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In this powerful and purpose-driven episode, host Marc Wagner welcomes Wayne Rees, a long-time innovator in dental imaging and the driving force behind the VELscope oral cancer screening system. With over 35,000 units in operation globally, VELscope is transforming how dental practices detect early signs of oral cancer, dysplasia, bacterial load, periodontal disease, and even signs of sleep apnea—using a safe, blue light fluorescence system.

Wayne shares how his journey began over 35 years ago in imaging technology, leading to his current mission: helping clinicians catch disease early and save lives. From partnering with the BC Cancer Agency to collaborating with specialists like Dr. Samson Ng and Dr. Edmund Truelove, Wayne and his team have developed a next-generation VELscope featuring surgical white light, polarized light for clearer images, and seamless integration with mobile devices and second-opinion platforms like OralMedicine.com.

🔍 Key Topics Covered:

VELscope’s clinical evolution and why it’s more than just a cancer detector—it’s a visual guide to better diagnosis.
How the blue light fluorescence works by identifying non-fluorescent (dark) areas that may signal pathology.
Why annual oral cancer screening (or more for high-risk patients) is vital—and how most practices are still falling short.
The growing role of HPV (types 16 & 18) in oral cancer and how rising case numbers (60,000/year in North America) demand proactive care.

New use cases: VELscope for margin delineation during tumor removal surgery, confirmed by BC Cancer’s five-year, double-blinded study.

Real-world success stories where VELscope literally helped save lives—including cases where seasoned dentists discovered oral cancer in their patients for the first time.

The push toward AI-powered diagnostics, with collaborative efforts underway with University of Washington and BC Cancer Agency.

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In this episode, veteran guest Jim Doyle CFP, TEP, RRC, CLU, CIWM from IG Wealth Management returns to DentalBytes for his third appearance—and it’s a timely one. With interest rates climbing, inflation nibbling away at confidence, and many dentists juggling both personal and professional chaos, Jim brings a calming and practical voice to the conversation.

From defining real wealth (hint: it’s more than just a number) to avoiding FOMO in investment decisions, this candid discussion explores:

✅ The psychological side of financial planning
✅ Why “rules of thumb” can be risky for dentists
✅ How to approach retirement with clarity and confidence
✅ The power of diversification and professional collaboration
✅ What it really takes to feel rich in today’s climate

Whether you’re mapping your future, navigating rising costs, or just trying to figure out how to stay afloat this summer—this episode delivers the perspective you need.

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We’re joined by the brilliant Dr. Lovedeep Randhawa — dentist, educator, and lifelong learner — for a powerful conversation on the future of dentistry.

From Invisalign treatment planning to minimally invasive veneers, Dr. Randhawa shares why orthodontics is essential to great general dentistry and how digital tools like Itero & Lumina are transforming patient care.

🎙️ What you’ll hear in this episode:

✔️ Why malocclusion is rising in today’s patients
✔️ When wisdom teeth really need to come out
✔️ The art of minimally invasive dentistry
✔️ How digital workflows boost case acceptance
✔️ Dr. Randhawa’s candid take on burnout & balance

Her passion for teaching, travel, and innovation shines through — and this one is packed with insights for any dentist looking to stay ahead of the curve.

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“We’re doing too much—and not enough of the right things.”

In this episode of DentalBytes, I sit down with Nish Sampath—a fractional COO and business builder with a surgical mindset for strategy, structure, and scaling.

We get into:
🧠 Why most business problems are people problems
🛠️ How to simplify without sacrificing performance
💸 Why financial clarity is often the most neglected pillar
⚙️ How AI isn’t replacing us—it’s freeing us
🫂 Why community matters more than ever

Whether you’re scaling fast or stuck in the weeds, this one’s for you.

🎧 Tune in now.
#DentalBytes #FractionalCOO #BusinessStrategy #SwitchAdvisory #Leadership #AIinBusiness #Entrepreneurship #Podcast

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🔗 Guest Info

Nish Sampath
📍 Fractional COO, Co-Founder of Switch Advisory
💡 Helping companies find clarity, simplify execution, and scale with purpose
🌐 LinkedIn Profile

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Be Okay with Not Okay: The Lost Art of Being Human

You ever have one of those days where your brain’s running diagnostics, but all it returns is: “System Overwhelmed – Try Snacks or Existential Reflection”?

Yeah. Same.

In a world obsessed with optimization, perfection, and productivity, sometimes the most rebellious thing you can do is… absolutely nothing. Or better yet—feel something.

Here’s the truth:

✨ Some days, you’re not supposed to “crush it.”

✨ Some days, the win is brushing your teeth and sending one email.

✨ Some days, the only thing getting you through is a walk, a meme, or yelling “I’m fine!” into the void (with questionable conviction).

And you know what? That’s not weakness. That’s being gloriously, beautifully human.

The goal isn’t to always feel good—it’s to feel real.

To be okay with not being okay. To sit with it. To feel the fog and know the sun still exists behind it.

So today, instead of striving to be perfect… try being present.

Let the cracked parts of your day breathe a little. That’s where the light gets in anyway.

#BeHuman #EmbraceImperfection #DentalBytes #MentalHealth #ItsOkayToNotBeOkay #ExistentialSnackBreak #LetTheCracksBreathe #DentistsArePeopleToo

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“I didn’t build this for patients first—I built it for the team I want to grow with.” — Dr. Nicole Robbins

Dr. Nicole Robbins joins us this week with a raw, honest look at what it really takes to start your own dental practice.

🚧 Construction delays.
🤯 Adrenaline-fueled sleepless nights.
❤️ A vision rooted in purpose, not profit.

Nicole opens up about embracing the unknown, prioritizing quality over quantity, and building a space where both patients and future team members feel truly seen.

✨ This one’s for anyone starting something from scratch—with heart.

#DentalByte #WomenInDentistry #DentalStartupJourney #PracticeWithPurpose #SmileDesign#CosmeticDentistry #NewPracticeWhoDis #PatientFirstCare #DentalPodcast #StartUpStories

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🚨 Are you leaving hundreds of thousands on the table in your practice?

In this week’s episode of DentalBytes, Marc sits down with Mike and Danielle from PPS—the dental brokerage and consulting duo sounding the alarm on what most dentists don’t know before selling.

They break down:

🦷 The $300K hygiene gap

📉 The truth behind inflated patient numbers

📊 Why 95% of dentists are “flying blind” with no KPIs

💰 And how the $1,500 Preliminary Practice Assessment could be your biggest ROI this year

If you’re even thinking of transitioning—or just want to stop hemorrhaging profits—this is your episode.

#DentalBytes #DentalBusiness #DentalBrokerage #DentalPractice #PracticeGrowth #DentalConsulting #HygieneMatters #PEEPS #PracticeSale #DentalTransition #DentistLife #PracticeValuation #DentalHygieneROI

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In this deeply personal and powerful episode, Marc reconnects with Matt Bracegirdle from CareCru for a raw, unscripted conversation about the emotional toll of 2025—and how we show up for others while holding ourselves together.

Matt shares heartbreaking and courageous stories, including the recent, sudden loss of his father-in-law and the profound ways it’s impacted his family, his work, and his sense of self. From unexpected grief to professional resilience, this episode is a testament to the power of authenticity, emotional intelligence, and reflection.

They also explore:

•How grief challenges personal identity and long-term goals
•The healing power of being emotionally present
•Why CareCru’s automation tools are changing the game for dental practices
•The financial reality of neglected analytics and unscheduled treatment
•How real-time patient engagement equals real-world revenue

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🎙️ DentalBytes Podcast: The Art of Simplicity and Specialty with Dr. Gordon Chee

In this episode of DentalBytes, Marc Wagner sits down with Dr. Gordon Chee—Calgary-based cosmetic dentist, educator, and photography aficionado—to dive into the power of niche branding, intentional practice design, and mastering esthetic dentistry.

From humble beginnings to becoming one of Canada’s most respected names in smile makeovers, Dr. Chee shares:

•His journey to building a boutique, 100% esthetic-focused practice

•How photography became both a passion and cornerstone of clinical excellence

•Behind-the-scenes insights from his exclusive mentorship retreat with Spear Education

•The importance of simplifying complex concepts when educating

•The evolution of his live patient veneer and restorative courses

•How AI is beginning to shape diagnostics and communication in his workflow

This conversation is full of tactical pearls and heartfelt perspective—perfect for any dentist striving to craft a more intentional, values-driven career. Whether you’re a new grad or a seasoned pro, you’ll walk away inspired by Dr. Chee’s clarity, creativity, and commitment to excellence.

📸 Featured Topics:

•Crafting a niche esthetic brand without relying on promotions or gimmicks

•Why being different on purpose is your biggest advantage

•Mastering clinical photography for communication, self-reflection, and legal protection

•Why efficiency and quality must go hand-in-hand in CE courses

•Building a practice around your passion—not the market noise

🎓 Upcoming Courses with Dr. Chee (Dates in Show Notes):

•Live Patient Veneers (Calgary) – with Drs. Sunny Verdi & Paresh Shah

•Restorative Daily Dentistry (Calgary) – hosted at Orem

•Dental Photography (Calgary + Seattle Study Club, Denver)

📲 Follow Dr. Chee and check out his course lineup via the link in his Instagram bio.

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