The Dental Head Start Podcast

Hosted by Michael Shambira Ever wondered how others make dental school look easy while you’re struggling to stay afloat? You’re not alone. In this powerful episode of the Dental Head Start Podcast, final-year student Michael Shambira and Dr. Ricky Wasef dive into the hidden aspects of dental education that no one teaches but everyone experiences. Learn how to: Navigate the challenges of dental school while staying true to yourself Build resilience through difficult clinical experiences Develop effective communication skills that create trust with patients Balance professional expectations with personal growth Find your unique strengths instead of comparing yourself to others This candid conversation reveals that dental school tests more than just your clinical skills – it challenges your identity. Through burnout, failures, and self-doubt, Michael and Ricky share how authenticity and vulnerability become your greatest strengths. Whether you’re feeling exhausted, ambitious, or somewhere in between, this episode offers practical wisdom for your dental journey from those who’ve walked the path. 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 to the Unseen Curriculum 02:30 – Meet Dr. Ricky Wasef 05:15 – Transitioning from High School to University 08:23 – Finding Identity Through Change 11:47 – Building Resilience in Dental School 15:30 – Overcoming Comparison with Peers 19:48 – The Power of Vulnerability and Connection 23:40 – Communication as a Clinical Strength 27:13 – Building Patient Trust and Rapport 30:45 – Effective Patient Communication Strategies 34:22 – Managing Personal Expectations 38:10 – Developing Clinical Skills Methodically 41:05 – Three Do’s of Dental School 44:18 – Three Don’ts for Dental Students 47:30 – Finding Self-Acceptance and Respect 50:35 – Final Reflections and Closing Thought Dr Ricky Wasef 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 den The post The Unseen Curriculum series #1 – Navigating Dental School’s Hidden Lessons appeared first on Dental Head Start.

Hey and welcome back to the Dental Head Start podcast — where we’re all about helping dental students become great dentists. In this special series, we’re replaying some of our most-listened-to episodes — the ones that resonated most with you, our amazing community. Whether it’s clinical tips, career guidance, or inspiring stories from dentists who’ve been right where you are, these episodes have made a real impact. So if you’re new here, this is the perfect way to catch up on our biggest hits. And if you’ve been with us for a while, you might just pick up something new the second time around. Don’t forget to subscribe, share your favourite episode with a friend, and follow us on socials to stay up to date with new releases. Every listen helps us grow and support even more future dentists like you. If you’re a new grad or student, chances are endo has felt a little… intimidating. It’s one of those areas that can feel more like an art than a science, especially when you’re still building experience. In this popular episode, we’re joined by none other than Dr Omar Ikram — a name you’ve likely seen pop up in your social feeds. Dr Ikram is a Specialist Endodontist, practice owner, hospital clinician, and an absolute force when it comes to online education in dentistry. Whether you’re struggling with confidence or just want to pick up a few expert pearls, this episode is packed with insight, honesty, and reassurance. See more information about Dr Ikram episode here – https://www.dentalheadstart.com/9-omar-ikram/ Key moments 0:10:40 Omar discusses how he got into dentistry, initially being unsure about getting into dental school 0:14:53 Omar talks about his interest in endodontics during dental school 0:19:17 A pivotal moment where a colleague suggests taking time to do quality endodontic work 0:23:34 Discussion of his specialist training at King’s College in London 0:29:12 How he set up his practice in Sydney after graduating 0:43:40 Discussion about common mistakes new graduates make in endodontics 0:58:03 Detailed explanation about root canal irrigation techniques 1:01:30 Advice on finding MB2 canals and when to refer complex cases 1:08:45 Omar discusses future plans for courses and educational content 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 thank you to Dental Advice Network for supporting the next generation of dental professionals and the Dental Head Start podcast. The post Most played episodes series #1 – Endodontics and sharing knowledge with Dr Omar Ikram appeared first on Dental Head Start.

Hosted by Dr David Keir Are you spending thousands on CPD but not seeing the ROI you hoped for? You’re not alone! Discover how to transform your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) journey from a costly obligation into a rewarding investment. Welcome to The Dental Mentoring Series, the series dedicated to helping dental graduates thrive in their careers. In this episode, Dr. David Kier shares his hard-earned wisdom from investing hundreds of thousands in professional development, revealing: How to create a strategic learning plan aligned with your career goals Why choosing the right courses at the right time is crucial for ROI Practical preparation techniques to maximize knowledge retention The overlooked networking opportunities that can transform your practice Implementation strategies to ensure you actually use what you’ve learned Investing in the right CPD courses can make a significant difference in your career. With these actionable tips, you’ll not only enhance your skills but also ensure your hard-earned money is well-spent. Whether you’re a new graduate or seasoned practitioner, these insights will help you build a more fulfilling career while making every CPD dollar count Key moments 00:00 – Introduction to CPD Importance 02:20 – Planning Your CPD Journey 05:37 – Choosing Relevant Courses 11:37 – Practice Support and Mentorship 14:06 – Preparing for Maximum Learning 17:25 – Implementing New Knowledge 19:37 – Final Thoughts and Next Episode 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 thank you to Dental Advice Network for supporting the next generation of dental professionals and the Dental Head Start podcast. The post Dental Mentoring Series #4 – Stop Wasting Money on CPD: Make Every Course Count appeared first on Dental Head Start.

Hosted by @dr.haydynbathurst This is the second episode with Dr Martin Gale specialist endodontist talking about artificial intelligence and dentistry. You can find the first episode in the previous podcast links. It’s well worth a listen because it covers the context by explaining the history of AI before we get into the ethics of AI. In this second episode, we will be covering how AI might disrupt patient care the business of dentistry, who controls the patient journey, and how manpower and the employment may change. This is particularly relevant for young, early career dentists. So listen in. Please sit back and enjoy Key moments 0:03:53 – Discussion of complex ethical considerations with 12 different consent and treatment scenarios 0:11:57 – Start of discussion about corporations collecting health data and potential disruption of dental practice 0:16:51 – Detailed explanation of how big tech companies might take over patient diagnosis and treatment planning 0:22:08 – Warning about commercial interests and the risk of mediocrity in AI healthcare solutions 0:24:16 – Concerns about losing patient-centered care and professional autonomy 0:27:37 – Comparison of AI development to historical technological disruptions like early automobile regulations 0:30:55 – Final warning about the “Kodak moment” for dentists who don’t adapt to AI technologies Dr Martin Gale Dr Gale is a specialist Endodontist from Melbourne. He has research interests in artificial intelligence for dentistry, in particular for endodontic diagnosis. He is also a keen advocate for appropriate CBCT use in endodontics. He mentors for the University of Melbourne and the Australian Dental Association Victorian Branch. In addition, Martin sits on various committees for the Australian Society of Endodontology Victorian Branch, Australian Dental Association Local Groups, and at the federal level of the Australian Dental Association. He is also a member for Standards Australia and theInternational Standards Organisation Dental TC106 committee. Thank you to our sponsors of this episode… 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 thank you to Dental Advice Network for supporting the next generation of dental professionals and the Dental Head Start podcast. The post Tip #149 – The AI Dentist: Who Controls the Patient Journey? with Dr. Martin Gale appeared first on Dental Head Start.

Hosted by @dr.haydynbathurst Hello everyone and welcome again to “What I wish I knew”, the dental headstart series where we give you little tips and tricks to help you get ahead in dentistry.In this episode today I am talking with specialist endodontist Dr Martin Gale. As new general dentists, patients come to us with often complex problems, and we are sometimes under a lot of stress to find the correct diagnosis. If we can’t figure it out, and particularly if the patient is in pain, then referral to our local endodontist is the next step. We just hope that they can make that correct diagnosis and solve the problem. But what if we have not made the right decision to refer, and in fact our patient does not need to see an endodontist. This may waste the patient’s and the endodontist’s time. Or perhaps of more concern, we decide not to refer a patient, and they then don’t get their disease treated! Is there any way we can get some help to make the right decision, ondeciding the diagnosis, and on whether to refer a patient? I had the pleasure of seeing one of Dr Martin Gale’s lectures on dental artificial intelligence last year, and it seems that AI might be a possible help for making thosedifficult diagnostic decisions. We’ve discussed AI on the podcast before but this technology is rapidly changing, so it’s due for another episode. And Dr Gale is the man when it comes to implementation of AI into dentistry, in particular into endodontics. He has been researching dental AI since 2005 and has developed a working app for endodontic diagnosis since 2017. In this first episode, he’ll take us through the development of AI and its practical uses in dentistry, including in endodontics. In the second episode (coming soon) we will explore the responsibility dentists have in implementing this powerful technology, and raise awareness about how AI may disrupt the dental industry in the coming decades. I think you’ll enjoy it! Key moments 0:04:31 First medical AI software developed in 1972 0:08:14 Explanation of convolutional neural networks (CNN) 0:11:14 Introduction of transformers by Google in 2017 0:15:36 Discussion on image recognition in dental radiographs 0:21:31 Dr. Martin Gale’s personal research on endodontic AI diagnosis 0:26:51 Reveal of his neural network’s 94-95% accuracy rate 0:29:35 Importance of accurate data collection in diagnostics 0:34:58 Explanation of AI’s real market (large organizations, insurers) vs individual dentists These timestamps highlight the progression of the discussion from AI’s history to its specific applications in dentistry. Dr Martin Gale Dr Gale is a specialist Endodontist from Melbourne. He has research interests in artificial intelligence for dentistry, in particular for endodontic diagnosis. He is also a keen advocate for appropriate CBCT use in endodontics. He mentors for the University of Melbourne and the Australian Dental Association Victorian Branch. In addition, Martin sits on various committees for the Australian Society of Endodontology Victorian Branch, Australian Dental Association Local Groups, and at the federal level of the Australian Dental Association. He is also a member for Standards Australia and theInternational Standards Organisation Dental TC106 committee. Thank you to our sponsors of this episode… 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 thank you to Dental Advice Network for supporting the next generation of dental professionals and the Dental Head Start podcast. The post Tip #148 – Imaging: AI Revolutionizing Diagnosis and Image Recognition with Dr. Martin Gale appeared first on Dental Head Start.

Hosted by Dr David Keir Everyone’s talking about it. Everybody wants a mentor. That’s what they’re looking for when they graduate. Who’s your mentor, and are you putting the effort in? This is the dental mentoring sessions podcast by dental Head Start, real world mentoring every fortnight. I’m Dr David Keir, a practice owner, mentor and someone who’s been exactly where you are. The goal of this podcast is to share real world lessons I’ve learned and discussions I’ve had while mentoring my team, but why keep that behind closed doors? We want to help dental students and graduates become great dentists. So we’re turning what we do week in week out into a fortnightly podcast for you all to benefit from. But I don’t claim to know it all. Everything I share comes from years of absorbing information, making mistakes and being mentored by some of the best in the field, and I’ll try to reference those great mentors along the way. If you’re a young dentist wanting to grow and you’re putting the work in, then this is for you. In this episode of the Dental Mentoring Series, I chat about the tricky topic of dental costs and how to talk about them with patients. I share why it’s so important to really understand your own pricing and how to explain it clearly—especially when patients push back or say, “That’s too expensive!” I also walk through a four-step approach I use to handle those kinds of conversations: acknowledge their concern, explain the why, offer some options, and give them the space to decide without any pressure. It’s all about building trust and understanding what’s really behind the objections. Key moments 01:25 The Importance of Communication in Dentistry 07:05 Managing Patient Objections 14:27 The Four-Step Process for Handling Objections 24:00 Identifying Underlying Concerns in Patient Objections Thank you to our sponsors of this episode… 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 your side for a lifetime of support, even in the most uncertain times. Dental Protection membership is free for students and new graduates and includes access to professional indemnity, support and advice when you need it, free CPD and a whole lot more.  Join today at https://www.dentalprotection.org/australia/join 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 thank you to Dental Advice Network for supporting the next generation of dental professionals and the Dental Head Start podcast. Dental Practitioner Support  Dental Practitioner Support is Australia’s first national 24/7 telephone and online service dedicated to supporting the health and wellbeing of everyone in the dental field. Whether you’re just starting your career or have years of experience, this free, confidential, and independent service is here to guide and reassure you through any challenges you face. From mental and physical health to workplace concerns and general wellbeing, their experienced team is ready to provide tailored advice whenever you need it. Save their number—1800 377 700—or visit www.dpsupport.org.au The post Dental Mentoring Series #3 – Why is it so expensive? Handling objections appeared first on Dental Head Start.

Hosted by Dr David Keir Everyone’s talking about it. Everybody wants a mentor. That’s what they’re looking for when they graduate. Who’s your mentor, and are you putting the effort in? This is the dental mentoring sessions podcast by dental Head Start, real world mentoring every fortnight. I’m Dr David Keir, a practice owner, mentor and someone who’s been exactly where you are. The goal of this podcast is to share real world lessons I’ve learned and discussions I’ve had while mentoring my team, but why keep that behind closed doors? We want to help dental students and graduates become great dentists. So we’re turning what we do week in week out into a fortnightly podcast for you all to benefit from. But I don’t claim to know it all. Everything I share comes from years of absorbing information, making mistakes and being mentored by some of the best in the field, and I’ll try to reference those great mentors along the way. If you’re a young dentist wanting to grow and you’re putting the work in, then this is for you. In this episode of the Dental Mentoring Series, we dive deep into one of the most critical yet often overlooked aspects of dental treatment: local anaesthesia. As dentists, we know our technical skills matter, but patients primarily remember how we made them feel. I’ll share practical techniques to make local anaesthesia more comfortable, discuss strategies for managing patient anxiety, and provide insights that can transform your approach to this fundamental dental procedure. Whether you’re a dental student or a young practitioner, these tips will help you create a more positive patient experience Key moments 0:07:18 – Importance of doing anaesthesia correctly the first time 0:11:22 – Techniques for managing anxious patients, especially children 0:15:22 – Advanced anaesthesia techniques (intraosseous, intraligamentary) 0:17:45 – Discussion on how infection affects local anesthesia effectiveness 0:18:30 – Closing remarks on patient perception and communication 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 your side for a lifetime of support, even in the most uncertain times. Dental Protection membership is free for students and new graduates and includes access to professional indemnity, support and advice when you need it, free CPD and a whole lot more.  Join today at https://www.dentalprotection.org/australia/join The post Dental Mentoring Series #2 – Mastering Local Anaesthesia: Patient Comfort and Technique appeared first on Dental Head Start.

Hosted by Dr David Keir Everyone’s talking about it. Everybody wants a mentor. That’s what they’re looking for when they graduate. Who’s your mentor, and are you putting the effort in? This is the dental mentoring sessions podcast by dental Head Start, real world mentoring every fortnight. I’m Dr David Keir, a practice owner, mentor and someone who’s been exactly where you are. The goal of this podcast is to share real world lessons I’ve learned and discussions I’ve had while mentoring my team, but why keep that behind closed doors? We want to help dental students and graduates become great dentists. So we’re turning what we do week in week out into a fortnightly podcast for you all to benefit from. But I don’t claim to know it all. Everything I share comes from years of absorbing information, making mistakes and being mentored by some of the best in the field, and I’ll try to reference those great mentors along the way. If you’re a young dentist wanting to grow and you’re putting the work in, then this is for you. Key moments 0:02:30 – Definition of a mentor: “Someone who supports you along the path you’re already going on” 0:04:00 – How to find a mentor: networking, reaching out, being humble 0:05:20 – Sponsor mention (Dental Protection Limited) 0:06:00 – First key lesson: “The buck stops with you” – taking responsibility for your own growth 0:07:30 – Importance of consistent effort in growth 0:08:30 – Advice on preparing before asking a mentor for help 0:10:01 – Don’t reinvent the wheel immediately, learn fundamentals first 0:12:00 – Importance of thinking critically and not blindly following advice 0:13:30 – Finding a mentor who aligns with your values 0:17:30 – Stay coachable and maintain a humble, open-minded approach 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 your side for a lifetime of support, even in the most uncertain times. Dental Protection membership is free for students and new graduates and includes access to professional indemnity, support and advice when you need it, free CPD and a whole lot more.  Join today at https://www.dentalprotection.org/australia/join The post Dental Mentoring Series #1 – Navigating Your Dental Career Success appeared first on Dental Head Start.

@dr.haydynbathurst Welcome back Dental Head Start listeners! we’re on part two now of our communication series with @drpeterdayman. If you haven’t listened to the first episode, please go back and listen to that one. This episode, in particular, dives into how we can talk to patients about what we can restore and what we can’t restore. Again, if you’re just graduating, this will be extremely helpful for you to be able to communicate well with your patients. Warning, this episode is not G rated, and there are a few expletives. Got you interested. Let’s go! Key moments 0:01:02 Handling Patient Cost Concerns 0:06:31 Addressing Previous Dental Work 0:10:57 Patient Diet and Oral Hygiene 0:15:36 Treatment Planning Approach 0:16:31 Advice for Dental Students and Recent Graduates 0:20:57 Professional Development Dr Peter Dayman Dr Peter Dayman is a dentist in Potts Point that has been working for 30 years. Peter is an experienced and passionate dentist who has spent his career educating other dentists and educating himself in the art and science of his profession. Dr Dayman is heavily involved with CEREC and over the last decade has taught hundreds of dentists in the use of the same day restorative system. He achieved a clinical diploma in orthodontics in 2016 and a Masters in Oral Implantology from the International Congress of Oral Implantologists: the world’s largest dental implant organisation. An expert in pain management and general dentistry he has special interests in sleep apnoea, root therapy treatment and aesthetic dentistry. He is the resident dentist of the ABC appearing regularly on Phillip Clarke’s Nightlife Dental Practitioner Support is Australia’s first national 24/7 telephone and online service dedicated to supporting the health and wellbeing of everyone in the dental field. Whether you’re just starting your career or have years of experience, this free, confidential, and independent service is here to guide and reassure you through any challenges you face. From mental and physical health to workplace concerns and general wellbeing, their experienced team is ready to provide tailored advice whenever you need it. Save their number—1800 377 700—or visit www.dpsupport.org The post Tip #147: Communication: Effective patient interaction for new graduates with Dr Peter Dayman appeared first on Dental Head Start.

Welcome to What I Wish I Knew by Dental Head Start. This is a podcast where we learn from people that have been there, made the mistakes, learnt the lessons and have developed into the accomplished dental professionals they are today. It’s your weekly mentoring session. Hosted by Dr Hieu Dong I’ve heard it. You’ve probably heard it. The whisperings throughout the clinics and the dental school whores, the reels and memes you’re sending to your mates. Is biomimetic dentistry the new thing. And do I desire to be a biomimetic dentist? Today’s guest is no foreigner to the field of biomedic dentistry. @dradisawant – He’s been posting some epic work online, and I was super excited to get him on to chat all things deep margin elevation. In dental school, we’re taught all the traditional theories of dentistry, things that have been proven to work for decades and decades, and we gotta believe in it like gospel. Don’t get me wrong, it’s super important to learn these fundamentals and apply them, but if you’re like me, and you start peeping into the real big, wide world of dentistry, you realize the world is changing, and the field of dentistry is constantly evolving with exciting new research and techniques. Today’s discussion really shook me to my core, and I’m still trying to process all of it. Dr Addy goes into depth on all the fundamentals you need to know on DME, and walks us through the clinical workflow to restoring beautiful teeth, the controversies, the bonding systems and the research papers. This episode is jam packed full of it all. So grab a notebook and a pen and enjoy this epic chat we have. Key moments 0:04:10 Explaining Deep Margin Elevation (DME): 0:06:32 Benefits of DME: 0:13:57 Prerequisites for DME: 0:30:00 Adhesive Systems and Bonding 0:45:00 Clinical Recommendations 0:52:24 Benefits of Immediate Dentine Sealing (IDS): Dr Aditya Sawant Dr Aditya Sawant is a general dentist based in Ballarat and Greater Melbourne, Victoria. Dr Adi has brought his university experiences in rural NSW back to Victoria and enjoys all aspects of general dentistry, with a keen interest in Adhesive Dentistry and Oral Surgery. Expanding on his interests, he is now a lecturer with Biomimetic Aesthetic Dentistry (BAD), aiming to introduce dentists to modern biomimetic and advanced adhesive techniques. An avid CPD consumer, he has completed close to 260 hours of CPD in the last 2 years across a variety of disciplines. He is currently completing a diploma with the gIDE implant institiute as well as his Certificate in Clinical Dentistry with General Dental Residency, for whom he is also an ambassador. Away from the dental chair, Adi is happiest with family and friends, at the gym and finding all the good food and coffee Melbourne has to offer Dental Practitioner Support is Australia’s first national 24/7 telephone and online service dedicated to supporting the health and wellbeing of everyone in the dental field. Whether you’re just starting your career or have years of experience, this free, confidential, and independent service is here to guide and reassure you through any challenges you face. From mental and physical health to workplace concerns and general wellbeing, their experienced team is ready to provide tailored advice whenever you need it. Save their number—1800 377 700—or visit www.dpsupport.org The post Tip #146 – Biomimetic Dentistry: Exploring Deep Margin Elevation and Immediate Dentine Sealing with Dr Aditya Sawant appeared first on Dental Head Start.