The dental lab–dentist relationship has transformed dramatically over the past 25 years—and it’s evolving faster than ever. From the rise of digital workflows to the pressure of pricing and competition, today’s labs aren’t just making products, they’re providing services, designs, and collaborative support that shape the future of dentistry.

In this episode, T-Bone sits down with BJ Kowalski of RoeDentalLabs to talk about how technology, guided workflows, and AI are reshaping the way dentists and labs work together. You’ll learn why vertical integration doesn’t have to be overwhelming, how labs can meet you wherever you are in your digital journey, and why the future may be less about “working with a lab” and more about “working with a lab designer.”

From trial smiles to full arch workflows, discover the innovations that help dentists deliver better results, faster, while still keeping profitability in check.

@02:37 – How the dentist–lab relationship has shifted in the digital age

@05:29 – Full arch workflows and the rise of guided surgery

@10:08 – The impact of pricing pressures on digital dentistry

@17:00 – Milling, zirconia, and meeting dentists “where they are”

@23:15 – The future of digital smile design and trial smiles

@30:00 – Why collaboration is the key to better patient outcomes

@33:00 – How AI and automation are shaping the future of labs

Connect with Dr. Tarun Agarwal,DDS 

LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/tbonespeaks/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tbonespeaks

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tbonespeaks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tbonespeaks

Who is Dr. Tarun Agarwal?

Dr. Tarun Agarwal, DDS is considered one of the top dentists in the country. He is a recognized speaker, author, and dental leader. He has been featured on CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX, and News 14 Carolina. Dr. Agarwal has been awarded '40 under 40' Business Leaders by the Triangle Business Journal.

He is regularly invited to teach other dentists around the world and recently built a training center within the practice dedicated to sharing his expertise.

Most importantly he is a dedicated father of three wonderful children. His biggest accolade was being voted 'Best Dad in the World' by 2 of his 3 kids.

Do you ever wonder why some dental practices struggle with case acceptance—even when the clinical work is top-notch? Often, the real issue starts long before the patient ever sits in the chair. The truth is, your front office team may be unintentionally sabotaging big cases without even knowing it. From missed opportunities on the phone to using the wrong words with potential patients, these small mistakes can cost you thousands in lost revenue.

In this episode, we break down why your patient’s buying process begins the moment they call your practice—and how training your front office team could be the single most important investment you make this year. You’ll learn how to turn phone calls into powerful first impressions, frame conversations around benefits instead of fear, and set the stage for case acceptance before the consultation even begins.

@02:21 – Are You Training the Wrong Team Members First?

@03:59 – Why the Front Office Call Is Your True First Impression

@09:44 – Why Dentistry Has Changed and How to Adapt

@15:43 – Talking About Price Without Losing Patients

@26:42 – Winning the Case Before They Step Inside

Connect with Dr. Tarun Agarwal,DDS 

LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/tbonespeaks/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tbonespeaks

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tbonespeaks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tbonespeaks

Who is Dr. Tarun Agarwal?

Dr. Tarun Agarwal, DDS is considered one of the top dentists in the country. He is a recognized speaker, author, and dental leader. He has been featured on CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX, and News 14 Carolina. Dr. Agarwal has been awarded '40 under 40' Business Leaders by the Triangle Business Journal.

He is regularly invited to teach other dentists around the world and recently built a training center within the practice dedicated to sharing his expertise.

Most importantly he is a dedicated father of three wonderful children. His biggest accolade was being voted 'Best Dad in the World' by 2 of his 3 kids.

Do you find yourself running a dental practice with great clinical skills—but constant team conflict is draining your energy? Are you frustrated when staff nod in meetings, only for nothing to change later? Do you wish people just got it and kept up with your fast pace?

In this episode, we’re getting real about the emotional dynamics inside dental teams and why understanding personality types—especially using tools like the Enneagram—can be the breakthrough you didn’t know you needed. Our guest, Sarah Wallace of Enneagram MBA, helps decode why team communication fails, how leaders unintentionally demotivate great people, and how to tailor your leadership style to actually get buy-in, not burnout.

@06:04 - Why Saying "Yes" Changes Nothing

@10:15 - Direct Talk That Backfires

@19:00 - The Loyal Skeptic

@26:11 - Read Patients, Close More Cases

@34:52 - Ask This, Boost Case Acceptance

@45:59 - When Words Hurt, Not Help

Connect with Dr. Tarun Agarwal,DDS 

LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/tbonespeaks/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tbonespeaks

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tbonespeaks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tbonespeaks

Who is Dr. Tarun Agarwal?

Dr. Tarun Agarwal, DDS is considered one of the top dentists in the country. He is a recognized speaker, author, and dental leader. He has been featured on CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX, and News 14 Carolina. Dr. Agarwal has been awarded '40 under 40' Business Leaders by the Triangle Business Journal.

He is regularly invited to teach other dentists around the world and recently built a training center within the practice dedicated to sharing his expertise.

Most importantly he is a dedicated father of three wonderful children. His biggest accolade was being voted 'Best Dad in the World' by 2 of his 3 kids.

Do you ever feel like your dental practice is running at full capacity, but your bank account tells a different story? You're not alone—and more importantly, you’re not stuck. Many dentists fall into a cycle of high-effort, low-return, feeling like they’re working harder than ever but still struggling financially.

In this powerful episode of the Dentistry Made Simple podcast, Meredith and T-Bone tackle the four biggest “revenue killers” that prevent dental practices from reaching consistent six-figure months. They share real-world examples, practical scripts, mindset shifts, and laugh-out-loud role-plays that expose the habits and blind spots holding you back.

If you're tired of grinding and ready to actually grow, this episode is your roadmap to simpler systems, smarter leadership, and higher revenue—without burning out.

@01:46 – Not Having Enough New Patients

@03:18 – Making It Easier to Schedule

@07:40 – Not Charging Enough for Services

@13:46 – Not Doing Enough Per Patient

@19:20 – Not Closing the Treatment You Present

@24:43 – The Four Revenue Killers Recap & The 10% Better Strategy

Connect with Dr. Tarun Agarwal,DDS 

LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/tbonespeaks/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tbonespeaks

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tbonespeaks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tbonespeaks

Who is Dr. Tarun Agarwal?

Dr. Tarun Agarwal, DDS is considered one of the top dentists in the country. He is a recognized speaker, author, and dental leader. He has been featured on CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX, and News 14 Carolina. Dr. Agarwal has been awarded '40 under 40' Business Leaders by the Triangle Business Journal.

He is regularly invited to teach other dentists around the world and recently built a training center within the practice dedicated to sharing his expertise.

Most importantly he is a dedicated father of three wonderful children. His biggest accolade was being voted 'Best Dad in the World' by 2 of his 3 kids.

Do you keep hearing “I’ll think about it” from patients—and wonder what went wrong? The truth is, when patients stall, it’s not them. It’s you. This episode breaks down why treatment acceptance often stalls, what “I’ll think about it” really means, and the systems you need to replace polite rejections with confident yeses.

Join us as we expose the myth that dental case acceptance is about selling, and instead redefine it as leadership, clarity, and building trust. You’ll walk away understanding why confidence, conversation, and consistency—not complexity—are the true game-changers in your dental practice.

@01:12 – What “I’ll think about it” actually means

@04:12 – The moment patients start to check out mentally

@06:02 – Awareness tools and why photos matter

@08:54 – Urgency through scheduling structure

@14:00 – What to say when you hear “I’ll think about it”

@19:05 – How the 3D Mastermind solves these issues

Connect with Dr. Tarun Agarwal,DDS 

LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/tbonespeaks/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tbonespeaks

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tbonespeaks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tbonespeaks

Who is Dr. Tarun Agarwal?

Dr. Tarun Agarwal, DDS is considered one of the top dentists in the country. He is a recognized speaker, author, and dental leader. He has been featured on CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX, and News 14 Carolina. Dr. Agarwal has been awarded '40 under 40' Business Leaders by the Triangle Business Journal.

He is regularly invited to teach other dentists around the world and recently built a training center within the practice dedicated to sharing his expertise.

Most importantly he is a dedicated father of three wonderful children. His biggest accolade was being voted 'Best Dad in the World' by 2 of his 3 kids.

Have you ever walked past your front desk and thought, "That's not how I would have said that to a patient"? Yeah, me too. I used to get frustrated, but then I realized something important—it's not their fault. It's ours as leaders. If our team doesn’t speak with the same confidence and clarity we do, it’s because we haven’t taught them how.

In this episode, I’m walking you through how to build your Practice Language Playbook—a simple but powerful tool to make sure your entire team communicates with alignment, value, and clarity. When your assistant, front desk, and hygienist all speak the same language (yours), your patients trust you more—and they say yes more often.

I’ll also share some of the exact scripts we use, how we train our team through roleplay, and why your language is one of the most important parts of your leadership. If you want your practice to run smoother, this episode is for you.

Hit play now—and let’s align your team one phrase at a time.

Want to connect or give me feedback? DM me, email me, or text me—I’d love to hear from you.

Apply to the 3D Mastermind at 3D-dentist.com

@00:36 – Why dentistry feels complicated when it shouldn’t

@01:16 – The moment I realized my team didn’t sound like me

@04:01 – Five conversations you must script in your practice

@05:26 – Real-world phrases: Bad vs. Better communication

@07:04 – How we train our team monthly with roleplay

@09:05 – Why your team must understand why we say what we say

Connect with Dr. Tarun Agarwal,DDS 

LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/tbonespeaks/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tbonespeaks

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tbonespeaks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tbonespeaks

Who is Dr. Tarun Agarwal?

Dr. Tarun Agarwal, DDS is considered one of the top dentists in the country. He is a recognized speaker, author, and dental leader. He has been featured on CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX, and News 14 Carolina. Dr. Agarwal has been awarded '40 under 40' Business Leaders by the Triangle Business Journal.

He is regularly invited to teach other dentists around the world and recently built a training center within the practice dedicated to sharing his expertise.

Most importantly he is a dedicated father of three wonderful children. His biggest accolade was being voted 'Best Dad in the World' by 2 of his 3 kids.

Do you feel like the world of dentistry is shifting faster than you can keep up? Are the rising wages, dwindling hygiene staff, and growing influence of DSOs leaving you wondering what’s next for private practice?

In this episode, I sat down with my longtime friend and podcasting pioneer Dr. Alan Mead to unpack a critical and controversial topic that’s sweeping through the profession: “hygiene light.” We dove deep into the Nevada bill that's igniting fiery debates, explored how mid-level providers are reshaping the profession, and discussed how dentists can pivot, survive—and thrive—through these changes.

This episode isn’t just about what’s happening—it’s about how we can take control of our future. Whether you’re a seasoned dentist, a new grad, or a hygienist trying to navigate the chaos, this conversation will offer clarity, context, and a solid path forward.

Timestamps:

@05:20 – What's Actually Happening in Nevada

@09:30 – The Hygiene Pay Boom & Shrinking Labor Pool

@14:40 – The Medical Model is Coming to Dentistry

@19:21 – How I Pivoted My Practice Model

@24:51 – What Happens When Hygiene Light Becomes the Norm?

@34:53 – Why This Will Be a Net Positive for Dentistry

@47:14 – My Vision for Multi-Doctor, Lab-Integrated Practices

Connect with Dr. Tarun Agarwal,DDS 

LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/tbonespeaks/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tbonespeaks

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tbonespeaks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tbonespeaks

Who is Dr. Tarun Agarwal?

Dr. Tarun Agarwal, DDS is considered one of the top dentists in the country. He is a recognized speaker, author, and dental leader. He has been featured on CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX, and News 14 Carolina. Dr. Agarwal has been awarded '40 under 40' Business Leaders by the Triangle Business Journal.

He is regularly invited to teach other dentists around the world and recently built a training center within the practice dedicated to sharing his expertise.

Most importantly he is a dedicated father of three wonderful children. His biggest accolade was being voted 'Best Dad in the World' by 2 of his 3 kids.

Do you feel like the dental industry keeps getting more complicated, with more tech, more demands, and more chaos? You’re not alone—and this week’s episode delivers a refreshing return to simplicity, clarity, and strategy. 

After a six-month podcast hiatus, I’m back with a powerful solo episode unpacking the three key shifts that transformed his practice—and a timeless truth that still drives everything he does.

This episode is more than just an update. It’s a masterclass in how to realign your practice with intention, how to recognize patterns of dysfunction before they spiral, and how to lead your team with connection and clarity. Whether you're overwhelmed with new tech, struggling with team alignment, or just feeling off-rhythm—this is your reset button.

Hit play now to reignite your focus and reclaim simplicity in your dental practice.

Join the 3D Growth Club

If you're ready to grow your implant, ortho, or airway practice with a real community that gets the grind of private practice, download the 3D Dentist App and learn more about the Growth Club—monthly trainings, webinars, and real-world support.

️ Let’s Connect!

I’m challenging YOU to a 7-day reset. Send me one win and one struggle each day this week—just a quick DM—and I’ll personally reply to every single one. Let’s grow together, one step at a time.

Timestamps:

00:22 - The Return: Why T-Bone Took a Six-Month Break

01:45 - Shift #1: Patients Are Acting Like Consumers

03:27 - Shift #2: Your Team is the Wild Card

05:49 - Shift #3: Technology Without Strategy = Expense

08:54 - Timeless Truth: It’s Still About People

10:36 - Personal Reflection: Going Deeper, Not Faster

Connect with Dr. Tarun Agarwal,DDS 

LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/tbonespeaks/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tbonespeaks

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tbonespeaks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tbonespeaks

Who is Dr. Tarun Agarwal?

Dr. Tarun Agarwal, DDS is considered one of the top dentists in the country. He is a recognized speaker, author, and dental leader. He has been featured on CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX, and News 14 Carolina. Dr. Agarwal has been awarded '40 under 40' Business Leaders by the Triangle Business Journal.

He is regularly invited to teach other dentists around the world and recently built a training center within the practice dedicated to sharing his expertise.

Most importantly he is a dedicated father of three wonderful children. His biggest accolade was being voted 'Best Dad in the World' by 2 of his 3 kids.

In this episode of Dentistry Made Simple, T-Bone is joined by a guest from the Simplify Dentistry podcast for a heartfelt and eye-opening conversation about the evolution of modern dentistry. Together, they dive into how the industry has shifted from mom-and-pop practices to thriving businesses, and what that means for dentists today. They share real stories about navigating the challenges of DSOs, lessons learned from a certain aligner company, and the power of strategic growth when building—or selling—a practice. This isn’t just about dentistry; it’s about embracing change, finding opportunities, and redefining success in a rapidly evolving world. Plus, they offer practical tips you can apply tomorrow to take control of your future and make a lasting impact.

01:12 Dentistry Evolution (Growing and Selling the Practice)

11:40 Earning more with DSOs

16:23 Certain Aligner Company Story

25:03 Who is T-Bone?

36:33 Network Providers

43:17 Tips for others to Apply to their life tomorrow

Connect with Dr. Tarun Agarwal,DDS 

LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/tbonespeaks/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tbonespeaks

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tbonespeaks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tbonespeaks

Who is Dr. Tarun Agarwal?

Dr. Tarun Agarwal, DDS is considered one of the top dentists in the country. He is a recognized speaker, author, and dental leader. He has been featured on CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX, and News 14 Carolina. Dr. Agarwal has been awarded '40 under 40' Business Leaders by the Triangle Business Journal.

He is regularly invited to teach other dentists around the world and recently built a training center within the practice dedicated to sharing his expertise.

Most importantly he is a dedicated father of three wonderful children. His biggest accolade was being voted 'Best Dad in the World' by 2 of his 3 kids.

In this episode, Dr. Ahmad Al-Hassiny breaks down the game-changing role of digital scanners in modern dentistry. From CEREC and Trios to Medit, Dr. Al-Hassiny talks about how these tools are making single-visit treatments a breeze and improving everything from crowns to hygiene work. He also shares why scanners are now a must-have, especially for full-arch cases.

Next is the world of 3D printing and how it’s revolutionizing dental workflows. Dr. Al-Hassiny walks us through top printers like Formlabs, SprintRay, and Accurata, showing how they’re speeding up processes like surgical guides and full-arch prosthetics. But he also gives some solid advice on why you shouldn’t rush into printing permanent crowns just yet—there’s still a lot to consider.

Curious about Dr. Ahmad Al-Hassiny’s take on digital scanners? Check out his insights on the topic in his blog here: Institute of Digital Dentistry Blog.

@02:40 – Digital Scanners: What’s Hot in the Market Right Now

@07:50 – Which Digital Scanner Is Worth Your Investment?

@12:51 – Software & Fees: What You Need to Know

@29:18 – All About 3D Printing: The Basics

@37:44 – 3D Printing: How It’s Evolved Over the Years

Connect with Dr. Tarun Agarwal,DDS 

LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/tbonespeaks/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tbonespeaks

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tbonespeaks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tbonespeaks

Who is Dr. Tarun Agarwal?

Dr. Tarun Agarwal, DDS is considered one of the top dentists in the country. He is a recognized speaker, author, and dental leader. He has been featured on CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX, and News 14 Carolina. Dr. Agarwal has been awarded '40 under 40' Business Leaders by the Triangle Business Journal.

He is regularly invited to teach other dentists around the world and recently built a training center within the practice dedicated to sharing his expertise.

Most importantly he is a dedicated father of three wonderful children. His biggest accolade was being voted 'Best Dad in the World' by 2 of his 3 kids.