Season finale energy 🎙️✨

This week on Conversations with Dental Friends, I’m sitting down with Dr Sarah Armstrong, who bought her own practice at 28 (yes, really).

We get into:

• ​Building a business plan
• ​Designing a purpose-built refurb
• ​Learning as you go (because you have to)
• ​Risk vs reward and actually backing yourself
• ​Grit, resilience, and taking those skills into everything you do

This episode is one of those reminders that you don’t need to have it all figured out to start - you just need to start.

Huge thank you to Sarah and SPOILER: she’s literally heading off to climb Mount Everest this week… which is just next level 🏔️

You can follow along on Instagram @scarmstrong and Sarah’s practice new_you_dental

You can follow the podcast @conversationswithdentalfriends and I’m over there too @homegirlhygienist

If you want to support her journey, you can here: https://gofund.me/3685c9a2d

Thank you so much to Oral-B for sponsoring this episode and the whole season 🤍

If this season has got you thinking differently about your career (more intentional, more strategic, more you), you can subscribe to our Substack via the link in bio - or DM me “LINK” and I’ll send it straight over.

For more info about Plymouth University click here

Creating a business plan click here

Check out Sarah’s dental practice here

For more information on climbing Mount Everest click here

We’re taking a short break over Easter, but season 5 is coming very soon…

And in the meantime, now’s your moment to catch up on any episodes you’ve missed on Spotify & Apple Podcasts 🎧

What does it really look like to maximise your dental therapy career? 🎙️

Welcome back to another episode of Conversations with Dental Friends.

This week I’m chatting with Robbie Stewart, dental therapist and Dental Therapist of the Year 2025 and it was such a great conversation.

In this episode we get into:

• ​ Working in Australia 🇦🇺 what that experience was really like
• ​ Maximising your dental therapy scope day-to-day in practice 🦷
• ​ Stepping into education and sharing knowledge with others📖
• ​ Giving back to the profession and supporting the next generation 🫶🏼
• ​ Dreaming big and backing yourself in your career 💭

This episode is especially for dental therapists, hygienists, and anyone thinking about how they can grow and develop their career in dentistry.

Huge thank you to Robbie for such an inspiring conversation.

To find out more about Newcastle universality click here

To find out more about working as a dental hygienist in Australia click here

Dental therapy scope of practice here

Dental elective here

If you’re thinking of investing in a dental camera click here for some information

For more info on Poppy Duntons courses click here

You can follow Robbie on Instagram @robbiethedentaltherapist for more info on his portfolio and upcoming events

If you’d like to dive deeper into anything we discussed, check out the show notes for more details.

Thank you also to Oral-B for sponsoring this episode.

If this conversation has you thinking more intentionally about your own career:

✨ Send me a DM with LINK to get your free career planning workbook

✨ Share this episode with a friend in dentistry

✨ Or save it for later listening

You can also find more conversations like this on our Substack newsletter.

We’ll be back next week with another episode of Conversations with Dental Friends 🎙️

🎙️ Welcome back to Conversations with Dental Friends!

This week I’m joined by the brilliant Linzy Baker, a dental therapist who has truly gone from strength to strength in her career. From investing in herself early to building momentum in practice, Linzy shares so many insights for anyone looking to grow and maximise their scope in dentistry.

In this episode we chat about:

✨ Why persistence really does pay off when applying for university

✨ How investing in yourself early can create the foundations for long-term success

✨ Why courses are only half the battle — it’s the implementation that makes the real difference in practice

✨ The power of networking and how it can open unexpected doors

✨ Giving back and supporting the wider dental community

Linzy shares so much honest advice for anyone who wants to hit the ground running in their career.

A huge thank you to Oral‑B for sponsoring this episode 🙌

You’ll find all the links mentioned in the show notes,

Diane Rochford teeth whitening info here

Reena Wadia perio courses here

BTC facial aesthetics training here

Smile Academy training here

Style Italiano here

ADI info here

Book the ADI thrive course 25th April Belfast Castle here

Dentistry.co.uk here

You can find Linzy on Instagram @linzydht you can follow the podcast @conversationswithdentalfriends and I’m there too @homegirlhygienist or on TikTok if you would prefer

and don’t forget to subscribe to the Substack newsletter.

📩 If you’d like to get clearer on your career goals for 2026, I’ve created a completely free career planning workbook. Just send me a DM with the word LINK and I’ll send it over.

See you next week for another Conversation with Dental Friends 🦷✨

From dental therapist → practice consultant → educator… with a few pivots in between.

Welcome back to another episode of Conversations with Dental Friends 🎙️

This week I’m chatting with Poppy Dunton (@dunton.consulting) — a dental therapist and practice consultant who’s worked in almost every role in dentistry… and has the perspective to prove it.

In this episode we talk about:

💡 Why work experience can completely change your career path

💡 Pushing yourself outside your comfort zone

💡 Jumping in with two feet into dental therapy

💡 The realities of practice management

💡 Pivoting your career when things evolve

💡 Teaching, burnout & changing the conversation around menopause

It’s a really honest conversation about career growth, reinvention and backing yourself, even when things feel uncertain.

Huge thank you to Poppy for sharing so many insights 🙌

And a massive thank you to Oral-B for sponsoring this episode 🦷

🔗 All links are in the show notes

📩 DM me LINK to get your FREE 2026 Career Planning Workbook

💌 Sign up to the Conversations with Dental Friends Substack (link in bio)

Don’t forget to like, share & subscribe if you enjoyed the episode 🤍

See you next week for another conversation with dental friends ✨

Welcome back to Conversations with Dental Friends 🤍

This week I’m sitting down with Dr Claire Hughes cosmetic dentist, entrepreneur, and one of Northern Ireland’s inspiring female dental practice owners redefining what leadership in dentistry can look like.

Because here’s the thing…

Graduating is just the beginning.

In this episode we talk about:

– Why the real education starts after university

– Building a practice by leaning into your feminine strengths (not shrinking them)

– The responsibility we have to lift as we climb in the female dental community

– Expanding your craft with facial aesthetics

– And finding your why in cosmetic dentistry so your career actually feels aligned

Claire is generous, ambitious, and proof that you don’t have to choose between clinical excellence and business leadership. You can build both.

You can connect with her on Instagram @clairehughesdental and @drclairefacialaesthetics we’re incredibly lucky to have women like Claire leading the way in dental practice ownership here in Northern Ireland. Reach out. Start conversations. Build your circle.

Everything is linked in the show notes (go and have a scroll wherever you’re listening).

Follow the podcast @conversationswithdentalfriends

Follow me @homegirlhygienist

A huge thank you to Oral-B for sponsoring this episode and supporting these conversations.

If you’re ready to start shaping 2026 intentionally, DM me the word LINK and I’ll send you my 2026 Career Planner.

Make sure you’re subscribed wherever you listen and you can also join us over on Substack at conversationswithdentalfriends.substack.com

See you next week for another episode of Conversations with Dental Friends ✨

Welcome back to Conversations with Dental Friends 💬✨

This week’s episode is one of those conversations that genuinely reminds you why prevention matters so much. I’m joined by Kirsty , an oral health cheerleader, prevention-first clinician, and innovator, who’s built something really special with Kirsty’s Smile Academy, creating connection with oral health that goes far beyond the dental chair.

We talk about:

• ​ getting started in dentistry (and the non-linear paths that still lead somewhere amazing)
• ​ dyslexia → confidence → success
• ​ building an app from an idea
• ​ direct access and empowering patients
• ​ using content to actually reach communities, not just colleagues

It’s such an energising listen for anyone who believes oral health education can, and should, be bigger.

Huge thank you to Oral-B for sponsoring this episode 🤍

You can find Kirsty’s app ‘Kirsty’s Smile Academy’ on the App Store or wherever you usually download

For more information on dyslexia click here

For Siobhan Kellehers course click here

You can listen to Siobhan’s episode from season 2 here

You can follow Kirsty on Instagram and TikTok @kirstysmileacademy

If you want more behind-the-scenes insights like this, you can find us over on Substack, subscribe so you never miss an episode drop.

And if this conversation sparks something for you… you can download the completely FREE Conversations with Dental Friends Career Planning Workbook for 2026 by DMing me the word LINK 📩

New episode again next week 🎙️

Welcome back to Conversations with Dental Friends 🤍

This week’s conversation is a special one.

I’m sitting down with the brilliant Kathryn Mayo, a clinician, educator and leader who has helped shape what modern dental hygiene looks like today.

We talk about:

– how she first got started in dentistry

– finding your niche (and having the courage to own it)

– why collaboration will always outperform competition

– clinical growth through implants and MINST

– stepping into education

– staying curious and continually expanding your knowledge

– and what it really means to lift a profession skywards

This is a conversation about longevity, leadership and refusing to stand still.

Thank you so much to Kathryn, this is genuinely one I’ll come back to again and again. Hand on heart, Kathryn and Jenny’s course with Implant Educators is my favourite postgraduate course I’ve ever attended. If you’re ready to invest in your clinical confidence, I’ve linked how to get involved (and other brilliant postgraduate opportunities) in the show notes.

You can follow Kathryn on Instagram @kathryn_dentalhygienist

You can follow Jenny Walker @jennywalker_dentaltherapist

You can follow @theimplanteducators for more info on Kathryn and Jenny’s courses and of course @icedentalinstitute

Let me know in the comments if you’re an undergraduate and would like Kathryn to do some implant education with you at your dental school and I’ll pass your info on

To find out more about what your scope could include as a dental hygienist or dental therapist you can click here

To find out more about ADHD you can click here

You can find out more about teaching here

You can get some great information on MINST here

Some excellent information on monitoring dental implants in practice here

You can listen to Siobhan Kelleher’s Episode here

A huge thank you to Oral-B for sponsoring this episode and supporting these conversations.

You can listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and if you enjoy it, don’t forget to follow, rate, review and subscribe. It makes such a difference.

You can also subscribe to our Substack for deeper dives on this episode and past seasons.

And if Kathryn has inspired you to think bigger - more internationally, more strategically - DM me the word LINK and I’ll send you my completely free 2026 career planning workbook.

See you next week for another conversation with dental friends 💗

Another Thursday, another Conversations with Dental Friends 🎙️

This week I’m joined by the brilliant @londonOT Sarah MacDonald, chatting all things orthodontic therapy and how she’s built a career that goes far beyond the traditional surgery setting.

In this episode, we dive into:

✨ what the role of an orthodontic therapist really looks like

✨ maximising your scope and backing yourself

✨ stepping into education and sharing your expertise

✨ what it actually means to be an “expert”

✨ and why your dental career doesn’t have to stay confined to the surgery

Huge thank you to Sarah for such an open and inspiring conversation make sure you check out the show notes wherever you listen.

You can find out more about becoming an orthodontic therapist here

Shoutout to my friends at NIMDTA who are now offering orthodontic therapy in Belfast here

We have some great previous episodes discussing orthodontic therapy if you would like to find out more

Bekka Hamilton here

Amanda Jackson here

Emma McCrory here

You can find out more about Sarah’s courses on Instagram @the_london_ot or on her website here

You can also sign up to our Substack for more brilliant conversations around orthodontic therapy and what it could mean for your practice.

Don’t forget to like, comment, rate and share 🤍

You can grab your FREE dental career planning workbook for 2026 by commenting or DM’ing the word LINK — let’s make 2026 your year.

A huge thank you to Oral-B for sponsoring this episode.

See you next week for another conversation with a dental friend ✨

This week on Conversations with Dental Friends, I’m joined by Gemma Cowen, aka @_boss_dental_health ✨

Gemma may be recently qualified, but she’s already making serious waves. From championing dental therapy and direct access to fully stepping into her scope, this conversation is all about backing yourself and thinking bigger from day one.

We talk about:

• ​non-traditional routes into dentistry
• ​ambition (and giving yourself permission to have it)
• ​maximising your scope in practice
• ​further education and postgraduate study
• ​why the future for dental therapists is genuinely exciting

Huge thank you to Gemma, it was such a pleasure heading to Manchester to record this episode 🤍

For Reena Wadias massive selection of post graduate courses you ca check out perio school here

For Cat Edneys post graduate course the modern therapist you can click here

You can follow Gemma on Instagram @_boss_dental_health you can follow the podcast @conversationswithdentalfriends and you can follow me @homegirlhygienist

If this conversation resonated, don’t forget to follow, rate and comment wherever you listen. You can also subscribe to our Substack for more insights and conversations like this.

Feeling inspired by Gemma? You can download a free dental career planning workbook for 2026 - just comment or DM me the word LINK and I’ll send it straight over.

Massive thank you to Oral-B for sponsoring this episode.

See you next week for another conversation with dental friends ✨

This week on Conversations with Dental Friends 🤍

I’m joined by periodontal hero Dr Amit Patel to talk all things perio, implants, and what it really looks like to build a meaningful career in dentistry — even when the path isn’t linear.

In this episode, we talk about:

• why the journey into dentistry (and specialism) is rarely straightforward

• how “meandering” can actually shape your best career moves

• key developments in perio and implant dentistry, and what they mean in practice

• taking your training further without burning out

• the power of finding (and backing yourself within) the right network

Huge thank you to Amit for his generosity, patience, and openness, this conversation felt just as important for me personally as it will for anyone listening.

You can find out more about emdogain here

You can find out more about pocket x here

Chitosan brushes for Peri-implantitis here

Diabetes & Periodontitis here

Gut Microbiome & Perio here

to find out about Crystal Marruganti you can click here

You can find out more about heart disease and perio here

You can get some vitamin D with K2 here

You can find out about Osetocom here

You can find Perio with Deepak here

You can find Perio Campus here

You can click here for more info about the ADI

Here for the BSP

Here for BSDHT

Here for europerio

ADI thrive ever here

Thankyou to Oral B for Sponsoring this episode

Make sure you’re following the podcast wherever you listen. You can also follow Amit at @amitspecialistinperiodontics and sign up to our newsletter at conversationswithdentalfriends.substack.com for more conversations like this.

You can grab my FREE dental career planning workbook by commenting or DM’ing me the word LINK - I’ll send it straight over.

Massive thank you to Oral-B for sponsoring this episode 🤍

You can catch up on all seasons now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

See you next week ✨