This week, we dive deep into the evolving world of digital dentures with George Cowburn, along with denturist Robert MacLeay and digital designer Kaylee Jilbert. George shares his unconventional path from engineering into dentures, the early challenges of bringing CAD/CAM into removables, and why his company Perfit has evolved into Lab Pilot—a cloud-based approach designed to meet labs and denturists where they are, not where software companies wish they’d be.
Robert and Kaylee bring the real-world perspective, explaining how combining analog fundamentals with digital design unlocked predictable, better-fitting dentures and titanium partial frameworks that actually snap into place. From monolithic milled partials to same-day digital relines and cloud-based CAM without subscriptions, this conversation explores how “trad-digital” workflows could finally make digital dentures accessible, scalable, and practical for everyday labs—without sacrificing fit, function, or sanity.
Special Guests: George Cowburn, Kaylee Jilbert , and Robert MacLeay .
We’re coming to you live from NOLA Lab Fest with two very different, but equally nerd-worthy conversations. A HUGE THANKS to Aidite North America that has made this all available. Go show them some serious love. First up, Elvis sits down with Rik Jacobs from Novenda Technologies to talk about a truly disruptive production-scale 3D printer that can print multi-material and multi-color—at the same time. We dive into voxel-based printing, integrated hard/soft gradients, no supports, water-soluble wax, massive denture and night guard output, and why centralized production labs should be paying very close attention to what Novenda is building next.
Then we switch gears and catch up with Jess Gray, whose career journey is a masterclass in saying “yes,” learning fast, and building something special. From front desk at Aspen to running a rapidly growing in-house lab in the Finger Lakes region, Jess walks us through analog-to-digital dentures, Exocad self-education, facial scanning for All-on-X, in-office workflows, team building, and what it really takes to scale a lab while still loving the bench. This episode is packed with inspiration, tech talk, and real-world lab ownership lessons you don’t hear every day.
Special Guests: Jess Gray and Rik Jacobs.
Duff Wilson’s journey in dental technology is anything but typical. From getting thrown into high-volume removable work at a major lab in the early ’90s to opening Wilson Dental Lab out of his home and building a lean, relationship-driven business, Duff’s story is rooted in grit, loyalty, and doing things the right way—even when it’s hard. Along the way, he shares how mentorship, state lab associations, and taking care of people shaped his career, including helping other technicians start their own labs and building a South Carolina–based milling center to support small labs.
The conversation dives deep into the evolution of digital dentistry, zirconia, milling centers, design services, and why relationships—not products—are what truly matter in this industry. Duff explains how trust and support led him to work closely with Aidite, why being lean is the key to longevity, and how redefining success after a life-changing health scare helped him create a sustainable lab, a better lifestyle, and a clear path for the next generation of technicians
Special Guest: Duff Wilson.
This week we welcome back the dynamic duo of digital dentistry, Blake Roney and Patrick Dewey from S.I.N. 360 (Simplicity • Innovation • Nanotechnology) for a massive deep dive into implants, photogrammetry, and the ever-evolving world of full-arch workflows. Since their last visit in 2022, Blake has gone from new kid on the block to full-blown Exocad educator, and Patrick breaks down how S.I.N. has doubled down on innovation across implants, CAD/CAM, and photogrammetry.
The guys walk us through the new Versalis implant line, why one connection for all indications is a big deal for labs, and how S.I.N. is pushing efficiencies for high-volume, complex full-arch clinicians. Then comes the star of the show: the MicronMapper—a lighter, faster, more accurate photogrammetry system that doesn’t just capture implants but verifies manufacturing accuracy, scans soft tissue, and reduces surgical guesswork. Blake breaks down real-world accuracy numbers, what RMSE actually means, why intraoral scanners aren’t cutting it for full-arch, and how FitCheck is saving labs from misfires, wasted zirconia, and bad days.
They also reveal the newest frontier: Tissue Mapper, a photogrammetry-based, scanner-free workflow that pulls bite, tissue, and implant data without fiducials or messy post-op scans. It’s nerdy, innovative, and ridiculously cool for the high-volume teams ready to level up.
If you love accuracy, numbers, full-arch workflows, or just really good dental tech nerding — this is your episode.
Special Guests: Blake Roney and Patrick Dewey.
This week, we sit down with Seth Smith, founder of the rapidly growing lab software company Greatlab.io, and Ryan Alexander from Vitality Dental Arts, who’s been living the GreatLab life since May and has plenty to say about it.
Seth shares the long, winding road from e-commerce to dentistry, to clear aligners, to scanners, and finally to building what he hopes becomes the most modern, integrated, and speed-driven LMS in the industry. He talks workflow obsession, eliminating downloads, killing paper dockets, listening to lab pain points, and why he’s visited over 100 labs (and keeps going).
Ryan brings the real-world perspective from a 100-tech lab that went through multiple LMS transitions before landing on GreatLab. He explains how their booking teams shrank, inbound calls dropped by 50%, audits disappeared, and technicians suddenly found computers they “didn’t have” once the system made their jobs easier. From the CRM that kills phone tag to ScanHub pulling every scanner into one feed, Ryan breaks down exactly what changed on the bench, in customer service, and across production.
We also dig into bad scans (yes, 20% of them), doctor communication, automatic file routing, task automation, shipping integrations, data migration fears, and why some labs should not switch systems unless they’re truly ready to modernize.
If you’ve ever wondered what a cloud-based, automation-heavy, lab-built-from-the-ground-up LMS looks like—or why another lab described GreatLab as “a Ferrari while everyone else is a Civic”—this episode lays it all out.
Learn more or request a demo: greatlab.io
Find them in Vegas at NADL Visions and in Chicago at Lab Day!
Special Guests: Ryan Alexander and Seth Smith.
Join Elvis and Barb at all these amazing shows coming up in 2026
This week, Barb and Elvis finally sit down for a long-overdue full episode with the man behind the Fans of Voices From the Bench Facebook group, second-generation lab owner, NADL President, and all-around industry cheerleader: Joe Young of Young Dental Laboratory.
Joe shares his family’s incredible journey from Hong Kong to Philadelphia, how his parents built a small ortho lab out of a spare room, and how he grew up trimming models on a step stool before eventually returning to the lab after college. He walks us through the evolution of the business—from analog ortho, to adding fixed, to diving head-first into early CAD/CAM. Today, Young Dental is a 26-tech, multi-department full-service lab serving PA, NJ, and DE.
Joe talks about the challenges of ortho work in a digital world, the need for wire-bending talent, the rise of aligners, and the struggle of balancing old-school techniques with new-school tech. He also reflects on family legacy, his dad’s 45 years as a CDT, and why keeping that generation’s knowledge alive matters more than ever.
As NADL President, Joe dives into board service, workforce development, collaboration across organizations, and his goal of connecting labs and vendors more effectively. Plus, he gives an honest look at what it’s like to step into leadership, find your voice, and leave a legacy for the next wave of techs.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a VFTB episode without gifts, jokes, accidental innuendo, and a rapid-fire Q&A that reveals Barb’s love of tomahawks and Elvis’s dream of 88-degree weather.
Special Guest: Joe Young.
Join Elvis and Barb at all these amazing shows coming up in 2026
This week, we finally bring on a guest who has been six years in the making: the one and only Jordan Greenberg, the North America Managing Director of FOLLOW-ME! Technology—better known as the HyperDent guy.
Jordan takes us on a wild ride through the world of CAM software, milling strategies, toolpaths, and the surprisingly fascinating story of how dental CAM even became what it is today. From his early days as a third-generation “dental nepo baby” to running a zirconia milling center with his dad, all the way to helping launch titanium-bar milling on Datron D5 machines, Jordan’s journey hits every corner of digital dentistry’s evolution.
He breaks down what CAM actually does in the simplest possible terms (yes, even Elvis-level simple), explains the magic behind toolpaths, tools, post-processors, and how HyperDent “drives the car” for hundreds of different mills. You’ll hear how materials get validated, why some ideas labs come up with are physically impossible, and why you should ALWAYS talk to your CAM provider before releasing new materials or components into the world.
Jordan also shares a behind-the-scenes look at solving problems like angulated screw channels, milling lithium disilicate pucks, and HyperDent’s upcoming work on milled dentures—including Ivoclar’s Ivotion processes coming to open CAM.
Whether you mill every day or still think CAM is just “putting a crown in a puck,” Jordan demystifies it all with humor, honesty, and more tech insights than we've ever had on the podcast at once.
Special Guest: Jordan Greenberg.
Join Elvis and Barb at all these amazing shows coming up in 2026
This week, we sit down with a guest whose journey hits all the right notes—literally! Meet Jonathan Bourke, a jazz guitarist turned dental technician who went from pouring models to designing full-arch restorations and running his own in-office lab.
Jonathan shares how a chance gig driving for a denturist opened the door to a career he never expected, taking him from analog dentures to digital workflows, photogrammetry, and Exocad wizardry. Now a lab owner working directly with clinicians, Jonathan talks about collaboration in full-arch cases, teaching with Jensen Dental and MiYO, and what it’s like to see his work come to life chairside.
From learning CAM milling to demoing in front of dental rockstars, Jonathan’s story is a reminder that artistry comes in many forms—sometimes from six strings, sometimes from six implants.
Special Guest: Jonathan Bourke.
This week, Elvis and Barb cross the globe to chat with the legendary Marc Rondeau—a Sydney-based dental technician, educator, and yes, nightclub DJ. From being one of 30 accepted out of 300 applicants into Australia’s only dental tech program, to running one of the country’s top labs, Marc’s journey is packed with hard work, humor, and heart. He shares how a near-fatal car accident—and the brain tumor it uncovered—completely reshaped his perspective on work-life balance, pushing him to give back through teaching and advocacy. Now the Vice President of the Australian Dental Technicians Association, Marc talks about the fight to keep technicians recognized, the shift from analog to CAD/CAM, and why he believes every tech should know how to “wax before they CAD.”
Special Guest: Marc Rondeau.
This week, Elvis and Barb sit down with two amazing ladies who turned tragedy into triumph. When a devastating fire destroyed Denture Crafters a few weeks ago, lab manager Amber Rosema and general manager Daniele Collard didn’t waste a single moment. From the parking lot of their burned-down lab, they began rebuilding—calling suppliers, securing space, and rallying their team to get dentures back in patients’ mouths.
Hear the incredible story of how these two leaders kept their employees working, rebuilt their systems, and leaned on the kindness of another lab to get back up and running in just days. They also share what it’s like being part of an employee-owned dental lab, their quick move into digital dentures, and the importance of mental health when life—and your lab—literally goes up in flames.
It’s an inspiring episode of resilience, teamwork, and what makes the dental lab community truly amazing.
If you want to help, Daniele and Amber would love your opinion on any of the following items. Feel free to email them at info@denturecrafters.net
Drop your favorites below:
Special Guests: Amber Rosema and Daniele Collard.
DON'T MISS the dental event of the year, November 7-8. Nowak Dental Supplies is hosing NOLA Lab Fest in New Orleans, Louisiana. Head over to nolalabfest.com to see the line up and to register.
A HUGE thanks to Aidite North America for hosting the podcast at their booth. Come find us and be on the podcast!
This week, Elvis and Barb sit down with Lori Margiotta, the founder of Bookkeeper for Dentists, to talk about how labs and dental offices can grow together by focusing on one key number: case acceptance. Lori shares her journey from high school “recall girl” to practice manager, lab sales rep, and now consultant helping dental offices understand their business metrics.
She breaks down how labs can help their clients track simple data like lab expenses and unbooked treatment to reveal hidden opportunities. With decades in the dental industry, Lori shows that when dentists increase their case acceptance, everyone wins — including the labs. From real-world examples to actionable advice (and a few laughs along the way), this episode is all about bridging the gap between the front desk and the bench.
Check out Lori's On Demand Webinar: Want More Cases? Just Ask This One Question
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xNRsVE85Ql6PNa-weLkhPw
Special Guest: Lori Margiotta.
DON'T MISS the dental event of the year, November 7-8. Nowak Dental Supplies is hosing NOLA Lab Fest in New Orleans, Louisiana. Head over to nolalabfest.com to see the line up and to register.
A HUGE thanks to Aidite North America for hosting the podcast at their booth. Come find us and be on the podcast!
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.
Special Guest: Will Varda.
DON'T MISS the dental event of the year, November 7-8. Nowak Dental Supplies is hosing NOLA Lab Fest in New Orleans, Louisiana. Head over to nolalabfest.com to see the line up and to register.
A HUGE thanks to Aidite North America for hosting the podcast at their booth. Come find us and be on the podcast!
In this episode, Elvis and Barb welcome Ed Molina, a dental technician and trainer with a fascinating journey from retail work to becoming an influential figure in digital dentistry. Ed shares how his brother and mentors like Dr. Art Mirelez and Fernando Polanco guided him into the dental field, eventually leading him to help pioneer digital workflows and facially driven design systems such as InstaRisa.
With a background in both clinical and lab settings, Ed discusses the evolution of his career — from assisting with surgical guides and imaging to mastering Exocad and teaching offices how to transition from analog to digital dentistry. He explains the importance of facial scanning, photogrammetry, and digital workflow efficiency while emphasizing the human side of adapting to new technology in dental practices. Now running his own training business, Ed helps clinicians integrate digital design and facially driven workflows into their practices, balancing his passion for innovation with a strong appreciation for mentorship and collaboration.
Special Guest: Ed Molina .
This week we are joined by Jed Archibald for his first solo interview, and he didn’t disappoint. Coming from a family deeply rooted in dentistry, his father worked closely with Dr. Gordon Christensen. Jed has built his own reputation as an innovator. In 2006 he launched Archibald Digital, embracing CAD/CAM at a time when most technicians were skeptical. His philosophy? Don’t just ask what digital can do now—ask what it could do.
Jed also shared insights on materials, praising the underrated Empress Multi for its beauty and reliability, and highlighting Ivoclar’s ZirCAD Prime zirconia for solving problems that plague other multilayer products.
Not content with what the market offered, Jed even created his own line of 3D printing resins—including a stone-like model resin and a lavender-infused cast resin that makes a lab smell like a spa.
Now, as the new Director of Development at Utah Valley Dental Lab, Jed is taking on a role testing new ideas and pushing innovation without disrupting production.
Check out the amazing resins from Jed: https://www.archibalddigital.com/category/all-products
IPS Empress CAD® from Ivoclar: https://www.ivoclar.com/en_us/products/digital-processes/ips-empress-cad
Special Guest: Jed Archibald.
DON'T MISS the dental event of the year, November 7-8. Nowak Dental Supplies is hosing NOLA Lab Fest in New Orleans, Louisiana. Head over to nolalabfest.com to see the line up and to register.
A HUGE thanks to Aidite North America for hosting the podcast at their booth. Come find us and be on the podcast!
Who wouldn't want to become a Master at the staple of the most common abutment in overdentures, the locator? This week we welcome back to the podcast, Todd Hydock, who updates everyone on the new Angled Locator abutments and Locator Fixed. For the first time on the podcast is Zest Dental Solution's Director of Education, Amy Helayel. Amy talks about her journey from clinical to lab to eventually Zest. Discovering a passion for education, Amy travels constantly to teach labs and clinics the proper way to use the Locator system. NOW, they have created the Zest Lab Mastership program to take your skill to the next level.
REGISTER HERE: https://info.zestdent.com/labmastership
Use the code: VOICESLAB to get $100 off!
Special Guests: Amy Helayel and Todd Hydock.
The race is OVER! Thank you to everyone that donated to this wonderful organization. But the fundraising doesn't end at the race, you can donate all year long at: https://fdlt.memberclicks.net/donor-form#/
This week wraps up the collection of conversations we got at the Jensen Dental booth at the FDLA Symposium and Expo. Thank you Jensen Dental for hosting us at this wonderful event. First we talk to Leah Gold, an assistant turned dental technician. Leah got into assisting while in Ohio and during the pandemic, she moves down to Florida and starts working in a in-office lab for a prosthodontist. Basically having to teach herself most of the skills, she was soon setting teeth, using exocad, and doing custom shades with MIYO.
Then as a BONUS, not at the FDLA, we bring back on Jade Connors, denturist out of Canada. We just talked to Jade last March at IDS and she was a day away from finding out if she won the CANDULOR KunstZahnWerk Award. Well, it turns out she did win and she comes on to talk about the process, the pains, and the wins, all while learning a new skill.
Special Guests: Jade Connors, DD, RDT and Leah Gold.
It's the 11th running of the Race For the Future in Fort Worth, TX on September 14, 2025. This is YOUR chance to make a difference in a industry we all love so much. Important links:
All the money goes to The Foundation For Dental Laboratory Technology: https://dentallabfoundation.org/
All about the Race: https://dentallabfoundation.org/news-events/race-for-the-future/
Race website: https://fortworth.californiatriathlon.org/
Select: Race for the Future
Enter the name of the racer you want to support: BARB WARNER or THE CROWN JEWELS
Enter the amount (One Million Dollars)
A BIG thanks to Jensen Dental for allowing us to record at the amazing FDLA Symposium & Expo!
First up is a dentist turned sales rep and now 26 years with Jensen Dental, Nick Bathija. Nick talks about becoming a dentist, falling in love, and learning that he's not really suited to be a dentist. Starting with Jensen when it was still a mostly alloy company and being there when MIYO hit the scene, Nick can talk a lot about what makes MIYO so great!
Then we are visited by past podcast guest, Shaana Gripp. Shaana went from an introverted in-office technician to leading education at Harvest Dental. She talks about making the switch, getting used to being in front of a camera, and the joy of seeing people get better with techniques she taught them.
We wrap up the episode with a conversation with long time lab manager at Drake Dental Laboratory, Mark Stueck. Mark talks about going from a McDonald's Manager to delivery driver, being recruited to another state, being there for 36 years, and why it was important for him to give back on the NBC board.
Special Guests: Mark Stueck, Nick Bathija, and Shaana Gripp.
It's the 11th running of the Race For the Future in Fort Worth, TX on September 14, 2025. This is YOUR chance to make a difference in a industry we all love so much. Important links:
All the money goes to The Foundation For Dental Laboratory Technology: https://dentallabfoundation.org/
All about the Race: https://dentallabfoundation.org/news-events/race-for-the-future/
Race website: https://fortworth.californiatriathlon.org/
Select: Race for the Future
Enter the name of the racer you want to support: BARB WARNER or THE CROWN JEWELS
Enter the amount (One Million Dollars)
A HUGE thanks to Jensen Dental for allowing Elvis to go to one of the greatest regional shows left, the https://www.fdla.net/ Southern States Symposium & Expo.
First up we meet two "newish" technicians in our industry. From Alaska to Florida, Savannah Jones taught herself exocad and is now doing removable work at DCS Dental Lab. Gabriel Jimenez was working at Walmart when he found a dental office that had an in-office lab and it wasn't long before he too found himself at DCS Dental Lab. They talk about their journey, learning new things, and what they think of their first dental show.
Then a blast from WAY back comes on to update us on all things Tom Zaleske. Tom was on episode 16 (if you can believe it)! He talks about his journey to become a one person removable technician working out of his house, getting into speaking and what he speaks on, and some thoughts on the future of dental labs.
Then we wrap up the episode with another past podcast guest, Josh Williams. Josh is at GPS Digital RPD where they are killing it at printing metal frameworks. He talks about their growth, the process of fabrication, and how easy it is to get them a case.
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 Guests: Gabriel Jimenez, Josh Williams, Savannah Jones, and Thomas Zaleske, AS.
It's the 11th running of the Race For the Future in Fort Worth, TX on September 14, 2025. This is YOUR chance to make a difference in a industry we all love so much. Important links:
All the money goes to The Foundation For Dental Laboratory Technology: https://dentallabfoundation.org/
All about the Race: https://dentallabfoundation.org/news-events/race-for-the-future/
Race website: https://fortworth.californiatriathlon.org/
Select: Race for the Future
Enter the name of the racer you want to support: BARB WARNER or THE CROWN JEWELS
Enter the amount (One Million Dollars)
Full Arch Immediate Load Hybrids is still one of the most profitable restorations to a lab. The skill and confidence to do them is difficult, but thanks to Dr. Brandon Kofford, the day of surgery is getting even easier. Two years ago, Dr. Kofford came on this podcast to talk about Smart Denture Conversion. The workflow to make a faster and better converted denture. Well after a lot of work and FDA planning, they are back as Smart on X and have introduced the Omibut, a new MUA that can be used at any angle. He also talks about improving the original version to make Smart Denture Conversion 2.0 and the use of prefabricated arches.
Special Guest: Dr. Brandon Kofford.
It's the 11th running of the Race For the Future in Fort Worth, TX on September 14, 2025. This is YOUR chance to make a difference in a industry we all love so much. Important links:
All the money goes to The Foundation For Dental Laboratory Technology: https://dentallabfoundation.org/
All about the Race: https://dentallabfoundation.org/news-events/race-for-the-future/
Race website: https://fortworth.californiatriathlon.org/
Select: Race for the Future
Enter the name of the racer you want to support: BARB WARNER or THE CROWN JEWELS
Enter the amount (One Million Dollars)
All good things must come to an end. No, not this podcast... but the recordings we got while with the AMAZING people of exocad at IDS 2025. It was a wonderful trip and we got to meet and talk to a lot of fantastic people from around the world. This week is no different as we meet a married couple that met in a lab, married, and now own a lab. Agata Bak is from Poland but went to London to find more opportunities for dental technology. Iman Ansari is from Iran and also ended up in London. They both worked at the same lab and it took Iman a while to win Agata over, but he did, and they fell in love. After getting married and working at a few other labs, they put everything on the line and opened Black Pearl Dental Lab where they specialize in high end fixed work.
Then we meet the past President of exocad North America Larry Bodony. Larry recently retired but still stopped by to tell us the awesome story on how he got the job when at IDS 2011. Taking a chance on a new design software and them taking a chance on Larry, set into motion of growing exocad in North America. It took time and work, but soon exocad was gaining popularity. Larry talks about those early years, his use of "reverse" tradeshows, and now that he is retired, working with another new exciting software Bite Finder.
Special Guests: Agata Bak & Iman Ansari and Larry Bodony.