The Journey from Engineering to Dentistry: An Inspiring Tale from Dr. Nate Lawson - Episode 54

 

I recently got a chance to sit down and talk about the profession and dental materials with the one and only Dr. Nate Lawson on The Technology Evangelist podcast.  If you are interested in dental materials, Nate is your guy.  There are some really smart  people in the industry and a lot of them work for manufacturers.  However, dentistry is a combination of art and science and we need objective scientists to evaluate materials who also understand clinical practice.  That's what makes Nate such a needed person in the profession.  He's a scientific researcher but also a clinician.  He brings an unbiased perspective into the world of dentistry.  Marketing in the industry is a necessary thing, but we also need the perspective of unbiased researchers who can put products under the microscope... sometimes literally.  Here's a quick rundown of our conversation.

In the ever-evolving world of dentistry, the stories of professionals and their journeys can be just as fascinating as the advancements in technology and materials. One such captivating tale is that of my friend, Dr. Nate Lawson, a distinguished faculty member at the University of Alabama Birmingham School of Dentistry. This post delves into Dr. Lawson's unique path from aspiring engineer to dentist and educator, shedding light on his passion for material science and the lessons he learned along the way.

Understanding the Origins: From Childhood Aspirations to Professional Realities

Dr. Lawson’s journey began at a surprisingly young age (which I love). Influenced by a family of dental professionals, he knew as early as six years old that he wanted to become a dentist. His aunt, a pediatric dentist, played a pivotal role in shaping his childhood dreams, providing him a glimpse into the dental world that many children never see. 

Despite his early determination, Dr. Lawson faced challenges along the way. He initially pursued engineering in college, motivated by a desire to avoid college foreign language requirements and inspired by his father, an engineer. However, after working as a dental assistant in his aunt’s office, he realized that his true calling lay within dentistry, particularly in the realm of material science. 

The Path to Dentistry: Overcoming Obstacles and Embracing Opportunities

Dr. Lawson’s academic journey was not without its hurdles. He faced significant challenges during dental school, often feeling like an underachiever compared to his peers. This experience led him to develop a profound empathy for students, prompting him to later become an educator who strives to make the dental school experience better for future generations. 

Following his graduation, Dr. Lawson found himself at a crossroads. After dropping out of a prosthodontics residency, he accepted a position with a Dental Service Organization (DSO) in Chicago. It was during this time that he received a call from his mentor, Dr. John Burgess, who invited him to return to Alabama to teach at the dental school. Although initially hesitant, Dr. Lawson seized the opportunity, which ultimately led to his pretty incredible career in academia. 

The Intersection of Technology and Material Science

Dr. Lawson's work is a perfect blend of technology and material science, focusing on how these elements can enhance dental practices. His research has contributed to advancements in dental materials, allowing practitioners to provide better and more predictable care to patients. He has a great way of translating complex scientific concepts into practical applications, which influences both dental students and practicing professionals.

The integration of material science into dentistry has been a game changer. As Dr. Lawson emphasizes, understanding the properties and behaviors of dental materials is crucial for effective treatment planning and execution. His passion for this field is evident in his teaching, where he encourages students to think critically and apply their knowledge creatively.

Key Takeaways from Dr. Lawson's Journey

• Follow Your Passions: Dr. Lawson’s story illustrates the importance of pursuing what you love. Despite detours and challenges, his commitment to dentistry ultimately led him to a an amazing career.
• Take Chances: Throughout his journey, Dr. Lawson took every chance to learn and grow, whether it was through hands-on experience as a dental assistant or engaging in research. This adaptability is crucial in any profession.
• Value of Mentorship: The support and guidance of mentors can profoundly impact one’s career trajectory. Dr. Lawson’s relationship with Dr. Burgess not only opened doors for him but also inspired him to give back by mentoring others.
• Contribute to the Field: As a researcher and educator, Dr. Lawson exemplifies how professionals can influence their fields positively. By sharing knowledge and advancing dental materials, he enhances doctor’s knowledge and ultimately benefits patients.

Wrapping Up

Dr. Nate Lawson's journey is a testament to the importance of passion, resilience, and the pursuit of knowledge in the field of dentistry. His story encourages aspiring dental professionals to embrace their unique paths and emphasizes the value of mentorship and collaboration in advancing the profession. As technology continues to evolve, the role of educators like Dr. Lawson will be vital in shaping the future of dentistry.  If you'd like to find every episode of The Technology Evangelist podcast, follow this link.  

Delta Dental of Rhode Island & Boston University Launch New Scholarship Program

 

Dentistry is a terrific career.  I've loved darn near every minute of my professional life.  I happen to be one of those odd individuals that always knew what I wanted to do when I grew up.  From the age of three, I wanted to be a dentist.  It's been the perfect place for me and it's also a profession that will always be in demand.  We *need* more dentists currently and we're seeing new dental schools built and brought online pretty often these days.  Unfortunately, the one drawback for people thinking of dentistry as a career is the incredibly high cost of a dental education.  While the income in dentistry is a nice benefit, many young doctors are saddled with heavy student loan debt.  Due to the high costs, a lot of young doctors won't be able to pay off those debts for decades.

The good news in today's post is, if you are a predoctoral student and looking at ways to potentially decrease debt load, Delta Dental of Rhode Island and Boston University have just announced a program that might be able to help.  Details from the recent announcement are below.

Delta Dental of Rhode Island and Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine today announced a new scholarship program aimed at building Rhode Island's dental workforce by supporting students who commit to launching and growing their careers in the state after graduation.

The Delta Dental of Rhode Island Scholars Program will be offered to eligible third- and fourth-year students pursuing their doctorates in dental medicine who commit to practicing in Rhode Island after earning their degrees. Delta Dental of Rhode Island Scholars must also agree to participate in Delta Dental of Rhode Island networks and annually provide at least 30 hours of community-based service in support of vulnerable individuals, families and communities across the state.

"As the nation continues to navigate healthcare workforce shortages, including in the dental sector, Delta Dental of Rhode Island has taken proactive steps to ensure our state remains an attractive place for dentists to build rewarding careers," said Joseph R. Perroni, President & CEO of Delta Dental of Rhode Island. "We are pleased to join with Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine to bring this new program to life, and we look forward to working with its graduates as they leverage their skills and training to improve access to dental care for all Rhode Islanders."

With a faculty of more than 230 educators, clinicians, and researchers, Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine offers pre- and postdoctoral programs to more than 800 students per year. Aspiring dentists and researchers receive a technologically advanced, personalized education and hands-on experience at the school's on-campus dental clinic, which sees more than 94,000 patient visits annually.

"At Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, the people we serve are at the heart of our mission," said Dr. Cataldo Leone, Dean and Spencer N. Frankl Professor in Dental Medicine at Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine. "This meaningful investment from Delta Dental of Rhode Island demonstrates leadership in recognizing and addressing Rhode Island's oral health needs. This scholarship empowers our students to focus fully on their education and their commitment to delivering high-quality, compassionate care—particularly in communities where access to dental care is most limited."

"This scholarship will strengthen Rhode Island's dental workforce by helping to build a pipeline of talented, compassionate providers and improving access to high-quality oral healthcare for communities across the state," said Dr. Joseph Calabrese, Associate Dean of Students at Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine.

This new scholarship program is part of Delta Dental of Rhode Island's longstanding commitment to both strengthening Rhode Island’s dental workforce and addressing barriers in access to care. In 2025, Delta Dental of Rhode Island created a statewide Dentist Loan Repayment Program, which awards up to $20,000 in student loan repayment assistance per year for up to three years to eligible early-career dentists who commit to practicing in Rhode Island. This program supported eight local dentists in 2025 and applications are being accepted for 2026.

Big Announcement! A New Chapter for AEGIS Dental Network

 

I'm happy to bring you today's post because I enjoy seeing my friends succeed.  However, this is an even bigger announcement for the dental industry.  For years AEGIS was one of the best known names in dental publishing.  A few years ago the company was acquired by BroadcastMed and integrated into their network, eventually that conglomerate was rebranded as Conexiant.  At that point AEGIS as a name no longer existed.

One of the best things about my role outside the clinical sphere, is the relationships I've been able to build with people in the non-clinical side  of the industry.  Over my years in dental publishing, I have worked with several of the people who ended up under the company name Conexiant and I count them as friends.  You'll read their new roles below.  The news I'm excited to deliver here is that my friends Noah, Eric, and Justin are back with AEGIS as a standalone company that focuses only on the dental market. These gentlemen know the dental industry inside and out.   

Starting on October 1 the dental industry is going to start seeing information from AEGIS Dental Network.  This new version of AEGIS is poised to do incredible things... and their only focus will be the world of dentistry.  That laser sharp, dental only, focus will be on the things that matter most to the industry I love.  So get ready to see the name AEGIS in the very near future.  Read on for all the details...

Experienced leadership team and continued Conexiant partnership position

AEGIS for its next chapter of growth, innovation and collaboration Dear AEGIS Customers, Advertisers, Contributors, and Industry Partners,

Today, we are excited to share an important new chapter for the AEGIS Dental Network.

Beginning on October 1, AEGIS will return as an independent, dedicated operating company focused exclusively on the dental market. AEGIS will be led by an experienced team with deep roots in dental publishing, education, content, marketing, and commercial strategy.

While our structure is changing, our commitment to you is not.

What This Means for You

• Your relationships continue. The people who know your businesses, brands, products, audiences, and programs will continue to be part of AEGIS.
• Our core brands continue. AEGIS will continue building on the strength of its established portfolio, including Compendium, Inside Dentistry, Inside Dental Hygiene, Inside Dental Technology, Inside Dental Assisting, and CDEWorld.
• Our programs continue. Existing advertising, content, education, editorial and marketing programs will continue through the transition, with the same focus on quality, service, and delivery.
• Our focus becomes sharper. As a dedicated dental organization, AEGIS will be able to make decisions, prioritize investments, and develop new opportunities specifically around the needs of the dental market.

The Future for AEGIS

We believe the opportunity ahead is particularly exciting because we are not starting over, we are accelerating forward.

A vital part of the dental industry since 2005, AEGIS continues to build with established brands, trusted professional audiences, longstanding industry relationships, and a team with significant experience in dental media and education.

AEGIS brings these assets together with a renewed focus and entrepreneurial approach.

Our team includes experienced professionals who have spent years working within the dental publishing industry. AEGIS is led and managed by:

• Eric Temple - VP, Commercial Activities & Strategy
• Justin Romano - VP, Operations, Content & Strategy
• Noah Levine - Editorial Director
• Seth Hauben - Investor and Ownership

Continued Conexiant Partnership

AEGIS will also maintain an ongoing partnership with Conexiant. Through a multi-year infrastructure service agreement, Conexiant will continue providing important technology infrastructure, commercial support operations, reporting, and analytics.

This partnership provides the continuity and resources that allow AGEIS to concentrate on what we do best: serving dental professionals and helping our industry partners connect with them.

What We See Ahead

We believe this new structure creates a tremendous opportunity for our customers, advertisers, contributors and partners.

It allows us to be:

• More focused on the dental industry.
• More responsive to our customers and partners.
• More entrepreneurial in developing new ideas and opportunities.
• More connected to the needs of dental professionals.
• More collaborative with the companies and organizations we serve.
• Most importantly, we remain committed to the relationships that have helped make AEGIS a recognized name in dental media, education, and marketing.

The name is returning. The team is here. The relationships continue. Our focus on dental is stronger than ever.

We look forward to building the next chapter of AEGIS together with you!

Sincerely,

The AEGIS Dental Network team - please reach out:

• Eric Temple, eric.temple@conexiant.com or (971) 645-6805

• Justin Romano, justin.romano@conexiant.com or (201) 306-7662

• Seth Hauben, (617) 694-8077

AEGIS Dental Network

275 Grove Street, Suite 2-400

Newton, Massachusetts 02466

https://www.linkedin.com/company/aegisdentalnetwork

The Technology Evangelist Podcast - Episode 57 Dr. Jen Derse

 

In this episode of the Technology Evangelist Podcast,  I got a chance to catch-up with Dr. Jen Derse.  She and I did a dive deep into own personal journeys to becoming dentists.  This one was really fun because Jen's got a great ability to tell stories.  They're filled with humor, unexpected twists, and life lessons.  I love talking with people who don't take themselves too seriously, but can communicate the challenges they've been through.  Jen is definitely one of those people.

I had seen Jen's name on the programs of several meetings, but I hadn't met her until a mutual friend invited us both to dinner last November at the Greater New York meeting.  Over dinner I was impressed with her warmth and her humor.  Fast forward to this June.  Jen and I had both been invited to attend VOCO's Global Clinician Symposium in Germany and we ended up sitting next to each other for the whole meeting.  At that point, I *knew* I had to have her on the podcast.

Jen kicked off her story with a crazy anecdote from her birth.   "Apparently when I was born, I was born a month early... My dad was a state patrol officer, and when he got the call, he flipped on the lights and started hauling ass down the highway... He hit a deer on the way!"

That story alone should give you a pretty good idea of how the episode goes.  That vivid tale sets the tone for a conversation that blends personal history with professional insights. Jen reflects on how life's urgency often turns out to be less critical than it seems — a message that resonates through her experiences.

Jen's career has a lot of twists and turns.  I think you'll enjoy giving this one a watch or listen.  If you'd like to subscibe to The Technology Evangelist Podcast (and I really hope you do!) here's a link to a page that will give you the episodes and all of the platforms where you can subscribe.

Patient Prism Publishes Executive Cast Study with Heartland Dental

 

Even with all the technology available today, one of the still primary ways that offices stay in contact with patients is through phone calls.  Of course, for many offices, the phone is a bit of a black hole.  Things such as who is the caller, what did they need, or was the phone even answered, are difficult for many practice owners to know.

However, technology does exist that can help with monitoring office phone lines 24/7.  Often a phone call can be the difference between a scheduled appointment and a lost opportunity.  Systems like Patient Prism can monitor phone calls and provide some vital answers as well as solid insights.

To try and help answer those questions, and many others, Heartland Dental turned to Patient Prism.  Here's a quote from a recent executive summary.

For years, Heartland Dental had visibility into the top of the funnel and almost nothing past it. Ring Central gave the Patient Service Center team good data on which calls came in and which went unanswered — that visibility was the original reason the Patient Service Center existed. But the path from a marketed phone number to a booked appointment was largely invisible.

Supported practices outside the Patient Service Center were answering only 60 to 70 percent of inbound calls. That is a structural problem at any scale, and a serious one when those practices are paying for local marketing that drives the phone to ring in the first place. Even when calls were answered, practice leadership had no reliable read on what was happening on them. Why were patients calling? What were team members saying? Where were bookings breaking down? At the office level, Heartland was effectively blind to providing data to and assisting its supported practices’ booking rate.

Marketing attribution was a separate fight. Calls could be tied to campaigns at the phone-number level, but matching a caller’s number back to a patient record to confirm the call became an appointment required manual data entry that was, in Pat Bauer’s words, a guessing game. Marketing dollars were scaling. The visibility was not.

The  executive summary is now online and provides some pretty interesting info.  If you are interested in seeing what Heartland Dental learned, here is the link.  Even solo practitioners can gain some great insights from systems like this, so I recommend giving it a read.  Fair warning, it will take you a few mintues, but it's worth it.  You may determine having an AI. phone system can be a real boost to your practice.

Happy Labor Day!

 

Happy Labor Day everyone!  It's a holiday here in the US.  I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable day off.  Here in the US, Labor Day normally signals the end of the summer season and the very beginning of autumn.  Neighborhood pools close and those children not yet back in school will head there this week.  Here in the KC area in the middle of the country, the weather isn't aware of the official summer ending declaration.  We're under an intense heat wave.  Yesterday my beloved Kansas City Royals announced that every game of their recent 10 game home stand was played with first pitch temperatures exceeding 95F at *every* game.

Hopefully things cool off soon.  I'm taking the day off today, but will return to normal posting tomorrow.  Enjoy your time off!

Could Rodin Chroma Flash Change Curing for 3D Printing?

 

A longer post today, because I'm going to do a bit of a deeper dive on the chemistry of 3D printing here.   Suffice it to say that the resins used in 3D printing are light cured liquid resins that are photopolymerized by high intensity light.  In basic terms a 3D printer uses very intense tiny, precise beams of light to strike the liquid resin in exactly the right spot to polymerize it.

The basic understanding of this is pretty easy for dentists to comprehend because we photopolymerize composites every day.  The wavelengths of printers are different, but the science is very close and I've always been grateful for that because it makes teaching about 3D printing easier.  

One of the things about light curing resins that all dentists are aware of is the presence of an "oxygen inhibition layer" (OIL) which happens during photopolymerization.  This happens because:

• Oxygen reacts with free radicals.
• This leaves a thin oxygen-inhibited layer on the surface.
• The result can be a tacky surface, lower surface hardness, and slightly reduced mechanical properties.

The same thing happens with resins in 3D printing.  The OIL makes the printed project feel a bit tacky even after final cure.  That layer can be removed during polishing, but it requires a bit of extra time because even smooth areas of the 3D printed project need to be polished.  Also, with clear projects like occlusal guards or clear ortho retainers it can lead to some discoloration over time.

Until now, there have been two ways to remove the OIL.  Complete polishing of the completed project to remove the OIL *or* complete the post-cure process in a unit that provides a "nitrogen only" environment.

Nitrogen curing units flood the post-curing chamber with pure nitrogen before curing.  The nitrogen is forced into the chamber, driving out all of the room air that contains  oxygen.  By curing without the presence of oxygen, the OIL does not form.

The biggest complaints about nitrogen curing have always been:

• Buying nitrogen tanks
• Maintaining regulators
• Replacing cylinders
• Or purchasing a nitrogen generator

While nitrogen post-cure units definitely work (and work well), most require a tank of nitrogen to be connected to them.  The tank of nitrogen needs to be purchased and connected.  There is also a need for a regulator to decrease the pressure from the nitrogen tank to the curing unit.  It's not a huge deal to handle and assemble, but it does make nitrogen post-curing a bit more of a hassle.  However, you can purchase a new system that can eliminate the need for nitrogen *and eliminate the OIL*  using only light.

That new device is the Rodin Chroma Flash.  The Chroma Flash handles things differently.  Traditional post-curing devices use high powered LEDs to bathe the project in light to complete the post-cure process.  The Chroma Flash uses high energy xenon flash lamps instead of conventional LEDs.  Those flashes produce an extremely intense, broad spectrum pulse of approximately 280-950nm.  Those flashes deliver tremendous light intensity which drives polymerization very rapidly and very deeply, producing excellent conversion without requiring a nitrogen purge.  The easiest way to think about it is that LEDs   deliver a lower intensity & longer exposure cure while the xenon flashlamps deliver extremely high intensity for milliseconds repeated many times.  That is one of the reasons that flash curing is very common in industrial photopolymerization applications.

The other way Rodin has approached this is with their resin chemistry.  Pac-Dent has also developed its materials and surface chemistry to work with this curing method.  That means that using Rodin resins with the Chroma Flash unit provides optimized resin chemistry, optimized photo initiators, extremely high-intensity xenon flashes, and carefully controlled cure cycles.  Putting all of these factors together makes the Chroma Flash the perfect post-cure unit for Pac-Dent's complete line of Rodin resins.

I'm pretty excited about this new device and I’m on the list to receive a unit as soon as the first ones are here in the US.  However, the proof is always going to be in the results.  Because of that I'm going to be doing a lot of tinkering and testing with this unit.  I'll report back here with my findings and let you know what my take is.  3D printing is making tremendous strides in a lot of areas.  Design, resin chemistry, and hardware are all seeing incredible progress.  In a few short years we've seen the concept go from "pretty cool" to "clinically relevant" and it only continues to grow.

My prediction is that in less than 5 years, delivery of a large percentage of clinical treatment will be done using things created by 3D printing.  In the adoption curve this tech has moved out of "Early Adopter" and has now moved into "Early Majority" and it is only going to keep growing.