Explore every episode of the podcast Conversations with Dental Friends
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| S6 Ep 12 : Can You Combine Your Greatest Passions? Where Dentistry Meets Sport w/ Dr Umair Mohammed | 29 oct. 2026 | 01:07:39 | |
Can one cold email change your career? Creating your own luck How can combining dentistry with something you already love create an entirely new career direction? In the series finale of Conversations with Dental Friends, Rachael is joined by Dr Umair Mohammed, a cosmetic and sports dentist, co-founder of the UK Sports Dentistry Association and co-host of The Sports Dentistry Podcast. In this episode, we cover:
Content note At approximately 38:42 to 41:43, Umair discusses his wife’s diagnosis of stage-three bowel cancer and how it changed his outlook on life, purpose and professional legacy. Sports dentistry organisations and education
The UK Sports Dentistry Association describes its community as including dentists, dental care professionals, researchers and wider healthcare professionals, reflecting Umair’s emphasis that this field is not only for dentists. sportsdentistryuk.com The Sports Dentistry Podcast The podcast is hosted by Umair Mohammed and John Haughey and explores oral health, athletic performance and the development of sports dentistry around the world. podcasts.apple.com Further reading
Connect with Umair Umair’s current professional profiles confirm his MSc in Sports Dentistry, his work with elite sport and his involvement in the UK Sports Dentistry Association. Edinburgh Cosmetic Dentist Continue the conversation
Sponsors A huge thank you to Oral-B and NSK for supporting Conversations with Dental Friends. Free Career Planning Workbook If you would like the free Conversations with Dental Friends Career Planning Workbook, comment or message the word “link”. This is the final episode of the series, so make sure you are following Conversations with Dental Friends to hear when the next series begins. | |||
| S6 Ep 11 : What Does Balance Really Look Like? Yoga, Motherhood & Dentistry with Samantha Cawsey | 22 oct. 2026 | 00:59:13 | |
Can you do motherhood and dentistry your way? Yoga, balance and choosing your season What happens when the version of success you need begins to change? In this episode of Conversations with Dental Friends, Rachael is joined by one of her closest friends, dental therapist and qualified yoga teacher Samantha Cawsey. Samantha explains how dentistry found her after she left school feeling uncertain about her direction. A dental nursing position introduced her to a profession that combined creativity, preparation, pressure and human connection. After completing further qualifications in dental radiography and oral health education, she went on to study dental therapy at Newcastle University, where she met Rachael. They reflect on university, learning to trust your abilities and making better use of the experts around you. Samantha also discusses the periodontal education that gave her greater confidence and a clearer structure for patient care. The conversation then moves beyond dentistry. Samantha shares why she travelled alone to Goa for yoga teacher training and how breathing, mindfulness and connection now influence the way she works with patients. At the heart of the episode is an honest discussion about motherhood and career identity. Samantha explains why she has chosen to pause professional progression, dedicate this season to her family and trust that dentistry will still be there when she is ready to return with greater energy. In this episode, we cover:
Content note Between approximately 38:34 and 42:59, the conversation briefly includes personal reflections on fertility pressure, adjusting to maternity leave, career identity and mental health. Samantha’s book recommendations
Both titles and authors have been checked against the publisher and recognised Iyengar Yoga resources. harpercollins.co.uk Yoga teacher training
Himalaya Yoga Valley currently offers 200-hour and 300-hour teacher-training pathways, although the structure may have changed since Samantha completed her course in January 2020. yogagoaindia.com Periodontal education mentioned
Dental therapy education Connect with Samantha Continue the conversation
Sponsors A huge thank you to Oral-B and NSK for supporting Conversations with Dental Friends. Free Career Planning Workbook If you would like the free Conversations with Dental Friends Career Planning Workbook, comment or message the word “link”. Follow the podcast and share this episode with a dental friend who may need permission to approach their career at a different pace. | |||
| S6 Ep 10 : How Do You Build a Dental Career You Love? Finding You Niche with Dr Ian Dunn | 15 oct. 2026 | 00:48:33 | |
How do you find your thing in dentistry? Perio, purpose and patience How do you build a fulfilling dental career when you do not yet know which direction you want to take? In this episode of Conversations with Dental Friends, Rachael is joined by specialist periodontist, educator and speaker Dr Ian Dunn. Ian explains why he originally planned to study engineering and how one short careers talk completely changed his direction. After qualifying from Leeds, he spent eight years working as an NHS general dentist before an unexpected teaching opportunity introduced him to periodontology. What initially seemed like a route into another area of dental education gradually became Ian’s professional passion. A four-day periodontal course brought his academic and clinical knowledge together, transformed the results he was achieving and encouraged him to pursue further training. Ian also shares what he learned from teaching alongside Phil Ower, why educators should remain connected to clinical practice and why the purpose of a course should be to empower the audience rather than showcase the speaker. The conversation explores behaviour change, the relationship between periodontitis and wider health, the growing influence of artificial intelligence and the importance of remembering the person behind every periodontal chart. Ian finishes with reassuring career advice for anyone feeling lost, pressured or unhappy. You do not need to specialise to prove your value, and you do not need to build your career at somebody else’s pace. In this episode, we cover:
Links and resources
The BSP Patient Forum contributes the patient perspective to periodontal information and resources, while The Sound of Periodontitis shares the human experience of the disease through patients’ stories. bsperio.org.uk Ian’s current professional profile confirms his continued involvement in clinical periodontology and postgraduate dental education. periocourses.co.uk Continue the conversation
Free Career Planning Workbook If you would like a copy of Rachael’s free Career Planning Workbook, comment or message the word “link”. A huge thank you to Oral-B and NSK for supporting Conversations with Dental Friends. | |||
| S6 Ep 9 : Can Belief Change Your Career? Confidence, Icon & Education with Dr Kiran Shankla | 08 oct. 2026 | 00:48:12 | |
Can one mentor transform your career? Confidence, Icon and education What difference can one supportive person make to the direction of your career? In this episode of Conversations with Dental Friends, Rachael is joined by Dr Kiran Shankla, a restorative and cosmetic dentist based in Reading. Kiran explains why dentistry was never originally part of her plan and how a conversation with a family friend encouraged her to completely rethink her A-level choices. She went on to study dentistry at the University of Birmingham, work in Australia and complete a four-year part-time master’s in restorative dentistry at UCL Eastman. One of the most powerful parts of Kiran’s story is the influence of mentorship. She shares how a supportive practice principal offered honest feedback, encouraged her development and helped her recognise the quality of her own clinical work. The conversation also explores Kiran’s experience with Icon resin infiltration. She discusses the young patient whose successful treatment transformed her understanding of what the procedure could achieve and explains how her growing clinical experience eventually led to opportunities with DMG and dental education. Kiran offers practical advice on selecting early cases, setting realistic expectations, protecting the soft tissues and booking enough time. She also shares an honest perspective on working abroad, brand partnerships, lecturing and deciding whether practice ownership is truly the right goal for you. In this episode, we cover:
Kiran’s Icon advice Kiran recommends beginning with simpler white spot cases and patients who understand that every outcome is individual. Setting expectations is particularly important while you are developing your confidence. Her preference is to use rubber dam isolation where possible. When this is not suitable, she recommends using an appropriate liquid dam to protect the soft tissues from the hydrochloric acid etchant. Kiran’s biggest practical message is to book more time than you think you will need. Some lesions require additional etching cycles, and rushing may mean stopping shortly before achieving the desired result. Links and resources mentioned
Course dates change, so contact DMG directly or follow Kiran for current Icon education and training information. https://uk.dmg-dental.com/education-and-events/education/detail/default-fc015d38b141caeb8cab84a86fcfe102-1 Connect with Kiran Continue the conversation
Sponsors A huge thank you to Oral-B and NSK for supporting Conversations with Dental Friends. Free Career Planning Workbook If you would like Rachael’s free Conversations with Dental Friends Career Planning Workbook, comment or message the word “link” and she will send it to you. Follow the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and share this episode with a dental friend who would enjoy Kiran’s story. | |||
| S6 Ep 8 : Are Dental Therapists Overlooking Paediatrics? Building Confidence with Bradley Wilson | 01 oct. 2026 | 00:56:09 | |
Could paediatric dentistry unlock your full scope? Confidence, care and career growth What if a successful paediatric appointment does not end with completed treatment, but with a child feeling slightly safer than they did before? In this episode of Conversations with Dental Friends, Rachael is joined by dental therapist Bradley Wilson. Bradley’s career began with musical theatre, dance and performing as Billy Elliot in London’s West End. He explains how the discipline, professionalism and communication skills developed during that chapter of his life later transferred into dentistry. After returning home, Bradley left his A-level studies and trained as a dental nurse. Working alongside a dental therapist introduced him to a profession he had not previously known existed, inspiring him to complete an access diploma and study dental therapy in Sheffield. Bradley now works across a broad dental therapy scope, including periodontal care, examinations, restorative dentistry and paediatric treatment. He shares how treating children has strengthened his diagnostic skills, communication and confidence as a clinician. The conversation explores why paediatric treatment must be adapted to the individual child, how parents’ anxieties can influence an appointment and why clinicians should recognise small steps as genuine progress. Bradley also introduces Perfecting Paediatrics, his practical course designed to help dental therapists develop their confidence, clinical protocols and professional support network. In this episode
Links and resources mentioned
Connect with Bradley Continue the conversation
Sponsors A huge thank you to Oral-B and NSK for sponsoring Conversations with Dental Friends. Free career planning workbook If you would like the free Conversations with Dental Friends Career Planning Workbook, comment or message the word “link” and Rachael will send it to you. Follow the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and share this episode with a dental friend or practice team who would love to explore more paediatric dental therapy. | |||
| S6 Ep 7 : What Makes a Great Dental Career? Opportunity Support & Learnings with Dr Nicola Gore | 24 sept. 2026 | 01:18:15 | |
Can saying yes shape an extraordinary career? In this episode of Conversations with Dental Friends, Rachael is joined by Dr Nicola Gore, a restorative dentist, practice owner, educator, author and Vice President of the College of General Dentistry. In this episode, we cover:
Content note This episode contains brief references to suicide-related trauma, bereavement and distressing cases encountered within hospital dentistry. The supplied transcript contains only an opening timestamp, so a precise time for this section is not available. Nicola’s advice for early-career clinicians Nicola encourages new clinicians to invest in good loupes and a reliable camera, photograph their work with appropriate consent and begin building a portfolio from the earliest stages of their careers. Her central message is to learn to walk before trying to run. Strong cosmetic or restorative dentistry still depends on communication, trust, documentation, isolation and sound clinical fundamentals. Nicola also stresses the importance of being honest about limitations and possible complications. Patients cannot make an informed decision unless they understand both what treatment may achieve and what could go wrong. Dentistry in a Nutshell discount code Nicola co-authored Dentistry in a Nutshell with Dr Raabiha N Maan. The book uses practical tables and flowcharts to support dental students, clinicians, dental therapists, dental nurses, professionals returning to practice and candidates preparing for overseas registration examinations. You can use the discount code NEC when ordering Dentistry in a Nutshell. The code is available until 30 September 2026. Links and resources mentioned
Continue the conversation
Sponsors A huge thank you to Oral-B and NSK for supporting Conversations with Dental Friends. Free Career Planning Workbook If you would like Rachael’s free Conversations with Dental Friends Career Planning Workbook, comment or message the word “link” and she will send it to you. Follow the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and share this episode with a dental friend who would enjoy Nicola’s story. | |||
| S6 Ep 6 : Can Better Health Make You Better at Business? Performance From Within with George Vernon | 17 sept. 2026 | 00:46:31 | |
Can success cost you your health? High performance without burnout What if looking after your health was not separate from building a successful dental career, but one of the most important parts of it? In this episode, Rachael is joined by George Vernon, a health and performance coach who works with dental professionals, practice owners, business leaders and other ambitious professionals. George shares how his early dream of becoming a boxing champion led him into sports science, strength and conditioning, athlete coaching and, eventually, the world of dentistry. His experience of pushing his own training to the point of burnout shaped his evidence-based approach to psychology, nutrition and physical health. Together, Rachael and George explore why dental professionals often place themselves at the bottom of their priority lists, how small improvements can protect energy and extend a career, and why the right kind of coaching can reduce years of trial and error. They also discuss building an authentic professional presence on LinkedIn, finding a niche through meaningful work and redefining success around the values that matter most to you. In this episode
Links and resources mentioned
Connect with George Continue the conversation
With thanks to our sponsors A huge thank you to Oral-B and NSK for sponsoring this episode and supporting Conversations with Dental Friends.
If this conversation made you think differently about health, success or the way you are building your career, please share it with a dental friend. You can also receive the free Conversations with Dental Friends Career Planning Workbook by commenting the word link on the episode. | |||
| S6 Ep 5 : How Can Dental Therapists Create More Opportunities? Using Your Full Scope with Imogen Fox | 10 sept. 2026 | 00:57:26 | |
Could saying yes transform your dental career? From safe beginner to paediatric leader What if the next step in your career is not part of a carefully mapped-out five-year plan, but simply an opportunity you are curious enough to say yes to? In this episode of Conversations with Dental Friends, Rachael is joined by award-winning dental hygienist and therapist Imogen Fox, whose incredibly varied career has taken her through foundation training, head and neck cancer care, special care dentistry, education, private practice and paediatric dentistry. Imogen shares why becoming a “safe beginner” is the real goal when we qualify and how the right mentorship helped her build confidence in her full dental therapy scope. We also discuss why you do not need to feel completely ready before accepting an opportunity and how some of Imogen’s biggest career developments began with a leap of faith. The conversation explores Imogen’s formative work as one of the UK’s first Macmillan dental therapists, what treating head and neck cancer patients taught her about compassionate empathy and the importance of knowing when to ask for help. We also look at the huge opportunity for dental therapists within paediatric dentistry. Imogen explains how therapists can lead children’s examinations, prevention and restorative care, while sharing practical advice for creating a positive experience for young patients. This is a wonderfully reassuring conversation about staying curious, building confidence, exploring your scope and creating a dental career that can evolve alongside the different seasons of your life. In this episode
Links and resources mentioned
Connect with Imogen
Continue the conversation
A huge thank you to Oral-B and NSK for sponsoring this episode and supporting Conversations with Dental Friends. If this conversation encouraged you to explore more of your scope or say yes to a new opportunity, share it with a dental friend who might need that reminder too. You can also download the free Conversations with Dental Friends Career Planning Workbook by commenting the word link on the episode, and I’ll send it directly to you. Imogen Instagram @dental.hygienist.uk | |||
| S6 Ep 4 : Could Dentistry Prepare You For Business? From Clinician to Founder with Dr Ariba Karim | 03 sept. 2026 | 00:54:44 | |
Could dentistry prepare you for business? From clinician to founder What happens when the career you worked so hard for no longer feels like the right fit? In this episode of Conversations with Dental Friends, Rachael is joined by dentist, facial aesthetics practitioner and founder of Whip Belfast, Dr Ariba Karim. Ariba shares the honest story behind her journey from dentistry into hospitality and entrepreneurship. We talk about cultural expectations, choosing dentistry, navigating difficult working environments and the realities of building a career as a self-employed dental professional. After working across Northern Ireland and Dublin, Ariba began to recognise that her mental health was being affected by a career she no longer felt passionate about. Through therapy, travel and plenty of self-reflection, she uncovered a long-suppressed ambition to build something of her own. That idea became Whip Belfast, a personality-filled concept café known for its açaí bowls, matcha, creative menus and distinctly “girly pop” energy. This is a wonderfully honest conversation about career pivots, transferable skills, financial risk, resilience and what can happen when you allow yourself to pursue the work that genuinely lights you up. In this episode
Links and resources mentioned
Connect with Ariba and Whip Belfast
Continue the conversation
A huge thank you to Oral-B and NSK for sponsoring this episode and supporting Conversations with Dental Friends. If this conversation made you think differently about your own career, share it with a dental friend who might need to hear it. You can also download the free Conversations with Dental Friends Career Planning Workbook by commenting the word link on the episode, and I’ll send it directly to you. | |||
| S6 Ep 3 : Could Better Boundaries Help Protect Your Dental Career? Preventing Burnout with Dr Rana | 27 août 2026 | 01:06:05 | |
What if the answer to burnout isn’t simply doing less, but learning how to live, work and succeed in a completely different way? In this episode of Conversations with Dental Friends, Rachael is joined by specialist periodontist, author, coach, international speaker and fellow podcaster Dr Rana Al-Falaki. Rana was the first periodontist in the UK to begin using lasers in daily practice and has developed minimally invasive periodontal protocols that are now informing clinical trials around the world. Alongside her clinical and educational work, she is the creator of the NAIL-IT Leadership System, which helps professionals pursue sustainable success without sacrificing their health, happiness or relationships. Behind Rana’s extraordinary career is an incredibly honest story of burnout. She shares what happened when years of overachievement, emotional trauma, professional pressure and never asking for help finally caught up with her. Content note This episode contains a personal discussion of childhood trauma and sexual abuse. This begins at approximately 26 minutes and 15 seconds within the original interview. Please be aware that the precise timestamp may move slightly following the addition of the episode introduction and sponsorship messages. Please look after yourself while listening and feel completely free to pause or skip this part of the conversation. Find out more about Dr Rana Al-Falaki Dr Rana’s official website: https://www.drranaalfalaki.com/ Follow Dr Rana on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drranaalfalaki/ Discover NAIL-IT Leadership and Rana’s coaching, workshops and services: https://www.drranaalfalaki.com/nail-it Find out more about NAIL-IT Leadership: Your Blueprint to Optimal Performance: https://www.drranaalfalaki.com/nail-it-leadership Listen to the NAIL-IT Podcast with Dr Rana Al-Falaki and Dr Bhavin Patel: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/nail-it/id1824975541 Follow the NAIL-IT Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nailit_podcast/ NAIL-IT events and education Find out more about the NAIL-IT Leadership Experience and upcoming 2026 dates: Find out more about Rana’s periodontal and peri-implant courses: https://www.nailitindentistry.com/perio-courses Find out more about the periodontal and peri-implant masterclass taking place in London on 20 and 21 November 2026: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYeIAZNmhry/ Thank you to our sponsors A huge thank you to Oral-B and NSK for sponsoring this episode and supporting Conversations with Dental Friends. Find out more about Oral-B Professional: https://www.oralbprofessional.co.uk/s/ Find out more about NSK UK: Stay connected with Conversations with Dental Friends Follow the podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conversationswithdentalfriends/ Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@homegirlhygienist2756?si=IfQgFNVLAMZu1rcL https://substack.com/@conversationswithdentalfriends?r=57fuak&utm_medium=ios Join us on Substack: Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0TR0CyMSp9K3JHIg8eg9nQ Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/conversations-with-dental-friends/id1802284203 Free Career Planning Workbook If you would like some space to reflect on what you want from your own dental career, comment the word LINK on the episode post and I’ll send you my free Conversations with Dental Friends Career Planning Workbook. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a rating or review and share it with a dental friend who may need to hear this conversation. | |||
| S6 Ep : 2 Can Social Media Completely Change Your Dental Career? with Anna Peterson | 20 août 2026 | 00:55:06 | |
From making blue-tack braces 🦷😂 to becoming a dental therapist, educator, content creator for 245k+ people, and working with some of the biggest brands in dentistry… Anna Peterson’s journey is a powerful reminder that you don’t always know where one decision will take you. In this episode, we talk about career pivots, confidence, social media, and what it really looks like behind the polished dental Instagram world. Anna shares how she didn’t get the A level grades she needed for dentistry, and how she only discovered dental therapy after that door closed. From there, she stepped into a role in restorative dentistry, learned new clinical skills years into practice, and eventually found her way into content creation and education online. We also dive into the moment everything changed online, when her first viral video almost got deleted at just 10 views… before unexpectedly reaching nearly one million views in under 24 hours. Since then, social media has opened doors she never expected, including collaborations with Oral-B and NSK, lecturing opportunities, presenting, and educating thousands of people about oral health. But beyond the viral moments, this conversation is really about something deeper. 💡 Key themes we cover:
🧠 Anna’s biggest reminder: You are allowed to ask questions. You are allowed to not know everything. You are allowed to build confidence slowly. And you absolutely do not have to follow a traditional route. Because behind every perfect composite, viral video, and polished Instagram feed… there’s a human being figuring it out too. And as Anna beautifully puts it: “We’re all in it together.” 🫶🏼 ⸻ 🔗 Links & Resources 👩⚕️ Follow Anna Peterson: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annapetersondental?igsh=MWhyNWk5ZHYycXY2eQ==&igsi=MWhyNWk5ZHYycXY2eQ== 📱 Conversations with Dental Friends: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conversationswithdentalfriends?igsh=bTh4ZWRlank3dWJs 💙 Sponsored by Oral-B Explore Oral-B professional products & resources: 👉 https://www.oralbprofessional.co.uk/s/login/ 🦷 Sponsored by NSK Discover NSK dental equipment & solutions: 👉 https://mynsk.co.uk ⸻ ✨ In this episode, we also mention:
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| S6 Ep 1 : Are You Seeing the Patient or Just the Tooth? Find Your Focus with Dr Ambrish Roshan | 13 août 2026 | 01:16:35 | |
In this episode of Conversations with Dental Friends, I’m joined by Dr Ambrish Roshan, dentist, educator and dental photography enthusiast, for a conversation about finding your direction in dentistry, building a career around the things you genuinely enjoy and why photography can completely change the way you practise. Ambrish shares the story of moving from Singapore to Ireland to study dentistry, the challenges he faced as an international graduate trying to enter the Irish workforce, and how taking a leap of faith has shaped his career. We talk about: 📸 Why dental photography is so much more than before-and-after photos Ambrish explains how documenting each stage of treatment has become one of his most valuable learning and reflection tools, allowing him to identify where things went wrong and continually improve his clinical work. 🦷 Treating the patient, not just the tooth From his early training in implant dentistry to his current restorative work, Ambrish talks about the importance of looking at the patient as a whole and understanding what they actually value when planning treatment. 💬 Putting the patient in the driving seat We discuss listening to patients, understanding their priorities and balancing the three big costs of treatment: time, biology and money. Ambrish shares how he approaches consultations and why understanding a patient’s values can completely change treatment planning. 📷 Creating a simple photography workflow Ambrish talks us through his approach to photographing new patients, including his baseline photographic records, how he uses photography to communicate with patients and why he believes taking 15–20 photographs doesn’t need to take more than two minutes once you have a system. 🎓 Investing in yourself and learning through reflection We talk about his postgraduate training, the photography course that changed his approach and why sometimes the biggest learning comes from reviewing your own work rather than simply completing another course. 📱 Social media, photography & attracting the dentistry you want to do Ambrish shares how posting his clinical photography organically led to patients finding him and explains why showcasing the work you want to do can be such a powerful marketing tool. 🤝 Working with dental brands We also chat about becoming a KOL, choosing brands that align with your values and why authenticity and genuinely using the products you talk about are so important when building trust with your audience. And, of course, we talk about what’s next for Ambrish, including his plans for composite and photography education and some exciting projects coming later in 2026. 🔗 Find Ambrish Instagram: @dr.ambrish.roshan Courses / education: EduDental.ie DON’T FORGET ADD RACHAEL10 AT CHECKOUT FOR 10% OFF 💡 Mentioned in this episode Focus Photography Course – Minesh Patel If you would like to sign up for Oral-B iO testdrive click here To Sell Is Human – Daniel H. Pink Don’t forget Ambrish has very kindly offered a 10% discount off his upcoming photography course with the code RACHAEL10 Click the course link and add the discount code here ⸻ 🦷 This episode is proudly supported by Oral-B 🦷 This episode is also supported by NSK | |||
| S5 Ep 12 : What Happens When You Advocate from Inside Corporate Dentistry? with Caitlin Miller | 09 juil. 2026 | 00:37:24 | |
SEASON FINALE 🎙️✨ I genuinely cannot believe we’re already at the final episode of Season 5 of Conversations With Dental Friends 🥹🤍 I’m joined by the brilliant Caitlin Miller, Dental Therapist and Head of Dental Hygiene and Therapy at Bupa Dental Care 👏 This conversation felt SO important because we spoke honestly about what it’s really like working within corporate dentistry, the future of dental hygiene and therapy, and how we can better support clinicians in a profession that can sometimes feel incredibly isolating 💭 from starting out as a dental nurse and finding her place within hygiene and therapy, to now leading national initiatives within Bupa, Caitlin’s journey is such a reminder that careers in dentistry can evolve in ways you never expect ✨ in this episode we chat about: ✨ the realities of working within corporate dentistry ✨ support systems and clinician wellbeing ✨ career progression beyond the surgery ✨ the future of dental therapy within the UK ✨ building community for hygienists and therapists What I loved most about this conversation is how much passion Caitlin has for making hygienists and therapists feel heard, valued and supported 🫶🏼 🎧 listen now wherever you get your podcasts I also just want to say the biggest THANK YOU to everyone who has supported this season of Conversations With Dental Friends 🤍 whether you’ve listened to one episode or every single one, shared the podcast, messaged me after an episode or supported from behind the scenes… thank you so much 🫶🏼 And a huge thank you as well to our sponsors @siobhan_education and @lighthouse_dental_company_ire for supporting this season of the podcast ✨ After this episode we’ll be taking a short summer break ☀️ there are so many exciting things coming for the next season already and I genuinely can’t wait 💫 To find out more about dental hygienist and dental therapist scope of practice click here To find out more about a career in bupa click here To find out more about Siobhan education click here To find out more about light house dental company click here | |||
| S5 Ep 11: What Happens When You Fall Into a Career You End Up Loving? with Stacey Sagar | 01 juil. 2026 | 01:07:25 | |
New episode of Conversations With Dental Friends is live 🎙️✨ This week I’m joined by the lovely Stacey Saagar and honestly… this conversation felt like such an important reminder that careers in dentistry are allowed to evolve alongside you 🤍 We spoke so openly about confidence, growth, balancing career ambitions with real life, and navigating the pressures that can sometimes come with working in dentistry 💭 From her journey into dental nursing, to education, mentorship and creating a career that aligns with both professional goals and personal priorities, @staceysagar.dental shares so much honesty and perspective throughout this episode 👏🏼 In this episode we chat about: ✨ building confidence within dentistry ✨ balancing family life and career growth ✨ imposter syndrome and self doubt ✨ moving into education and mentorship ✨ creating opportunities beyond clinical practice in the business side of dentistry ✨ the importance of community within dentistry ✨ professional identity and career progression ✨ why your career doesn’t need to look linear to be successful what I loved most about this conversation is how relatable it felt 🫶🏼 🎧 listen now wherever you get your podcasts if you’re currently navigating career uncertainty, trying to build confidence or figuring out what you actually want from your future in dentistry, I really think this episode will resonate 💫 Thankyou so much to @siobhaneducation and @lighthousedentalcompany for sponsoring this episode And as always, if you’d like my free Dental Career Planning Workbook, DM me the word LINK 📚✨ You can find out more about your scope of practice as a dental nurse here You can find out how to become a dental nurse here You can find out more about Stacey’s course here You can find out more about lighthouse dental company here You can find out more about Siobhan’s amazing courses here Don’t forget to follow Stacey on Instagram stacey.sagar_dental You can follow the podcast @conversationswithdentalfriends and I’m over there too @homegirlhygienist See you next week for the series finale of Conversations with Dental Friends 🎧🎙️💗 | |||
| S5 Ep 10 : What Does Female Ownership in Dentistry Really Take? With Dr Raabiha Maan | 25 juin 2026 | 01:09:07 | |
New episode of Conversations With Dental Friends is live 🎙️✨ This week I’m joined by the amazing Raahbia Maan and honestly… this conversation felt SO honest, motivating and refreshing 🤍 We spoke about what it really looks like to build confidence in your career while navigating the pressures of dentistry, social media, personal growth and figuring out who you are both inside and outside of the clinic 💭 From her journey into dentistry, to building her online presence, stepping into education and creating opportunities for herself beyond traditional clinical work… @drraabhia story is such a reminder that you don’t have to limit yourself to one version of success 👏 TW we do chat about fertility and miscarriage in the episode so if you’d rather not listen the timestamp for this part of the conversation is in the intro in this episode we chat about: ✨ building confidence as a dental professional ✨ social media and personal branding in dentistry ✨ imposter syndrome and comparison culture ✨ creating opportunities outside of clinical practice ✨ education, mentorship and career growth ✨ balancing ambition with authenticity ✨ finding your people within the profession and @thedentalmumsnetwork What I loved most about this conversation is how openly we spoke about confidence and self belief 🫶🏼 because I think so many people in dentistry are quietly questioning themselves while simultaneously trying to hold everything together professionally, especially as a mum or a female practice owner in dentistry. And hearing someone else be honest about that can feel really reassuring 🤍 Thanks so much to Siobhan Kelleher Education and Lighthouse Dental Company for sponsoring this episode 🎧 listen now wherever you get your podcasts If you’re currently navigating career uncertainty, trying to build confidence, thinking about putting yourself out there online, or figuring out what you want from your future in dentistry, I really think this episode will resonate 💫 and as always, if you’d like my free Dental Career Planning Workbook, DM me the word LINK 📚✨ You can find out more about dental mums network here Find out more about Dr Raabiha’s practice here To find out more about Dentistry in a Nutshell including the new book here You can listen to Raabiha’s Dental Women’s Podcast here To find out more about Siobhan Kelleher education click here To find out more about lighthouse dental company here You can see Dr Raabiha’s instagram here See you next week for another Conversation with Dental Friends | |||
| S5 Ep 9 : What Does It Take to Train the Next Generation of Dental Therapists with Ibby Numan | 18 juin 2026 | 00:47:01 | |
New episode of Conversations With Dental Friends is live 🎙️✨ This week I’m joined by the brilliant Ibby Numan and honestly… this conversation felt like such an important one for anyone navigating their career in dentistry 🤍 From starting out as a Dental Nurse at the Eastman, to training as a Dental Therapist during Covid, moving into education, working with BADT and helping therapists build confidence through @restore… Ibby’s story is such a reminder that careers don’t need to be linear to be meaningful 👏 in this episode we chat about: ✨ finding your path in dentistry even when you don’t have it all figured out ✨ the reality of training as a dental therapist ✨ confidence, manual dexterity and overcoming self doubt ✨ the pressure of social media in dentistry ✨ communication skills and why they matter more than perfect composites ✨ the loneliness that can come with working in practice ✨ the importance of community through organisations like BADT ✨ moving into education and giving back to the next generation ✨ balancing ambition, career growth and family life What I loved most about this conversation is how honest it was 💭 We spoke about the highs, the difficult days, imposter syndrome, evolving as a clinician and the fact that nobody picks up a handpiece and becomes incredible overnight. There’s so much power in just keeping going 🫶🏼 and hearing Ibby talk about returning to the Eastman as a tutor after starting there as a student dental nurse genuinely felt like such a full circle moment 🥹 🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts If you’re a dental therapist, student therapist or someone feeling a bit stuck in your career right now, I really think this episode will resonate with you 🤍 As always, if you’d like my free Dental Career Planning Workbook, DM me the word LINK 📚✨ everything we discussed including BADT, Restore and education pathways will be linked in the show notes 💫 Huge thankyou to Siobhan Kelleher Education and Lighthouse Dental Company for sponsoring this episode To find out more about dental therapy scope click here Find out more about Eastman Dental School here Find out more about BADT here Find out more about BSDHT here Find out more about restore course here Find out more about Siobhan Kelleher Education Find out more about Lighthouse Dental Company here See you back here next week with another Conversation with Dental Friends | |||
| S5 Ep 8 : What Does Progress in Dental Hygiene Really Look Like? Sustainable Future - Tracy Doole | 11 juin 2026 | 00:48:11 | |
new episode of Conversations With Dental Friends is live 🎙️✨ this week I’m joined by Tracy Doole and honestly… this conversation is such a good reminder that your career doesn’t have to fit into one box 🤍 from starting out in business and temp jobs before finding dentistry through dental nursing, to becoming a dental hygienist, educator, sustainability advocate, BSDHT executive member and clinical educator… @theecohygienist has built a career rooted in curiosity, growth and genuine passion for the profession 👏 in this episode we chat about: ✨ finding your path in dentistry later than expected ✨ the reality of graduating and going straight into practice ✨ perio, implant maintenance and creating better patient outcomes ✨ investing in courses, networking and lifelong learning ✨ building confidence as a clinician ✨ sustainability in dentistry and reducing healthcare waste ✨ mentorship, education and public health ✨ getting involved with BSDHT and professional advocacy ✨ balancing clinical work with opportunities beyond the surgery what I loved most about this conversation is how passionate Tracy is about pushing the profession forward while still staying grounded in patient care 💭 we also spoke about how isolating dental hygiene and therapy can sometimes feel and why community, networking and surrounding yourself with people who inspire you is so important 🫶 Thanks so much to Siobhan Kelleher Education and Lighthouse Dental Company for sponsoring this episode 🎧 listen now wherever you get your podcasts and as always, if you’d like my free Dental Career Planning Workbook, DM me the word LINK 📚✨ You can find out more about dental hygiene and dental therapy here Find out more about studying to be a dental nurse here Find out more about smile academy coaching and mentoring here Find out more about BSDHT here Find out more about NSK Ikigai here Find out more about young innovations here Find out more about Siobhan Kelleher Education with Tracy is an educator here Find out more about lighthouse dental company here See you next week for another conversation with dental friends | |||
| S5 Ep 7 : What Does It Mean to Truly Champion Dental Hygiene? Advocacy & impact with Elaine Tilling | 04 juin 2026 | 00:39:04 | |
New episode of Conversations With Dental Friends is live 🎙️✨ This week I’m joined by the incredible Elaine Tilling, someone who has spent decades shaping the dental profession through education, advocacy, public health work and mentorship 🤍 From joining the Royal Air Force at 17, to becoming a dental hygienist, educator, speaker and passionate advocate for oral health, Elaine’s career journey is honestly such a reminder that there is no one “right” path in dentistry 👏🏼 In this episode we chat about: ✨ building a long and meaningful career in dentistry ✨ moving into education and presenting ✨ mentorship and uplifting others in the profession ✨ smoking cessation, vaping and public health ✨ working with brands while maintaining integrity ✨ the importance of community and professional bodies like BSDHT ✨ finding purpose in your career beyond the clinic What I loved most about this conversation is how deeply Elaine believes in giving back and creating opportunities for the next generation of dental professionals 🫶🏼 It’s one of those episodes that leaves you feeling inspired, grounded and reminded why our profession matters so much 💭 🎧 listen now wherever you get your podcasts And if you’re currently thinking about your next step in dentistry, whether that’s education, diversification, content creation or just figuring out what you actually want from your career, DM me the word LINK for my free Dental Career Planning Workbook 📚✨ I’ll also link my Substack and everything we discussed in the show notes 🤍 Huge Thankyou to Siobhan Kelleher Education and Lighthouse Dental Company for sponsoring this episode You can find more about the scope of Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy here You can find out more about careers in the RAF here You can find out more about Tepe here You can find out more about BSDHT here You can find out more about Siobhan Kelleher Education where Elaine also lectures here You can find out more about Lighthouse Dental Company here See you next week for another Conversation with Dental Friends 🎧 | |||
| S5 Ep 6 : Are You Curious About the Industry Side of Dentistry? With Alan McCartney | 28 mai 2026 | 00:57:01 | |
Another week, another conversation 🎙️✨ and this one brings a different perspective on building a career in dentistry 💭 This week I’m joined by Alan McCartney a name many of you will recognise through his work with global dental brands 🌍🦷 We’re diving into what it really looks like to step beyond the clinic and into the business side of dentistry and how to build a career that evolves with you 🤍 In this episode we get into: ✨ getting started in representing a dental company ✨ building confidence in education & speaking with credibility ✨ creating a reputation people trust within dentistry ✨ transitioning into undergraduate & postgraduate education ✨ and what the future of dentistry could look like 👀 I’ve known Alan for a long time, so it was really interesting to hear more about his journey — and the decisions that shaped it along the way 💡 If you’ve ever thought about changing direction or exploring opportunities beyond clinical practice… this one’s for you 🫶 Everything from today’s episode is linked in the show notes 🎧 If you enjoy this, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and send it to a friend in dentistry who might need to hear it 💌 You can also join us over on Substack (link in bio) ✍️ & if you’re thinking about what’s next for your career, DM me LINK for your free career planning workbook I’ll send it straight over 📩✨ Huge thank you to Siobhan Kelleher Education and Lighthouse Dental Company for sponsoring this episode 🤍 To find out more about GSK click here To find out more about Curaprox and Curaden click here To learn more about Curaden academy click here Upcoming iTop training course in Belfast with Diane Rochford here You can find Alan on Link’dIn here You can find more information about Siobhan Kelleher’s courses here You can find more information about Lighthouse Dental Company here We’ll be back next week with another conversation ✨🎙️ | |||
| S5 Ep 5 : Are Dental Therapists Still Fighting to be Seen? Forward Thinking with Lauren Long | 21 mai 2026 | 01:00:45 | |
New episode dayyyy 🎙️✨ This week on Conversations With Dental Friends I’m joined by the incredible Lauren Long and honestly… this conversation is SUCH an important one for dental therapists everywhere 🫶 Lauren shares her journey into dental therapy, the challenges she faced getting started and how finding the right supportive team completely changed the direction of her career 💭 Now thriving within the Pain Free Dental Group, advocating for therapists through the British Association of Dental Therapists and helping fellow therapists build confidence through her refresher course Restore ✨ We chat about 👇 🦷 Building confidence in practice 🦷 Finding the right team culture 🦷 Making the most of your scope 🦷 Learning from colleagues and lifting others up 🦷 Getting dental therapy working successfully within practice 🦷 Creating a career you genuinely LOVE One thing I loved about this episode is how honest Lauren is about the hurdles she faced before landing her dream role. I know so many therapists will relate to this conversation 💛 If you’re a dental therapist, hygienist, student or part of a team wanting to make better use of the full clinical team… this episode is for you 🎧 As always thank you SO much for listening and supporting Conversations With Dental Friends 🫶✨ Also a huge thankyou to Siobhan Kelleher education and lighthouse dental company for sponsoring this episode You can find out about the scope of a dental therapist here You can find out more about about BADT here You can find out more about BSDHT here You can find out more about NSK Ikigai here You can read more about Ikigai here You can find out more about the pain free dentistry group here You can find out more about Lauren & Ailish’s Restore course here More info about smile dental academy here Tell us in the comments 👇 What’s been the biggest thing that’s helped build YOUR confidence in practice? 💭 | |||
| S5 Ep 4 : Could Networking be the Key to Your Next Career Move? Small Talk with Joe Lovett | 14 mai 2026 | 00:41:06 | |
✨ NEW EPISODE ✨ This week on Conversations with Dental Friends I’m joined by the one and only Joe Lovett 🎙️ And honestly… this conversation felt very full circle 🫶 The first time Joe and I spoke around 6 years ago it completely shifted the way I viewed my dental career and opened my mind to opportunities outside of the surgery 👀 One of the BIGGEST topics in this episode is networking and if the word networking makes you cringe a little… you need to hear this one 😂 Joe shares so many practical tips on: ✨ finding your people ✨ building genuine connections ✨ networking as an introvert AND extrovert ✨ creating opportunities for yourself ✨ putting yourself in rooms that align with where you want to go Because whether your goals are presenting, writing, teaching, working with brands or simply growing your confidence in the industry… the relationships you build really do matter 🤝 We also chat about: 🦷 getting into dentistry without a traditional dental background 📱 social media and personal branding 💡 giving back to the dental community 🚀 building a career beyond the clinic I absolutely loved catching up with Joe and hearing more about the projects and passions he’s currently working on 💭 You can listen now on Spotify & Apple Podcasts 🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review and share this episode with a dental friend who needs to hear it 👯♀️ PLUS 💌 DM me the word “LINK” and I’ll send you my completely FREE career planning workbook + our Substack straight to your inbox ✨ You can follow Joe on Instagram @joelovettcatalyst and on LinkedIn You can find out more about FMC here You can find out more about joes consultancy business catalyst sales and marketing here You can find out more about dentistry’s big challenge here You can find out about our sponsors Siobhan Kelleher Education here Lighthouse dental company here See you next week for another episode of Conversations with Dental Friends 🎙️ | |||
| S5 Ep 3 : How Far Could You Go In Dentistry if You Didn’t Stay in One Lane? Dr Chinwe Akuono | 07 mai 2026 | 01:05:32 | |
We’re back ✨ with a brand new episode of Conversations with Dental Friends and this one is so worth your time 🎧🤍 This week I’m joined by Dr Chinwe Aquono truly human sunshine ☀️ and an associate dentist whose career path proves that there is no one “right” way to build something incredible. It’s thoughtful, it’s non-linear, and it’s a reminder that curiosity can take you further than any set path ever could 💭✨ In this episode we get into: ✨ staying curious about what more could look like in your career ✨ transitioning from dental hygienist → dental nurse → dental student (yes, really) ✨ social media, brand collaborations & creating opportunities beyond the clinic ✨ speaking, writing & finding your people ✨ the power of lifting others up through grassroots work like the Black Dental Network 🤍 I loved this conversation Chinwe brings so much perspective, honesty, and warmth. There’s something in here for you wherever you’re at in your career 🫶 If this feels like your kind of episode, make sure you’re subscribed 🎧 …and send it to a friend in dentistry who needs to hear this 💌 You can also join us over on Substack (link in bio) ✍️ & if you’re thinking about what’s next for your career, DM me the word LINK for your free career planning workbook I’ll send it straight over 📩✨ Huge thank you to Siobhan Kelleher Education and Lighthouse Dental Company for sponsoring this episode 🤍 Study to be a dental hygienists here Study dental nursing here Find out more about Kings College London here Find out more about Colgate here Find out more about Phillips here Find out more about Curaprox here Find out more about FMC and dentistry.co.uk here Read one of Dr Chinwe’s articles here Find our more about the Black Dental Network here Find out about Siobhan’s courses here You can find out about lighthouse dental company here You can follow Dr Chinwe on Instagram @dr.chinwe_London and you can follow along with the podcast @conversationswithdentalfriends and I’m there too @homegirlhygienist See you next week for another conversation ✨🎙️ | |||
| S5 Ep 2 : Are You Building Your Own Career Ladder? Creating Success with Megan Fairhall | 29 avr. 2026 | 00:54:12 | |
We’re back 🎙️✨ with another conversation with Dental Friends, and this one is packed with value 💭 This week I’m joined by Megan Fairhall 🦷✨ dental therapist, teeth whitening expert, and founder behind MF Academy & She Runs Things 💫 If you already follow her, you’ll know she brings both clinical expertise and serious business mindset and this episode is exactly that blend 🤍 In this episode we get into: ✨ the peaks and pitfalls of further education, and learning to believe in yourself ✨ working smarter (not harder) to grow your career and your income ✨ why teeth whitening can be a total game-changer for you and your practice ✨ building an education platform from the ground up ✨ creating strong female networks beyond dentistry ✨ stepping into advisory roles & representing hygienists and therapists on a bigger stage I absolutely loved this conversation, Megan’s passion for clinical work is matched by her drive for growth, self-improvement, and creating opportunities where they don’t already exist 🚀 Because sometimes… if the ladder isn’t there, you build your own 🪜✨ You can follow Megan and explore her whitening courses via @meganfairhall_ 💡 & definitely check out her events with @sherunsthings_if you’re looking to expand your network 🤝 You can also follow me and the podcast on Instagram as well @homegirlhygienist and @conversationswithdentalfriends Everything from today’s episode is linked in the show notes 🎧 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and send this to a friend in dentistry who needs it 💌 You can also join us over on Substack (link in bio) ✍️ & if you’re thinking about what’s next for your career, DM me LINK for your free career planning workbook, I’ll send it straight over 📩✨ - Jen Atkin blowing my way to the top book here - Monique vassant course here - DMG icon training with Megan here - MF academy & whitening courses here - She runs things here - Ergo refractory loupes here - Social media agency here - BSDHT here - Phillips here - Phillips whitening playbook here - Siobhan Kelleher education here - Lighthouse dental company here Huge thank you to Siobhan Kelleher Education and Lighthouse Dental Company for sponsoring this episode 🤍 See you next week for another conversation ✨🎙️ | |||
| S5 Ep1 : How Do You Build Confidence in Your Scope of Practice? Maximising Opportunity w/ Cat Edney | 23 avr. 2026 | 00:54:16 | |
Season 5 is officially LIVE 🎙️✨ …and we’re kicking things off with a big one, episode 50 (!!) with the incredible Cat Edney 🦷💫 After hearing her name come up again and again in previous seasons, I knew we had to get Cat on the podcast, and this conversation did not disappoint 🤍 In this episode we get into: ✨ going straight from A-levels into dental therapy ✨ recognising when it’s time to step into your full scope ✨ rebuilding confidence through education ✨ therapy-led practice & carrying out patient exams ✨ creating a modern therapist mindset ✨ and what her postgraduate course really offers delegates This conversation genuinely left me feeling more confident, more curious, and ready to push myself further which is exactly what this podcast is all about 🫶 I’m so excited to be attending Cat’s course in Belfast this August you can find all the details at the_modern_therapist.com 🌐 & make sure you’re following @themoderntherapist for more 💡 You can follow the podcast on Instagram @conversationswithdentalfriends and I’m over there too @homegirlhygienist or on TikTok if you would prefer You can also join us over on Substack (link in bio) ✍️ & if you’re thinking about what’s next for your career, DM me the word LINK for your free career planning workbook I’ll send it straight over 📩✨ A huge thank you to @siobhankelleher education and @lighthousedentalcompany for sponsoring this episode 🤍 Dental therapist scope of practice click here Find out more about Cat’s upcoming courses including ICON and the modern therapist anterior and posterior courses including the Belfast dates here Find out more about ICON here Intra oral scanning here Cat’s airpolishing webinar with NSK here Studying at Kings College London here Siobhan Kelleher Education here Lighthouse Dental Company here We’ll be back next week with another conversation with dental friends… 🎧✨ | |||
| S4 Ep 12 : What Does the Climb to Becoming a Young Practice Owner Really Look Like? Sarah Armstrong | 02 avr. 2026 | 00:47:43 | |
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:
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 🎧 | |||
| S4 Ep 11: What Could Happen if Dental Therapists Took the Lead? with Robbie Stewart | 29 mars 2026 | 00:56:44 | |
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:
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 🎙️ | |||
| S4 Ep 10 : Are You Waiting for Opportunities or Actually Creating Them? with Linzy Baker | 29 mars 2026 | 01:00:07 | |
🎙️ 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 🦷✨ | |||
| S4 Ep9 : How Do You Turn Clinical Excellence into Practice Consultancy? With Poppy Dunton | 29 mars 2026 | 01:09:40 | |
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 ✨ | |||
| S4 Ep 8 : What Does Female Leadership Really Look Like in Cosmetic Dentistry with Dr Claire Hughes | 29 mars 2026 | 00:59:53 | |
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 ✨ | |||
| S4 Ep 7 : What Does Modern Oral Health Education Really Look Like? With Kirsty Chappell | 26 mars 2026 | 01:06:45 | |
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:
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 🎙️ | |||
| S4 Ep 6 : How Do You Build a Career That Shapes a Profession? with Kathryn Mayo | 19 févr. 2026 | 01:13:07 | |
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 💗 | |||
| S4 Ep 5 : Is Orthodontic Therapy the Most Underrated Career Move in Dentistry? with Sarah MacDonald | 12 févr. 2026 | 00:39:08 | |
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 ✨ | |||
| S4 Ep 4 : What If Ambition Was the Key to Thriving as a Dental Therapist? with Gemma Cowen | 05 févr. 2026 | 00:46:55 | |
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:
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 ✨ | |||
| S4 Ep 3 : Can Uncertainty Be the Start of an Exceptional Career? Dr Amit Patel | 29 janv. 2026 | 00:46:26 | |
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 ✨ | |||
| S4 Ep 2 : Are you doing enough to stand out as a Dental Associate? Dr Mary Catherine O’Dolan | 22 janv. 2026 | 00:54:08 | |
Welcome back to Conversations with Dental Friends ✨ This week I’m joined by dental associate Dr Mary Catherine O’Dolan someone who’s quietly putting in the work, investing in her education, and becoming a real name to watch in dentistry. We talk about: • getting started and finding your direction • investing in courses (short and long game) • turning knowledge into confident clinical practice • stepping into education • and why the right practice support changes everything A genuinely inspiring conversation about backing yourself, staying curious, and building a career with intention. All the relevant links are below You can follow Mary Catherine on Instagram @dr.marycatherine The 22 course Mary Catherine Mentioned are Invisalign Go Accredation here Open University Learning to Teach here AMOMS Annual Conference FAC Accredited Facial Aesthetics here Sleep Device Use and Construction MFDS Royal College of Surgeons and Physicians Glasgow here Inhalation Sedation Competency here Totally Composite by Monik Vasant here Level 1&2 CBCT here Zero Bone Loss Concepts by Thomas Linkevičius here ADI Team Conrgress here Chrome Guided Smiles, Full Arch Implant Placement and Restoration here Design, Align, Refine, Invisalign and Composite Bonding here CBCT lead Digital Fully Guided Implant Planning here Focus Bounce Clinical Photography here Visit to BTI headquarters, Vitoria Gasteiz, to explore the uses of PRGF in implant dentistry and the use of short and extra-short implants here Several Invisalign provider online courses to keep my knowledge up to date on the latest features of clear aligner therapy here RealGuide Proficiency Training Composite Layering Techniques, PosteriorInjection Moulding and Porcerlain Cementation, Visit to GC Europe headquarters (Leuven) here Art of Resin by Rhodri Thomas here Direct Restorative course by Thomas Taha here Use of Short Implants in the Mandible/ BTI Youth Summit, Visit to BTI Head Quarters here Restorative/Periodontal interface Course hosted by Jorg Cordosa in Porto here Sinus Augmentation and Block Grafting Intensive Course here Aesthetic Update Article here You can follow all things conversations with dental friends over on Instagram @conversationswithdentalfriends and I’m over on Instagram too @homegirlhygienist or TikTok if you prefer Don’t forget to subscribe to our new Substack newsletter: conversationswithdentalfriends.substack.com You can also get your free dental care planning workbook, just comment or DM the word LINK. Huge thank you to our sponsors Oral-B beyond grateful. Back next week with another conversation 🎙️ | |||
| S4 Ep 1 : Are You Leaving Value on the Table? Maximising Practice Potential with Laura Horton | 15 janv. 2026 | 00:58:00 | |
It’s 2026 and we are back with a brand new season of conversations with dental friends! We are kicking this season off with a bang with the fantastic Laura Horton who has personally changed my career and my approach clinically but more widely has set up her own consultancy, absolutely championed the role of the TCO trailblazed the way through the world of communication and I can’t wait to see what happens next! In this episode we chat about - getting started in dentistry - What treatment coordination actually means - How the whole practice can benefit at every stage of the patient journey - Starting your own adventure in business - Podcast life - Supporting our colleagues in dental nursing You can listen now on Spotify and Apple podcast & we also have our news letter on Substack with bts episode summaries and links www.conversationswithdentalfriends.substack.com To celebrate this season I’ve also designed a FREE career planning notebook for 2026 comment or DM link and I’ll send it to you! Thankyou so much to our sponsor ORAL B for supporting this podcast See you next week for another conversation with dental friends It’s 2026 and Conversations with Dental Friends is officially back 🎙️ New season. New conversations. Same mission: real talk about careers, growth and the people shaping dentistry. We’re kicking things off with someone who has genuinely changed the trajectory of my career — Laura Horton. From transforming my clinical approach, to building her own consultancy, championing the TCO role, and leading the way in communication within dentistry… Laura is proof of what’s possible when you back yourself and your skillset. And honestly, I can’t wait to see what she does next. In this episode, we talk about: • getting started in dentistry • what treatment coordination actually means • how the entire practice benefits at every stage of the patient journey • starting your own business adventure • life behind the podcast • and why supporting our dental nursing colleagues really matters You can listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts 🎧 Plus, our Substack newsletter is live with behind-the-scenes insights, episode summaries and all the links 👉 conversationswithdentalfriends.substack.com To celebrate the new season, I’ve also created a FREE 2026 career planning notebook ✍️ Comment or DM me “LINK” and I’ll send it straight over. Don’t forget to follow Laura on Instagram @laurahorton1 You can listen to the Horton hangout here You can find out more about Laura’s practice coaching sessions on treatment coordination, reception and her new initiative ‘Aspire’ on her website here Huge thank you to Oral-B for supporting this season of the podcast. See you next week for another conversation with dental friends 💬🦷 | |||
| S3 Ep 12: What if Dental Care Didn’t Have to Trigger Anxiety? Practical Tips with Dr Niall Neeson | 18 déc. 2025 | 00:57:13 | |
Welcome back and somehow we’re already at the season finale of Conversations With Dental Friends?! We’re closing out the season with an absolute gem: Dr Niall Neeson, who you’ll definitely know as @thecalmingdentist. And trust me, the name is earned. This episode dives into: ✨ Finding your niche in dentistry ✨ The real, practical tips for supporting nervous patients ✨ Why time is the most valuable asset you’ve got ✨ And how the right environment sets everyone up to thrive A huge thank you to Dr Niall for sharing so many actionable insights especially those patient-management tips that will save both you and your patients a whole lot of stress on clinic days. To find out more about BSMDH Scotland click here Diploma in sedation trinity college Dublin here SWOT analysis info here Communication course here Andrew jones sedation course here Dental nurse sedation training dental sedation courses.co.uk here Kit calm link here The ever popular Paul Tipton course here Oral surgery course with Chris Waith Joe McEnhill here Ambrish Roshan composite course here Michael Crilly composite course here Niall on Instagram @calmingdentist you can follow the podcast on Instagram too @conversationswithdentalfriends and I’m on Instagram too @homegirlhygienist Boyne dental website including referrals for dental fear solutions with Dr Niall here I genuinely can’t believe that’s another season wrapped. Thank you, truly, for every listen, message, share, and piece of feedback. It means more than you know. And of course, thank you to every brilliant guest who joined us this season 🫶🏼 I’ve learned so much from each of you. We’re taking a little Christmas break, but Season 4 will be landing in 2026 with even more brilliant conversations with dental friends. Drop your guest suggestions in the comments and I’ll see you in the new year! 🎙️🦷✨ | |||
| S3 Ep 11 : How Does a Career Grow With You? A Dentist’s Path to Facial Aesthetics Mastery | 11 déc. 2025 | 00:55:19 | |
Episode 11 is live! This week on Conversations With Dental Friends, I’m sitting down with Dr Janice Brown — a dentist who’s taken her clinical roots and built a thriving career in facial aesthetics. 🚀 We dive into: ✨ The power of a solid dental foundation for long-term growth ✨ Why smart investment always shows up before smart profit ✨ Backing yourself enough to make the leap (even when it’s scary) ✨ Social media as a growth tool and why nothing beats word of mouth A huge thank you to Dr Janice Brown for bringing so much clarity, honesty and inspiration to this episode. Go give her a follow if you’re curious about referrals… or if you’re considering polynucleotides because, let’s be real, same 🤪💉 Are you practising facial aesthetics alongside dentistry right now? Drop it in the comments I want to know! 👇 Massive shoutout to our sponsors Dürr and DMI for supporting the podcast. 💛 and of course Marlborough Clinic Belfast for hosting us to record If you’re interested in Tipton training click here Masters degree in aesthetic medicine here Bob Cantor course here Lee Walker FA course here Jonny De Souza clinic here Galderma info here Jason Smithson course here ICE dental and implant institute course here You can find Janice on Instagram @drjanicebrown You can follow me @conversationswithdentalfriends and @homegirlhygienist See you next week for another Conversation With Dental Friends. 🦷✨ | |||
| S3 Ep 10 : Could Coaching Be The Missing Link in Your Dental Journey? With Lisa Grogan | 04 déc. 2025 | 00:51:40 | |
Episode 10 is here 🎉 and it’s a good one. This week on Conversations with Dental Friends, I’m joined by the incredible Lisa Grogan, a dental coach who’s genuinely shaking things up across the industry. We get into:
A huge thank you to Lisa for sharing such sharp, refreshing insights into a career path in dentistry that more of us should be talking about. You can find Lisa over at @lisagrogan_dentalcoaching drop her a message, get connected, see what coaching could look like for you. And tell me in the comments: have you ever considered working with a coach as part of your career development? You can find the chimp paradox here You can find crucial conversations here You can find Jen Atkin blowing my way to the top here Find out more about AI receptionists here You can listen to Shennae’s podcast around AI in dentistry here You can listen to Alan Clarkes podcast here You can find out more about Invisalign here You can find out more about Chris barrow including his private business 100 group here Make sure you’re following along here on Instagram, @conversationswithdentalfriends and I’m over there too @homegirlhygienist and hit subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss an episode. Massive thank you to our sponsors @duerrdental and @DMI for supporting the pod. See you next week for another Conversation with Dental Friends. | |||
| S3 Ep 9 : Can Mentorship Turn Dental Challenges Into Progress? With Dr Naweed Mamood | 27 nov. 2025 | 01:06:19 | |
Welcome back to Conversations With Dental Friends. This week, in Episode 9, I’m sitting down with Dr Naweed Mamood an incredible associate dentist working across multiple practices both in the north and south of Ireland. This episode really leans into the reality of growth in dentistry: ✨ how learning on the job actually happens, one tiny improvement at a time ✨ why good mentorship doesn’t just guide you, it elevates you ✨ how honest reflection is the backbone of real progress ✨ why challenges teach you just as much (if not more) than your wins ✨ and how empowering your team creates success that genuinely feels shared A huge thank-you to Dr Naweed for being so open and generous with his insight not just clinically, but in how he approaches development as a whole. All links are in the show notes, and you can follow Naweed over at @dr.naweed.dentistry to keep up with his upcoming courses. I want to hear from you too how are you growing as an associate right now? Drop your thoughts in the comments. See you next week for another Conversation With Dental Friends 🤍 You can follow Dr Naweed on Instagram @dr.naweed.dentistry If you fancy studying at Plymouth university you can find out more information here You can find out more about paste dental here and on Instagram @paste.dental You can listen to Alan Clarkes super inspirational episode on season 2 episode 2 of the pod here You can find out more about gentle dental here or on Instagram here @gentledental Course recommendations You can find out more about practicing dentistry in Dubai here Thanks so much for listening 🫶🏼 | |||
| S3 Ep8 : Can You Really Look After Your Patients Without Looking After Yourself? Dr Lauren O’Boyle | 20 nov. 2025 | 00:49:59 | |
Episode 8 of Season 3 is officially live 🎧 This week I’m joined by the brilliant Lauren O’Boyle a dentist who’s been incredibly open about navigating mental health challenges, the pressure of early career decisions, and the moment she realised she needed to pause, reflect, and choose a different direction within dentistry. We get into: • the pressure to choose your path far too young • finding your place in the NHS system • how slowing down can actually fast-track your clarity • legal + ethical realities nobody really talks about • mental health in a profession that rarely stops • and why dentistry is just one part of who we are A huge thank you to Lauren this conversation will resonate with the entire dental team, not just dentists. So if someone in your world needs to hear it, please share it their way 💛 All the info (including Lauren’s email) is in the show notes, so head there if you’d like to get in touch. If you’re thinking about a career in dentistry click here If you would like to study at queens you can click here If you think Liverpool would be more you’re thing you can click here If you’re interested in a legal and ethics masters you can click here If you’re thinking of teaching in dentistry you can find more info here For more information around dental indemnity you can check out dental protection here or DDU here You can chat to Lauren via email lauren.oboyle@bupadentalcare.co.uk This is such a difficult topic but for more information on suicide awareness training with NIMDTA you can click here You can find more information on mental health services with mind here You can find more about the headspace app here You can follow the podcast on Instagram @conversationswithdentalfriends and you can follow me too @homegirlhygienist Massive thank you to our sponsors Dürr Dental and DMI, and to Marlborough Clinic Belfast for hosting us while we recorded. 👇 In the comments, tell me: how do you protect your mental health in dentistry? See you next Thursday for another conversation with dental friends ✨ | |||
| S3 Ep 7 : What Happens When You Never Give Up on Reaching Your Full Potential - with Vicki Griffiths | 13 nov. 2025 | 00:59:33 | |
✨ Episode 7 is now live! ✨ This week I’m joined by the amazing Vicki Griffiths, a dental therapist whose career has honestly been one of the most inspiring we’ve featured so far. From making the most of her scope as a dental nurse to carving out her niche in dental therapy, Vicki’s story is full of insight, honesty, and plenty of motivation for anyone in the dental world. We get into: 🦷 The incredible scope of practice for dental nurses 📄 Applying for dental therapy 💬 Tips for supporting patients with additional needs 🎯 Finding your niche 🤝 BSDHT and community in dentistry 📱 Navigating social media as a dental professional This was such a fun conversation — I learned so much, laughed a lot, and honestly left feeling a bit like I’d had therapy myself. A huge thank you to Vicki for being so open and generous with her experiences. And of course, massive thanks to our sponsors Dürr Dental, DMI, and The ICE Dental Institute in Manchester for hosting us for this episode! If you enjoyed listening, make sure to check out the show notes for all the links, share this episode with your dental friends, and hit follow on the podcast so you never miss a new chat landing on your phone each week. 🎧 See you next Thursday for another episode of Conversations with Dental Friends! You can find out more about applying for Dental Nursing here Absolutely look into applying to your local dental hospital to really step up your dental nursing career, the Belfast trust website has loads of information here or Google in your area If your interested in applying for dental therapy you can find out more information here If you’re already a dental therapist (or dental hygienist) and you’d love to get that feeling of community by joining a society you can find more information on BSDHT here and BADT here If you think studying in Manchester sounds amazing (because I do) you can find out more information about Salford university here You can find links to all the post grad quails and more information about ICE Dental Institute here You can find Vicki on Instagram and TikTok @vic_dental_therapist You can find Conversations with Dental Friends over on Instagram @conversationswithdentalfriends and you can find me on Instagram and TikTok @homegirlhygienist If you’re interested in the face spray you can find it on Amazon You can check out Siobhan Kelleher’s brilliant episode on Season 2 Episode 3 of this podcast and find out more information on her course here | |||
| S3 Ep 6 : When AI Enters the Chat - Are We Replacing or Empowering the Dental Team? Shennae Bartlett | 06 nov. 2025 | 00:35:42 | |
Welcome back to Conversations with Dental Friends 💬 This week I’m joined by the brilliant Shennae Bartlett from Chairsyde a dentist who’s diving deep into how AI can actually support us in dentistry, rather than replace us. We’re unpacking: ✨ The myths (and truths) about how AI will really impact our careers 🦷 What AI actually means for the dental world 🛠️ How tools like Chairsyde can make your day-to-day easier and more efficient 💡 And how leaning into innovation can help us rediscover our passion, tackle burnout, and build a more sustainable future in dentistry A huge thank you to Shennae for such an insightful, inspiring conversation and for reminding us that embracing change doesn’t have to mean losing the human side of what we do. Big thanks to our sponsors Dürr Dental and DMI for supporting this episode. 🎧 Don’t forget to hit subscribe so you never miss an episode and let me know in the comments: How are you using AI in your dental career? You can find out more about Chairsyde here You can find out more about research opportunities here You can follow conversations with dental friends over on Instagram @conversationswithdentalfriends And I’m over there too @homegirlhygienist Finally apologies for any sound issues on this episode we are working with the latest technology but sadly there can occasionally be feedback even after sound enhancement but I hope you still enjoyed it! See you next week for another deep dive into all things dentistry and beyond 👋 | |||
| S3 Ep 5 : Surviving Dental School Part 2 Exams, Mental Health, Community & Foundation Training | 30 oct. 2025 | 00:46:56 | |
🎙️ Welcome back to another episode of Conversations with Dental Friends! This week we’re joined again by Aoife and Lucy for part two of Surviving Dental School and trust me, it’s a good one. We’re diving into everything from: 🦷 staying sane through exam season 🧠 looking after your mental health 💼 joining the BDA and spicing up your CV ✨ making the most of your time outside of study 📄 and of course, navigating foundation training applications. A huge thank you to Aoife and Lucy for coming back to share such honest, relatable insights into life as dental students at Queen’s University Belfast it’s the kind of conversation every dental student needs to hear. If you’re currently studying (or gearing up for foundation training this year 👀), let us know in the comments what resonated most — we love hearing your thoughts! See you next week for another episode of Conversations with Dental Friends! 💬 You can find quizlet here You can get more information about dentistry at queens university here You can find the student wellbeing service at QUB here You can get more information about student membership at the BDA here You can find more information about research at QUB here You can find more about the BDA future leaders program here Post graduation courses can be found in Northern Ireland at NIMDTA here You can find out more about foundation training here | |||
| S3 Ep 4 : Are You Ready to Align Your Orthodontic Career? With Dr Emma McCrory | 23 oct. 2025 | 01:02:04 | |
New episode alert! This week on Conversations With Dental Friends, I’m joined by Dr Emma McCrory, a specialist orthodontist who’s built her own orthodontic practice right here in Northern Ireland. We’re diving into everything from: ✨ What speciality training really involves time, cost, travel, and all the realities ✨ Relocating as a specialist and finding your place ✨ The highs and hurdles of setting up your own practice ✨ Building and empowering an incredible team ✨ The secret weapon that is orthodontic therapy ✨ And how Emma’s journey has evolved into education and beyond A huge thank you to Dr Emma for sharing so openly there are so many brilliant takeaways in this one, not just for orthodontists, but for the entire dental team. For more information on speciality orthodontic training you can click the link here For more information on Orthognathic Surgery you can get a brief overview here To refer to Emma and her team at Lisburn Orthodontics you can click here To find out more about orthodontic therapy training here in Northern Ireland you can click here And you can find out more about Rebekka Hamilton’s journey into orthodontic therapy on Season 2 Episode 5 of the podcast or clicking here You can follow Dr Emma on Instagram @dremmamccrory and her practice @lisburnortho You can follow all things Conversations with Dental Friends over on Instagram @conversationswithdentalfriends and you can follow me @homegirlhygienist To book onto a course with Dr Emma you can find out more info at the British Orthodontic Society here You can tune in now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts 🎧 New episodes every Thursday hit subscribe so you never miss an episode! See you next week for another Conversation With My Dental Friends 💬🦷 | |||
| S3 Ep 3: How Do Two Dentists Think Like Entrepreneurs? The Dr Heff’s Story | 16 oct. 2025 | 01:02:32 | |
🎙️ Welcome back to episode 3 of this season of Conversations with Dental Friends! This week, we’re switching things up diving into what it really takes to get a dental product from idea to shelf with Dr. Mike and Dr. Toby, the minds behind Dr. Heff’s, the dental supplement your patients definitely need to know about. We’re talking: 💡 Getting into dentistry 🚀 Turning a product idea into reality 🧩 Balancing innovation with a full-on dental career 🌱 And how big ideas just… keep growing A huge thank you to Dr. Toby and Dr. Mike for such an inspiring chat and for proving that your dental product dreams might be closer than you think. If you’ve got an idea, reach out to the podcast or to Dr. Heff’s directly let’s see how we can use our dental community to lift each other up. As always, let me know what you thought of this one and if you’d love more behind-the-scenes conversations like this 👀 You can follow Dr Heff’s on all social media @drheffs or you can find out more on their website here You can shop Dr Heff’s on their website or on Amazon You can also listen to Victoria Sampson’s Diary of a CEO episode here You can follow the podcast over on Instagram @conversationswithdentalfriends and you can follow me there too @homegirlhygienist See you next week for another episode 💬 | |||
| S3 Ep 2 : What Does 10 Years as a Dental Disruptor Really Look Like? Highs Lows & Lessons | 09 oct. 2025 | 01:31:50 | |
We are back with episode 2 of conversations with dental friends! Today I’m joined by the London hygienist herself Anna Middleton discussing the last decade of her career highs and lows and everything Inbetween In this chat we get into - getting started in dental hygiene - Widening your scope of practice with additional dental therapy training - Becoming an entrepreneur - How dentistry and poker aren’t that far apart - Protecting yourself against burnout and honouring your mental health Massive thankyou to Anna for being so open and honest I know there will be loads of comments and questions after this so our DMs are always open See you back here next week for another episode of conversations with dental friends We’re back with episode 2 of Conversations with Dental Friends 🎙️ This week, I’m joined by the London Hygienist herself — Anna Middleton — to look back on ten years of breaking boundaries in the dental industry. From the highs and lows of building a career and brand, to the realities of burnout, balance, and being your own boss, Anna shares what it’s really like behind the success story. We cover: 💬 Getting started in dental hygiene 🦷 Expanding your scope with dental therapy training 💼 Stepping into entrepreneurship ♠️ Why dentistry and poker might have more in common than you think 🧠 Protecting your mental health and recognising burnout before it hits A massive thank you to Anna for such an open, honest, and inspiring conversation. I have no doubt this one’s going to spark a lot of thoughts (and probably a few DMs) — so as always, our inbox is open. You can read Simon Senek start with why here You can get your own copy of Instagram for Dentists here You can find out more about Anna’s course thrive here You can find Aces High on Instagram @aceshighlondon You can follow Anna on Instagram @londonhygienist and annaconda_life You can follow Victoria Wilson on Instagram @mysmilerevolution You can follow Joe Lovett @joelovettcatalyst You can follow me @homegirlhygienist and of course this podcast @conversationswithdentalfriends If you don’t know about chat GPT you can find out more here If you want to practice dental therapy at home For more info on the BDA you can click here Phillips sonicare here EMS here For more info on becoming a dental hygienist dental therapist you can check out ucas here See you next week for another episode of Conversations with Dental Friends. | |||
| S3 Ep1 : How Can You Build a Career That Lasts Beyond the Dental Chair? Dr Colin Campbell | 02 oct. 2025 | 00:37:23 | |
Welcome back to Season 3 of Conversations with Dental Friends! In our opening episode for this season I am thrilled to introduce Dr Colin Campbell! This was such a brilliant chat where we discuss - moving forward through adversity - building a purpose built practice -stepping into education - leaving a legacy in dentistry Thankyou so much to Colin for such an honest and open conversation, we mentioned loads of good resources so I’ll try and link as many as possible below You can find out more about the Campbell Clinic, the Campbell Academy and Colin’s Blog here If you’d like to find out more about the absolute gentleman Mark Pollock you can find out here All of Simon Sinek’s literary catalogue is available on Amazon There are many many great dental photography courses but here’s an online one from UCL London The Marlborough Academy Conference is amazing if you would like to sign up for 2026 you can via the Marlborough Academy here If you’re looking for your community within dental implants you can find out more about the ITI here or the ADI here And you can sign up for the next ICE dental institute course here You can follow all things conversations with dental friends over on Instagram @conversationswithdentalfriends and you can find me over there too @homegirlhygienist See you next week for another conversation with my dental friend | |||
| S2 Bonus Ep : Thinking of Applying for Dental Hygiene or Dental Therapy? UCAS & Interviews | 25 sept. 2025 | 00:31:06 | |
Bonus episode drop ✨ It’s that time of year again… application season. Whether you’re going for Oral Health Sciences, Dental Hygiene or Dental Therapy, I’ve pulled together some golden advice from two people who’ve been there and done it Aaron Stewart and Rosie Murphy from way back in Season 1. We’re covering: 📝 UCAS & personal statements 🎤 The interview process 🧩 CASPer testing 📩 A special message from Aaron & Rosie themselves A massive thank you to our sponsors Dürr Dental and Lighthouse Dental Company for supporting the pod, and of course to Aaron & Rosie for sharing their wisdom. If you’re applying this year, good luck, and remember my DMs are always open if you need a bit of guidance. If you’re interested in a course in Oral Health Sciences or Dental Hygiene or Dental Therapy you can find out more here If you’re interested in studying dental nursing you can find out more here You can find out more about post graduate dental nursing courses through NIMDTA here or through the NEBDN here or through tempdent here If you’re interested in an access course you can find out more info here If you’re applying to a uni using a Casper SJT you can find out some more info here You can follow Rosie on Instagram @r.j.therapy and you can follow Aaron @aarondentaltherapy they’re more than happy to answer your questions via DM you can follow all things conversations with dental friends over on Instagram @conversationswithdentalfriends and I’m over there as well @homegirlhygienist or on TikTok if you prefer P.S. Season 3 is wrapped and ready to go… we’ll be back next week with another brand new episode of Conversations with Dental Friends. | |||
| S2 Ep 12 : Are You Feeling Stuck as a Dental Nurse? Here’s How to Grow & Stay Motivated | 18 sept. 2025 | 01:01:21 | |
Hey everybody welcome back to the season finale on Season 2 of Conversations with Dental Friends In this episode I’m taking to NI dental legend Amanda Jackson Amanda has had such an amazing career from Dental Nursing to Management to Education and Course Creation. There were SO many things to add to the show notes so here are as many as I can cram in If you’re interested in becoming a dental nurse you can click the link here If you would like to move into formal education training you can explore some more info here NIMDTA has so many amazing post qualifications for DCPs which you can explore here including fluoride application, practice management, orthodontic therapy, training for nurses of FT dentists, operator training and full team cross infection training You can find out about NIMDTAs open day for sixth form here And of course the NIMDTA conference is happening on the 17th of October which you can register for here And of course you can contact Amanda via her email amanda.jackson@hscni.net Thankyou so much to all of our amazing guests on season 2! We have a special bonus episode next week and we’ll see you soon for Season 3! | |||