We hear from trauma-informed practitioner Ella McCrystal on why understanding trauma, mental health and human behaviour is becoming increasingly important for dental professionals.

Ella shares her personal journey and explores what trauma really is – not just the events people go through, but how those experiences are stored, expressed and carried through the body over time.

She explains why trauma so often shows up in dentistry, from dental anxiety and avoidance to communication challenges, stress within teams and the wider pressures facing the profession.

A turning point came when Ella realised that many systems still treat symptoms rather than people, leading her to develop a more personalised, body-led approach that reflects the complexity of trauma and recovery.

• Understanding what trauma actually is
• Why dental anxiety is often about more than dentistry
• The link between stress, burnout and patient communication
• Why mental health education needs to go deeper
• How more holistic care could benefit both patients and professionals.

We hear from sports dentist Umair Mohammed, one of only a handful of clinicians worldwide to hold an MSc in sports dentistry, on why oral health belongs at the heart of athletic performance.

Umair reflects on carving out a niche many once dismissed, combining his background in sport with his clinical career to help shape a growing movement in UK dentistry.

He shares what it really means to be a sports dentist – from working pitch-side with elite teams to educating athletes and medical staff on the impact of oral health, sleep, nutrition and prevention.

A turning point came when he realised that if the profession was to take sports dentistry seriously, someone had to champion it – helping to establish the UK Sports Dentistry Association and building an international network of like-minded clinicians.

We hear from business leader Steve Pateman, whose story inspired the iconic broadway musical Kinky Boots, on breaking away from the band waggon.

Steve reflects on adaptability, innovation, and timeless business lessons relevant to dental professionals.

He explains how his traditional family footwear business struggled with rapid market changes, global competition, and currency shifts, forcing him to adapt.

A turning point came when he identified an underserved niche market for high-quality, fashionable footwear in extended men's sizes, leading to business reinvention.

Topics include:

1. Adaptability in fast-changing industries
2. Clear, personal communication with customers and teams
3. Respect, inclusivity and approachability in customer relations
4. Evaluating the value of innovation before committing
5. Strong leadership and staff engagement.

In this episode, Michelle Carney explains why dental teams need to care about neurodiversity – and how inclusive recruitment can transform a practice.

Michelle shares her journey with warmth and authenticity, explaining why kindness and compassion are not 'soft skills' but essential leadership strengths.

She explores why neurodiversity matters in dentistry, highlighting how different ways of thinking elevate team performance and creativity – but also patient care.

Michelle also discusses inclusive recruitment, including opportunities for neurodivergent individuals and those with intellectual disabilities, and why this approach makes sense for modern dental practices and businesses.

Topics include:

1. Leading with compassion
2. Neurodiversity – why should dental teams care?
3. How neurodiversity elevates teams
4. What inclusive recruitment looks like
5. Finding humour in the day to day and why it's important.

This podcast is powered by Sensodyne.

Are you navigating clinical pressures or day-to-day challenges in your dental practice? Paralympic table tennis player Jack Hunter-Spivey joins us for a powerful conversation about resilience and finding strength in adversity.

Jack has faced and overcome a number of challenges in his life and career. In this episode, Jack is open about his mental health journey, and he is here to share a story defined by resilience, determinationand authenticity.

We also discuss what it was like to secure a bronze medal for para-table tennis at the 2020 Paralympics – as well as taking home gold at 2022's Commonwealth Games.

In this episode, we’ll explore what overcoming adversity truly means to Jack, the biggest lessons he’s taken from his sporting career, and his surprising journey into comedy – including how humour can be a powerful tool for education.

• What does overcoming adversity mean to you? 
• Mental health struggles and bouncing back
• His belief that there is an 'awkwardness around disability’
• Biggest lessons from para-table tennis career
• Advice for dental professionals experiencing setbacks
• What would you say is your greatest achievement? 
• Journey into comedy. 

This podcast is powered by Sensodyne.

Bernie Davies – award-winning diversity champion, business strategist and thought leader – sits down to unpack what actual inclusivity means in dentistry.

'We go together, or not at all' — Bernie's powerful mantra challenges some of the biggest misconceptions surrounding inclusivity in business, and offers a vision of what it truly means to create environments where everyone can thrive.

Bernie explores why inclusivity isn’t just a social ideal, but a practical and ethical necessity for dental practices and teams seeking to evolve and succeed.

Topics include:

• Biggest misconceptions when it comes to inclusivity in business
• Why dental practices and dental teams should care
• What does a fair work culture look like in practice? 
• Single biggest challenge that is holding dental businesses back
• Do you feel optimistic about the future when it comes to inclusivity?

This podcast is powered by Sensodyne.

In the latest episode of Dentistry Talks podcast, we speak with BBC radio presenter Nadia Ali whose story is one of community – and why it is so crucial.

In dentistry – as in media – identity and representation shape the way you connect with patients, colleagues and communities. In this episode, Nadia shares her journey as a broadcaster, mother and mentor. From her decision to wear the hijab on air in 2024 to carving community spaces for British Bangladeshis, Nadia’s story is a journey that touches on resilience, authenticity and the power of mentorship.

Dental professionals can take lessons on facing discrimination, staying true to yourself in professional setting, and why mentorship can transform and elevate careers.

• Importance of mentorship
• Decision to wear a hijab and its impact, both professionally and personally
• Advice for maintaining authenticity and personal identity within a professional setting 
• Motherhood and its influence  
• Facing discrimination.

This podcast is powered by Sensodyne.

Dave Bryon, former managing director of low-cost airline bmibaby, built a career on doing things differently. In this latest podcast episode, he explains his key lessons for those in dentistry.

Dave reflects on his time leading bmibaby, sharing the key business takeaways that apply far beyond aviation. From balancing cost control with service quality to challenging the norm, Dave explains why disruption is both inevitable and essential.

Looking at Ryanair’s no-frills customer approach, as well as the downfall of Blockbuster and HMV, he explains why business owners who fail to adapt risk being left behind. For dental practices, this means embracing change and balancing the delicate trade-off between cost control and high-quality patient care.

Whether you’re running a dental practice or leading a team within the sector, Dave’s insights will inspire you to look differently at your business, challenge assumptions and never stop pushing boundaries.

• What dentists can learn from Ryanair, Blockbuster and HMV
• How to approach cost versus service in patient care
• The biggest challenges of Dave’s career – and what they taught him
• Work-life balance and the perspective that life’s toughest moments can bring
• Why he reinvented himself as a speaker and comedian
• Current projects and what’s next for the future.

This podcast is powered by Sensodyne.

Juggling a busy dental practice and personal life can be overwhelming – but it doesn’t have to be. Professional organiser Vicky Silverthorn reveals how embracing simplicity can help dental professionals reduce stress and stay focused.

In this episode, we’re joined by Vicky Silverthorn, a professional organiser who has helped hundreds of people embrace a simpler space – including Jonathan Ross and Rachel Stevens.

Vicky shares why simplicity is more than just decluttering: it is a mindset essential for reducing stress, improving focus and building a more efficient business.

We discuss what being a professional organiser involves and how structured environments lead to smoother workflows and healthier team dynamics in busy dental settings.

Vicky also opens up about her journey as an adoptive mum and how this has shaped her approach to balancing life and work. For dental professionals juggling young families and hectic practices, Vicky offers practical tips to streamline daily routines and create calmer spaces – at home and in the dental practice.

Tune in to discover how small, intentional changes in organisation can have a huge impact on your wellbeing and career.

You can now watch on Youtube and listen on Spotify.

• The importance of simplicity
• Inside the role of a professional organiser
• Organisation and business success
• The health benefits of being organised
• Tips for reducing stress and improving focus in dental practices
• Life as an adoptive solo mum
• Balancing work and family
• Quick wins: simple, practical tips for immediate impact.

This podcast is powered by Sensodyne.

Content warning: discussions of suicide

Andy Price shares insights from the frontlines of service and mental health advocacy, offering up fresh perspectives on care beyond the dental clinic.

In our latest episode, we speak with veteran Andy Price, who dives into the heart of what we mean by community – what makes us feel connected, supported and seen.

Andy transitioned from experiencing the brutal realities of war in the Middle East and north Africa to battling complex post traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) following a career-ending breakdown in 2017. Now, he is a mental health advocate within the veteran community, raising awareness and support for this critical issue.

Andy has dedicated his post-service life to supporting others – particularly those navigating mental health challenges after military life. He is the founder of The Veterans Hub, a one-of-a-kind community that’s been a lifeline for many.

The episode is not just about service: it is about how we care for each other in every setting, professional and personal – from dental practices to home life.

We'll explore:

• What community means
• Andy's personal journey from rifleman to founder of The Veterans Hub
• His mental health turning point
• The evolution of mental health
• Parallels between military and dental settings
• The importance of talking.

This podcast is powered by Sensodyne.