The Dental Head Start Podcast

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. 

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

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.

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.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41415-020-1942-7

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6500430

https://portal.ada.org.au/watch?videoId=895

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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 I discuss the use of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), a calcium silicate-based cement used in endodontic procedures such as pulp capping and preventing pulpal exposure, even in cases of irreversible pulpitis. However, there are potential contradictions in using MTA, such as the need for an aseptic environment and the potential for pulp exposure, which may negate its effectiveness.

The post Discoveries in Dental Focus #2 – Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) for Endodontic procedures appeared first on Dental Head Start.

Hosted by Christina Potestas @christina_oralhealth

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Hi Dental Head Start listeners, Christina here. This episode is a bit of a fangirling moment for me because I sit down with Tabitha Acret @tabitha_dental_hygienist_ , whose journey beyond Uni is quite inspirational. We talk about her initial work in both general and specialist practices, travelling around the world and presenting Guided Biofilm therapy to international audiences and all the serious life lessons in between that help us become better clinicians. Tabitha is about to complete her master’s degree in Advanced Periodontics at the University of London and is an academic at the Sydney University. Keep listening to hear her story and how she continues to  make the most out of her Oral Health Degree.

0:00:00 – Tabitha Acret’s journey into dentistry, starting from being obsessed with teeth as a child and her grandfather being a prosthodontist.

0:03:45 – Tabitha’s experience as a mature age student in the Bachelor of Oral Health degree, particularly struggling with the science subjects.

0:07:38 – The most challenging part of Tabitha’s university experience was statistics and math. 0:09:21 – Tabitha enjoyed embryology and clinical skills the most during her studies.

0:10:00 – Tabitha’s first job as a dental hygienist in a general practice, and the importance of finding a mentoring environment.

0:15:00 – The differences between working in a specialist periodontal practice versus a general practice.

0:23:35 – How a course in the US on guided biofilm therapy sparked Tabitha’s passion for periodontics.

0:29:49 – Tabitha’s involvement with EMS Dental in introducing airflow and guided biofilm therapy to Australia.

0:47:29 – Tabitha’s perspective on the benefits of having oral health therapists and hygienists working alongside dentists.

0:52:53 – Tabitha’s current projects, including finishing her Master’s degree, becoming Lego Serious Play certified, and her role as a permanent academic at the University of Sydney.

0:59:23 – Tabitha’s top tip for new graduates is to focus on building a strong clinical foundation in the first few years before diversifying.

Tabitha Acret is a dedicated and passionate award-winning Dental Hygienist. She studied a Bachelor of Oral Health at Newcastle University, completed a Graduate Certificate in Public Health and is currently a Clinical Master student at the University of Central London Eastman Campus.

Tabitha has become one of the most sought-after Hygienists and Educators in Australia and internationally with a fast-growing and loyal customer base of patients, dental professionals and media. Tabitha was previously the National Vice-President for the Dental Hygienists Association of Australia and has volunteered in many roles since graduation for the Association. She also has a passion for education with students, working as lecturer at Sydney University as well as a Clinical Educator for implant maintenance and non-surgical periodontal therapy.  Currently, she also works two days a week in private practice.

Get in touch with Tabitha

Email: [email protected] 

Instagram: @tabitha_dental_hygienist_

The post Feature #94 – Making the most of our Oral Health degree with Tabitha Acret 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 Hieu Dong

During endo simulation clinic we’re taught how to drill the ideal access cavity, instrument and irrigate till all those nasty bugs are gone and beautifully obturate the canals till everything is sealed. But what happens in between appointments in real life?

In this episode, Dr Harry Mohan, a specialist endodontist breaks down how to protect the tooth in between each appointment and gives some practical tips on how to and why to place interim/temporary restorations. Dr Mohan breaks down the restorative workflow in endo from completely stripping down the tooth and protecting that coronal seal till a definitive restoration can be placed.

Dr Mohan is also running a not-for-profit Dental CPD event where 100% of the profit goes to vulnerable populations in Asia.

Check out the exciting lineup of speakers below and purchase your tickets soon as the event is under one month away on Saturday the 17th of August, 2024.

Find out more details and purchase tickets here: www.trybooking.com/CRCZX

P.S. there is a significant discount for current students and new graduates!

Dr Harry Mohan completed his Bachelor of Dental Science at the University of Melbourne in 2008, before commencing work as a Dental Officer in the Royal Australian Air Force. In 2015, he completed the Doctor of Clinical Dentistry specialising in Endodontics at the University of Melbourne and has special interests in dental trauma and helping patients with dental fear and anxiety. Harry is a lecturer at The University of Sydney, an honorary Clinical Tutor at the University of Melbourne and a regular CPD presenter across Australia. He maintains a specialist referral-based Endodontic practice in Southwest Sydney and runs an annual not-for-profit CPD fundraiser, Dental Aid, which raises money to address poverty in Asia. 

The post TIP #144 – Restorative Workflow in Endodontics with Dr Harry Mohan appeared first on Dental Head Start.

Hosted by Christina Potestas @christina_oralhealth

I bring to you in this episode a great chat I had with Stephanie Botts @steph.polishedposture – For those unlucky ones that have yet to come across her online, Stephanie is a registered dental hygienist and specialist in office ergonomics sharing some really important advice around our posture and wellbeing as dental professionals. Based in Denver, Colorado, Stephanie has gained over 40 thousand followers on social media and continues to spread her message via virtual assessments and her new podcast Straight up with Steph. We spoke about how dental school is an effective time to start establishing good posture habits to make a huge impact in preventing pain and avoiding long-term health issues. She shared so many good bite sized tips that are easily digestible to start implementing today and emphasises its never too late. Stephanie says “this is the only body we’ve got” so I hope this episode helps you on your way to protecting your career through posture. 

0:00 – 3:30 – Stephanie’s journey into dentistry and her interest in ergonomics

3:30 – 9:00 – The importance of establishing good posture habits early in dental school

9:00 – 12:30 Common posture mistakes made by dental students and professionals, such as poor patient positioning and lack of indirect vision

12:30 – 15:00 Ideal neutral posture for the head, arms, and shoulders

15:00 – 18:00 Ergonomic loops as a tool to improve neutral head position

18:00 – 21:30 Exercises and micro breaks to strengthen muscles and prevent fatigue

21:30 – 26:00 Preventing and addressing dental injuries through ergonomics

26:00 – 30:00 Ergonomic equipment and tools that dental practices should provide, and what clinicians can invest in themselves

30:00 – 32:00 The cervical cushion as a tool to improve patient comfort and positioning

32:00 – 37:00 Resources and certification options for learning more about dental ergonomics

Stephanie has been a clinical dental hygienist for 15 years, and currently practices in Denver, Colorado. She is passionate about her role in her patients’ health and well-being. 

Like many dental professionals, Stephanie has noticed increasing pain over the years due to the repetitive motions under a static position that the practice of dental hygiene requires. She began to ask herself, “What will my body feel like 10 years from now? Or 20? Will I be able to enjoy my retirement or will I be in chronic pain due to my career?”
These questions motivated her to learn about proper ergonomics and different equipment choices that can allow for pain free practice. 

Stephanie now helps others in her field with customized ergonomic assessments and coaching. She knows the realities of daily practice in a dental office, the unique challenges we face, and can help you not only improve the quality of your practice, but the quality of your life.

Instagram @steph.polishedposture

Podcast: Straight up with Steph

Dental Protection have proudly been supporting the Dental Head Start podcast since day one! The Dental Protection team understands the ever-changing challenges faced by dental professionals and we take our responsibility to members seriously. Our professional protection package helps you practise with confidence, safe in the knowledge that we are always by your side if things go wrong. With over 40 years protecting Australian dental professionals, we have the global stability and financial resilience to be by your side for a lifetime of support, even in the most uncertain times. Dental Protection membership is free for students and new graduates and includes access to professional indemnity, support and advice when you need it, free CPD and a whole lot more.  Join today at https://www.dentalprotection.org/australia/join

The post Tip #143 – Protecting our career through posture with Stephanie Botts appeared first on Dental Head Start.

Rerun Series: Find your support network on social media.

Picked by Christina Potestas

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 the very insightful chat between Dr Erica Hwin and @thelimitlessdentist , Dr. Kaejenn Tchia about how to stay motivated and find fulfillment in your dental career. Dr. Tchia shares tips for maintaining good mental health as a student and advice for envisioning the type of dentist you want to become in the future. He emphasizes dreaming big and learning from other dentists as ways to prevent feeling lost after graduation. I follow The Limitless Dentist on Instagram and somehow Kaejenn’s words of wisdom and guidance always appear when I need them the most. Enjoy this rerun and make sure to follow The Limitless Dentist online.

0:02:06 – Tips for dental students to stay motivated and find fulfillment in their dental careers, including:

0:08:01 – The uncertainty and lack of a clear path after graduating from dental school, compared to the structured curriculum of dental school.

0:10:15 – The importance of dreaming big and having a clear vision for a fulfilling dental career after graduation, to avoid feeling lost.

0:13:24 – Practical steps for dental students to figure out their dream and career path, such as:

A born and bred Territorian, Dr Kaejenn Tchia knew he wanted to be a dentist since high school. Dr Tchia went on to earn his Bachelor of Dental Surgery at James Cook University in Cairns, Queensland. He served as president for a two-year tenure from 2016 to 2017 for the James Cook University Dental Student Association (JCUDSA Inc.) as well as national Rural Officer for the Australian Dental Student Association (ADSA) in 2016. Since moving back to Darwin, Dr Tchia has become Treasurer of the Australian Dental Association (ADA) NT Branch Inc.

In his spare time, Dr Tchia enjoys travelling and trying new food spots with friends and family. He is also interested in business and entrepreneurship and also launched a motivational coaching company, The Limitless Dentist, aiming to break the mental health stigma in his profession and help his colleagues eliminate burnout and master their mindset.

Instagram: @thelimitlessdentist

Website: thelimitlessdentist.com.au

Dental Protection have proudly been supporting the Dental Head Start podcast since day one! The Dental Protection team understands the ever-changing challenges faced by dental professionals and we take our responsibility to members seriously. Our professional protection package helps you practise with confidence, safe in the knowledge that we are always by your side if things go wrong. With over 40 years protecting Australian dental professionals, we have the global stability and financial resilience to be by your side for a lifetime of support, even in the most uncertain times. Dental Protection membership is free for students and new graduates and includes access to professional indemnity, support and advice when you need it, free CPD and a whole lot more.  Join today at https://www.dentalprotection.org/australia/join

The post TIP #142 [RE-RUN] – Dreaming big for life after graduation with Dr Kaejenn Tchia 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 Haydyn Bathurst

In this pilot episode, we are going to be exploring the concept of digital dentures, 3d printed dentures, and, by extension, CADCAM dentures. So the theory goes that because we now have the technology of scanners, CADCAM machines, and 3d printers. We can just get the dentures straight away without most of the conventional means. From what I hear most digital denture users, and in particular the manufacturers, claim that most of the time they don’t even need a trying appointment because the first denture is already fit so well, they tend to look pretty okay too. But is this true? What are the pitfalls of digital dentures? Do they really look as good as the conventional dentures, and are they going to fit as well?

Note: I am not the authority on what evidence is correct and what’s not. There’s plenty of professors who will take that job for me, there may be better evidence for what counteracts what I say today, and if there isn’t already now, there very well may likely be in, you know, five years time, one year’s time or next week.

Dental Protection have proudly been supporting the Dental Head Start podcast since day one! The Dental Protection team understands the ever-changing challenges faced by dental professionals and we take our responsibility to members seriously. Our professional protection package helps you practise with confidence, safe in the knowledge that we are always by your side if things go wrong. With over 40 years protecting Australian dental professionals, we have the global stability and financial resilience to be by your side for a lifetime of support, even in the most uncertain times. Dental Protection membership is free for students and new graduates and includes access to professional indemnity, support and advice when you need it, free CPD and a whole lot more.  Join today at https://www.dentalprotection.org/australia/join

The post Discoveries in Dental Focus #1 – Digital Dentures appeared first on Dental Head Start.