How good are you at making patients choose you? In this solo episode of Coffee Break with Coachman, Christian Coachman dives deep into one of the most critical, yet overlooked, moments in a clinician's career: the space between a patient sitting in the chair and saying yes to treatment.

Drawing from his early days as an in-house dental technician watching patient-dentist communication from the corner of the room, Christian unpacks why traditional, purely rational ways of explaining dentistry fail to connect. He challenges the dental community to look past the easy fixes and quick sales to embrace Ethical Case Acceptance; a philosophy where the patient’s long-term health is the ultimate priority, driven by genuine emotional connection.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• The Power of Emotional Dentistry: Why human decisions are driven by the heart, not just rational facts, and how to make comprehensive dentistry an ultra-priority in your patient's mind.

• The Gold Standard of the First and Second Appointment: Why the revolution of modern dentistry happens before treatment even begins, and how to master this crucial window of first impressions.

• The Ethics of Influence: Acknowledging the fine line between persuasion and ownership, and why becoming a better communicator means raising your ethical bar.

• The Long-Game Dilemma: Why it’s structurally easier to sell the 'wrong' dentistry (immediate satisfaction, quick fixes) over the 'right' comprehensive dentistry and how to bridge that communication gap.

• A Sneak Peek into the Future of DSD: Christian shares the inspiration behind completely reinventing the DSD course after 15 years to focus 100% on mastering ethical case acceptance.

Whether you are a seasoned clinician with a bustling practice or an associate looking to build your reputation, this episode is a powerful reminder that there is always room to improve how we onboard, differentiate, and connect with the human beings inside our clinics.

Grab your coffee, settle in, and learn how to attract the right patients and convert for the right reasons.

In this episode of Coffee Break with Coachman, Christian Coachman speaks with Wally Renne, a dentist and educator who specializes in digital technology. They discuss the current state of 3D printing in 2026, which is the year that printing adoption officially moved ahead of chairside milling in the United States.

The conversation focuses on the transition from using printers for simple models to implementing them for definitive clinical work, supported by the high scanner adoption rate of 78 percent among clinicians.

• The technical shift from 405nm to 385nm light sources, which allows for more accurate margins and thinner restorations.
• Why there is now "zero reason" to mill polymers, as modern resins offer better translucency and strength for daily use.
• The clinical efficiency of printing ten veneers in eight minutes using high-heat and high-light curing cycles.
• How 3D printed dentures are providing a better fit and more affordable care for the edentulous population.
• The concept of "transitional restorations", which is a workflow that allows patients to "test drive" a full mouth rehabilitation before committing to final ceramics.
• The financial reality of return on investment, where a complete printing system can often be paid for through a single multi-unit case.
• The role of AI in automating simple designs while maintaining the necessary human element for complex smile makeovers.

About the guest: Dr. Wally Renne is a dentist and educator, having previously served as Assistant Dean of Innovation and Director of the Digital Dentistry Residency at the Medical University of South Carolina. After operating two clinical practices focused on digital dentistry and dentures, he founded The MOD Institute to provide training in 3D printing and digital workflows. He is an active researcher with multiple patents in dental materials and technology, focusing on conservative dentistry and predictable clinical outcomes.

s your dental lab relationship a source of frustration, wasted time, and inconsistent results?

In this episode, dental innovator Christian Coachman offers a powerful, pragmatic framework to solve these common problems. He breaks down the four critical moments of dentist-lab collaboration, revealing how to:

• Diagnose & plan more effectively: Ensure you and your lab are on the same page from day one.

• Eliminate common errors: Learn how digital tools can prevent frustrating re-dos and miscommunications.

• Get predictable results: Discover the "copy-paste" concept that ensures your approved design is exactly what you get.

• Become a lab's "top 5%" dentist: Understand what your lab wishes it could tell you and how to build a better, more efficient partnership.

If you're looking for actionable steps to improve your workflow, reduce stress, and get superior results for your patients, this episode is for you.

In this episode, I had the chance to sit down with Scott and Jinesh from the Open Wide Podcast and share my journey, the unconventional path that brought me to where I am today.

We talked about the evolution of Digital Smile Design, the balance between quality and scale, and why I believe in always aiming for gold-standard dentistry.

I also shared my thoughts on how technology is reshaping our profession and spoke about my more recent role as a strategic investor.

It was a rich and honest conversation, and I hope listeners find inspiration in the lessons I’ve learned along the way.

Learn more about the Open Wide Podcast and Dr. Scott Drucker and Jinesh Patel:

https://open.spotify.com/show/4WH3H1A2OzlgYj7wD1XiZd?si=ede017e94fd3487a

In this episode, I’m joined by one of the true legends of our profession: Dr. Nitzan Bichacho. If you’ve studied or worked in prosthodontics, dental implants, or complex aesthetic rehabilitation, you’ve likely been influenced by his work, whether you know it or not. Professor at the Hebrew University and Hadassah in Jerusalem, former president of the European Academy of Esthetic Dentistry, and a pioneer behind countless treatment techniques and implant systems, Dr. Bichacho has shaped dentistry as we know it.

Together, we tackle a big, provocative question: Dentistry 2040: Will we still have a job? We explore how AI and technology are changing our profession, the incredible opportunities they create, the dangers of over-reliance, and most importantly… the human skills that no machine will ever replace.

If you’ve ever wondered where our profession is headed and how to stay relevant and irreplaceable, this conversation is for you.

Learn more about Dr Nitzan:

https://bichacho.clinic/about-us/

Christian Coachman sits down with Michael Tholey, Head of Education at Vita, to dive into the game‑changing world of digital dentures, high‑performance ceramics and the science behind simpler, smarter workflows. Michael shares insights from two decades at Vita, his role as Vice‑President of PROSEC, and why teaming up with DSD is a perfect fit for technicians and dentists alike.

Tune in to hear how the new DSD × Vita collaborative partnership is reshaping restorative dentistry.

https://digitalsmiledesign.com/

https://www.vita-zahnfabrik.com/

In this episode, I sit down with one of the leading experts in advanced implant dentistry—Prof. Howard Gluckman—to explore the topic of Partial Extraction Therapy.

This is one of our most focused and pragmatic episodes to date. No fluff—just real, clinically relevant insights into a technique that’s changing the way we preserve bone and manage esthetics around implants.

Howard brings his deep experience and research-driven approach to the table, covering everything from immediate placements to the nuances of case selection and execution.

Learn more about Prof Howard Gluckman:

https://howardgluckman.com/

In this episode, I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Shwan Zajas—an incredible host who knows how to pull out the why behind the journey.

We talked about how I broke away from the expected path in dentistry—even going against advice to keep working as a dental technician after becoming a dentist. That choice, though controversial at the time, ended up shaping everything that came after: my perspective, my innovations, and ultimately, the creation of Digital Smile Design.

We dive into what it means to stay true to your instincts, to combine disciplines, and to think differently—even when others don’t understand your vision yet.

Huge thanks to Shwan for creating space for authentic, heart-centered conversations like this one.

If you're a dentist, a creator, or just someone forging your own path—you’ll find something in this episode.

Learn more about Shwan:

https://shawnzajas.com/

In this episode, I share what it was like to be on stage with one of my biggest inspirations—Dr. John Kois—at our recent Kois-Coachman course in Miami. We dive into the outcomes, the incredible energy of the event, and the key insights that came from bringing our worlds together to push digital dentistry forward.

I also give you a sneak peek into something I’m really excited about: the IntraOral Scanner Festival happening this May in Modena, Italy. This is not your average dental course. It’s 100% focused on intraoral scanners—every brand, every feature, every clinical application—plus, we’re adding a twist of Ferrari and Formula 1 to the experience.

If you’re serious about scanning, whether you're already using one or thinking about your next investment, this course is designed to give you clarity and confidence.

Join me and the Agnini Brothers this May in Modena.

May 15-18, 2025

Save your spot: https://digitalsmiledesign.com/intraoral-scanner-festival-with-agninis-coachman

For years, we've been told that outsourcing marketing is the way to go. But the future is shifting—insourcing will soon be the smarter strategy. In this episode, I sit down with Brendon Macdonald and Kirk Behrendt to explain why this change is happening, how AI is revolutionizing marketing, and what you need to do now to stay ahead. Trust is the new currency, your website is your most valuable asset, and word-of-mouth remains the strongest form of marketing. The era of generative AI is here—leverage it before your competitors do!