MICRONMAPPER from SIN360: https://sin360.us/micronmapper/

This week we chat with the hilarious and inspiring Will Varda, a second-generation dental technician, lab owner, and president of the Dental Technicians Association of BC.

Will takes us on an incredible journey from his father’s early days crafting crowns for Iranian royalty — complete with goat-horn hammers and plaster impressions — to the modern world of digital design, milling, and 3D printing. Along the way, he shares stories of growing up in a lab, learning every step the hard way, and how a Facebook study group and a few friends completely changed the course of his career.

He also talks about the importance of community in the lab world, the balance between art and obsession, and how the right attitude (and maybe a little wine in a furry purse) can make even the toughest lab days a little brighter.

Now leading the charge in his province, Will is bringing technicians together — literally — with the first-ever Dental Boat Cruise, where hhe taught about digital fundamentals through his “recipe for design” approach. From scones to splines, Will explains how mastering the basics can give you true digital freedom no matter what software you use.

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.

Special Guest: Will Varda.

We love Denturist and all they do to help patients and the ever-growing edentulous population. So imagine how excited Elvis and Barb were when they got to talk to Jade Connors from Alberta Canada. Jade owns Pearl Denture & Implant Centre and talks all about the journey leading up to it. You see, Jade is a millennial and openly talks about the mental struggles she had to overcome to find her love of dental. Starting with Art, she was afraid of going "corporate" so she looked at dental. Not liking authority, she went into dental lab technology and earned her RDT from Nait Polytechnic. It was then she decided to go back to school and become a denturist and the rest is history.

The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness
https://www.anxiousgeneration.com/book

See Jade at the National Denturist Association Oct 2-4 in Las Vegas: https://nationaldenturist.com/2024annualconference/

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 Guest: Jade Connors, DD, RDT.

Mallorca Spain is known for exporting wonderful almonds, oranges, lemons, olives, olive oil, grapes, wine and excellent cheeses. But did you also know they are known for exporting amazing conversations from people changing dentistry? This week we are back with even more conversation from exocad Insights 2024.

First up is the stellar sister duo of Kristina Vaitelyte and Margarita Vaitelyte. Kristina was on the podcast a while ago but this time we caught them together. They talk about the importance of communication, since Kristina designs in England and Margarita finishes in Lithuania, the workflow of near instant patient treatment planning, and always working with the end result in mind.

Then we learn what a Dental Therapist is when we chat with Cat Edney. Cat started as a hygienist, but knew she could do more and went to get her Dental Therapist license. Now she is working to spread the word of how that role fits within the dental team, allows more (and proper) care to public, and how she communicates to the other members on the team.

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.

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!

Special Guests: Cat Edney, Kristina Vaitelyte, and Margarita Vaitelyte.

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.

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! Tell them you heard it on the podcast and get a FREE Prime disc to try – just use promo code 723!

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.

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! Tell them you heard it on the podcast and get a FREE Prime disc to try – just use promo code 723!

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 Guest: Aleksandra Polczynski.