In this episode of Spilling the Teath: Quick Sips, we sit down with Dr Mahrukh Khwaja, dentist, positive psychologist and founder of Mind Ninja, to explore wellbeing, burnout and what it really takes to build healthier dental teams.

Mahrukh shares her personal journey through burnout early in her career and explains why mental fitness should be treated like brushing or flossing — a daily habit, not a last resort. Together, we unpack how self-awareness, compassion and leadership behaviours shape culture, performance and long-term sustainability in dentistry.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

1. The early warning signs of burnout in individuals and teams
2. Why perfectionism is so common in dentistry and how to manage it
3. Simple mental reset techniques that fit into a busy clinical day
4. How self-awareness and self-compassion improve performance and wellbeing
5. The role of leadership in creating psychologically safe teams
6. Practical ways to build energy, resilience and positive culture at work

Whether you’re a dentist, practice owner, manager, or part of a wider dental team, this episode offers practical, evidence-based insights you can apply immediately.

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New episodes every Wednesday.