Zach and Kevin welcome Dr. Emily Wojtowicz and Dr. Shane Wingler to the podcast for an honest conversation about career evolution, ownership, and practice growth. After recapping summer highlights—from National Parks and World Cup matches to East Coast camping—Emily and Shane share how getting involved with 3D Dentists and the Mastermind community helped transform their…
Broadcasting from a shady Michigan porch alongside an overly affectionate cat, Alan details his first clinical experiences integrating biofilm guided hygiene protocols into practice. From navigating setup quirks to pairing Ivoclar’s OptraGate with Zirc’s disposable Mr. Thirsty bite block, he shares how combining disclosing agents with air polishing completely shifts the prophylaxis experience. The real…
Alan welcomes Dr. Katie To to discuss her transformative journey in restorative and biological dentistry. From purchasing an established prosthodontic practice in Katy, Texas, and scaling it using Digital Smile Design (DSD) to facing a career-threatening health crisis caused by heavy metal toxicity, Dr. To shares how personal adversity completely reshaped her clinical philosophy. She…
In this Very Dental (Dental Hacks) Classic throwback from the 2018 Voices of Dentistry meeting, Alan captures an impromptu, high-energy conversation right from the after-party. Dr. Peter Boulden and Dr. Craig Spodak (hosts of the Bulletproof Dental Practice Podcast) sit down with DSO attorney Brian Colao of Dykema for a candid debate on the shifting…
Recording from the office on a Sunday while assembling new equipment, Alan unpacks the unspoken and infuriating little annoyances that every clinical dentist experiences but rarely posts on social media. From syringes that may or may not have enough composite left to the mysterious physics of rubber dams rejecting wedges, Alan breaks down his top…
Alan is joined by longtime friend and dental podcasting veteran Dr. Richard Low. Moving past the initial hype and overwhelm of modern artificial intelligence, Richard breaks down how dentists and small business owners can actually put AI to work as a tangible personal assistant—giving it “arms and legs.” The conversation covers the highs and lows…
This throwback episode of the Group Function Podcast captures a candid roundtable originally recorded in August 2021 during a Spear Education virtual summit. Host Dr. Alan Mead is joined by an all-star lineup of Spear resident faculty to explore the origins of their careers, their transition into prosthodontics, the philosophy behind master-level dental education, and…
In this throwback episode of The Alan Mead Experience, Alan dives into the universal struggle every clinician faces: the days (or weeks) when it feels like everything you touch falls apart and imposter syndrome sets in. Drawing from an insightful thread in the Very Dental Facebook community, Alan discusses navigating clinical failure, managing patient expectations,…
Dr. Tiffany Paiva joins Alan for a deeply candid conversation about addiction, professional burnout, and the emotional toll of practice ownership. From overcoming a prescription opioid dependency sparked during dental school to navigating staff crises, embezzlement, and a practice closure, Dr. Paiva shares the raw reality behind the facade of clinical success. Now championing connection…
In today’s throwback Very Clinical episode Kevin and Zach welcome Dr. Ash Mark of YouTube’s “All Things Dentistry” to discuss practical clinical strategies for navigating calcified root canals. The conversation dives into essential tips for identifying and treating calcified cases, including the importance of proper diagnostic imaging (like vertical bitewings and CBCT) and utilizing tools…