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!

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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.

One of Elvis and Barb's favorite meetings every year is Cal-Lab. Barb loves it so much she sits on the board and will be the Chair in 2026. This year the board asked if Voices From the Bench would record during their cocktail reception on Thursday night. We jumped at the chance to have an opportunity to talk to such amazing lab owners and managers. On this episode we talk to:

• Basil Callahan, the VP of Derby Dental Laboratories who talks about his journey from janitor to VP, the importance of technology and data, and working with Elvis

• Sean Siegel from Castable Ceramics and Jim Thacker from Utah Valley Dental Lab talk about what Cal-Lab means to them, what they get out of it every year, some of the speakers from the day, and how other labs can join this association.

• Jeff Stronk, the current Chair of Cal-lab and owner of Treasure Dental Studio talks about what's it like being on stage among so many peers and friends, how Cal-Lab is reinventing themselves for a better meeting, how they choose the topics and speakers, getting Jim Glidewell to be the Keynote, and bring back epic evening parties.

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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: Basil Callahan, Jeff Stronk, Jim Thacker, and Sean Siegel.

This week Elvis and Barb talk to a good friend to them and the whole industry. Jeff Stronk from Treasure Dental Studios sits down to talk about getting into the industry, buying out some partners, volunteering and leading various national boards, and is now the Chairperson of the Cal-Lab Association. Jeff tells us about this year’s amazing meeting that takes place February 20 & 21 in Chicago. This annual meeting is shaping up to be the best one yet. Do yourself and your lab a favor by registering for this peer-to-peer business meeting.

Cal-Lab Annual Meeting

Also that same weekend, thanks to the wonderful people at ARGEN, Elvis and Barb will be recording at LMT Lab Day Chicago 2020 - February 21 & 22. We will be set up at the Argen Booth (I16/I17) to talk to all the amazing attendees, educators, vendors, and anyone else willing to sit down. If you want to schedule a time, be sure to send us an email at info@voicesfromthebench.com and we can get it lined up. Or just stop by. We would love to meet you!

Register HERE!

March 26 – 28 Dental Laboratory Association Texas Conference – Grapevine, Tx
Last year was a huge success and we loved this show. We are back this year at the ARGEN booth recording all weekend long. If you are in the area, attend. If you are not in the area, you should still think about attending. It’s worth it.

Register HERE!

Thursday March 26, the good people at Alien Milling is hosting a evening event to kick of the DLAT Conference. We will be at Top Golf for fun, drinks, and podcasting. That’s right, we will be recording at the event. How fun is that! If you are going to the DLAT conference, don’t wait. Sign up here to join the fun!

Are you excited about Chicago Lab day? Nowak Dental & Nowak Digital are! Their lab specialists will be at the East Tower booth B-47 & their Digital specialists will be at the new West tower V-2. Stop by both booths to learn about all of their offerings and to find out for yourself why Nowak is the first dealer name customers ask for. Also, by popular demand, each location will be serving our famous King Cake Vodka shots one hour before the closing of the show EACH DAY! So don’t forget to visit Nowak Dental at both exhibit halls during Lab Day Chicago. And we thank you for your continued support of the podcast.

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Special Guest: Jeff Stronk.