As full-arch dentistry continues to grow, so do the demands on today's dental laboratories. That's why Knight Dental recently launched SimplyARCH Studio, a dedicated production environment built exclusively for full-arch restorations. To support this specialized workflow, Knight invested in an XTCERA milling system and carefully evaluated multiple CAM software solutions before choosing hyperDENT. The decision came down to exceptional milling quality, minimal hand finishing, and impressive production efficiency. But what truly set hyperDENT apart was the implementation process. From the very beginning, the team provided more than software training—they shared the knowledge and experience needed to build an optimized workflow for complex full-arch cases. With proven expertise in advanced milling strategies and laboratory production, hyperDENT helped ensure SimplyARCH Studio was designed for long-term success from day one.Matt Everatt joins Elvis and Barb for a fascinating conversation that takes a deep dive into his journey through the dental laboratory industry and the story behind his book, The Invisible Profession. From discovering dental technology at 16 and specializing in maxillofacial prosthetics and orthodontics to working in hospitals, developing early sleep-apnea appliances, and nearly leaving the profession altogether, Matt's career has taken some seriously interesting turns. Eventually, he helped co-found S4S, building a successful business around sleep-apnea appliances, occlusal splints, orthodontics, and more before eventually stepping away from ownership.

From polishing hearing-aid earpieces to becoming the first female clinical dental technician to qualify in the UK, Caroline Kirkpatrick has taken a pretty incredible—and definitely unconventional—path through dental technology.

Caroline joins Barb and Elvis to talk about how a broken denture repair sign outside a dental laboratory sparked her interest in the industry, her early years learning crown and bridge, orthodontics, and working in a dental hospital, and how her curiosity pushed her to learn every side of the profession. Eventually, that curiosity led Caroline to become one of the first four technicians accepted into the UK’s pioneering clinical dental technology program in 2010.

But Caroline’s story doesn’t stop at the bench. She built her own laboratory, taught dental technology, treated patients clinically, raised a family, and continued pushing herself into digital dentistry. She shares how she experimented with early digital workflows, 3D printing, digital dentures, and eventually exocad—and why she believes the best digital workflow isn’t necessarily the fanciest one, but the one that actually works in the real world.

Caroline also talks about working with her sister and daughter in the family lab, the importance of exposing young technicians to different laboratories and workflows, and why sharing the mistakes you’ve made can sometimes be one of the best ways to help someone else learn. From Scotland to the world of digital dentures, this is a great conversation about curiosity, adaptability, education, and never being afraid to learn something new.

You know what's expensive in a dental lab? Most people would say the mill, but the real cost is downtime. When production stops, everything backs up—cases get delayed, technicians get frustrated, and customers start asking questions. That's why reliable equipment matters. Roland DGA's DGSHAPE DWX milling solutions are built for dependable production, helping labs stay on schedule and keep work moving day after day. Less downtime means fewer surprises and more time doing what your lab does best. And when your equipment is reliable, your customers notice the difference. Reliability isn't just a feature—it's the foundation of a successful lab. Visit rolanddental.com to learn more about Roland's DGSHAPE DWX milling solutions.

Special Guest: Caroline Kirkpatrick.

As full-arch dentistry continues to grow, so do the demands on today's dental laboratories. That's why Knight Dental recently launched SimplyARCH Studio, a dedicated production environment built exclusively for full-arch restorations. To support this specialized workflow, Knight invested in an XTCERA milling system and carefully evaluated multiple CAM software solutions before choosing hyperDENT. The decision came down to exceptional milling quality, minimal hand finishing, and impressive production efficiency. But what truly set hyperDENT apart was the implementation process. From the very beginning, the team provided more than software training—they shared the knowledge and experience needed to build an optimized workflow for complex full-arch cases. With proven expertise in advanced milling strategies and laboratory production, hyperDENT helped ensure SimplyARCH Studio was designed for long-term success from day one.Matt Everatt joins Elvis and Barb for a fascinating conversation that takes a deep dive into his journey through the dental laboratory industry and the story behind his book, The Invisible Profession. From discovering dental technology at 16 and specializing in maxillofacial prosthetics and orthodontics to working in hospitals, developing early sleep-apnea appliances, and nearly leaving the profession altogether, Matt's career has taken some seriously interesting turns. Eventually, he helped co-found S4S, building a successful business around sleep-apnea appliances, occlusal splints, orthodontics, and more before eventually stepping away from ownership.

This week on Voices From the Bench, we finally sit down with someone we’ve been wanting to have on the show for a LONG time—Philip Gold! Philip grew up in the dental laboratory, quite literally pulling teeth out of formaldehyde bottles in his father Raymond Gold’s lab in Atlanta. His father started the laboratory in 1946, and Philip eventually found himself following in those footsteps, although not without first taking a seven-year detour working for Williams Gold. That experience gave him the opportunity to visit laboratories all over the country, learn from some of the best in the industry, and see firsthand how different labs operated.
Philip eventually returned to the family laboratory in 1980 and began the process of taking over from his father. What followed was a career built around learning, adapting, building teams, and—most importantly—relationships. Philip shares what it was like stepping into a leadership role at a young age, earning the respect of experienced technicians, and learning that being a leader isn’t about knowing everything yourself, but understanding the work well enough to help the people around you succeed. He also talks about selling the laboratory to National Dentex with the goal of giving the business and its people an opportunity to continue growing, only to eventually find his way back into the laboratory world with By Design Dental Studio alongside his daughter Katie and Denise.

And if you know Philip, you know he’s never stopped learning. He currently holds six CDT certifications, including ceramics, crown and bridge, partials, implants, dentures, and digital. His story about preparing for the digital practical exam is a perfect example of his determination—his first practice run took seven and a half hours for an exam designed to be completed in just over five. So he reorganized, practiced again, changed his workflow, and eventually got it down to under five hours. And of course, Philip isn’t pursuing certifications just for himself. He wants to set an example, motivate the next generation of technicians, and encourage more people in the laboratory to continue learning.

We also get into the importance of customer service, why relationships are at the heart of this industry, and why sometimes the best thing a laboratory can do is simply pick up the phone and help. Philip shares his philosophy that when something goes wrong, you drop everything and make it right. We talk about giving back to the industry, the people who helped shape Philip’s career, and how the dental laboratory community has always been willing to share knowledge when you’re willing to ask. And yes… somewhere along the way we also hear the greatest “okey-doke” story in dental laboratory history.

Special Guest: Phillip Gold.

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.

Mallorca, Spain. exocad Insights 2026 Three completely different conversations somehow all landed on the same theme: digital dentistry keeps getting smaller, smarter, and way more connected. First up, the crew catches back up with digital designer and educator Marjorie de Andrade, who went from Brazil to New Zealand chasing opportunity, only to end up building a global career through remote design, social media, and education. Marjorie talks about creating the Mastering exocad course, freelancing for dentists around the world, and why finding purpose through teaching became more important than simply designing crowns. She also shares thoughts on the newly announced exocad Hub, remote collaboration, and how digital dentistry is making communication between dentists and technicians easier than ever.

Then the microphones turn to Dr. Dwight Pate for one of the most workflow-heavy conversations the podcast has ever had. From hand waxing cases the old-school Dawson and Pankey way to designing provisionals and controlling full-mouth rehabs completely through exocad, Dr. Pate breaks down how he combines analog principles with digital workflows. The discussion dives deep into occlusion, provisionals, articulators, guided workflows, AI design, and why he believes digital dentistry still has to prove itself back in the analog world before it ever reaches the patient’s mouth.

Finally, the crew reconnects with Dr. Eimear O'Connell to talk about why clinicians need to attend events like Insights just as much as technicians. Eimear shares how digital workflows are improving communication between doctors, labs, and patients while making implant planning, dentures, and aesthetic dentistry more predictable than ever. From digital dentures that fit with almost zero adjustment to helping patients emotionally reconnect with their smiles, the conversation reminds everyone that behind every scanner, workflow, and software update is still a real person whose life changes because of dentistry.

Special Guests: Dr. Dwight Pate, Dr. Eimear O’Connell, and Marjorie de Andrade .

If you’re passionate about creating natural, beautiful smiles—but want to simplify your workflow without sacrificing aesthetics—this is for you. I’m honored to be part of Ivoclar’s development team introducing a powerful new stain and glaze system featuring Structure Paste, IPS e.max Ceram Art. Create stunning depth and lifelike color in as little as one firing.

Let’s continue to innovate, simplify, and create meaningful change—one smile at a time.

CAM has been a major topic lately, and a lot of that conversation keeps coming back to hyperDENT. But instead of just talking about the software itself, it’s worth looking at real-world experience. Imagine USA has been using hyperDENT in their own lab for over 15 years. That kind of longevity says a lot—they’re not just selling and supporting it, they’re relying on it in their own production every single day. That’s what really sets them apart.

This week’s episode brings it full circle as Elvis reconnects with one of the podcast’s very first guests, Renata Bundy, now a longtime professor at New York City College of Technology. Along with her are two technicians who represent both sides of the journey—lab owner Roberto Rossi and workflow master Eugene Vega—creating a conversation that dives deep into education, mentorship, and what it really takes to succeed in today’s dental lab world.

Roberto shares his unlikely path from working sanitation in New York to building a thriving lab, Synergy Dental Studio, over nearly three decades. With a relentless focus on quality, constant improvement, and embracing digital (while still questioning it), he explains how his lab has grown into a tight-knit, high-level operation. Eugene adds perspective from inside the lab, describing his evolution from student to managing daily workflow, highlighting how important environment, mentorship, and work ethic are when transitioning from school to real-world production.

Renata ties it all together from the educational side, reflecting on over 20 years of teaching and how the program has evolved alongside the industry—from analog fundamentals to digital workflows—while still preparing students for the realities they’ll face after graduation. The group doesn’t shy away from the tough truths either: low starting pay, steep learning curves, and the high dropout rate among new technicians. But the message is clear—stick with it, find the right lab, and the opportunity is there.

It’s a conversation about growth, grit, and the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people—whether that’s in the classroom or the lab. And if nothing else, you’ll learn that a little Italian lunch might just be the secret to building a loyal team.

Special Guests: Eugene Vega, Renata Budny, CDT, TE, and Roberto Rossi.

If you’re passionate about creating natural, beautiful smiles—but want to simplify your workflow without sacrificing aesthetics—this is for you. I’m honored to be part of Ivoclar’s development team introducing a powerful new stain and glaze system featuring Structure Paste, IPS e.max Ceram Art. Create stunning depth and lifelike color in as little as one firing.

Let’s continue to innovate, simplify, and create meaningful change—one smile at a time.

Elvis actually made it down to the exhibition halls this year — and hyperDENT from FOLLOW-ME! Technology was everywhere.

Booth after booth, people were talking milling strategies, templates, and workflows. It felt like a full-on CAM takeover. Their Milling Roadmap scavenger hunt had attendees bouncing between Axsys, Imagine, D.O.F., and Roland collecting stamps like responsible adults…

Responsible adults chasing a bright orange folding electric hyperDENT scooter.

That’s what we love about the FOLLOW-ME! team — world-class CAM engineers talking microns and validation protocols one minute, then ripping around Lab Day the next.

Serious about precision. Not too serious about themselves.

Big shoutout for bringing the brains — and the electric horsepower.

Come see and talk to Elvis and Barb at all these amazing shows in 2026*

• Dental Lab Association of Texas Meeting in Dallas Apr 9-11 https://members.dlat.org/
• exocad Insights in Mallorca, Spain Apr 30 - May 1 https://exocad.com/insights-2026

This week we finally get Jay Collins to stop dodging Elvis long enough to sit down and share one of the wildest journeys in dental lab history. From a family split between union steamfitters and dental technicians in Philadelphia to surviving “The Great Brotherly Lab War,” Jay’s story is packed with grit, loyalty, and a whole lot of Irish Catholic chaos. What started with an uncle drafted into dental technology during Vietnam eventually turned into a multi-generation lab legacy—and Jay swearing he’d never get into teeth… only to build a powerhouse anyway.

After the 2008 crash wiped out his construction business, Jay bet everything on selling outsourced restorations door-to-door, sleeping in his car, showering at the gym, and cold-calling hundreds of offices a week. What followed was the development of his unapologetically bold, psychologically savvy sales approach—what he calls being “aggressively calm.” From pushing doctors to “no,” to matching their energy toe-to-toe, to walking into offices as “the lab” and walking out with cases in hand, Jay breaks down the mindset shift most lab owners desperately need: sales isn’t optional, and it definitely isn’t accidental.

Now leading multiple lab locations under the brilliantly simple name thedentallab.net, Jay shares hard truths about growth, mergers, firing abusive clients, and why cutting your sales department in tough times is the worst move you can make. If you’ve ever struggled with prospecting, scaling, or standing your ground with doctors, this episode is packed with practical strategies, hilarious role-playing, and a reminder that confidence—backed by accountability—wins every time.

At Canadian Dental Labs, Icortica has become a cornerstone of how we operate—giving us at-a-glance visibility into performance, helping us focus our efforts, spot opportunities early, and solve problems before they grow. It takes the guesswork out of decision-making and shows us what to do next.

Plus, the Icortica team is incredibly responsive and feels like a true partner in our success.

If you’re serious about growing your business and understanding your customers better, Icortica can get you there. Learn more at icortica.com/voices — Icortica, helping dental labs grow.

Join us at exocad Insights 2026, happening April 30–May 1, 2026, on the stunning island of Mallorca, Spain. This two-day event features powerhouse keynotes, hands-on workshops, live software demos, and top-tier industry showcases—all in one unforgettable setting.

Barb and Elvis will be on site bringing you exclusive interviews, plus don’t miss the Women in Dentistry Lunch, celebrating career growth, wellbeing, and the real stories shaping our profession. And of course, cap it all off with the legendary exoGlam Night under the stars.

Tickets are limited. Visit exocad.com/insights-2026 and use code VFTBPalma15 for 15% off.

Special Guest: Jay Collins.

In this episode, Elvis and Barb sit down with Dr. Miles Cone, a prosthodontist whose path into dentistry is anything but traditional. From a childhood obsession with dinosaurs and living out of his Jeep, to serving in the Army and becoming a CDT, Dr. Cone shares how persistence, humility, and an appreciation for the lab side of dentistry shaped his career. Along the way, he opens up about failing the CDT exam, learning the true value of dental technicians, and why collaboration—not ego—is the key to better patient outcomes

The conversation also dives deep into photography, storytelling, and seeing dentistry as both science and art. Dr. Cone explains how discovering dental photography transformed not only how he documents cases, but how he connects with patients and technicians alike. He and Barb and Elvis discuss raising your skills by putting your work out there, ignoring the trolls, and using critique to grow. The episode wraps with a preview of Dr. Cone’s upcoming Ivoclar presentation at Lab Day Chicago, where he and technician Janelle will show how dentures and removables can be “hidden in plain sight” when done with intention, artistry, and respect for the entire dental team.

A new year is the perfect time to reset, refocus, and set your dental business up for success. January isn’t just about new goals—it’s about working smarter with efficient, reliable systems that keep production running smoothly and predictably.

Roland DGSHAPE milling solutions deliver the consistency and automation labs depend on to control costs, reduce remakes, and maximize every hour. With trusted Japanese engineering and mills like the DWX-53DC working even when you’re not, you spend less time fixing problems and more time growing your business.

Start the year strong with solutions built for productivity and profitability. That’s the Roland DGSHAPE difference.

Learn more at rolanddental.com

Special Guest: Dr. Miles Cone.