The Dental Head Start Podcast

David delivers another insightful focus episode, this time for dental students. Drawing from over eight years of professional experience as a practice owner and dental professional, David shares five critical insights he wishes he knew during his time as a dental student: Building professional networks Learning from early mistakes Developing emotional resilience Maintaining physical wellness Strategic career planning David share’s his personal experience, practical advice, and motivational insights, making it a valuable resource for dental students navigating their educational and early professional journey. Key moments 0:06:00 – Networking Create connections with friends, tutors, specialists Build a professional network that will support you throughout your career Reach out and make connections, even if you’re an introvert 0:08:30 – Making Mistakes Early Use dental school as the cheapest form of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Take on difficult cases and learn from them Gain hands-on experience while you can 0:10:15 – Emotional Resilience Develop strategies to manage stress Learn to handle self-doubt Find ways to manage emotional challenges (mindfulness, exercise, talking) Don’t let clinical stress consume your personal life 0:14:30 – Physical Wellness and Ergonomics Develop good posture and ergonomic habits early Prevent long-term physical issues like back and shoulder pain Use tools like loops to maintain better positioning 0:16:45 – Planning Your Future Career Start thinking about your first job early Consider mentorship opportunities Research practices that align with your career goals Reach out to potential employers in advance Episode sponsor: 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 The post Things I wish I knew focus series #2 – As a new student with Dr David Keir appeared first on Dental Head Start.

Hosted by Dr Haydyn Bathurst Welcome back Dental Head Start Listeners to todays episode on communication. With me in this episode is Dr Peter Dayman. I reached out to Dr Dayman after listening to his interview on ABC Nightlife with Phillipclarke. A lot of us may be too young to be listening to ABC radio, but it was my parents that had listened to Dr Dayman’s episodes on the ABC, in which he handles all sorts of curveball questions from the audience and makes it look easy how well he is able to explain the ways in which dental disease can manifest and what the listener can do about it. This episode is extremely helpful for those just graduating entering the real world of dentistry, with gems here and there to help you communicate well with your patients. Warning, This episode is not G rated and there are a few expletives. Got you interested? Let’s get into it. Key moments 0:04:16 – Handling complex cases like vertical root fractures 0:10:09 – Dealing with patient questions about a dentist’s age and experience 0:15:04 – Explaining periodontitis to patients in simple terms 0:20:07 – Using visual aids and metaphors (like the “barnacle” analogy) to explain dental conditions 0:21:19 – How to explain to a patient that a tooth is unsavable 0:25:27 – Advice on avoiding “herodontics” and making responsible treatment decisions 0:28:54 – Ethical considerations in dentistry, particularly for new graduates 0:30:39 – Balancing financial pressures with patient care and ethical standards 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. Episode sponsor: 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 Feature #97 – Communication: Confident and ethical patient interaction 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 Haydyn Bathurst You may not realise it but as we get older, so too do our teeth. Not only is there increased wear and tear on the outside of teeth which may seem obvious, there is also morphological changes on the inside of teeth as well. In today’s WIWIK I explore with Dr Arosha Weerakoon the physiology of the aging tooth and how it is relevant to getting an adequate bond in our restorations. Key moments 0:00:13 – Physiology of the Aging Tooth 0:08:09 -Challenges with Bonding to Mature Dentin 0:11:30 – Adhesive Techniques and Materials 0:16:57 – Adhesive Techniques and Materials 0:18:54 – Final Thoughts and Recommendations Dr Arosha Weerakoon Dr Arosha Weerakoon is the owner of Tewantin Family Dental. She is also a lecturer (hon) with a Master’s in Public Health and a PhD from the School of Dentistry, University of Queensland.  Arosha’s PhD thesis is titled, ‘Dentine, Adhesive Interfaces & Physiological Ageing’. She is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons, the International College of Dentists and the Pierre Fouchard Academy. Arosha is the Assistant Secretary for the International Dental Ethics and Law Society and a member of the Clinical Council for Country to Coast, Queensland. In recognition of her commitment to professional learning and development, Arosha was awarded the 2022 BOQ Specialist Practice Bursary for Dental Excellence from the Australian Dental Association (QLD). In 2019, Arosha was awarded the Brisbane Lord Mayor’s Convention Trailblazer Grant. In the same year, Arosha won the top prize, The Vice Chancellor’s Award, for her research pitch titled, ‘It’s about bonding with fillings’ hosted by Universities Australia. As part of her prize, Arosha completed an internship at The Conversation Media Group Headquarters in Melbourne. To date, she has published eight articles promoting oral health with The Conversation Media Group. Arosha believes that community engagement, interdisciplinary collaboration and patient empowerment is the key to improving oral and general health for all. The post Tip #145 – Aging teeth and its implications for dental restorations with Dr Arosha Weerakoon appeared first on Dental Head Start.

Hosted by Dr Haydyn Bathurst Hello Dental Head Start listeners, welcome back to our feature series! Today’s guest is Dr Arosha Weerakoon. Dr Arosha wears many hats in the dental industry, a practice owner of Tewantin family dental, a lecturer at the University of Queensland where she also obtained her pHD in Dentine, Adhesive Interfaces & Physiological Ageing. This is only just scratching the surface and how I met Arosha was that as some listeners may know she is a fellow Colgate Advocate for Oral Health. In this episode we follow Arosha’s journey of being a dentist and how she evolved from one role to the next. If you identify with wanting to be a practice owner, researcher, or lecturer, this episode is for you! Dr Arosha Weerakoon Dr Arosha Weerakoon is the owner of Tewantin Family Dental. She is also a lecturer (hon) with a Master’s in Public Health and a PhD from the School of Dentistry, University of Queensland.  Arosha’s PhD thesis is titled, ‘Dentine, Adhesive Interfaces & Physiological Ageing’. She is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons, the International College of Dentists and the Pierre Fouchard Academy. Arosha is the Assistant Secretary for the International Dental Ethics and Law Society and a member of the Clinical Council for Country to Coast, Queensland. In recognition of her commitment to professional learning and development, Arosha was awarded the 2022 BOQ Specialist Practice Bursary for Dental Excellence from the Australian Dental Association (QLD). In 2019, Arosha was awarded the Brisbane Lord Mayor’s Convention Trailblazer Grant. In the same year, Arosha won the top prize, The Vice Chancellor’s Award, for her research pitch titled, ‘It’s about bonding with fillings’ hosted by Universities Australia. As part of her prize, Arosha completed an internship at The Conversation Media Group Headquarters in Melbourne. To date, she has published eight articles promoting oral health with The Conversation Media Group. Arosha believes that community engagement, interdisciplinary collaboration and patient empowerment is the key to improving oral and general health for all. The post Feature #96 – Embracing Lifelong Learning: An Interview with Dentist, Researcher, and Educator – Dr. Arosha Weekaroon appeared first on Dental Head Start.

Hosted by Hieu Dong All throughout dental school, my friends and I have always dreamed about where we’d be in 5, 10, 20 years time. Who will be a specialist, a practice owner or not even a dentist anymore! Now that my time at dental school is coming to an end, I’ve been reflecting a lot about where we will all be ending up, a time to finally step into the real world and make the decisions for what we want in our lives. In this episode, I’ve brought on Dr Caroline Nguyen, a practice owner and mum and she shares with me all her stories from leaving dental school to opening up her practice, making decision to have kids and everything in between. I know a lot of my friends are thinking about getting married, starting a family and how to balance their career with it all. Today’s chat w Dr Caroline gave me so hope and excitement about all that is to lie ahead and how we can plan our timelines into the future. Dr Caroline Nguyen Dr. Caroline Nguyen is a highly accomplished dentist and the proud owner of Vivid Dental in Five Dock, where she has been practicing full-time since 2011. What sets Dr. Nguyen apart is her remarkable career consistency; she worked at Top Gum Dental Surgeons for seven years before launching her own practice—an impressive tenure that’s rare in dentistry. She graduated with First Class Honours from the University of Sydney. Her passion for education also led her to become a clinical educator at the University of Sydney’s Dental Hospital, tutoring students in tooth conservation and endodontics. Beyond her practice, Dr. Nguyen has made significant contributions to the dental community. She has served on the executive council of the Australian Dental Association (NSW Branch) and held leadership roles in the Australian Asian Association of Dentists. Her expertise spans across both clinical practice and leadership. The post FEATURE #95 – Planning Your Timeline: Career, Kids, Practice Ownership appeared first on Dental Head Start.

Welcome to the Discoveries in Dental focus series. This series highlights recent dental discoveries and saves you time having to read through numerous journal articles. Hosted by @dr.haydynbathurst In this episode, Dr Haydyn talks about the recent development of the first fully robotic dental crown preparation procedure on a live patient. He provides a balanced overview of the emerging robotic dental technology, its potential implications, and the need to carefully consider the benefits and risks as the technology continues to evolve. References https://www.perceptive.io/#imaginghttps://www.newsweek.com/ai-robot-dentist-performs-human-dental-crown-minutes-1932997 https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/robot-dental-surgery-ai-perceptive-b2591701.html https://instituteofdigitaldentistry.com/ai/the-future-of-digital-dentistry-ai-robot-successfully-places-dental-crowns Key moments 0:00:11 Introduction to the podcast series “Discoveries in Dental” and the news about the first fully robotic dental crown preparation. 0:01:00 Overview of the robotic technology developed by the startup Perceptive, including the funding and involvement of dentist Ed Zuckerberg. 0:02:30 Discussion of the potential benefits of the robotic technology, such as improved efficiency and precision, as well as the exaggeration in the news article about the time it takes for a dentist to perform a crown preparation. 0:04:00 Concerns about the patient experience and the impact on the dentist-patient relationship, including the potential for patient anxiety and the importance of trust and rapport. 0:05:00 Comparison to the use of robotic assistance in other medical procedures, and the differences in dentistry due to the use of local anesthesia. 0:06:00 Potential impact on patient-centered care and disease prevention, as well as the potential benefits of increased access to dental care in underserved areas. 0:07:00 Discussion of potential risks and failure modes of the robotic technology, drawing comparisons to the challenges faced by self-driving cars. 0:07:40 Conclusion and call for listeners to stay informed on the developments in robotic dentistry and provide feedback. The post Discoveries in Dental Focus #4 – Robot dentists are here! appeared first on Dental Head Start.

Welcome to the OHT pathways focus series by Dental Head Start. Listen to a limited series of interviews with OHTs that have taken the less traditional general practice pathway and used their scope to endeavour into a unique, different and fulfilling career.  Hosted by Christina Potestas  In this episode, I chat with dental hygienist Salik Faniad @sydneyhygienist who returns to the podcast with some pretty big changes in his career. Salik shares how his experiences and lessons learnt so far has helped him on his pathway of business ownership. We talk about how his business operates and the joys and challenges of running his very own dental practice as a hygienist, with nothing in his way to slow him down.  NOTE: The discussions had in these series of interviews is only general advice and should not be considered an official outline of your scope upon graduating your Oral Health Therapy degree. Your university defines your scope of practice and should be your ultimate point of reference should you be unsure of what dentistry you are allowed to perform post graduation.  Key moments 0:00:32 – Introduction of guest Salik Faniad, a dental hygienist who has opened his own practice. 0:01:49 – Salik’s journey into dentistry, including his work experience with Dr. David Moffett and his time in university. 0:07:04 – Salik’s first job experiences after graduating, working in both specialist and general practices. 0:10:00 – Salik’s initial challenges as a new graduate hygienist, feeling like just a “car wash” in the practice. 0:11:22 – Salik’s motivation and decision to start his own business, Sydney Hygienist, rather than pursue dentistry. Salik Faniad Salik H. Faniad is an entrepreneurial force in the dental industry, co-founding Hills Dental Boutique and becoming widely known as “Sydney’s Hygienist” on social media. With over 13 years of experience, Salik has mastered the art of connecting oral health with overall wellness, specializing in periodontal therapy and preventative care. Beyond his clinical expertise, Salik’s business acumen has made him a successful practice owner and leader. His passion for patient care extends to building a dental practice that values integrity, innovation, and patient-centered service. Through his journey from clinician to entrepreneur, Salik has gained deep insights into what it takes to manage and grow a thriving dental business, while always keeping the patient’s well-being at the forefront. Salik is an advocate for evidence-based practice, continuous learning, and personalized care. Outside of dentistry, he enjoys playing soccer, watching Manchester City, traveling, and spending quality time with his family. Listen to Salik’s first Dental Head Start episode here Esesson Foundation Annual Gala 2024 In Australia, the Queensland Health publicly released adult waiting lists are approximately 150,000 people long and have an up to a 24-month wait for the initial appointment for comprehensive treatment. There is an identified need for emergency and comprehensive dental services that unable to be accessed by vulnerable groups of people within South East Queensland. These vulnerable groups include children, Refugee and Asylum Seekers, Children in Care and others from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and individuals or families who have been impacted by domestic & family violence.Tickets include:– Three-course dinner– 4-hour drink package– Music, performances, and entertainment– Silent and live auctions The Esesson Foundation will host its Annual Gala Ball on Saturday, 28th of September 2024. The charity event will raise essential funds for administering basic healthcare for children of vulnerable and underprivileged backgrounds. 2023 – Esesson Foundation Annual Gala Purchase tickets here https://events.humanitix.com/esesson-foundat The post OHT Pathways Focus #3 – Business ownership with Salik Faniad appeared first on Dental Head Start.

Welcome to the Discoveries in Dental focus series. This series highlights recent dental discoveries and saves you time having to read through numerous journal articles. Hosted by @dr.haydynbathurst This episode is an overview of silver fluoride in dentistry. It covers the differences between silver diamine fluoride and silver fluoride, the history of silver compounds, benefits like antibacterial properties and caries arrest, as well as drawbacks such as tooth staining and contraindications. Dr Haydyn shares his perspectives on when silver fluoride can be useful and when it should be avoided in practice. Articles mentioned in this episode https://www.nature.com/articles/s41415-020-1942-7 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6500430 The Difference between Riva Star and Creighton CSDS https://portal.ada.org.au/watch?videoId=895 Key moments Silver Fluoride Overview and Inspiration (0:00:11 – 0:02:13) Clarifying Silver Fluoride vs. Silver Diamine Fluoride (0:02:13 – 0:04:13) Mechanism and Benefits of Silver Fluoride (0:04:13 – 0:07:50) Contraindications and Limitations of Silver Fluoride (0:07:50 – 0:12:19) Call to Action and Conclusion (0:12:19 – 0:13:00) Esesson Foundation Annual Gala 2024 In Australia, the Queensland Health publicly released adult waiting lists are approximately 150,000 people long and have an up to a 24-month wait for the initial appointment for comprehensive treatment. There is an identified need for emergency and comprehensive dental services that unable to be accessed by vulnerable groups of people within South East Queensland. These vulnerable groups include children, Refugee and Asylum Seekers, Children in Care and others from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and individuals or families who have been impacted by domestic & family violence.Tickets include:– Three-course dinner– 4-hour drink package– Music, performances, and entertainment– Silent and live auctions The Esesson Foundation will host its Annual Gala Ball on Saturday, 28th of September 2024. The charity event will raise essential funds for administering basic healthcare for children of vulnerable and underprivileged backgrounds. 2023 – Esesson Foundation Annual Gala Purchase tickets here https://events.humanitix.com/esesson-foundation-annual-gala The post Discoveries in Dental Focus #3 – The Pros and Cons of Using Silver Fluoride in Dentistry appeared first on Dental Head Start.

Re-run series: Finding your support network on Social Media Picked by @christina_oralhealth This series of re-run episodes is a curated selection of interviews to help listeners cut through the noise of social media and start finding their support network of dentists who are actively sharing their expertise and life online. These interviews reveal more about the real person behind the Instagram profile – I hope that it opens doors to a network of potential mentors and starts what may be a guiding and inspiring relationship beyond graduation. In this episode, I am throwing back to a great interview with Dr Shereen Lim @dr.shereenlim . She was one of the first dentists to specialise in dental sleep medicine in Australia and has written a book called Breathe Sleep Thrive. Her mission is to highlight root causes of obstructive sleep apnoea and promote airway health in patients of all ages, in fact this is a topic that has attracted a lot of interest amongst Oral Health Therapists and dentists lately. Online she has over 4000 instagram followers and no surprise considering she creatively shares her expertise in the area of airway development. Continue listening to this episode to hear Dr Lim’s approach to educating and empowering parents on breathing and growth. Key moments 0:00:00 – Dr. Shereen Lim got interested in dental sleep medicine due to her husband’s snoring. She enrolled in a graduate diploma to learn more about the consequences of poor breathing during sleep and the potential for early intervention through palatal expansion. 0:05:00 – Dr. Lim used her own children as examples to understand the importance of optimizing breastfeeding and nasal breathing in the earliest years of life for proper jaw and airway development. 0:09:15 – Dr. Lim discusses the importance of educating parents about issues like tongue ties, reflux, and the impacts of dummy/pacifier use on proper oral development and function. 0:15:00 – Dr. Lim suggests tools and exercises like the Mayo Munchie and myofunctional therapy to help train proper tongue and lip posture in young children. She also recommends referring to speech/feeding therapists or dental therapists trained in myofunctional therapy. Dr Shereen Lim Shereen Lim is an Australia-based dentist with a post graduate diploma in dental sleep medicine from the University of Western Australia. She was one of Australia’s first handful of dentists to obtain a qualification in dental sleep medicine. She has been involved in managing snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea for over a decade and has seen the physical, developmental, mental, and emotional problems that are often associated with these breathing disturbances throughout the lifespan. Her mission is to highlight root causes and promote airway health, or a shift from managing disease and symptoms towards ensuring healthy nasal breathing and good airway development from infancy. She works in private practice and has a special focus on unlocking greater health and wellness through addressing tongue ties, oral dysfunction (during infant feeding, swallowing, breathing, chewing, and speech), and guiding good jaw development during childhood. Instagram: dr.shereenlim Find Dr Shereen Lim’s book Breathe, Sleep Thrive here Esesson Foundation Annual Gala 2024 In Australia, the Queensland Health publicly released adult waiting lists are approximately 150,000 people long and have an up to a 24-month wait for the initial appointment for comprehensive treatment. There is an identified need for emergency and comprehensive dental services that unable to be accessed by vulnerable groups of people within South East Queensland. These vulnerable groups include children, Refugee and Asylum Seekers, Children in Care and others from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and individuals or families who have been impacted by domestic & family violence.Tickets include:– Three-course dinner– 4-hour drink package– Music, performances, and entertainment– Silent and live auctions The Esesson Foundation will host its Annual Gala Ball on Saturday, 28th of September 2024. The charity event will raise essential funds for administering basic healthcare for children of vulnerable and underprivileged backgrounds. 2023 – Esesson Foundation Annual Gala Purchase tickets here https://events.humanitix.com/esesson-foundation-annual-gala The post Tip #145 [RE-RUN] – Empowering and educating parents on breathing and growth with Dr Shereen Lim appeared first on Dental Head Start.

Hosted by Dr David Keir Join us on the Dental Head Start podcast as we dive into our first episode of our four-part series, “5 Things I Wish I Knew.” This episode is crafted specifically for new graduates stepping into the world of dentistry. Despite the excitement, the transition from student to practitioner brings its own set of challenges. We discuss the reality of day-to-day dentistry where the need for work-life balance and a supportive work environment becomes crucial. Hear about the common pre-work anxieties that many face and the gradual journey toward overcoming them. We also talk about the loss of structure after university and the importance of taking proactive steps to grow your confidence and scope. Lastly, we delve into effective patient communication strategies—learning to listen rather than fill the silence. Whether you’re a new graduate or a seasoned practitioner, this episode offers valuable insights to help you navigate your dental career with confidence and support. Key moments 0:01:24 – The reality of day-to-day dentistry as a new graduate and the normal ups and downs 0:03:21 – Expecting and normalizing anxiety as a new graduate 0:07:19 – Backing yourself, expanding your scope, and choosing the right cases as a new graduate 0:12:19 – The importance of patient communication as a priority for new graduates Esesson Foundation Annual Gala 2024 In Australia, the Queensland Health publicly released adult waiting lists are approximately 150,000 people long and have an up to a 24-month wait for the initial appointment for comprehensive treatment. There is an identified need for emergency and comprehensive dental services that unable to be accessed by vulnerable groups of people within South East Queensland. These vulnerable groups include children, Refugee and Asylum Seekers, Children in Care and others from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and individuals or families who have been impacted by domestic & family violence.Tickets include:– Three-course dinner– 4-hour drink package– Music, performances, and entertainment– Silent and live auctions The Esesson Foundation will host its Annual Gala Ball on Saturday, 28th of September 2024. The charity event will raise essential funds for administering basic healthcare for children of vulnerable and underprivileged backgrounds. 2023 – Esesson Foundation Annual Gala Purchase tickets here https://events.humanitix.com/esesson-foundation-annual-gala The post Things I wish I knew focus series #1 – As a new graduate with Dr David Keir appeared first on Dental Head Start.