Voices from The Bench

• 397: Marc Rondeau: The Aussie Who is Making Teeth, Teaching Techs, and Spinning Records

  Shirts, long sleeves, and hoodies are back for a limited time! This batch has the podcast logo on the back and on the front is a simple name tag saying "Dental Technician". Be proud of what you do and show the WORLD that we exist. Shirts on sale until November 8, 2025. As always 100% of the profits go towards the Foundation For Dental Laboratory Technology (https://dentallabfoundation.org/)! https://www.bonfire.com/its-all-in-the-name160/ 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 (https://www.australiandentaltechnicians.com.au/), 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.” * Dental Labs—The Ivoclar (https://www.ivoclar.com/en_us) Flash Sale Is On! * From November 3rd to 14th, Ivoclar is bringing you unbeatable deals on the equipment that will set your lab up for success in 2026. * Upgrade your mill, your furnace, or expand your workflow—and save big while doing it! * Plus, when you purchase a milling machine (https://www.ivoclar.com/en_us/products/product-list?page=1&limit=12&filters=%5B%7B%22id%22%3A%22professions%22%2C%22advancedFilter%22%3Afalse%2C%22values%22%3A%5B%22Lab%22%5D%7D%2C%7B%22id%22%3A%22categories%22%2C%22advancedFilter%22%3Afalse%2C%22value%22%3A%22Digital%20Equipment%22%7D%5D), you’ll get delivery, installation, and training—all included. That means your lab will be production-ready from day one. * But hurry—these savings vanish after November 14th! * Contact your Ivoclar sales rep today and power up your lab for the year ahead. The right CAM software can completely transform your lab’s workflow — and no one understands that better than FOLLOW-ME! Technology (https://www.follow-me-tech.com/), creators of hyperDENT (https://www.follow-me-tech.com/hyperdent/#product_overview). That’s why Roland DGA (https://www.rolanddga.com/applications/dental-cad-cam) has partnered with FOLLOW-ME! North America to offer the Roland DGA x hyperDENT Bundle for their DWX-53D series mills. This collaboration gives labs optimized performance, smoother milling, and incredible efficiency gains — with some users reporting up to two hours saved per case cycle without sacrificing quality. And here’s the best part: Roland is making this available to everyone through a hyperDENT trade-in promo for existing users. It’s the perfect opportunity to upgrade your CAM and take full advantage of the technology you already have. Plus, Nowak Dental Supplies (https://www.nowakdental.com/) is participating in the promotion and adding an exclusive bonus for NOLA Lab Fest attendees: the Multiple Instances feature at no additional cost. Don’t miss your chance to see the difference in person! Join Jordan Greenberg — the “hyperDENT dude” himself — at NOLA Lab Fest, November 7–8 (https://www.nolalabfest.com/), and discover how CAM can redefine what your Roland mill can do. Special Guest: Marc Rondeau.

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• 396: Daniele Collard & Amber Rosema Kept Calm and Crafted On After a Tragedy

  Shirts, long sleeves, and hoodies are back for a limited time! This batch has the podcast logo on the back and on the front is a simple name tag saying "Dental Technician". Be proud of what you do and show the WORLD that we exist. Shirts on sale until November 8, 2025. As always 100% of the profits go towards the Foundation For Dental Laboratory Technology (https://dentallabfoundation.org/)! https://www.bonfire.com/its-all-in-the-name160/ This week, Elvis and Barb sit down with two amazing ladies who turned tragedy into triumph. When a devastating fire destroyed Denture Crafters (https://www.denturecrafters.net/) 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 [email protected] Drop your favorites below: Boil-out tanks / dewaxers (Electric if possible) CAM milling units Alcohol distiller Acrylic polishers / pumice stations Steam cleaners Sandblasters / Shell Blaster Air compressors (oil-free, quiet) Dust collectors (single and central systems) Vacuum systems (for 3D printers, model trimmers, etc.) Fume extractors / ventilation systems Air purifiers (HEPA, carbon filter, or ionizer type) Monomer / polymer storage Vacuum mixers Resin dispensers Workbenches (lab-grade, suction-integrated if possible) Magnifying lamps / task lighting Autoclave / sterilizer Disinfectant systems / UV cabinets Easy to clean flooring (think clean wax) Laser welders 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 (https://www.ivoclar.com/en_us/academy/learning-opportunities?page=1&offset=12&filters=%5B%7B%22id%22%3A%22dateRange%22%2C%22selectedLowerBound%22%3A%222021-12-09T07%3A30%3A45.534Z%22%2C%22selectedUpperBound%22%3A%222022-06-09T06%3A30%3A45.534Z%22%7D%2C%7B%22id%22%3A%22type%22%2C%22advancedFilter%22%3Afalse%2C%22values%22%3A%5B%22In-house+trainings%22%5D%7D%5D) or contact your local Ivoclar sales representative today. The right CAM software can completely transform your lab’s workflow — and no one understands that better than FOLLOW-ME! Technology (https://www.follow-me-tech.com/), creators of hyperDENT (https://www.follow-me-tech.com/hyperdent/#product_overview). That’s why Roland DGA (https://www.rolanddga.com/applications/dental-cad-cam) has partnered with FOLLOW-ME! North America to offer the Roland DGA x hyperDENT Bundle for their DWX-53D series mills. This collaboration gives labs optimized performance, smoother milling, and incredible efficiency gains — with some users reporting up to two hours saved per case cycle without sacrificing quality. And here’s the best part: Roland is making this available to everyone through a hyperDENT trade-in promo for existing users. It’s the perfect opportunity to upgrade your CAM and take full advantage of the technology you already have. Plus, Nowak Dental Supplies (https://www.nowakdental.com/) is participating in the promotion and adding an exclusive bonus for NOLA Lab Fest attendees: the Multiple Instances feature at no additional cost. Don’t miss your chance to see the difference in person! Join Jordan Greenberg — the “hyperDENT dude” himself — at NOLA Lab Fest, November 7–8 (https://www.nolalabfest.com/), and discover how CAM can redefine what your Roland mill can do. Special Guests: Amber Rosema and Daniele Collard.

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• Episode 395: Lori Margiotta Wants You to Follow the Numbers to Find the Growth

  DON'T MISS the dental event of the year, November 7-8. Nowak Dental Supplies (https://www.nowakdental.com/) is hosing NOLA Lab Fest (https://www.nolalabfest.com/) in New Orleans, Louisiana. Head over to nolalabfest.com to see the line up and to register. A HUGE thanks to Aidite North America (https://www.aidite.com/) 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 (https://bookkeeperfordentists.com/), 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 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 (https://www.ivoclar.com/en_us/academy/learning-opportunities?page=1&offset=12&filters=%5B%7B%22id%22%3A%22dateRange%22%2C%22selectedLowerBound%22%3A%222021-12-09T07%3A30%3A45.534Z%22%2C%22selectedUpperBound%22%3A%222022-06-09T06%3A30%3A45.534Z%22%7D%2C%7B%22id%22%3A%22type%22%2C%22advancedFilter%22%3Afalse%2C%22values%22%3A%5B%22In-house+trainings%22%5D%7D%5D) or contact your local Ivoclar sales representative today. Special Guest: Lori Margiotta.

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• 394: Will Varda Has a Recipe for Digital Succuss (and Scones!)

  DON'T MISS the dental event of the year, November 7-8. Nowak Dental Supplies (https://www.nowakdental.com/) is hosing NOLA Lab Fest (https://www.nolalabfest.com/) in New Orleans, Louisiana. Head over to nolalabfest.com to see the line up and to register. A HUGE thanks to Aidite North America (https://www.aidite.com/) 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. 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 (https://www.ivoclar.com/en_us/academy/learning-opportunities?page=1&offset=12&filters=%5B%7B%22id%22%3A%22dateRange%22%2C%22selectedLowerBound%22%3A%222021-12-09T07%3A30%3A45.534Z%22%2C%22selectedUpperBound%22%3A%222022-06-09T06%3A30%3A45.534Z%22%7D%2C%7B%22id%22%3A%22type%22%2C%22advancedFilter%22%3Afalse%2C%22values%22%3A%5B%22In-house+trainings%22%5D%7D%5D) or contact your local Ivoclar sales representative today. Special Guest: Will Varda.

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• 393: Ed Molina is Helping Everyone Save Face with a Facially Driven Digital Workflow

  DON'T MISS the dental event of the year, November 7-8. Nowak Dental Supplies (https://www.nowakdental.com/) is hosing NOLA Lab Fest (https://www.nolalabfest.com/) in New Orleans, Louisiana. Head over to nolalabfest.com to see the line up and to register. A HUGE thanks to Aidite North America (https://www.aidite.com/) 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 (https://www.instarisa.com/). 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. 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 (https://www.ivoclar.com/en_us/academy/learning-opportunities?page=1&offset=12&filters=%5B%7B%22id%22%3A%22dateRange%22%2C%22selectedLowerBound%22%3A%222021-12-09T07%3A30%3A45.534Z%22%2C%22selectedUpperBound%22%3A%222022-06-09T06%3A30%3A45.534Z%22%7D%2C%7B%22id%22%3A%22type%22%2C%22advancedFilter%22%3Afalse%2C%22values%22%3A%5B%22In-house+trainings%22%5D%7D%5D) or contact your local Ivoclar sales representative today. Special Guest: Ed Molina .

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