We all know and love Nowak Dental Supplies for not only their products and services, but for everything they do for our industry. This week we talk to two people from Nowak Dental Supplies that are bringing the conference/party of the year to New Orleans in November. Brandi Nowak is one half of the owners and she tells the story of starting in 2000. Taking over her grandfather's legacy that started in the 40s, she has helped the company become what it is today. At the beginning of 2025, they brought on Marybeth Starr to help them grow even more. Marybeth is a veteran of the vendor side of dental laboratories and brings experience to get the job done. Together they have put together NOLA Lab Fest that is happening in New Orleans on November 7 & 8. This is a must attend event because it is going to be what these two are, fun.

Register today at: https://www.nolalabfest.com/

THANK YOU to Aidite for sponsoring us! Go buy their stuff from Nowak... win/win for everyone!

Take it from Jennifer Ferguson from Ivoclar. If you have a PM7 or are thinking about getting a PM7 (Take it from Barb, you should), on July 1st Ivoclar is launching the "Ivoclar Block Module" that can speed up milling emax by 45%!! The best part is that you can try it for FREE for 90 days. All you have to do is send them a message on Instagram at Ivoclar.na or send a email to jennifer.ferguson@ivoclar.com. Now go mill emax faster!

Special Guests: Brandi Nowak and Marybeth Starr.

Make sure you visit Ivoclar at LMT Lab Day Chicago 2025. Ivoclar will be in their usual spot at Grand Ballroom A&B in the East Tower, on the Gold Level. Right across from the registration desk.

Register today!

Make sure you come see VOICES FROM THE BENCH recording from the Ballroom all weekend!

This episode delves into the fascinating world of dental burs with Nick Nocito from SS White Dental. As the oldest rotary company, SS White has been at the forefront of dental innovation since 1844. Nick shares insights into the history of burs, the importance of using the right tools for crown prep, and his mission to reduce remakes in dental labs. We talk about the intricate process of manufacturing burs and the critical role they play in achieving optimal dental outcomes.

With Nick's expertise and the high-quality products from SS White, you have a chance to help your doctors get you better preps and have better burs in the lab.

Reach out today to get the preps you deserve! https://www.sswhitedental.com/contact

You are invited to Ivoclar’s IPS e.max Panel Discussion Friday, February 22nd stating at 3:00 at LMT Lab Day in Chicago. Our very own Barb Warner will be on stage with Jessica Birrell, Stephenie Goddard, Mike Roberts, Jed Archibald and Dr. Ken Malament as they dive into the world of e.max. After the panel discussion, Ivoclar will host a Happy Hour to commemorate this 20-year milestone. So, please join us by registering at Labday.com/Ivoclar.

Special Guest: Nick Nocito.

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aiditenorthamerica/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AiditeNorthAmerica

If you are in the market for purchasing a new milling machine or a furnace, Voices From the Bench invites you to connect with an Ivoclar sales associates. They have several great deals and financing options now available for you to take advantage of. These robust and dependable machines were designed to make your laboratory more efficient and profitable. They are work horses when it comes to processing IPS e.max lithium disilicate and the amazing Prime Zirconia. The PM7 mill also allows you to do digital dentures with their game changing Ivotion puck. Head over to ivoclar.com, voicesfromthebench.com/ivoclar, or call them at 1-800-533-6825.

Special Guests: Bob Hadley, Erica DiManna, and Tom Heusing.

Be sure to stop by the Nowak Dental Supplies booth during Lab Day Chicago and tell them you are a fan of the podcast to get a special sticker only for the fans.

Be sure to come see Barb on stage and join a great association. The Cal-Lab meeting February 23 & 24 in Chicago!
JOIN TODAY!

We say there is a lack of the public knowing about dental laboratories. Thankfully we are slightly closer to the world knowing about us because a dental technician wrote the story of his life, and a big part of the book is dental laboratory technology. Anas Afana, from Ace Dental Studio in Omaha, Nebraska, comes on this week to talk about his life and eventually writing the book "DESTINED TO FAIL: A MEMOIR OF RESILIENCE". Anas talks about the interesting and unique way he was "forced" to learn dental technology in America, going through the DLT program, all the great stories from all the different labs, opening his own lab, and why he wrote the book.

Get the book DESTINED TO FAIL: A MEMOIR OF RESILIENCE from AMAZON

Going to LMT Lab Day Chicago? Go see Anas at the Nowak Dental Supplies booth on Saturday to get a copy of the book and get it signed!!!

The new PrograScan PS3 and PS5 provide true-to-detail, high-resolution and accurate scans for coordinated digital workflows that are precise, fast, and always accurate.

The PS3 and PS5 are powered by the popular and intuitive DentalCAD software from Exocad. Whether you are looking for your first scanner, to upgrade or add to your existing scanners, the PrograScan may be the one for you.

Reach out to your friendly Ivoclar sales representative to select a scanner that matches the needs of your lab Today and tell them you heard about it on the podcast!

Does your lab use Magic Touch? If not, you should think about switching just so you can use icortica. Icortica is a program that uses all the data you already collect in Magic Touch and puts it in one easy to see, use, and understand dashboard. Look at every account and see trends, sales, notes, payments, and even remake percentages. Use the data you already have to take your lab and your customer service to the next level. Elvis uses it daily and swears it is a huge part to his success working at the lab. Head over to icortica.com/voices to learn more or send an email to Rob Nazzal at rob@icortica.com and tell him you heard about it on Voices From the Bench!

Special Guest: Anas Afana.

• Brandi Nowak from Nowak Dental Supplies. Brandi comes on the podcast to talk about their 75th Anniversary and the Grandfather’s bag that started it all.

• Nelson Rego CDT from Smiles Designs by Rego. Nelson has a lab in California that has a different tax situation and a unique way he pays his technician base+piece pay.

• Then we talk to Marlin Gohn from Argen. He talks about his role in the Argen corporation and his desire to make every lab better.

Brandi's Tooth Shoe

Until May 11th get a Voices From the Bench shirt and support The Foundation of Dental Laboratory Technology.
Order yours here!

Come see Voices From the Bench -
The FDLA Southern States Symposium & Expo May 9 - 11th in Orlando, FL

If you are on the west coast go to -
LMT Lab Day West 2019 May 10 & 11 in Garden Grove, CA

1st Annual Maine Dental Education Forum

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: Brandi Nowak, Marlin Gohn CDT, and Nelson Rego CDT.

At LMT Lab Day Chicago 2019 Barb and Elvis had a chance to set up a booth, bring some headphones, recording equipment, and grab anyone willing to sit down with us and record face to face. It was an amazing experience and we got a TON of interviews to release.

To celebrate our first year, we sit down with Renata Budny CDT, TE at LMT Lab Day Chicago to talk about her being our first guest, what is happening at The City University of New York, and what do professors and students do at Lab Day. We are then joined by a great student, Elias Asevedo who talks about the school and his future in dentistry.

The Dental Laboratory Technology program at City Tech

2019 DLAT Southwest Conference & Expo April 5 & 6

The Southern States Symposium & Expo Presented by the FDLA May 9 - 11

A BIG thanks to our sponsor Nowak Dental Supplies for their support of the podcast.
Give them a call at 800-654-7623 or visit their website at nowakdental.com

Special Guest: Renata Budny, CDT, TE.