellence, laboratory growth, laboratory innovation, laboratory management, laboratory operations, laboratory perspective, laboratory productivity, laboratory support, laboratory technicians, laboratory technology, laboratory technology trends, mallorca, mallorca conference, modern dental laboratory, modern dentistry, next generation dentistry, podcast, production laboratory, production workflows, professional development, restorative dentistry, restorative technology, restorative workflows, robert norton, software development, software flexibility, technician education, technician insights, technician perspective, technician training, technician-led innovation, technology adoption, technology and dentistry, technology in dentistry, vftb, voices from the bench, workflow automation, workflow improvements, workflow integration, workflow optimization, workflow technology

While at Exocad Insights in Mallorca, Elvis and Barb catch up with Beth Collington, President of Exocad America, to discuss the continued growth of digital dentistry, the importance of education, and how Exocad is helping make digital workflows more accessible across the industry.

Then Josh Jackson and Robert Norton join the conversation to share insights from the lab and training side of Exocad. From AI Crown and Crown Finalization to creative applications beyond dentistry, they discuss the latest innovations, real-world workflows, and where digital technology is taking the profession next.

430: exocad Insights 2026 Part 4: Dr. Zhiqiang Luo, Alyson Bravo, & Tobias Specht

June 22nd, 2026  |  1 hr 7 mins

analog skills, ann arbor, bite finder, brazil, cad/cam, career development, career journey, case planning, china, clinical faculty, clinical instructor, clinical scientist, clinician, clinicians, collaboration, communication, community, community building, conference highlights, continuing education, countryside of brazil, cross-functional collaboration, customer feedback, customer support, customer-driven development, data acquisition, dental care, dental conference, dental convention, dental craftsmanship, dental designer, dental ecosystem, dental education, dental industry, dental innovation, dental lab, dental laboratory, dental leadership, dental manufacturing, dental materials, dental professionals, dental software, dental students, dental technology, dentures, design software, digital adoption, digital center, digital communication, digital dentistry, digital dentures, digital future, digital solutions, digital transformation, digital workflow, dream trip, education, education and training, education programs, event experience, exhibition hall, exocad, exocad insights 2026, exocad reseller, fixed restorations, fixed workflows, friendships, future clinicians, future of dentistry, glam night, global connections, global dentistry, global travel, hands-on learning, hong kong, ids, ids germany, implementation, industry partnerships, industry trends, innovation, innovation culture, innovation pipeline, inspiration, international attendees, international dental community, ivoclar, ivotion, keynote, laboratory communication, laboratory excellence, laboratory owner, laboratory partnerships, laboratory workflow, learning, lectures, lifelong learning, majorca, mallorca, mentorship, milling, motivation, networking, paraguay, paraná, passion for dentistry, podcast community, podcast listener, presentations, problem solving, product development, product integration, product launches, professional growth, professional inspiration, professional networking, prosthetics, remote design, removable prosthetics, removable workflows, restorative dentistry, restorative solutions, scanners, self-taught, siosp, social media, software integration, software training, spain, speaker, são paulo, teamwork, technician, technician training, technicians, technology adoption, technology leadership, training, travel, university of michigan, user feedback, voices from the bench, work ethic, workflow efficiency, workflow integration, workflow optimization, workflow refinement

This week from exocad Insights 2026 in Mallorca, Elvis and Barb sit down with Dr. Zhiqiang Luo to discuss how dental education is evolving alongside rapidly advancing digital workflows and why strong analog fundamentals still matter. They also meet Alyson Bravo, a dental technician from Brazil whose journey to the event highlights the power of digital dentistry, global connections, and lifelong learning. Rounding out the episode, Tobias Specht from Ivoclar shares insights into the company's latest innovations, its ongoing collaboration with exocad, and how customer feedback continues to shape the future of digital dental technology.