The Dental Head Start Podcast The Unseen Curriculum #5 – How to build mental resilience as a dental student with Dr Rebecca Smith
Hosted by Dr Michael Shambira
What does it take to have two babies, work as a nurse, survive dental school, AND come out smiling? Dr. Rebecca Smith shows us that resilience isn’t about being tough – it’s about grace under pressure.
In this powerful series finale, we dive deep into the real meaning of resilience with Dr. Rebecca Smith, who walked one of the most challenging journeys through dental school imaginable. From fertility struggles and miscarriage to clinical mishaps and balancing motherhood with study, Rebecca shares the raw truth about bouncing back when life gets overwhelming.
What You’ll Learn:
- Practical strategies for building resilience in dentistry and life
- How to reset after difficult clinical days (like perforating during your first endo case!)
- The power of meditation and mindfulness for managing stress
- Why having something outside dentistry is non-negotiable
- How to prioritize when everything feels urgent
- Building a support network that actually works
Whether you’re a student drowning in wire-bending practice or a new grad navigating your first major clinical mistake, this conversation will remind you that pressure isn’t the enemy – it’s the training ground.
Ready to discover the unseen curriculum? Listen now and join the conversation by sharing your own dental school experiences in the comments below!
Key Moments
00:00 – Introduction and Topic Overview
02:15 – Meet Dr. Beck Smith
05:30 – From Nursing to Dentistry Journey
09:45 – Navigating Miscarriage During Dental School
14:20 – Finding Strength Through Support Systems
17:40 – Becoming a Mom in Dental School
21:15 – Clinical Challenges and Root Canal Story
25:30 – Building Resilience Through Meditation
28:00 – Final Thoughts and Series Wrap-Up
Dr Rebecca Smith
Dr Rebecca Smith is a 2025 graduate of Charles Sturt University whose journey through dental school is one of the most powerful demonstrations of resilience you will ever hear. During her degree, Bec welcomed two beautiful babies, continued working as an Enrolled Nurse, and walked through the heartbreak of a miscarriage — all while staying committed to her studies and the people around her.
Despite the weight she carried, Bec remained one of the most positive, grounded, and people-centred individuals in her cohort. She brings a warmth and joy that’s infectious, and her ability to navigate pressure with grace has shaped her into both a remarkable mother and a deeply capable clinician.
Now stepping into practice as a new graduate, Bec is a living example that strength isn’t about having an easy journey — it’s about how you rise in the difficult ones. Her story offers powerful insight for any student or practitioner who has ever doubted themselves, struggled through setbacks, or needed reassurance that they are not alone
Thank you to our sponsors…
Dental Protection Limited
Dental Protection have proudly been supporting the Dental Head Start podcast since day one! The Dental Protection team understands the ever-changing challenges faced by dental professionals and we take our responsibility to members seriously. Our professional protection package helps you practise with confidence, safe in the knowledge that we are always by your side if things go wrong. With over 40 years protecting Australian dental professionals, we have the global stability and financial resilience to be by you
Dental Advice Network
This episode of the Dental Head Start Podcast is proudly supported by Dental Advice Network.
Whether you’re one year out or forty, we all have clinical questions—and it’s OK not to have all the answers. That’s exactly why the Dental Advice Network exists. With leading experts like Dr Omar Ikram (Endodontist), Dr Amanda Phoon Nguyen (Oral Medicine Specialist), Dr Steven Parker (Dental Sedationist), Dr Manu Ayer (Specialist Anaesthetist), Professor Ian Myers (Restorative expert), Dr Kar Mun Chan (Specialist Paediatric Dentist) and Associate Professor Geraldine Moses (Dental Therapeutics and Pharmacology expert), it’s your go-to place for clinical advice, case support, and evidence-based insights.
From medication queries to red flags in oral pathology—or even just a second opinion—Dental Advice Network connects you to trusted voices in dentistry and medicine, including an in-house medical doctor. You’ll also get access to clinical webinars, CPD content, and curated updates to stay ahead in your practice.
It’s peace of mind, peer support, and education—all in one place.
And for Dental Head Start listeners, we’ve teamed up with Dental Advice Network to bring you an exclusive 10% discount when you subscribe. Just use the code HEADSTART10 at checkout. Plus—if you’re a first-year graduate, you already get a massive 50% off.
Check them out at dentaladvicenetwork.com.au, and t
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