A five-minute exam can save a life.

In this episode, Julia Flor explores why early detection of oral cancer makes such a dramatic difference in survival. We cover the key clinical red flags — from non-healing ulcers and red/white patches to suspicious lumps, numbness, and high-risk oral sites.

You’ll learn how to apply the two-week rule, assess malignant vs benign features, and recognise oral potentially malignant disorders like leukoplakia, erythroplakia, lichen planus, submucous fibrosis, and actinic cheilitis. We also discuss the role of field cancerisation, major risk factors (tobacco, alcohol, HPV, areca nut), and disparities in outcomes for rural and Indigenous patients.

From biopsy principles and surgical margins to new tools like autofluorescence, narrow-band imaging, and saliva diagnostics, this episode gives you the knowledge to screen systematically, document effectively, and make timely referrals.

Whether you’re on your first clinic rotation or preparing for practice, this episode will help you approach oral cancer detection with vigilance and confidence.

*Some topics in this episode — like OPMDs, screening tools, biopsy guidelines, and lesion descriptors — are touched on briefly, but they’re expanded in greater detail in the accompanying Podcast Digest. We recommend downloading the digest and keeping it handy as a quick-reference guide for study and in clinic - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1nzEfcHNjG6cq-sJexGdhSa64GITlKWXY?usp=sharing

Adhesive dentistry is the foundation of almost everything we do — but how much do you really understand about etching and bonding? In this episode, we break down the science and the steps so you can approach every restoration with confidence.

Ana and Demi walk through the purpose of etching, the differences between enamel and dentine bonding, and the systems you’ll come across in clinic. We also cover the common pitfalls that trip students up — and how to avoid them.

Whether you’re doing your first composite restoration or refining your adhesive technique, this episode will give you the clarity you need to get it right.

00:00 - Introduction

• 00:30 – Quick Substrate Refresher: Enamel vs. Dentine

• 01:56 – Etching: Purpose, Materials, Techniques

• 09:10 – Bonding Systems: Generations

• 11:55 – Bonding to Enamel vs. Bonding to Dentine

• 14:28 – What Affects Resin–Dentine Bonds

• 17:16 – Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

  18:49 – Conclusion

Patients ask about it all the time — but it’s not something we get much hands-on experience with at dental school. In this episode, we demystify tooth whitening from both vital and non-vital angles.

Carol Lam and Demi-Lee Muir break down the science, techniques, materials, risks, and real-world advice on how to manage patient expectations and treatment planning.

Whether you’re whitening natural teeth or tackling post-endo discolouration, we’ve got the key takeaways to help you feel confident in clinic.

🦷 00:00 – Intro

📚 01:10 – The Basics

✨ 05:45 – Vital Tooth Whitening

💀 10:27 – Non-Vital Tooth Whitening

🎯 18:07 – Conclusion

Plus, check out the free companion newsletter packed with figures, protocols, and clinical tips to review what you’ve learned - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1nzEfcHNjG6cq-sJexGdhSa64GITlKWXY

In this episode of the Brace Yourself podcast, we’re teaming up with the ADSA Education Series hosted by Demi-Lee Muir to bring you an honest and insightful discussion on rural dental placements.

Our guest, Reynard Conradie — a fifth-year dental student from the University of Queensland — shares his real-world experience navigating regional clinics, building confidence in patient care, and handling unexpected challenges.

Whether you’re heading into your first rural block or just want to hear what it’s like outside the city, this episode is full of practical advice, memorable cases, and reflections on how rural placements shape us into better clinicians.

(00:00) Introducing our speakers  

(05:25) What to expect and unique elements of rural placements  

(12:30) What your first day might look like  

(19:40) What we wish we knew before we started rural placement  

(22:00) Some of our most interesting patient cases  

(33:40) Key takeaways and parting advice  

Check out the recording on ADSA’s official YouTube channel:

👉 ⁠www.youtube.com/@ausdsaOfficial⁠

Think GORD is just about heartburn? Think again.

In this episode, we dive into the overlooked connection between gastro-oesophageal reflux, obesity, and intraoral disease.

Join Dania Jaber as she unpacks how systemic reflux impacts enamel, salivary function, and periodontal health—and why bariatric surgery might be the most underrated dental intervention. Backed by science, driven by curiosity, and designed to help you see the bigger picture in patient care.

All references and clinical highlights from this episode are available in our Podcast Digest - check it out via the temporary Google Drive - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1nzEfcHNjG6cq-sJexGdhSa64GITlKWXY

Clinical skill gets you through the door — but communication is what keeps it open.

In this episode, we unpack why effective patient communication is just as critical as your hand skills.

From building trust to reducing anxiety and improving treatment outcomes, we explore evidence-based strategies and the 5 Cs of communication that every dental student should master.

Learn how analogies, visual aids, and empathy turn jargon into understanding and patients into partners. Whether you're in your first year or final clinic block, this episode will help you speak human, not just dental.

All information and articles referenced in this episode can be found in the Podcast Digest through our temporary Google Drive folder. It'll be available on the ADSA website soon - stay tuned!

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1nzEfcHNjG6cq-sJexGdhSa64GITlKWXY

From acrylic allergies to chronic dermatitis, this episode unpacks a hidden health issue affecting dental students across Australia. Why are our hands—our most valuable tools—at risk?Host Dania Jaber explores the science behind occupational skin disease in prosthodontics, shares real student testimonies, and offers solutions you can implement today.

🔬 Featuring:

📚Download the accompanying podcast digest via this google drive link - ⁠https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1nzEfcHNjG6cq-sJexGdhSa64GITlKWXY⁠

🧴 It’s honest, evidence-based, and built for dental students, technicians, and educators who care about more than just clinical outcomes — who care about each other.

📢 Share this with your cohort — and don’t forget to brace yourself because dentistry is evolving.

This is the very first Bite-Sized episode of the Brace Yourself Podcast — and the official launch of our Podcast Digest series. Each digest is designed to give you more than just a quick listen: it’s a structured, evidence-based resource you can save, share, and refer back to.

Is irreversible pulpitis really... irreversible? In this episode, we unpack the shift toward Vital Pulp Therapy (VPT) and why it’s challenging traditional endo thinking. From diagnostic grey zones to the power of pulpotomy, learn how preserving pulp vitality is changing the game — with clinical insights that every student should know.

Everything you’ll hear — and read in the digest — is backed by peer-reviewed literature and triple-checked by dentists and specialists to ensure quality and accuracy.

It’s clinical, current, and made for students who want to stay sharp.

For now, you can access and download the Podcast Digest through our temporary Google Drive folder . It’ll be available on the ADSA website soon — stay tuned!

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1nzEfcHNjG6cq-sJexGdhSa64GITlKWXY?usp=sharing