If you’re worried that modern dentistry is trading principles for profit, you’re not alone. But today’s episode might just give you the confidence and clarity to do things differently.

Dentistry is changing—and not always for the better. In this compelling episode, Dr. Len Tau welcomes Dr. Ed Feinberg, a crown-and-bridge expert and educator with over four decades of hands-on clinical experience. Ed was mentored by his father, a pioneer in full-mouth reconstruction, and today he carries on that legacy by helping dental professionals understand why foundational skills still matter in an industry swept up by implants and fast fixes.

Together, they discuss how young dentists are being pulled into production-driven careers without the mentorship or mastery needed to truly thrive. Ed shares how practicing in both New York and Arizona shaped his philosophy—one grounded in long-term results, patient-first ethics, and clinical integrity. You’ll hear his unfiltered take on the overuse of implants, the dangers of piecemeal treatment, and how modern dental education is missing the mark.

More than a critique, this episode is a call to action. Whether you’re a seasoned dentist or just starting your career, you’ll walk away inspired to deepen your craft, lead your team with purpose, and maybe even mentor the next generation of dental professionals. Because as Ed says, success isn’t about being flashy—it’s about making a difference that lasts.

Here are just a few of the important and eye-opening topics we explored:

• Why foundational crown-and-bridge techniques still matter more than ever

• The long-term problems with piecemeal treatment planning

• How mentorship can change the trajectory of a young dentist’s career

• The risks of a production-first mindset in new graduates

• Building a practice through community involvement—not just advertising

• What true leadership in dentistry looks like

• Why implants aren’t the solution to every restorative case

• Ed’s unique insights from 70+ years of documented dental cases

—

00:49 Introduction and Event Announcement

03:11 Ed Feinberg's Unique Career Journey

12:10 Comprehensive Treatment Planning in Dentistry

12:49 Disturbing Trends in Modern Dentistry

21:35 Building a Successful Dental Practice

23:56 Leadership in Dentistry and Community Engagement

31:39 Rapid-Fire Questions and Closing Thoughts

—

Want to learn more about Ed’s restorative philosophy—or explore his extensive library of online dental courses?

• Visit: https://theonwardprogram.com/

• Check out his books on Amazon:

• • Open Wide

  • The Double Tilt Precision Attachment Case for Natural Teeth and Implants

Whether you're a new grad or a seasoned practitioner, Dr. Ed is passionate about helping dentists elevate their skills and serve their patients with integrity.

—

Learn proven dental marketing strategies and online reputation management techniques at DrLenTau.com.

This podcast is sponsored by Dental Intelligence. Learn more here.

This podcast is sponsored by The Doc Sites, the leading provider of websites and online marketing for dentists. Find out more here.

Raving Patients Podcast is your go-to place for the latest and best dental marketing strategies that will help you skyrocket your practice. Follow us for more!

Grief doesn’t wait for the perfect moment—and neither does oral cancer. In this powerful episode of the Raving Patients Podcast, Dr. Len Tau welcomes Dr. Parul Dua-Makkar to share how personal tragedy transformed her career and fueled a mission to save lives.

After losing her brother—also a dentist—to oral cancer at just 34, Parul now advocates for early diagnosis, clinical vigilance, and emotional healing within dentistry. This isn’t just a clinical conversation—it’s a raw, inspiring look at how loss can fuel purpose, and how every provider can be a part of the legacy of prevention.

You’ll also learn how grief doesn’t follow a linear path, the emotional complexity of legacy, and why speaking about difficult topics can be the most powerful way to connect and lead in the dental community. Dr. Parul reminds us all: life is short, but the impact you make can be lasting.

Some of the powerful insights from this episode include:

• Early detection saves lives: Persistent red or white lesions lasting more than two weeks must be evaluated—biopsies are non-negotiable.
  
  

• Technology is a tool, not a replacement: Light-based oral screening aids are helpful, but only biopsies offer definitive answers.
  
  

• Grief is complex—and valid: Whether from personal or professional loss, grief affects every part of your life and practice. Processing it is crucial to continue showing up fully.
  
  

• Legacy is not about length, but impact: What you leave behind—through your words, your work, or how you treat others—matters more than you know.
  
  

• Support and community are essential: Healing doesn't happen alone. Sharing stories helps others feel seen, heard, and less isolated in their struggles.
  
  

—

00:45 Introduction to Leaving a Legacy

03:26 The Impact of Oral Cancer

11:45 Grief and Its Many Forms

20:54 Understanding Legacy

24:23 Life Interrupted: A Book of Lessons

27:30 Speaking Out on Oral Cancer Awareness

30:53 Lightning Round Q&A

—

Website: www.parulduamakkar.com

Instagram: @duagoodjob

Coaching & Resources: duagoodjob.com

Explore her free grief and cancer support resources, check out her speaking topics, or grab a copy of her book "Life Interrupted: Dr. Dua’s Survival Guide" available on Amazon.

—

Learn proven dental marketing strategies and online reputation management techniques at DrLenTau.com.

This podcast is sponsored by Dental Intelligence. Learn more here.

This podcast is sponsored by The Doc Sites, the leading provider of websites and online marketing for dentists. Find out more here.

Raving Patients Podcast is your go-to place for the latest and best dental marketing strategies that will help you skyrocket your practice. Follow us for more!

If you're feeling overwhelmed trying to balance patient care while navigating all the buzz about AI in dentistry, you're not alone. But today's episode will help clear the confusion and show you how to use AI to your advantage—starting now.

To break it down, I’ve invited Conner Ludlow, founder of Annie, an AI platform that builds virtual front desk assistants for dental practices. With a background as a software engineer and tech leader, Conner knows exactly where AI is truly helpful—and where the hype gets a little too loud.

In this episode, we explore the real-world uses of AI for dentists today (without needing expensive software), what "AI hallucinations" mean for your practice, and how tools like Annie can stretch your operational dollars without replacing your team. It's a must-listen if you want practical strategies to make technology work for you—not against you.

• AI is a tool, not a silver bullet: It can boost efficiency but still needs human oversight to represent your practice properly.
  
  

• Real-world wins with AI: Practices can save time with AI-generated blogs, better market research, and virtual front desk agents like Annie.
  
  

• Customization is key: The most successful use of AI in a dental office feels personalized—not robotic—thanks to intentional setup and continuous fine-tuning.

—

Soundbites

"Our goal is not to replace humans, but to help offices stretch their operational dollars and make sure that they have backup and help to never miss opportunities and make sure that they're capturing all of their revenue potential."– Conner Ludlow

"AI is really just a new tool that can help practices and business owners and everybody be more effective in their job."– Conner Ludlow

"We tend to overestimate the effect of a technology in the short run and underestimate the effect of the technology in the long run."— Conner Ludlow

"Annie is not here to replace a full-time employee—it's a helper. When you bring it into your office, make sure your front desk team knows it’s there to make their job easier, not replace them. It’s about simplifying their work, not taking it away."-Dr. Len Tau

—

dental AI, dental marketing, front desk automation, dental practice growth, artificial intelligence in dentistry, dental staffing solutions, AI for dentists, AI overhype, Annie AI, dental office management, chatbot dentistry, ChatGPT dental uses

—

01:40 Introduction to AI in Dentistry

04:04 Understanding AI: Hype vs. Reality

07:03 Practical Applications of AI in Dental Practices

09:13 The Role of AI in Marketing and Content Creation

13:20 AI's Limitations and Challenges

17:04 The Future of AI in Dentistry

23:50 Annie: The AI Assistant for Dental Practices

31:06 Conclusion and Call to Action

—

Want to learn more about how Annie can help your dental practice thrive with AI?

✅ Visit helloannie.com to schedule a demo.

✅ Mention you heard about Annie on the Raving Patients Podcast to get an exclusive discount — half off your setup fee plus savings on your monthly dues!

✅ Explore Annie’s AI tools and see how you can streamline your front desk without replacing your valuable team.

Follow Conner and Annie for the latest updates:

🔹 Website: https://helloannie.com/

—

Learn proven dental marketing strategies and online reputation management techniques at DrLenTau.com.

This podcast is sponsored by Dental Intelligence. Learn more here.

This podcast is sponsored by The Doc Sites, the leading provider of websites and online marketing for dentists. Find out more here.

Raving Patients Podcast is your go-to place for the latest and best dental marketing strategies that will help you skyrocket your practice. Follow us for more!