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.

First up is Eric Kukucka. Eric came on the podcast years ago to talk about his multiple denturist practices in Canada. But he has since sold them and has joined the Aspen Dental group as their Vice President of Clinical Removable Prosthetics & Design Technologies. Eric talks about going from making dentures for hundreds of patients to working with a team to produce quality dentures for millions.

Then we chat with Chelsea Homire, who has years of dental assistant experience, but when given the oppritunity to learn the in-office lab work, she took off. With a passion for printing, Chelsea is now teaching other offices (and even a few labs) how they can optimize their digital workflow.

We wrap up the episode with Brittany Mitchell. You might know her becuase she designed (and made the denture) on our "Just Say No to Brushing" shirt, but she's also a talented removable technician. Brittany talks about starting in at the front desk, drawing a picture that got notices and placed in the lab, falling in love with it, and making digital dentures for a 12 doctor dental group.

Don't miss this incredible webinar with Tanya Little, a dentist from beautiful Vancouver, Canada. We would like to invite you to a special webinar that she's hosting with Ivoclar and LMT on Wednesday, May 7th, titled "Reflections from a Denturist: 20 Years of Crafting Dentures!". In this program, she will review the incredible history of removables with Ivoclar and focus on the new and exciting evolution based print resin and of course, the PM7. Her goal is to provide you with several key takeaways that will allow you to work smarter and not harder. You can join on May 7th by registering at https://lmtmag.com/webinars/reflections-from-a-denturist-20-years-of-crafting-dentures

Are you a dental lab in need of more talent to improve your bottom line and keep production on schedule? Are you a dental tech with great skills but feel you're being limited at your current lab? Well, the answer is here and this is precisely why WIN WIN GO was created. The dental lab and dental tech community needed a place where labs and technicians can meet, talk about their needs and connect in ways that foster a win win outcome. As a tech. If you're ready to make a change, thinking about moving in the next year or just curious what's out there, sign up today. It's totally free. As a lab, you might be feeling the frustration of paying the big employment site so much and getting so few tech candidates. We understand they don't much care about our industry. WINWINGO.com is simply the best place for lab techs and lab owners to actively engage in creating their ideal future. WINWINGO.com, how dental techs find paradise.

Special Guests: Brittany Mitchell, Chelsea Homire, and Eric Kukucka DD.

It's amazing how many people traveled from all over the world to go to the GC America facility in Alsip, Ill to attend the DTG Symposium back in September. We would have thought them crazy until we got to attend the symposium and meet some of them. We would fly around the world to go to that show. This week brings three conversations from 3 different countries. First up is SUPER close to the meeting. Dan Boskocevic is the Senior Marketing Manager for GC America and talks about his beginnings, the history of GC America, the early days of the DTG, and some great trends he is seeing in dental. Then we talk to a talented technician out of Latvia, Kostia Vyshamirski. Kostia talks about his journey into dental technology, going to school, and opening his own lab where he uses digital but still relies heavily on analog. And we wrap up with a father and son team that came all the way from New Zealand, David and Michael De Wet. David talks about learning the trade and relocating to buy a 2 person lab and grow it to 26. Michael talks about growing up in the lab, getting to work with dad, and using his skills and the labs equipment to make jewelry.

Are you in the market for top-notch digital equipment, such as mills, scanners, or furnaces? Well, the time to act is NOW! Ivoclar, has introduced unbeatable rates exclusively for customers in North America.

Ivoclar has made it easier for you to invest in cutting-edge digital equipment with lower-than-prime interest rates. Whether you're looking to upgrade your milling capabilities, enhance your scanning technology, or optimize your furnace performance, Ivoclar Digital has you covered.

To take advantage of this offer, the dedicated Digital Specialists at Ivoclar are ready to assist you. For details on how to get in touch, visit Voicesfromthebench.com and the Ivoclar tab to find all the information you need to get started.

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.

GC Initial® LiSi Press is the first lithium disilicate ceramic ingot with High Density Micronization (HDM), a technology unique to GC that provides exceptional physical properties and the most natural, life-like aesthetics. HDM uses equally dispersed lithium disilicate micro-crystals to fill the entire glass matrix rather than using traditional larger size crystals that do not take full advantage of the matrix structure. The result is the ultimate combination of strength and aesthetics, making GC Initial® LiSi Press perfectly suitable for all types of restorations through all levels of transparency. Most importantly, HDM technology helps ensure the product remains extremely stable, without distortion or drop in value, even after multiple firings. For more information call GC America at 800-323-0763 or visit gcamerica.com

Special Guests: Dan Boskocevic, David de Wet, Kostia Vyshamirski, and Michael de Wet.

On August 27th many brave and fearless dental technicians will take to the water and road to participate in the 2023 Chicago Triathlon. They don't do it for fame or personal gain, but to raise money for the Foundation For Dental Laboratory Technology.
PLEASE head over to dentallabfoundation.org and click the DONATE TODAY button. Log in and choose the “Race for the Future” option. There you can put the name of a racer you want to sponsor. You can put:

Barb Warner
Team Abutments (Elvis Dahl, Mark Williamson, Bobby Kennedy)
Voices From the Bench (50/50 split between Barb and Elvis' team)

We love it whenever technicians support technicians. And when we found out that 4 past podcast guests started a group to showcase female technicians, we just had to have them back on to learn more. Joining us again are Nina Frketin from Mango Dental Technologies, Deppa Bharakhda from Dencraft Dental Lab, Deppa Bharakhda, and Emily and Eleanor Pittard from The Hive Dental Lab. All four update us on what they have been up to since their previous episodes and how they have grown since. Nina explains the reason for starting Nightshift and how she needed the help of everyone to help grow it. They explain their roles in the group, what the purpose of Nightshift is, and their BIG plans for the future.

Check out all their previous episodes:

Nina: https://www.voicesfromthebench.com/171
Emily and Eleanor: https://www.voicesfromthebench.com/211
Deepa: https://www.voicesfromthebench.com/213

Did you know that Ivoclar has Digital Equipment Sales Specialists?

These experienced professionals are here to help make your transition to digital, a smooth one. They help provide customized solutions, analyze your ROI, provide hands on assistance and localized support. All of this, catered to your needs. Contact a Digital Equipment Sales Specialist today by emailing Digitalspecialists@ivoclar.com. Tell them you heard it on the podcast!

Special Guests: Deepa Bharakhda, Eleanor Pittard, Emily Pittard, and Nina Frketin.

Barb Warner
Team Abutments (Elvis Dahl, Mark Williamson, Bobby Kennedy)
Voices From the Bench (50/50 split between Barb and Elvis' team)

We LOVE meeting new people as shows and we LOVE hearing stories of labs being successful. This week brings two more conversations that we got while at the Ivoclar table at LMT Lab Day West 2023. First up is Chad Brox from Performance Dental Lab near the strip in Las Vegas. Chad talks about being a 3rd generation lab owner, growing up in the lab, and what he is looking for at Lab Day. Then we chat with Eddie Corrales, who has a unique lab with an interesting workflow. His lab CAD Smiles is known for going into an office, using their software, mills, and material can create a full smile same day. Eddie talks about discovering this service, traveling the world, and helping doctors sell cases.

If you are looking for a ceramic or sintering furnace and want an incredible deal, look no further!

Ivoclar has their 3 Ways to Save promotion on NOW. Connect with an Ivoclar Sales representative today to learn about how you can save on a new furnace OR, email customer service at cs.us@ivoclar.com. Tell them you heard it on the podcast and get FREE Ground Shipping by using promo code 724.

Special Guests: Chad Brox and Eddie Corrales.

Barb Warner
Team Abutments (Elvis Dahl, Mark Williamson, Bobby Kennedy)
Voices From the Bench (50/50 split between Barb and Elvis' team)

Come see Elvis and Barb on stage together for the first time as we record an episode in front of a live audience!
Register for the Ladies of the Mill Summit in Chattanooga, TN on July 21-22

We finally got a chance to take the podcast to the west coast. That's right, hanging out with the good people of Ivoclar, we set up the gear and talked to a ton of great people at LMT Lab Day West. This week we bring you two great conversations from that show. First up is Calvin Song from Creodent. Calvin talks about his role, helping to grow labs with their milling service, and how he is having to fight New York on them trying to make labs collect sales tax on veneers because they are considered cosmetic and not clinically needed. Then 3shape "advanced user" stops by, Sevan Pulurian from Pacific Dental Lab. Sevan talks about the 3shape study group on Facebook, what's new with version 23, and his quick thinking at Cal-Lab when an hour presentation became an hour and 45 minutes.

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!

Special Guests: Calvin Song and Sevan Pulurian.

First up is Katie Rinaldo and Mandy Arena. These two removable technicians are trying to get the state of Illinois to make Denturism legal. Katie was on the podcast back on episode 78 & 79. They are back to give us an update on the status of the legislation and to remind everyone how they can help. Go to the Illinois Denturist website or

DONATE TODAY!

Then we chat with the wonderful, talented, and gifted Jen Ludwig. Jen (and all her amazing personality) stops by the booth to update us on life after receiving CDT of the YEAR and to talk about all the public speaking she is doing and what she has lined up.

We wrap up the episode catching up with Jim Collis. Jim is starting to look at his next chapter of his career. After a time with Solvay and Dandy, Jim has some personal goals to reach before he finds his next home which we are sure will be at a place that allows him to continue teaching, guiding, and educating so many technicians.

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 Guests: Jennifer Ludwig, CDT, Jim Collis CDT, Katie Rinaldo, and Mandy Arena.

Check out Andy's Blog for more great resources for both the lab and the technicians.

Whip Mix is pleased to add VeriCast OS, a burnout pattern print resin, to Whip Mix’s growing Veri Brand Resin offering. VeriCast OS works with LCD and DLP printers in both 385 and 405 nanometer wavelengths.

It prints accurate and detailed crowns, bridges, substructures, and RPD frameworks, is durable, and leaves no ash or residue.

Since it burns out cleanly, VeriCast OS is ideal for investment casting and ceramic pressing. For optimal results, we recommend Whip Mix ResinVest, which is a phosphate investment made specifically for burning out printed or milled resin patterns.

Visit whipmix.com to learn more about VeriCast OS or any of Whip Mix’s other 3D Print Resins.

Gro3X is a dental supply, service and marketing company that was founded by Norbert Ulmer and their goal is to help dental labs, and especially small labs to lower their cost for supplies, provide business opportunities, and generate growth.

Attend their upcoming Gro3X Gem Talks on November 5th in Charlotte, NC. Gro3X Gem Talks is an all day marketing symposium in Ted-Talk style featuring some 10+ lab speakers as they share their most relevant and practical marketing techniques.

We will hear from Sasha der Avanessian from Harvest Dental, Anne Kelzer from AMK Dental Lab, Frankie Acosta from AA Dental Design and Ricki Braswell from Beyond Coaching and former Co-Executive Director of the NADL. All of them will talk about real marketing as it is done in their own labs and businesses every day.

Register now at gro3x.com to take advantage of their early bird special of only $95.

Enter discount code VFTB for Voices from The Bench and receive an extra 10% discount, just because you listen to this Podcast.

Have you seen the high prices of precious metal these days? They are close to record highs on gold and palladium. With those high precious metal prices, you are paying a high cost for your alloys. We know that you are using less Precious metal in your lab these days, but if you send in half of what you sent in 5 years ago ,your scrap return will be higher than it was 5 years ago ,because of the high PM prices . You owe it to yourself to find a trusted, reputable refining company.

Look no further! Kulzer refining has been tested, trusted and reputable for over 100 years. They burn, melt and assay all under one roof at their state-of-the-art refining facility in Wartburg Tennessee. They have doubled their production capacity to ensure your scrap return within 2 weeks.

With all the non-precious material that has become present in today’s restorations it is important that we ensure the assay sample is homogenous. At Kulzer, they take the extra step to X-ray the top and bottom after they melt the bar to make sure the precious metal percentages--- are the same. If not, copper is added until they are positive the bar is homogeneous. We know this step is very important to get a precise assay result.

Their reimbursement to the customer is after our 10% refining fee. They have zero additional fees. If you need any free shipping containers, which contain a UPS prepaid, full insured label, please visit mydental360.com/refining or call the Director of Precious Metal Refining, Tony Circelli, directly at (914) 906-1843.

Special Guest: Andy Foster.

The UP 3D P5 milling maching from Aurident is a 5 axis, efficient, dry mill. Great for milling zirconia, PMMA and wax. It boasts software that produces high precision and fast milling. It can mill a crown in 14 minutes and the tool life yields about 60-80 hours of quality restorations. A game changer for labs of all sizes, big and small. For under $20K, a small lab can now do their own milling instead of outsourcing and reducing their profits. Quite impressive! Give Aurident a call at 800-422-7373 or you can visit their website at aurident.com.

The Asiga MAX, the world’s most advanced lab 3D printer, offers exceptional productivity. Well over 300 labs in the U.S. can attest to its accuracy, speed and precision. With 62 micron Print Precision, the Max is optimized for both dental lab or clinic environments. Its exclusive SPS™ Smart-Positioning-System Technology guarantees every layer is formed accurately, resulting in consistent results in any environment, and its single Point Calibration makes calibration extremely accurate and fast.

As an Open Material System, you can print any suitable resin from any material manufacturer. Your choice, no strings. The Max also features the Fastest Material Changeover of any 3D printer. Labs LOVE this! Change completely from one print resin to another in under 30 seconds.

All this and the finest, most dependable technical support staff in the dental lab industry.

Call Whip Mix today or visit whipmix.com to find out more about the Asiga Max!

Special Guests: Conrad Rensburg and Jack Marrano CDT.

VOTE HERE!

Passion comes in all different styles and sizes. We love to talk to anyone who is passionate about what they do. Elvis had the extreme pleasure to talk to two people who have a passion that you usually don't hear about. First up is Sevan Pulurian who is the 3Shape Specialist at Pacific Dental and talks about some interesting things he has learned while using 3Shape. Then we talk with the Digital Marketing Specialist for Whip Mix, Chelsey Phillips, who really has a passion for sharing all things Whip Mix.

Are you still doing full arch zirconia restorations? Why? There is a alternative that is better for your lab, the doctor, and the patients. Be sure to check out the AMAZING Nanoceramic Crystal Ultra® from Digital Dental. A Crystal Ultra arch is 60% lighter than a Zirconia arch; is easily adjusted chairside; and can be milled on a 1 to 1 basis with no sintering required!

Kettenbach is a company that wants to partner with your lab to make sure you are getting the impressions you need. You know dental offices often ask dental labs what they recommend for impression material. Tell them with confidence a material that backed with amazing customer service and proven results. Give them a call at 877-532-2123 and mention the code Dental Lab Podcast 25 to get 25% off your order

Special Guests: Chelsey Phillips and Sevan Pulurian.

Joining us again are:

Martha Martin – CEO of Triad Dental Studio in North Carolina

Heather Voss, CDT – Owner - Legacy Dental Arts in New York

Steve Killian, CDT - President and General Manager -Killian Dental in California

Special Guests: Heather Voss MBA, CDT, Martha Martin , and Steve Killian, CDT.

Joining us again are:

Martha Martin – CEO of Triad Dental Studio in North Carolina

Heather Voss, CDT – Owner - Legacy Dental Arts in New York

Steve Killian, CDT - President and General Manager -Killian Dental in California

Special Guests: Heather Voss MBA, CDT, Martha Martin , and Steve Killian, CDT.

Massoudah Faiz
Heather Voss, CTD
Rob Greenson
Beau Murphy, Dtg

Show References:
DTG = Dental Technicians Guild

Special Guests: Beau Murphy DTG, Heather Voss MBA, CDT, Massoudah Faiz, and Rob Greeson.