From "Case of the Week" to AI-driven workflows, our guest Michael DiTolla, DDS, FAGD, discusses how technology, education, and digital dentistry have transformed the profession, and why the future belongs to dentists willing to relearn what they thought they knew.

(00:00) Opening and Introductions

(00:33) Ironman Races and Weight Loss Contests

(02:34) YouTube, Coffee Mugs, and Case of the Week

(03:41) Dentists Love Seeing Other Dentists' Work

(04:13) Megan's Co-Hosting and News Anchor Journey

(05:05) Speaking Engagements and Chairside Live

(06:12) Building a Dental YouTube Channel

(07:14) Global Impact of Dental Education Videos

(08:08) Reflecting on Career and Industry Impact

(09:01) Solving the Temporary Crown Problem

(10:09) Same-Day Dentistry and Workflow Changes

(11:16) Three-Day In-House Lab Turnaround

(12:02) Lab Delays and CAD/CAM Technology

(12:47) Over-Prepping Veneers and Dental Hell

(13:26) Buying a Practice and Focusing on What You Love

(14:13) Early Invisalign Experiences

(15:10) Smile Architect and No-Prep Veneers

(16:18) Conservative Dentistry and Patient Acceptance

(16:34) Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Life Changes

(17:45) Filming While Sick and Mill Enthusiasm

(18:03) Dentists Resisting Change and Technology

(19:14) Unlearning and Relearning in Dentistry

(20:10) Letting Go of Old Techniques

(21:26) Committing to Change at Dental Meetings

(22:02) AI and the Future of Dental Education

(22:48) Digital Hub: The Intraoral Scanner

(23:25) Patient Engagement and Wellness Scans

(25:06) Time-Lapse Scans and Long-Term Care

(26:14) Changing Patient Expectations

(26:34) Choosing the Right Scanner

(27:06) Patient-Facing Software and Technology Advances

(27:41) Jim Glidewell's Vision and Dental Innovation

(28:33) Building a Digital Practice Ecosystem

(29:36) IT Support and Practice Management

(30:20) Technology Adoption and Staff Support

(30:56) Early Digital Scanners and Practice Evolution

(31:52) Improving Clinical Outcomes with Digital Tools

(32:34) Relearning and Embracing Digital Dentistry

(33:05) Conservative Dentistry and Patient Reactions

(34:06) Changing Lives with Sleep Apnea Solutions

(35:10) TMJ Appliances and Product Trials

(36:33) Laughter, Gratitude, and Lasting Impressions

(37:07) Offering Hope and Connecting with Average Dentists

(38:14) Glidewell as the Lab for the Average Dentist

(39:13) Enjoying Dentistry and Avoiding Burnout

(40:02) Doing What You Love in Dentistry

(40:18) Mentoring and Hosting Dental Meetings

(41:10) Dreaming of a Glidewell Three-Day Event

(41:33) Hosting Meetings and Customer Connection

(42:07) Closing Remarks and Farewell

From private practice to becoming one of dentistry's most recognizable educators, Dr. Michael DiTolla shares how authenticity, curiosity, and a willingness to challenge convention helped shape his career and influence modern dentistry.

(00:00) Living With Sleep Apnea and Oral Appliance Therapy

(00:23) Welcome Back to Glidewell and Reflecting on Leaving

(01:14) Choosing Between Glidewell and Sirona

(02:25) Why Glidewell Always Felt Like Family

(03:06) The Birth of BruxZir and Early Zirconia Challenges

(04:11) The Monolithic Moment That Changed Restorative Dentistry

(05:10) When Zirconia Was Too Ugly to Sell

(06:38) From Ugly Duckling to Clinical Workhorse

(07:10) Seeing Glidewell as a Customer, Not an Insider

(07:30) Discovering Sleep Apnea Care in General Practice

(08:27) Glidewell's Evolution Into a Technology Leader

(09:00) How Marketing and Education Drove Industry Change

(10:09) The Power of the Sledgehammer Video

(11:16) Zirconia Filling the "Cast Gold Void"

(12:01) Technology's Role in Saving Marginal Preps

(12:51) Early Career Lessons and Bad Dental Habits

(13:27) The Hygiene Department and Early On‑Camera Dentistry

(14:04) The Hairpiece Story and Learning Authenticity

(17:27) Choosing Confidence and Being True to Yourself

(19:45) From Private Practice to Glidewell: The Origin Story

(21:07) Early Leadership, Performance, and the Need to Be Heard

(22:17) Why Dentistry Was the Chosen Path

(24:02) First Clinical Collaboration With Glidewell

(25:08) Why Every Dentist Should Work in a Lab

(26:27) Being Recruited Full‑Time by Jim Glidewell

(28:03) Creating Dental Education Before YouTube

(29:23) Learning From On‑Camera Clinical Mistakes

(30:21) Becoming an "Average Dentist" With Above‑Average Results

(31:46) Facing Tough Feedback From Technicians

(32:46) Searching for Better Prep Techniques

(33:18) Discovering the Reverse Preparation Technique

(34:35) The First Prep That Changed Everything

(36:04) Dental School, Talent, and Under‑Reduction

(37:57) Sharing a Technique That Changed Dental Education

(38:59) Digital Dentistry Ends Guesswork Forever

(40:12) Raising the Standard for Tooth Preparation

(40:26) Preview of the Next Episode

Dr. Cary LaCouture shares how embracing technology through Glidewell.io transformed not just his clinical process, but the entire patient experience. He explains how fully integrated digital workflows can create immediate value, reducing restorative time, improving efficiency, and giving clinicians more freedom to focus on patients rather than process.

(00:00) When Dentistry Changes a Life

(00:31) Welcome Back

(01:23) A Career Bridging Technology, Service, and Artistry

(01:34) Rapid Fire: Gratitude, Samoa, and Superpowers

(02:39) Being the First to Bet on New Dental Technology

(03:26) Trusting Glidewell and Embracing Innovation Early

(04:40) Leaving Old Systems Behind for Digital Workflow

(05:37) Technology as Freedom for Dentists and Teams

(06:09) Gaining Time Back With Same‑Day Digital Dentistry

(07:37) Staying Open During COVID and Serving the Community

(08:09) Overcoming Fear of Going Digital

(09:09) A Same‑Day Implant Story That Says It All

(10:06) Why Patients Expect Same‑Day Dentistry Now

(10:37) Convenience Without Up charging

(11:36) Humanitarian Missions

(12:33) Delivering Care Where None Exists

(13:25) Kenya and Building a Children's Cancer Hospital

(15:14) Why Western Samoa Left a Lasting Impression

(16:09) Dental Care as a Global Human Need

(16:23) Seeing Dentistry Through a Photographer's Eye

(17:03) Photography, Esthetics, and Facial Symmetry

(18:06) Leading by Example and Shared Expectations

(19:03) Advocating for Others and Developing Leaders

(20:16) Lightning Round: Life Outside Dentistry

(21:33) "Jump in the Beautiful Lake" Philosophy

(21:49) Recording Family Stories as a Lasting Legacy

(23:06) Closing Reflections and Gratitude

Dental school teaches you how to treat patients. It doesn't teach you how to lead, hire, or run a business. Dr. Galler gets into the real side of dentistry. He dives into what it takes to build a team, earn trust, handle rejection, and connect with people in a meaningful way. Because the hardest part of dentistry isn't always clinical.

(00:00) Previously on Lasting Impressions: The Scale of Impact

(00:36) Advice for Young Dentists Who Want to Lead

(01:39) How Dentists Can Truly Connect With Each Other

(02:25) Building Real Support Networks in Dentistry

(03:13) Why Being Heard Matters More Than Having Answers

(04:19) Dentistry as a Business Without Business Training

(04:48) Why Dental School Misses Leadership Skills

(05:51) The Coaching Industry and Its Pitfalls

(06:37) Accepting That You Don't Have to Be a "Perfect" Leader

(06:47) Loving the Work So Much It Doesn't Feel Like Work

(08:06) Preparing for a High‑Impact Leadership Keynote

(09:59) Addressing Anxiety, Burnout, and the Dentist's Mind

(11:29) The Hidden Mental Health Crisis in Dentistry

(12:43) Why Dentists Are Often Distrusted

(13:10) Media, Consumerism, and Dentistry's Image Problem

(15:16) Rejection, Insurance, and Daily Emotional Drain

(17:36) Cash‑Pay Dentistry and Systemic Pressures

(18:46) If You Could Start Over: Lessons Learned

(19:49) Lightning Round: Personal Insights

(23:03) Defining a Lasting Impression as a Leader

(24:22) Listening to Your People as a Leadership Superpower

(25:16) Closing Reflections and Episode Wrap‑Up

Dr. David Galler has spent his career proving that dentistry can be different, more digital, more human, and a lot less intimidating. In this episode of Lasting Impressions, he shares his personal journey, the community of dentists he's built, and the philosophy behind why humor matters just as much as clinical skill.

(00:00) Inside Joke Beginnings and Familiar Faces

(00:31) Welcome Back and Introducing Dr. David Galler

(01:28) A Big Resume: Invisalign, Education, and Impact

(02:38) From General Dentist to Clear Aligner Leader

(03:16) Right Place, Right Time: Invisalign in NYC

(04:36) Creating New Protocols When None Existed

(05:24) Teaching Dentists and Building a Community

(06:10) Still Practicing: Digital Dentistry Today

(06:34) Reimagining the Patient Experience Through Scanning

(07:58) Driving Industry Change Despite Resistance

(08:39) What Fuels the Passion to Educate Others

(09:49) Reaching Dentists Through Mindset, Not Slides

(11:18) Humor as a Tool for Connection and Learning

(12:10) Making Humor a Core Value in Education

(13:29) The Rise of the "Gallerites"

(14:24) Radical Mentorship: Never Leaving Dentists Alone

(15:44) Growing a Movement Beyond One Person

(16:40) Scaling Culture Through Shared Values

(17:38) Supporting Dentists as Humans, Not Numbers

(18:59) Why the Emotional Side of Dentistry Matters

(20:14) The Hidden Pressure Dentists Carry

(22:02) Dentistry as Medicine and Small Business

(23:15) The Never‑Ending Comparison Trap

(24:24) When Metrics Create Anxiety and Burnout

(25:38) How Software Changed the Psychology of Practice

(25:45) What's Next on Lasting Impressions

"Lasting Impressions" explores the real moments behind leadership, and the legacies people create. Moving beyond polished highlight reels, the series focuses on the experiences that define leaders across industries.

Each episode features conversations with founders, innovators, and change-makers who share the risks worth taking, the pivots no one saw coming, and the lessons you won't find in any handbook.

Stephenie Goddard, Glidewell CEO and host, asks the questions that get to the real story, uncovering the experiences that leave a lasting impression.

You can also watch "Lasting Impressions" on Glidewell TV: https://glidewelldental.com/company/tv

Jim Glidewell gives an inside look at what it takes to scale a successful business, the leadership mindset behind building a lasting legacy, and how digital transformation is reshaping the future of dentistry.

(00:00) Previously on Lasting Impressions: Learning From Big Mistakes

(00:30) Reaching the End of Constant Change

(01:05) Competition Versus Legacy

(02:12) Competing With Yourself to Innovate

(03:20) Early Influences That Shaped an Inventor's Mindset

(04:19) Lessons From a Father and a Stepfather

(06:21) Why Glidewell Shares Ideas With Competitors

(07:28) Building a Hybrid Dental Company

(07:59) Staying Friendly With the Competition

(08:25) The Rule of Six and 125

(09:36) Why Dentists Switch Labs—and How to Be Remembered

(10:29) Advertising, Visibility, and Subconscious Choice

(11:23) Sharing Knowledge to Elevate the Industry

(12:22) Measuring Success by People, Not Profits

(13:06) Glidewell's "Secret Sauce"

(14:22) Discovering the Power of Mail‑Order Dentistry

(15:14) FedEx, Scale, and Building a National Operation

(17:11) What Excites Jim About the Future of Dentistry

(18:10) Chairside Manufacturing and Digital Transformation

(19:24) The Reality of Robotics and Human Judgment

(21:11) Private Equity, Long Games, and Industry Impact

(22:23) Economic Cycles and Dental Demand

(23:15) The Next Wave of 3D Printing

(24:03) Defining Legacy Beyond Products

(24:54) Protecting Jobs and Building Stability

(26:10) Automation, Change, and Long‑Term Thinking

(27:23) Rejecting Short‑Term Exit Strategies

(28:56) Sears, Amazon, and the Cost of Not Changing

(30:00) Why Constant Change Sustains a 55‑Year Company

(31:18) Why Glidewell Won't Chase an Exit

(33:09) How Jim Wants Glidewell Remembered

(35:12) Legacy as Employee Security and Growth

(36:44) Reflecting on 55 Years—and Looking Ahead

(37:33) Closing Thanks and Future Conversations

With 18 practices under her leadership, Dr. Lan Chi Le discusses how she manages her US Dental Professionals company and what techniques she uses to keep growing. She reviews how to take risks, manage different seasons of business, balance home life, and keep a tech-forward approach.

(00:00) Advice to a Younger Self on Money and Risk

(00:34) Welcome Back and Introducing Dr. Lan Chi Le

(01:23) Clearing Up the 40 Under 40 Mix‑Up

(02:18) From Ten Practices to a Major Expansion

(03:16) Dental Roots and Family Influence

(04:27) Rebranding and Building a Dental Platform

(05:36) Creating a Management Group to Scale

(06:30) Evolving the Brand With Higher‑Level Dentistry

(07:02) How the Walmart Health Model Worked

(08:04) Going After the Opportunity at Walmart

(08:58) Proving the Model Inside Walmart Locations

(09:29) Expanding Across States and Managing from Afar

(10:22) Supporting Doctors Without Practicing Everywhere

(11:34) Managing the Transition to Rapid Growth

(12:21) Building Culture Across Multiple Locations

(13:14) Planning, Processes, and Accepting Imperfection

(13:22) Working With a Spouse as CTO

(14:16) Lessons Learned About Dental Technology Adoption

(16:02) Technology as the Practice's Competitive Edge

(16:28) Standardizing Technology Across All Offices

(17:10) Choosing the Right Tech Partners

(18:01) Why Support Matters More Than a Good Deal

(18:57) Knowing When You're Ready to Grow Again

(19:42) Lessons From the Walmart Expansion Journey

(21:10) Balancing Growth With Accessibility and Affordability

(23:16) The Lasting Impact of Guiding Leaders

(24:09) Taking Culture and Service Back Home

(27:31) Thinking Ahead to the Next 3–5 Years

(28:51) Advice for Dentists Stepping Into Leadership

(29:42) Financial Advice on Bootstrapping Growth

(30:22) Why Partners Came Later, Not First

(31:27) Staying Grounded During Intense Growth

(32:51) Rapid‑Fire Personal Questions

(34:38) A Leader Who Left a Lasting Impression

(35:42) Closing Reflections and Episode Wrap‑Up

Jim Glidewell reviews some of his "favorite mistakes" and how they evolved into some of the biggest successes for the company — and the dental industry at large. He discusses the benefits of assessing and taking risks while challenging the status quo.

(00:00) Golf Course Fear Versus Business Risk

(00:35) Welcome Back to Lasting Impressions

(02:01) How Glidewell Approaches Risk and Decision‑Making

(02:41) Favorite Mistakes and Lessons Learned

(03:02) The Art Glass Failure and What It Taught Us

(05:33) Why Glidewell Built Its Own R&D Department

(06:39) The Challenge of Scaling Innovation

(07:25) The $18 Million Scanning Investment That Didn't Work

(09:20) Turning a Major Loss Into Long‑Term Advantage

(10:29) Regaining Control Through Software and Systems

(11:23) Early Bets in Digital Dentistry and Scanning

(12:22) Never Betting the Company on One Idea

(12:47) Jim's Framework for Assessing Risk

(13:40) Strategic Overpaying and Real Estate Control

(15:17) Why Business Decisions Feel Less Scary Than Golf

(15:52) The "Mad Scientist" Engineering Mindset

(16:57) Learning From Manufacturing and Non‑Dental Trade Shows

(17:50) Time Compression and Pushing Engineers Further

(18:58) The Early Failures Behind Boxer

(19:21) Why Persistence Beats the Status Quo

(20:16) How Zirconia Finally Took Off

(21:24) The One Thing Dentists Still Hate About Zirconia

(22:16) Being Humble and Bold at the Same Time

(22:48) One Piece of Advice for Anyone Feeling Stuck

(24:14) Closing Thoughts on Listening, Learning, and Growth

Alumni from five cohorts reunite to share the personal impact of Glidewell's business and leadership development program for dentists.

(00:00) Setting Boundaries as a Leader

(00:35) Welcome Back and the Power of Guiding Leaders

(01:00) Redefining Success Beyond Money

(01:59) Leadership Through Relationships and Care

(03:48) Showing Up for Your Team in Times of Crisis

(04:00) Finding the Courage to Share Your Story

(04:58) Building Healthy Boundaries in Leadership

(06:10) Reducing Anxiety Through Clear Expectations

(07:12) Expectations Versus Reality of Guiding Leaders

(07:46) From First Cohort to Lifelong Impact

(08:32) Professional Growth Turns Personal

(09:10) Learning Leadership After Decades in Practice

(10:08) Discovering the Need for Community

(11:15) Why Dentists Need to "Complain Sideways"

(12:22) Building a Network That Truly Supports

(13:10) Why Leadership Moments Shape Us

(13:51) "It's All About the Relationship"

(14:24) Making Life and Leadership Meaningful

(14:46) Owning Your Story and Creating a Legacy

(15:50) The Power of Community in Crisis

(16:34) Get Out of Your Comfort Zone

(17:26) People and Relationships as the Ultimate Legacy

(18:16) Looking Ahead to the Future of Guiding Leaders