The ODONTOJAM Podcast: Recent Episodes
Dr. Jesse Liang
Conversations about everyday dentistry for the general dentist. Odontojam is a platform for dentists young and old to learn clinical tips and tricks from dental experts and to learn more about our colleagues in the dental community.
Bruxism isn’t just “clenching and grinding”—it’s a symptom. In this episode of The Odontojam Podcast, Dr. Jesse Liang sits down with Dr. Damian Teo (TMD & dental sleep medicine clinician/educator) to unpack the modern understanding of bruxism and its relationship to TMD. They separate sleep vs. awake bruxism, explain why the sympathetic fight-or-flight system drives parafunction, and map common triggers—from stress, injury and hormonal changes to sleep-disordered breathing (snoring/OSA) and reflux.
Dr. Teo outlines practical, diagnosis-first management: when to choose permissive vs. non-permissive splints, the risks of splinting unrecognised OSA, and why multidisciplinary care (physio/osteo, psychology, ENT/sleep, TMJ-aware dentistry) matters. He introduces “bracing” (muscle tension without tooth contact), the BruxApp for daytime awareness, posture/SCM links, and strategies to mitigate mandibular advancement splint bite changes (morning exercises/aligner). We also explore acupuncture/low-level laser vs. dry needling.
Key takeaways
- Treat the cause, not just the teeth: screen sleep and reflux before splinting.
- Bracing is common in daytime bruxism—awareness tools can reduce pain quickly.
- Splints protect; they don’t “cure.” Diagnosis dictates design (muscle vs. joint).
- Informed consent and morning deprogramming help manage MAS bite changes.
- Multimodal care (manual therapy, psychological support, sleep medicine, acupuncture/laser) improves outcomes.
In this episode of The Odontojam Podcast, Dr. Jesse Liang sits down with Dr. Dilhan Rajasingham to explore how the skills we hone in dentistry — like problem-solving, communication, and adaptability — can open doors well beyond the clinic. From stepping into leadership roles and board positions, to pursuing an MBA and working with cutting-edge dental tech, Dilhan shares practical insights on career pivots, networking, and designing a professional life that supports the lifestyle you want. Whether you’re early in your career or feeling ready for a change, this conversation offers strategies, inspiration, and a reminder that your dental degree can be the start of many different journeys.
Time Stamps
00:00 – Introduction & setting the scene
02:18 – Problem-solving skills that translate beyond dentistry
08:14 – Taking a career break to pursue an MBA
14:39 – The power of communication in and outside the clinic
20:52 – Breaking out of the “four walls” mindset
29:22 – Getting comfortable with networking and building connections
37:18 – Embracing AI and digital tools in dental practice
44:45 – The role of scanners and patient education
47:55 – Serving on the ADA board and giving back to the profession
52:27 – Designing a career and lifestyle you actually want
59:36 – Final thoughts and takeaways
Learn more about Dr. Dilhan @ www.drdilhan.io
In this conversation, Dr. Derry Rogers discusses the importance of understanding patient personalities in dentistry, emphasising how effective communication can enhance patient care and treatment acceptance. He categorises patients into four personality types—directors, socialisers, relators, and thinkers—and explains how dentists can adapt their communication styles to meet the needs of each type. The discussion also covers the significance of creating a comfortable environment for patients, the necessity of developing both clinical and communication skills, and the role of vision and values in achieving a fulfilling dental practice. Dr. Rogers shares insights from his extensive experience and training programs aimed at helping dentists improve their practice and patient interactions.
KEY TAKEAWAYS!
- Understanding patient personalities is crucial in dentistry.
- Patients can be categorized into four personality types: directors, socializers, relators, and thinkers.
- Effective communication is key to patient acceptance of treatment plans.
- Creating a comfortable environment can help alleviate patient anxiety.
- Photography can enhance communication and understanding between dentists and patients.
- Dentists need to develop both clinical skills and communication skills for success.
- Having a clear vision and values is essential for a fulfilling dental practice.
- Training and development programs can significantly improve a dentist's practice.
- Understanding personality types can lead to better patient experiences.
- Dentistry can be a rewarding profession when approached with the right mindset.
TIME STAMPS
00:00
Understanding Patient Personalities in Dentistry
10:39
The Importance of Communication Skills
20:56
Creating a Comfortable Patient Environment
29:37
Navigating Patient Expectations
38:46
Training and Development in Dentistry
45:36
Life Lessons for a Fulfilling Dental Practice
Learn more about Dr. Derry Rogers and the DR Institute at www.drinstitute.com.au
Summary
In this episode of ODONTOJAM, Dr. Stephanie Tang discusses the significance of early intervention in orthodontics, the effectiveness of clear aligners for children, and the importance of creating comprehensive treatment plans. She also explores the role of AI in orthodontics, how to manage treatment challenges, and the best ways to communicate treatment options to patients, including addressing concerns about recession related to clear aligners.
Time Stamps
00:29 Understanding Early Intervention Orthodontics
06:56 Orthodontic Treatment Planning and Timing
09:05 The Role of AI in Orthodontics
13:16 Daily Operations in Orthodontics
15:07 Managing Treatment Challenges
17:16 Understanding Growth Patterns in Orthodontics
18:53 Camouflage Treatments: Pros and Cons
20:06 Communicating Treatment Options to Patients
23:30 Addressing Concerns About Clear Aligners
27:38 Informed Consent and Patient Communication
In this episode of the ODONTOJAM Podcast, Dr. Jesse Liang sits down with prosthodontist Dr. Gideon Fixler to demystify bonding and cementation of indirect restorations. They trace the evolution from PFM and gold crowns to today’s adhesive-driven, minimal-intervention ceramics. Dr. Fixler breaks down the four pillars of adhesive cementation (etch, primer, bond, composite), shares detailed protocols for lithium disilicate and zirconia, and offers practical tips on chairside etching, silanation, and sandblasting. They also compare material choices—from veneers to resin-bonded bridges and full-coverage crowns—arming general dentists with actionable strategies to optimize their bonding workflows.
Episode Timeline
- 00:00 – Introduction: Importance of cementation for indirect restorations (veneers, crowns, onlays) and guest introduction (Dr. Gideon Fixler)
- 00:41 – Welcome to the OdontoJam Podcast
- 01:02 – Historical perspective: gold and PFM era vs. modern adhesive dentistry
- 01:31 – Shift to minimal-intervention, bonded restorations and material complexity
- 02:20 – Common pitfalls: material selection and over-complication of bonding steps
- 03:36 – Core bonding principles: etch, primer, bond, composite framework
- 04:14 – Lithium disilicate protocol: hydrofluoric acid etch, silanation, contamination management
- 06:04 – Chairside vs. lab etching and silanation workflows, ultrasonic cleaning tips
- 09:20 – Zirconia bonding: clinical reliability, MDP primers, sandblasting parameters
- 14:44 – Material selection rationale: when to choose zirconia versus lithium disilicate
- 17:46 – Resin-bonded bridges: PFM vs. zirconia frameworks and connector design
- 20:24 – Full-coverage crowns: retention versus adhesive cementation and cement choice
- 33:44 – Veneers: light-cure vs. dual-cure cements, rubber-dam isolation, sequencing
- 35:12 – Feldspathic porcelain versus lithium disilicate: aesthetic and lab skill considerations
- 36:11 – Closing remarks and key takeaways
In this week’s episode, Dr. Jesse speaks with Dr. Andrew Heredia - Current ADAVB President, practice co-owner, university educator and parent.
They go into...
- Balancing multiple roles: How Andrew manages leadership, clinical work, teaching and family responsibilities, and the routines he relies on to maintain focus.
- Defining success in dentistry: Why building rapport, clear communication and patient-centred care are central to a satisfying day in practice.
- Current challenges for the profession: A thoughtful discussion on rural dental access, proposals for more comprehensive public care, the mental-health pressures facing clinicians, and a cautious look at AI’s potential in everyday workflows.
They also cover Andrew’s path into ADAVB volunteering, the skills most needed on its committees, and how practice ownership has influenced his approach to patient treatment. For anyone feeling stuck, he suggests stepping beyond familiar routines and exploring new interests as a way to renew engagement with the profession.
Thank you Andrew for joining us on the show!
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Tim Keys to explore the complexities of pediatric dentistry, especially when it comes to treating molar incisor hypermineralization (MIH). We discuss restorative options like stainless steel crowns, the role of fluoride toothpaste in preventing decay, and Tim's take on the use of Tooth Mousse. Tim highlights the importance of a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to each child's age, dentition, and risk factors. Tune in for a conversation full of insights into evidence-based practices that are essential for delivering the best care to young patients.
Be sure to check our Dr. Tim's Blog for more detailed insights into best practices and handy tips and tricks!
https://www.kidsdentaltips.com/posts
Joining me today is Orthodontist Dr. Adam Leung to break down a number Orthodontic questions relevant to our everyday practice. We discuss retention, mechanics, aligners vs fixed Braces, Mewing, airways and early intervention! It’s a jam packed episode, I hope you enjoy!
Whether you love treating Perio, or can’t wait to refer it out, the reality is, as dentists we see periodontal disease every day. IN today’s episode I’m joined by Periodontist Dr. Alex Khominsky and we look at the many facets of Perio and the fascinating ways in which is interacts with the rest of the body. You might be surprised to learn of its correlation and associated with other health disorders - dementia, hypertension and stress and Alex gives a wonderful overview of these emerging areas of research. We talk practical tips on communicating about Perio, the Ortho-Resto-Perio interface as well as the importance of appropriate instrumentation and armamentarium when performing treatment. Beyond Periodontics Alex is also the director of General Dental Residency and he takes us through the development of the program and what lies ahead for the future. This is my conversation with Dr. Alex Khominsky.
AREAS COVERED IN THE PODCAST
What are general dentists missing when it comes to Periodontal therapy?
Be Proactive in managing early periods
How Important is Instrumentation to Periodontal Therapy?
- Sharp Instruments
- Fine Ultrasonics
- Anaesthetic
- Sharpen Every time You Use the instrument
When Should Dentists refer to the Periodontist and when do specialists typically see referred patients?
The Meeting point of Systemic Health and Periodontal Health
- High Blood Pressure
- Vitamin D
Alex’s Masters Research
- Oral - Brain Axis
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Dementia
Stress and Periodontal Inflammation
Heavy Bleeding even with Excellent Oral Hygiene
Ortho-Perio Interface
When is it safe to proceed with Orthodontic treatment after periodontal therapy?
Managing the case if the periodontal health deteriorates
Typical Ortho-Periodontal Issues
Traumatic Occlusion
Restorative Dentistry and Periodontal Intervention
Class V GIC, Composite or Graft
General Dental Residency (GDr)
Be sure to check out Dr. Alex's Instagram (@dr_khominsky) and GDr to learn more about what Alex is doing for the dental education space!
https://www.generaldentalresidency.com.au/
https://www.facebook.com/generaldentalresidency/
Over the past 4 decades dentistry has seen some revolutionary changes and it is continuing to evolve to this very day. To help me make sense of the many changes to the profession over the years, I am joined by Dr. Renato Simionato - a general dentist of 40 years with a wealth of experience to share. I have had the privilege of working at the same practice as Renato the past few years and have always appreciated a perspective on dentistry that transcends decades. Today we’ll be given an insight into how the profession has changed over 40 years but also be reminded of the things which remain constant.
If you enjoyed this episode please do consider giving it a rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!
In today’s episode I am joined by Associate Professor Matt Hopcraft. With over 30 years in the dental industry and having worked in the Army, private and public dental practices Matt is a recognised leader and expert in dental public health and oral health advocacy. We cover a range of topics that Matt is passionate about - in particular Mental Health and Well Being. Matt has many ventures outside dentistry as well and we get into a few of his more current pursuits. We also delve into the current hot topic of ethics in dentistry following some recent media attention that our profession has had lately.
Be sure to checkout the MINDFUL SMILES HUB and Matt's new Podcast - DENTAL AS ANYTHING! Links provided below
Mindful Smiles Hub - https://mindfulsmiles.org/
Insta: @mindful.smiles
FB: https://www.facebook.com/MindfulSmilesHub
LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mindful-smiles/
Dental As Anything - https://matthopcraft.substack.com/
Podcast:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qVv0i6sPPrpFxiuJy9l9C?si=55a7322cd4804714
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/dental-as-anything/id1726122396
In this episode we are joined by the one and only Dr. Sahil Soni to discuss aesthetic dentistry. You'll get some great insight into:
Sahil's philosophy of aesthetic dentistry
Patient management
Developing clinical skills the right mindset
Lessons from Sahil's own mentors
Pearls of wisdom for dentists new and old!
Thank you Sahil for joining us on the show!
There are dentists, there are vets, and there is Dr. Peter Bradbrook. Pete is one of the very few dual qualified dentists and vets in Australia and currently practices in the very specialised field of Veterinarian Dentistry. You'll hear plenty of stories and insights on this episode that you've likely not heard on any other podcast. Thanks Pete for coming on!
Dr. Jamie joins me today and drops some pearls of communication wisdom which are going to change how you approach and practice dentistry! As Dr. Jamie puts it himself “good communication is the gateway to performing treatment” and many of the tips tricks and advice Dr. Jamie shares you could implement in your practice from today! We covered a lot of ground:
- how to talk finances,
- how to communicate risks with patients,
- how to communicate under stress,
- how to maintain trust with patients,
- how to level up communication skills
- practical scenarios
Thank you Dr. Jamie (@jamiethedentist) for the chat.
We're always talking toothpaste with our patients but what is often not talked about is the environmental impact that toothpaste tubes have on the environment.
We have Dr. Abby and Shay (a very talented sister duo) to shed some light of the environmental impacts of toothpaste tubes as well as sharing their alternative product - PARKAL
It’s been a little while but ODONTOJAM is back! For episode #19 we’re joined by Specialist Orthodontist Dr. Katie Xu to help us navigate Clear Aligner Orthodontics.
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Clear Aligners are everywhere and we need to know what we are getting into in order to treat patients safely and predictably.
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Dr. Katie shares a bunch of gems to hopefully help you make better decisions and consider whether or not Clear Aligner Orthodontics might be the best treatment modality for your patient. Katie reminds us that diagnosis, knowledge of biological limitations and fundamentals of orthodontics is critical to success and a stress free workflow in the aligned therapy space.
Thank you Dr. Katie for your insights!
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In this interview we cover:
- Pitfalls with Clear Aligners
- Digital Set Ups (who are we really trusting)
- How much understanding of traditional orthodontics is required
- Differences between Fixed vs. Clear Aligners
- Situations when would we favour Clear Aligners over Fixed Appliances
- Some Clear Aligner tips and tricks from Dr. Katie
i. How often to see patients?
ii. Understanding the differences between aligner companies
iii. Set patients exceptions
iv. Ensure attention to detail during diagnosis, set ups and treatment plan
- Hybrid Appliances - difficulties and complications
For episode 8 we are joined by Specialist Prosthodontist Carolina Perez to discuss a variety of topics in Prosthodontics!
-----TIME STAMPS-----
00:00 Intro
06:50 Journey into Prosthodontics
08:20 Painting
09:20 Deep Margin Elevation
15:20 TMD and Occlusion
20:20 Approaches to Occlusion
24:50 Approaching the Bruxing Patients
28:20 Daily Prosthodontics
30:20 Working with Specialists
31:50 Love for Lab Work
36:00 Prosthodontics in 20 years
Welcome to Season 2 Episode 7!
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Dentistry like the rest of the world is going digital. Whilst it can be daunting to try out new technology and incorporate it into your everyday work flow, there can also be immense benefits.
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Dr. Leighton Phu is the Principal Dentist at SV Dental Centre and someone who has really harnessed the power of digital technology in every day dental practice. Whether you’re currently using digital techniques or unsure about where to start I’m sure you’ll find this episode helpful!
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Thanks Leighton for joining us on the show!
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TIME STAMPS
01:10 - How much of dentistry has moved into the digital sphere
04:32 - Does digital dentistry make things easier?
05:30 - Does Digital Dentistry make anything harder?
06:40 - DJ-ING, Producing and Side Hustles
09:08 - A Typical Day at the Practice (Implants and Pros)
13:25 - How important are the traditional Analog techniques?
14:50 - How digital dentistry helps you see things you couldn’t before
17:55 - Do we have to think differently when it comes to digital dentistry
22:10 - Scanning soft tissue
23:25 - Implants and Digital Dentistry
28:10 - Digital Dentistry allowing greater collaboration
31:55 - The power of digital photography
37:10 - How to start with digital photography?
40:10 - Being a Mentor in the Dental X | ACE Program
44:10 - Where do you see digital dentistry in 20 years time?
Today we're joined by current President of the Australian Dental Students' Association - ADSA - Joanne Ling
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As most of you know this show has been about hearing from all sorts of general and specialist dental practitioners and learning from leaders in the field. However, I thought it would be good to get a student voice amongst our episode catalogue.
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So often we leave dental school and never really hear about what is happening at the universities and what the student experience is like. Especially these days with all of us navigating through this pandemic it would be good to hear what dental students themselves are having to go through.
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Thanks Joanne for coming on the show!
On this month's episode we're joined by Dr. Giulia D'Anna to unpack the world of Injectables. Giulia has a wealth of knowledge and experience when it comes to this topic of Injectables which at times has been quite the controversial subject in our profession. Giulia takes us through her journey, key procedures and risks associated with various treatments. More importantly Giulia highlights how Injectable treatments can serve as a great adjunct to our cosmetic dental treatment planning.
If you would like to see more of Giulia's work be sure to visit Dermal_Distinction (IG:@dermal_distinction)
If you are interested in learning more about Injectables and training that Giulia offers visit https://www.dermaldistinction.com/Mentoring.html
It was a pleasure having you on the show Giulia!
-- TIME STAMPS --
01:45 - In the context of Dentistry what can be achieved with cosmetic injectables?
03:00 - Dentists: What types of injectable treatments are the most common in the dental office?
04:00 - Giulia’s journey into injectables
06:00 - Do dentists need to think differently when treating with injectables as opposed everyday general dentistry?
08:05 - Compared to other areas of dentistry how difficult are injectable procedures?
10:50 - What are the typical risks with Botox and Dermal Fillers?
13:35 - How long do these treatments last?
15:25 - Medico-Legal Considerations
21:05 - Teaching Injectables
26:05 - The biggest learning curve in Injectable treatment
27:15 - Fear of Needles: Outside vs Inside and Patient Psychology
29:05 - Life outside Dentistry and Injectables
The world of implants has evolved so much over the last couple of decades and an area which has really come into focus recently is the Peri Implant Soft Tissue Aesthetic. To discuss this crucial topic we have Dr Angelos Sourial, president of the Australasian Osseointegration Society (VB). Angelos shares his perspective and approach to implants and gets to the heart of why "Soft Tissue is the Issue" when it comes to implant success. For the first time on the podcast we will also have a couple of patient cases which Angelos will take us through. If you are listening on the audio podcast be sure to check out the videos for this episode on Instagram and Facebook @odontojam so you can see these incredible cases that Angelos is taking us through.
Thanks Angelos for joining us on the show!
You can see more of Angelos' cases by visiting his instagram @dr.angelos.sourial
Everyday at the clinic dentists are constantly focused on getting the job done, whether its crowns, cleans, fillings, extractions, our implants - our full attention is solely devoted to achieving the best outcome possible for our patients. However a common thing dentists neglect is themselves - and specifically their posture. Today I have a chat with Dr. Aniko Ball - a dental posture specialist. Aniko takes us through some of the very common yet harmful habits that dentists are doing to themselves everyday at the clinic. It’s quite scary to think how much daily damage we do to ourselves whilst helping others and it really helped to have Aniko break down a lot fo these habits for us, as well as providing solutions for how to improve posture and to maintain healthy habits for a long lasting career. If you’ve ever finished a day with a sore neck, sore back, sore arm or shoulder you might find some life changing hints and wisdom in this conversation. Throughout our chat Aniko demonstrates some visual examples of correct posture and movement and so if you are listening on the Audio Podcast be sure to check out the Faceb
Thank you Aniko for joining us on the show!
TIME STAMPS
- 00:00 Intro
- 02:20 Aniko’s journey to Posture Specialist
- 08:00 How common harmful posture is in general society
- 09:40 Prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in general dentistry
- 10:45 The "Mobile Phone effect" on our body
- 12:38 Loupes: Help or Harm
- 15:50 Factors that Exacerbate Harmful Posture
- 22:20 Common Everyday Harmful Postures in Dental Practice
- 27:05 The Importance of having Loupes and Microscopes calibrated correctly
- 31:46 How long does it take to change harmful habits?
- 33:30 Practice breaking habits away from the clinic
- 38:00 The Alexander Technique
- 43:30 Dental Hypnosis
- 44:55 Anchoring Attention on Breathing
- 49:10 The reality of poor posture on overall quality of life
Most dentists are familiar with the vast variety of disciplines and specialities that exist within our profession. However, one less known speciality is that of Forensic Dentistry. We are joined today by Dr. Jeremy Graham who will take us through his journey as a Forensic Dentist. You’ll hear some incredible stories about his involvement in the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami, Black Saturday Bushfires, and the MH17 disaster. His reflections on these events are certainly inspiring and it’s amazing to see the ways in which our profession can contribute to a greater cause. This is Season 2 Episode 3.
0:00 Intro and Backstory
06:15 Forensic Dentistry
07:50 A Day at the Coroner’s Court
15:05 How a 3 day course turned into a career change
16:50 Boxing Day Tsunami, Black Saturday Bushfires, MH17
42:10 Reflections on the challenges and rewards of doing work for the families
46:30 Reflections on Teaching and Lecturing
Thank you Jeremy for joining us on the show!
INTRO
An area of dentistry that many general dentists find perplexing is the field of Orthodontics. It’s a field that has created much controversy over the years and so I really wanted to deep dive into wide world of Ortho and who better to do that with than none other than Dr. Derek Mahony. As a specialist Orthodontist who lectures and teaches general dentists Derek is able to provide invaluable insight from both sides You’ll find Derek’s presentation style engaging and entertaining and his passion for teaching certainly shines through our conversation. No matter how much Orthodontic knowledge you have (whether beginner or advanced) Derek’s Pearls of Wisdom and practical tips will have you thinking more about Ortho and craniofacial growth the next time you are in clinical practice.
TIME STAMPS
01:05 - How Ortho has changed over the years
04:15 - Derek’s journey into Orthodontics
09:50 - What general dentists should be looking out for in children with an early mixed dentition
14:00 - The ‘Magic’ Number 37
18:40 - Sleep disordered breathing and Orthodontics (Craniofacial Growth as a meeting point of Dentistry and Medicine)
20:45 - Importance of Early Assessmrnt of Airways and Snoring in Children
24:15 - Dentofacial Orthopaedics
25:00 - Dental Consequences of ignoring the airways
27:05 - General Dentists: The Gatekeepers of the Airways
29:45 - The Role of the Specialist
32:45 - Which cases to avoid
35:35 - How to respond to the influx of Direct to Consumer Alginers
42:35 - Teaching, Education and the EODO Mini Residency
49:35 - How Dental Education has changed over the years
53:30 - The Evolution of EODO
01:05:45 - Wine Making and Restoring Classical Sport Cars
01:09:45 - The Future of Orthodontics
To learn more about Dr. Derek Mahony visit www.derekmahony.com
To learn more about Dr. Mahony's Mini Residency in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics visit www.eodo.com.au
Thank you Derek for joining us on the show, it was a pleasure!
Welcome to Season 2 of the podcast!
Implants are becoming a bigger part general practice with more dentists now incorporating dental implants as a treatment modality. If it’s something you are considering introducing or incorporating into your own treatments you’ll find this episode to be quite helpful. I have a chat with Dr. Matthew Youssef who has had extensive training and experience in the field of Dental Implantology. Matt enjoys the pursuit of learning so much that he has undertaken hundreds of hours of CPD and post graduate training programs to expand his knowledge and further his skills. Matt is now at the point where he has his own dental education academy - The Australasian Restorative and Implant Academy (a.k.a. ARIA). We of course talk all things implants and high end treatments but also delve into other areas of dentistry: treatment planning, stress, work life balance and the importance of looking after oneself.
I had a great time chatting with Matt and I hope you enjoy this conversation!
TIME STAMPS
01:50 - Back into 2021
03:20 - Matt’s Incredible First Day of Dentistry
08:00 - The Steep Learning Curve of Dentistry
09:35 - Matt’s Introduction to Implants
11:55 - Matt’s Sales Experience in Phones, Managing Stores
13:50 - Matt’s Implant Journey
16:35 - How Implants fit into General Dentistry
22:40 - How to prepare patients for major treatment and setting expectations
34:50 - Getting patient to see Value in treatment
37:44 - How to manage the stress that comes with comprehensive treatment plans
44:07 - Looking after ourselves in order to look after our patients
48:43 - Matt’s own approach to managing stress
49:20 - Life Outside Dentistry: Juggling Life and Work
56:20 - Founding ARIA
Be sure to check out the Australasian Restorative and Implant Academy on Facebook and Instagram (@ariadentaled) as well Matt's own Instagram page @drmattyoussef to see some of the great cases he shares!
Given the year we had in 2020, I thought it only made sense to address a topic that would resonate with us all - Stress and Mental Health.
Stress and Burnout can affect all of us. It is not a matter of IF but WHEN we’ll find ourselves in a stressful situation. Whilst stress can’t be avoided completely, gaining a better understanding of what stress and burnout actually are can allow us to identify it in our own lives and hopefully equip us to deal with it better. Dr. Annalene Weston knows all about stress: In her role as dento-legal consultant for DPL Annalene regularly assists dentists who find themselves in very stressful situations. This interview was incredibly eye opening for me on multiple levels and I’m sure you’ll learn a lot from our chat as well. We touch on topics of Burnout, Moral Distress, Moral Injury, and how to recognise and potentially prevent them occurring. Annalene’s own story gives us a lot of insight into these concepts and really helps us to breakdown these issues. Whether you are a dental practitioner or not, Annalene’s insights will benefit all!
Thanks Annalene for joining us on the show!
TIME STAMPS
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:01:42 - From English Literature to Dentistry (Annalene’s Story)
00:03:10 - NHStress
00:05:50 - Adventures in Regional Victoria
00:07:30 - Feeling Lucky with Google (Journey to Dento-Legal Advisor)
00:10:28 - Annalene asks about my own journey to dentistry
00:15:21 - Stress in Dentistry
00:16:10 - Burnout
00:17:20 - Emotional Exhaustion, Depersonalisation, Decreased Sense of Personal Accomplishment (Components of Burnout)
00:19:37 - Burnout is Dangerous (Mashlach’s Triad)
00:21:35 - Burnout now recognized by the World Health Organisation (WHO)
00:25:20 - Breaking the Burnout Cycle (Changing the Workplace Environment)
00:29:19 - Recognising your own Burnout, Take a Break
00:32:04 - Preventing Burnout
00:40:14 - Moral Distress and Moral Injury
00:52:50 - Developing Resources and Teaching
01:00:39 - Talking about Failures
01:09:40 - Communication and Developing Soft Skills
01:13:13 - Tricky Complaint Situations
01:17:08 - Valid Consent
01:24:10 - Final words for dentists considering a change of career
In Episode 9 we explore the wide world of Oral Medicine with Dr. Amanda Phoon Nguyen. Amanda is incredibly passionate about all aspects of Oral Medicine and has a real gift for teaching and giving back to the dental community. Amanda shares some really useful tips relating to difficult conversations with patients about oral lesions and provides us with the handy "Two Week Rule". We tackle the complex topic of TMD and it soon becomes evident that teaching around TMD in undergraduate education is only the tip of the iceberg.
If you haven't seen Amanda on social media make sure to follow her Instagram page @oralmedicineoralpathology and Facebook page "A Spoonful of Oral Medicine" (@oralmedicineoralpathology).
Website: https://www.oralmedicineoralpathology.com/
Amanda also has a podcast called "A Spoonful of Oral Medicine" where she talks with a variety of interesting guests in the field!
TIME STAMPS
1:35 Amanda’s Journey into dentistry
4:50 Amanda’s time in the Navy
8:30 Daily Oral Medicine
11:50 Some of Amanda’s tips for General dentists
16:30 Difficult conversations in Oral Medicine
22:38 The “Two Week” Rule
24:00 The Multifaceted World of TMD
29:00 Social Media - take it with a grain of salt
30:30 Psychological Components of TMD
35:30 Teaching, Mentoring and Public Speaking
40:20 The Comparison Trap
42:10 Amanda’s approach to Social Media
43:30 “A Spoonful of Oral Medicine”
44:00 Advice for aspiring Oral Medicine Specialists
In Episode 8 we are joined by Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon Dr. Nu Dastaran!
Nu has had an amazing journey and career so far and we hear all about her beginnings studying Medicine and Dentistry in the UK before moving to Melbourne to pursue Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
Nu shares about her latest venture of learning to fly, as well as some clever insights into the similar mindsets required by pilots and surgeons. We of course talk about oral surgery, dealing with sticky surgical situations, managing patient expectations and touch on the use of botox and other injectable
Thank you Nu for sharing your incredible story, it was a delight to have you on the show!
TIME STAMPS
00:00:00 - INTRO
00:01:25 - NU’s initial Journey to Medicine and Dentistry
00:02:50 - Teaching anatomy
00:05:20 - The London Tube as a study place
00:06:00 - Nu’s first journey to Melbourne and registration as an OMFS in Australia
00:11:24 - Pursuits outside surgery (Ballet, Cycling and Flight School)
00:16:21- Similarities and Differences between flying and Oral/Facial Surgery
00:21:20 - Everyday Oral and Maxillo-Facial Surgery
00:25:08 - Unpredictable and high stakes procedures (Trauma and Orthognathic Surgery)
00:28:40 - Managing Patient Expectations
00:31:11 - When things don’t go to plan
00:37:26 - How to improve surgical skills
00:43:11 - Botox and Injectables
00:49:40 - Final words of advice for aspiring Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Be sure to like and follow The ODONTOJAM Podcast on Facebook and Instagram and don't forget to subscribe to the audio podcast on Apple, Spotify and Google podcasts :)
In today's episode we are joined by Dr. Cigdem Kipel - communication expert and dental entrepreneur.
We delve deep into communication and how essential it is to successful clinical practice. As Cigdem highlights early in the talk: dentists need to refine their communication skills in order to be able to put their technical skills to work. (In fact, Cigdem shares how the first communication course she attended was a key game changer in accelerating her clinical practice). Cigdem shares multiple communication tips and gems throughout the interview that practitioners young and old will be able to apply to their own daily dentistry right away.
Beyond dentistry and communication we move into the startup space where Cigdem shares her recent endeavours to create not one, but two dental software companies (Level Up and Principle Practice Management). Cigdem's passion and amazing achievements so far in her career are an inspiration to all dentists out there!
You can find Cigdem on instagram @dr.cigdemkipel where she posts both clinical cases and communication tips (as well as photos of her lovely Golden Retriever - Poppy)
Be sure to check out Level Up and Principle Practice Management from the links below
https://levelup.dental
httPs://principle.dental
Episode Outline with Time Stamps
00:00:00 - Episode Introduction
00:01:21 - Cigdem's early dental years
00:03:32 - First non clinical CPD course (a key game changer)
00:10:00 - Teaching and the learning process
00:14:30 - Communication as a key to successful dental practice
00:23:14 - Listening is the Key
00:36:00 - Dental Photography and non-verbal communication
00:50:00 - Getting feedback and fostering a culture of self-improvement
00:56:40 - Level Up Software
01:10:00 - Staff and Team Communication
01:20:00 - Prinicple Practice Management
01:26:30 - Final words of advice
Be sure to follow The Odontojam Podcast on Facebook and Instagram (@odontojam)
In this episode we are joined by Specialist Periodontist Dr. Suman Bellur to discuss all things Perio! We discuss a number of topics with Suman including her journey to Perio, the importance of patient communication when discussing periodontal disease as well as life outside the clinic!
Thanks for the great chat Suman it was a pleasure having you on!
In EPISODE 5 we are joined by Dr. Adrian Dang and Dr. David Trinh to chat about Volunteering in Dentistry!
David and Adrian lead the Rotary Australia-Vietnam Dental Field Team which provides dental treatment to primary school children in Rural Vietnam who have limited access to oral health services
I was fortunate enough to attend this trip myself led by Adrian and David and I thought it would be a great way to share with the dental community the various opportunities beyond the clinic. We have a few laughs and reflect on how the trip had a real positive impact on ourselves and the team. (If you are watching the podcast on a video platform you'll see some highlights and photos from the trip towards the middle of the episode)
You'll also hear about:
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Adrian and David's initial role as volunteers and how they eventually took over the program
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The challenges (cultural and logistical) of organising a volunteering program on an international scale
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How to provide dental treatment with limited resources and equipment
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The many fun activities David and Adrian plan for the team
Thanks Adrian and David for coming on the show!
In this episode we are joined by Specialist Endodontist Dr. Aovana Timmerman. We touch on Aovana's journey to specialising in endodontics, her current pursuit of her PhD and learn about her experiences as a clinical demonstrator. Aovana shares some fantastic insights in relation to endodontic treatment and patient communication as well as some encouragements to any general dentists thinking of pursuing endodontics.
Be sure to keep updated with Aovana's tips and insights on her instagram @dr_aovana_timmerman_endo
In this episode with are joined by Dr. Sam Koh to discuss his incredible journey through dentistry so far. Early in his career Sam co-founded the Young Dentist Hub as a way to create accessible and high quality CPD events and courses for younger dentists. Not longer after, Sam himself started lecturing both in Australia and overseas and is now a multiple practice owner. Sam actively engages with the dental community through his social media account @Dr.SamKoh (Instagram) where he shares clinical tips, tricks and case discussions to help the younger generation of dentists. With such a wealth of experience to bring to the conversation it was a pleasure having a chat with Sam.
In our second episode of The ODONTOJAM Podcast we are joined by Dental Surgeon Dr. David Goubrial and delve into his experience with oral surgery. He provides some great insight into extractions and surgical procedures as well sharing some great advice on the importance of having a mentor and on-going mentorship.
Dr. Goubrial teaches the Surgical Extraction Course with the Australasian Restorative and Implant Academy. For more information visit https://ariadentaled.com.au/
Thanks for tuning in and we'll see you guys next time!
On our very first episode of The ODONTOJAM Podcast we have a good friend and mentor of mine - Dr. Andrew Chio. Andrew plays a very active role in the Dental CPD scene having run multiple courses over the years here in Australia and Asia. He has lectured and taught along side the likes of Dr. Pascal Magne, Jason Smithson, and Mauro Fradeani. Andrew has publications in peer reviewed dental journals and has recently started the Dental X Group with his colleague and friend Dr. Anthony Mak. Andrew has a real passion for teaching, mentoring and giving back to the dental community and throughout the podcast you will really hear his enthusiasm shine through. We learn of Andrew's adventures in Nepal as a new graduate and how it helped shaped his character to this day. We hear some great tips when it comes to adhesive dentistry and learn about Andrew's endeavours with dental CPD. This is the first of many episodes to come and one not to be missed!
Welcome to the Odontojam podcast! In this short introduction you'll get you a taste of what to expect in the next weeks and months. This podcast is a platform for dentists young and old to learn from expert dentists and specialists to improve our clinical skills and learn more about our dental colleagues. We hope you find the conversations entertaining and insightful and please let us know if there are any topics you would like covered! Videos of the podcast interviews will be uploaded to Instagram and Youtube @ODONTOJAM.
Stay tuned!