TO DONATE: https://fdlt.memberclicks.net/donor-form#/

Select: Race for the Future
Enter the name of the racer you want to support: BARB WARNER or THE CROWN JEWELS
Enter the amount (One Million Dollars)

A BIG thanks to Jensen Dental for allowing us to record at the amazing FDLA Symposium & Expo!

First up is a dentist turned sales rep and now 26 years with Jensen Dental, Nick Bathija. Nick talks about becoming a dentist, falling in love, and learning that he's not really suited to be a dentist. Starting with Jensen when it was still a mostly alloy company and being there when MIYO hit the scene, Nick can talk a lot about what makes MIYO so great!

Then we are visited by past podcast guest, Shaana Gripp. Shaana went from an introverted in-office technician to leading education at Harvest Dental. She talks about making the switch, getting used to being in front of a camera, and the joy of seeing people get better with techniques she taught them.

We wrap up the episode with a conversation with long time lab manager at Drake Dental Laboratory, Mark Stueck. Mark talks about going from a McDonald's Manager to delivery driver, being recruited to another state, being there for 36 years, and why it was important for him to give back on the NBC board.

Looking for a way to unlock the full potential of your digital dentistry workflow. Take it from Elise Heathcote, associate manager of digital services with Ivoclar. This is all about the Cam Academy. They have a new in-person training experience designed specifically for dental technicians. This hands on course explores the full potential of programmable Cam software, helping you take your digital workflow to the next level. Learn directly from Ivoclar experts, refine your skills and bring new precision and efficiency to your lab. Cam Academy is more than a course. It's your next step in digital excellence. To reserve your spot, visit the Ivoclar Academy website or contact your local Ivoclar sales representative today.

Take your Full Arch game to the next level! On October 11th, 2025 the people that brought us the Locator attachment, Zest Dental Solutions is putting on their first-ever ZEST LAB MASTERSHIP program! You'll master the art of creating life-changing full-arch restorations, discover streamlined protocols, and develop the diagnostic skills that will revolutionize your practice. Plus, you'll get hands-on experience with LOCATOR FIXED. Head over to zest.pub/labmaster25 or visit the full calendar at zestdent.com right now and secure your spot. Use the code VOICESLAB to save $100!!

Special Guests: Mark Stueck, Nick Bathija, and Shaana Gripp.

On September 11th in Fort Worth, Texas, the 10th annual Race For the Future will take place to raise money for the Foundation For Dental Laboratory Technology. Barb is doing her 9th solo race and Elvis is teaming up with Mark Williamson and Bobby Kenney to form The Abutments. Go to dentallabfoundation.org and click on the DONATE TODAY button. There you need to log in or create an account. Then select “Race for the Future” and enter the name of either Barb Warner or the Abutments, then the amount you want to donate.
Join the Race: https://fdlt.memberclicks.net/donor-form

Meet Jamie Stover. If you spend any time at dental shows or just around the industry in general, you have probably crossed paths with Jamie before. You see, Jamie started in the industry back in 1998 after a suggestion from his dentist brother. After finding his way into a dental lab, Jamie has been a delivery driver, model room technician, ceramist, and so much more. It wasn't long before he was manager and even Operations Manager. While he was moving the lab from analog to digital, Jamie found the Carbon Printer and discovered something great. He now works for them as Senior Manager of Application Strategy and Integration. What does that mean? Well, we had to ask too. Turns out Jamie gets to help any lab with a Carbon printer with any question or issue the lab has. Even if it isn't related to the Carbon Printer. How cool is that? He's also the current Chair of The National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology and talks about the importance of getting your certification and giving back to the industry.

Introducing Ivotion Digital Dentures from Ivoclar – Experience unparalleled precision and efficiency with Ivoclar‘s state-of-the-art digital denture workflow.

Ivotion is available in their patent pending monolithic disc that combines denture base and tooth materials in one seamless puck. Or if you lab needs more flexibility, Ivotion is also available as stand-alone discs - Ivotion Base, Dent and Dent Multi all in 98mm width to fit your favorite milling machine.

With Ivotion you can streamline your lab’s processes, reduce production time, and enhance patient satisfaction. Elevate your lab's capabilities with Ivotion Digital Dentures – where innovation meets perfection. Discover the future of dentures today with Ivoclar." Thanks for your continued support of the podcast Ivoclar.

Join the GOLDEN BENCH CLUB! All you have to do is leave us a 5-star review and comment on the Apple Podcast app (or any other app and email us a screen shot) and we will read your review on the podcast and welcome you to the Golden Bench Club. This super elite club is only for the best of the best.

Special Guest: Jamie Stover CDT.

On June 9 & 10, Voices From the Bench will be back at the Florida Dental Lab Association Symposium that's to the wonderful people at Jensen Dental. Be sure to check out FDLA.NET to see the line up and to register.

This week we start the conversations that we recorded in the Ivoclar Ballroom during Lab Day Chicago 2024. This week brings us:

• Michael Wandling from Summit-Horizon Dental Lab talking about writing the question for the CDT tests and working on getting enough CDTs to become a Master CDT.

• Vinod Dudhat tells the story of changing careers after coming to America from India and opening American Dental Designs that sees the value of offering education to dentists.

• Brian Johns, who was a fixed technician that wanted to add removable to his lab Spectrum Dental Science. Thanks to Ivoclar, Ivotion, and the PM7, Brian was able to bring in digital dentures and eventually full arch fixed hybrids.

• Rob Fletcher loves lean manufacturing. Starting in the automotive industry, Rob was recruited to bring lean manufacturing to Knight Dental and is now bringing it to Bayshore Dental Studio. Rob explains the process and how labs can eliminate waste and increase productivity.

Wanting to take your knowledge and skills to the next level? If you are looking for the best education dedicated to dentistry in both the labs and clinics, check out Ivoclar Academy.

From on-demand webinars to in-person training, Ivoclar Academy has a program to meet your busy schedule. Check out all they have to offer HERE!

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.

Join Elvis & Barb as Voices From the Bench goes international! On May 9th and 10th, the podcast will be recording at https://exocad.com/insights2024 on the beautiful Spanish island of Mallorca.

This is a fantastic educational event for all of you in the lab industry – and your clinical colleagues!

The international speaker line-up is top-notch.

There will be: keynote presentations from master dental technicians, digital experts, implant surgeons, lab owners, and more!

Exocad’s software experts will run hands-on sessions so you can get to know the latest releases…including DentalCAD 3.2 Elefsina…which was released recently.

Techs…. Do you have a problem with a design? Just bring your stl file and let the Application Specialists take a look at it.

Check out exocad.com/insights2024 to see the AMAZING line up of speakers and to register. Use promo code VFTB15 to save 15% off registration to what will be one of the greatest events of the year.

See you there!

Special Guests: Brian K. Johns, Michael Wandling CDT, Rob Fletcher, and Vinod Dudhat.

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

Back in May, Elvis and Barb loaded up the gear and headed out to LMT Lab Day West to record some of the amazing people that attend that show. Thanks to Ivoclar, a table was set up in the main hall and a constant flow of conversations happened. This week we start off talking with the President of the National Association of Dental Laboratories, Heather Voss. Heather is on a dental lab show tour this year to promote community engagement with the industry. Heather talks about the NADL, some of the great things they are working on, and why a lab should join. Then the man who can fix anything stops by the table, Daniel Serrago, owner of Garland Dental Services. Daniel talks about getting into the handpiece repair business, accidentally discovering dental labs, moving his skills to more modern equipment, and some interesting facts he's learned along the way.

Did you know that not all Zirconia is the same?

ZirCAD Prime Zirconia from Ivoclar 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.

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!

Special Guests: Daniel Serrago and Heather Voss MBA, CDT.

If you have ever been to a dental show like LMT Lab Day Chicago or Vision 21, you probably have seen a guy with white hair and a white beard with a thick southern accent making a group of people laugh. That is Harold Burdette from "Lab of the Year" Burdette Dental Laboratory. Harold comes on the podcast to talk about working in his dad's lab back in the 70s (starting during the beginning of PFMs) and growing that business to become one of the longest family owned labs, being a part of the TEREC group, and what a semi-retired technician does when he hands to lab to the next generation in his family. Great stories from a technician that knows it all.

Whip Mix introduces the CUREbox Plus, a new curing unit that ensures the proper and full polymerization of 3D printed resins. It really is the ideal curing unit for dental labs and dentists because the CUREbox Plus uses light and heat energy, with controlled time and temperature, to provide an ideal environment suitable for post-curing SLA and DLP type 3D printed models.

The American-made, competitively priced curing unit is very easy to use and has a large capacity curing chamber for high production, is super easy to clean and maintain, and offers a one-year warranty which covers everything but the inexpensive, long-lasting UV LED lamps.

Though the CUREbox Plus can cure virtually any printed resin, it has been qualified with the following Whip Mix resins: Veriguide OS, VeriSplint OS, Dentca denture base, denture teeth, try-in, and Temporary Crown and Bridge.

If you’d like to learn more about this in-demand product, visit www.whipmix.com.

Special Guest: Harold Burdette.

Elvis and Barb take a break from interviewing to record today’s episode showcasing interviews we did back at LMT Lab Day Chicago. This is the first time we recorded face-to-face for an individual episode and what a great and important episode to do it for. We are joined by a couple of guys who have dedicated a lot of work and time to move up on the three boards that Barb and Elvis feel so passionate about.

First up we talk with Morris Fucarino CDT from Majestic Arts in Florida. He is the current Chair of the National Board of Certification (NBC).

We are then joined by Travis Zick from Apex Dental in Minnesota who is the President of the National Association of Dental Laboratories (NADL) and Sean Siegel from Castable Ceramics in Alaska who is the Vice-Chair of the Foundation of Dental Laboratory Technology (FDLT).

NADL - Nation Association of Dental Laboratories
NBC - The National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology
FDLT - The Foundation for Dental Laboratory Technology

A BIG thanks to our newest sponsor PREAT CORPORATION. Use code "VOICES" online and on the phone to get 5% off your order and 1% donated to The Foundation of Dental Laboratory Technology
THANK YOU PREAT!

Special Guests: Morris Fucarino CDT, Sean Siegel, and Travis Zick.

NADL
NBC
The Foundation of Dental Technology

LMT LAB DAY Chicago 2019

Visions 21 Meeting - January 16 - 19, 2019 - Las Vegas

NADL University - 2019 Dates Not Yet Announced

Voices of Dentistry - January 25 & 26, 2019 - Scottsdale

FOCUS MAGAZINE

Special Guests: Bennett Napier and Bob Savage.

NADL
NBC
The Foundation of Dental Technology

Visions 21 Meeting - January 16 - 19, 2019 - Las Vegas

NADL Univerity - 2019 Not Announced Yet

Voices of Dentistry - January 25 & 26, 2019 - Scottsdale

Special Guests: Bennett Napier and Bob Savage.

Denise is the 2018 Chairperson of the National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology. She is also a passionate technician that started her own lab in Atlanta, Georgia.

In this week's episode we talk about why Denise became and maintains her CDT status and exciting updates to the CDT and CDL program.

National Board for Certification (NBC) in Dental Laboratory Technology

Certified Dental Laboratories (CDLs)

Special Guest: Denise Burris, CDT.