What Dental School Didn’t Prepare You For – PDP276
Episode 1
Wednesday, July 22, 2026 • Duration 46:21
Just qualified — so why does it feel like the learning is only just beginning?
What should you actually focus on in year one: the flawless dentistry on your feed, or something far less glamorous?
How do you tell a patient their nerve might die — without it sounding like YOUR fault?
And when a patient says “just do whatever you think” — what do you say back?
This is the conversation every new dentist needs and every experienced one recognises. Our guest is Dr Emma Hutchison — a former dental nurse who trained at the University of Glasgow, and has been the face of the Protrusive Students series across her studies. We recorded in her final weeks of dental school, right on the threshold of practice, and talked through everything the syllabus skips: the safe-beginner mindset, what to learn (and what to ignore) early on, how to protect your standards under time pressure, which cases to take on, and how to talk to patients about risk, cost and consent so the words actually land. If you’re fresh out, this one hits hard. If you’re an oldie, it’s a trip down memory lane — and a reminder of how far you’ve come.
Protrusive Dental Pearl: Predict the Complication Before It Happens
A communication pearl for every deep restoration. When a filling sits close to the nerve — a big cavity, a crack — name the likely complication before it happens. Show the patient the images, then tell them what to expect: a twinge to cold or hot that can linger a few days, so keep taking painkillers and keep the area clean. And warn them what a red flag looks like: a severe throbbing ache keeping them up at night, or pain out of the blue without eating or drinking, means the nerve is struggling and they should call you.
Do this and, if the complication ever arrives, you look like the expert who called it — not someone something went wrong for. Skip it and reception fields the panicked calls instead. It reassures the patient, lowers your callback rate, and quietly reduces your risk profile. Obvious, easy to forget, and worth saying out loud every single time.
What You’ll Take From This Episode
The safe-beginner mindset — why qualifying is the driving licence, not the destination, and how the happiest dentists keep getting 1% better.
Just-in-time learning — study for the cases actually in your diary, not the obscure pathology you won’t meet for years.
Get good before you get fast — master the bread and butter, protect a little extra time early, and reflect on every procedure.
Clever hacks vs cutting corners — how to tell the difference, and why every shortcut quietly rewires the habit.
Consent that works — getting patients to own the problem, and giving a clear recommendation instead of a fifteen-item menu.
Highlights of This Episode
00:00 Teaser
01:05 The Things Dental School Doesn’t Prepare You For
03:05 Communication Pearl: Predict the Complication Before It Happens
05:35 Life as a Final-Year Dental Student on Outreach
09:55 Why You’re Only a “Safe Beginner” When You Qualify
13:45 Master Bread-and-Butter Dentistry Before the Fancy Stuff
16:05 Just-in-Time Learning: Study for the Cases in Front of You
18:05 Get Good Before You Get Fast (and Protect Your Time)
19:45 Clever Hacks vs Cutting Corners: Don’t Lose Your Standards
24:14 Midroll
27:46 The Skills to Nail in Your First Year as a Dentist
30:11 Which Cases to Take On — and Learning From Mistakes
35:46 How to Explain Risk and Get Patients to Own the Problem
41:26 When Patients Refuse the Ideal Treatment: Start With Their Goal
44:26 Treatment Planning Without the Overwhelm: Loom & “Guess Who”
47:36 Claim Your CPD & Become the Next Protrusive Student
47:38 Outro
Dr Emma Hutchison came to dentistry the long way round — from a dental nursing background into dental school at the University of Glasgow, with final-year outreach on the Kintyre peninsula in Campbeltown. She has been the face of the Protrusive Students series throughout her studies, and this episode marks her crossing from student to newly qualified dentist. On behalf of the whole Protruserati: we’re proud of you, Emma.
Become the next Protrusive Student: with Emma qualifying, we’re looking for the next keen student who wants part-time work, an income while studying, and to contribute to Protrusive — or a nudge if you know one. DM the team inside the Protrusive Guidance app.
Resources & Mentions From This Episode
Quick & slick rubber dam— the in-app video series on quadrant isolation, for building the rubber dam habit from day one.
21-Day Photography Challenge — the in-app challenge that walks you through capturing every clinical photo, including the dreaded occlusal shots, in your first three weeks.
Loom School — in-app training on async, Loom-video treatment planning (roughly 90 minutes of CPD across around 15 bite-sized lessons).
Access the above masterclasses and more when you subscribe to the Ultimate or Infinity plan.
Listen: Subscribe to the Protrusive Dental Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.
This episode is eligible for 0.5 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance.
This episode meets GDC Outcomes A and D.
AGD Subject Code: 770 Self-Improvement
Aim & Learning Outcomes
Aim: To give early-career dentists a practical framework for the transition from dental school to independent practice — how to keep developing, how to protect clinical standards under time pressure, and how to communicate risk and treatment options as part of valid consent.
Learning Outcomes — by the end of this episode, dentists will be able to:
Apply a “just-in-time” approach to continuing development, prioritising the competencies relevant to the cases in front of them over isolated advanced techniques.
Differentiate time-saving efficiencies from quality-compromising shortcuts, and describe strategies to maintain clinical standards early in practice.
Apply structured communication techniques to explain procedural risk, establish a patient’s treatment goal, and make a clear, defensible recommendation as part of va...
Maintain or Extract? First Permanent Molars of Poor Prognosis - PDP279
Wednesday, August 12, 2026 • Duration 53:06
Your patient is nine years old. One first permanent molar is crumbling — the others look fine. Does it stay, or does it go?
Is that broken-down first permanent molar really down to poor brushing — or is it Molar Incisor Hypomineralisation?
When is the right time to take a first permanent molar out — and how do you read it off the X-ray?
And how do you tell a parent their child needs an adult tooth removed — without losing them?
First permanent molars of poor prognosis are one of the genuine head-scratchers of general practice — full of ifs, buts and timing. In this episode Jaz sits down withDr Nicole Sturzenbaum, a paediatric dentist and the owner and clinical director of Toothbeary in Richmond, London, to work through the whole decision: getting the diagnosis right (molar-incisor hypomineralisation versus caries), reading the extraction window off an OPG, the restorative ladder from sealant to stainless steel crown, when to bring in the orthodontist, and how to handle the conversation with anxious parents. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer — but there is a clear way to think about it.
Protrusive Dental Pearl: Painless Polishing for Anxious Kids
The mechanical clean is what frightens children (and plenty of adults) — the scaler, the bristle brush, the gritty prophy paste. For the polishing part, a colourless plaque-dissolving foam gel does the job without any of it. It fizzes wherever there is plaque, so you can hand the child a mirror and show them exactly where to brush; it leaves the teeth satin-smooth, reduces gingival inflammation, and is painless and non-invasive.
Two caveats: it does not remove calculus — you still need a hand or ultrasonic scaler for that — and you should agitate the gel gently at the gingival margin for the full effect. It is especially useful for orthodontic and adolescent patients because it reaches the nooks around brackets, which is where post-orthodontic white-spot lesions start.
TRAYLESS Whitening Technique Part 2 - Tetracycline Staining and Non Vital Bleaching Scenario! - PDP278
Wednesday, August 5, 2026 • Duration 01:02:43
Patient has patchy white spots after braces — do you really whiten, or will that just make the spots stand out more?
Tetracycline staining darker than your darkest shade tab — is bleaching even worth attempting, or is it veneers by default?
A single dark, root-filled central incisor — can you fix it without picking up a drill at all?
And how do you talk a patient through weeks, shades and cost so they actually consent to the slow, non-invasive route?
This is Part 2 of the trayless whitening series with Dr Wyman Chan — inventor of trayless teeth whitening and the Get2Smile system — and Dr Elvis Law, who now runs around 90% of his whitening trayless. Part 1 covered the science and the everyday protocol; this part applies it to the three cases dentists find hardest, with the costing and consent conversations that make them work.
Protrusive Dental Pearl: Treating Family and Friends
Almost every clinician has a story about a case that went wrong on a family member, a friend, or a loved one. It’s not a random fluke. When we treat someone we love, we put our guard down — we relax the checklist, skip a step, get driven by emotion, and lose our judgement.
So if you must treat family and friends, stay razor-sharp and treat them exactly as you would a stranger. Be extra vigilant, extra hot on your protocols, and take the emotion out of it. If that tooth needs a root canal, it needs a root canal — don’t bend the plan to preserve pulp vitality that was never the right call. The best pearl is not to treat loved ones at all; the real-world one is to not lose your judgement when you do.
What You’ll Take From This Episode
The frosted glass model — a patient-ready way to explain white spots: enamel is clear glass, dentine is a yellow sponge, and acid has turned the glass frosty.
A two-stage white spot protocol — remineralise and condition the gums first, then whiten trayless, and why a dirty tray would have sabotaged the result.
Rotary vs Reciprocating Files Part 2 with Samuel Johnson – PDP271
Episode 1
Wednesday, June 10, 2026 • Duration 51:45
Is rotary really better than reciprocating?
Can you safely skip the glide path with modern reciprocating systems?
What is the best file system for a GDP who wants predictable endodontic results?
And perhaps the biggest question of all: does the file system matter as much as we think it does?
In Part 2 of the Endo Showdown, Dr Samuel Johnson returns to tackle some of the most common questions dentists have about file systems, glide path preparation, retreatment, and endodontic workflow. From practical negotiation tips to choosing a system that works in your hands, this episode focuses on the decisions that can make endodontics simpler, safer, and more predictable.
Cut your gutta-percha at the level of the canal orifice and thoroughly clean the pulp chamber before placing the coronal restoration.
⚠️ Leaving gutta-percha and sealer coronally can compromise the coronal seal and promote leakage.
✅ Use isopropyl alcohol to clean resin-based sealer residue before bonding. Water is effective for cleaning bioceramic sealers.
Key Takeaways
Establish a glide path before shaping whenever possible.
D-Finders can negotiate difficult canals more predictably than traditional K-files.
Intermediate files such as size 12 or 12.5 can help bridge the jump from size 10 to size 15.
Straight-line access reduces file binding and improves shaping efficiency.
Avoid forcing glide path files to working length.
Gates Glidden drills may be unnecessarily aggressive for routine coronal flaring.
12 Key Lessons – New Year Special Episode – PDP209
Episode 1
Sunday, January 5, 2025 • Duration 40:18
In this special recap, we’ll explore 12 key lessons from 2024 —insights that have shaped our practice, validated our protocols, and sometimes, inspired small but meaningful changes.
Happy New Year from Team Protrusive! As we kick off 2025, we want to express heartfelt gratitude for your incredible support throughout 2024.
What were the standout moments that shaped your learning this year?
Which episodes gave you that “aha” moment?
Whether you’re a seasoned listener or just jumping in, this recap will help solidify the lessons that you can apply to your practice every day.
Take time to reflect on your goals for 2025 and consider what sacrifices you’re prepared to make to achieve them. Emphasizing the importance of writing down both your objectives and the trade-offs they require, align your time and priorities with your personal and professional aspirations.
“You overestimate what you can achieve in a year and underestimate what you can accomplish in ten years.” Productivity is about knowing how badly you want something and what you’re willing to sacrifice to achieve it.
Take a deep dive into this literature: Clinical considerations for increasing occlusal vertical dimension: a review
The Most Important Part a Beautiful Smile – Pink Esthetics with Dr Tidu Mankoo – PDP208
Episode 1
Saturday, December 28, 2024 • Duration 54:28
Are you focusing enough on pink aesthetics in smile design?
What role does gingiva play in achieving a truly stunning smile?
When should you refer for recession around lower incisors or upper canines?
Can you get the gum to grow back through orthodontics? And how about class 5 restorations? Should we do them, or should we work on the gingival recession first?
In this episode, Jaz is joined by the expert Dr. Tidu Mankoo, who shares his extensive knowledge on the importance of gingival health in aesthetic dentistry. They dive into the crucial role of the dento-gingival complex.
Composite button technique – a small blob of composite is applied to a dry tooth without etching or bonding to assess shade match and translucency, avoid excess thickness, which can affect opacity and aesthetics (Jason Smithson’s Tip: take a black-and-white photo to evaluate the composite’s value and ensure it matches the natural teeth)
Gingival architecture plays a vital role in aesthetics.
Dentists should focus on patient-centered care.
Understanding tooth position is key to treatment planning.
Orthodontics can sometimes resolve gingival issues without surgery.
Communication with patients is essential for effective treatment.
Aesthetic dentistry requires a comprehensive approach.
The dental field is evolving, and practitioners must adapt. Root coverage procedures can be effective with proper techniques.
Periodontal and Systemic Link – Correlation or Causation? – GF024
Episode 1
Thursday, December 19, 2024 • Duration 38:33
In this episode, we focus on the link between periodontal disease and the systemic effects on the human body. There’s more to oral hygiene than just saving our teeth, so let’s dive into this fascinating episode with Dr Reena Wadia to learn more about the importance of perio and how it is associated with the rest of our health.
There is a strong link between gum health and systemic health.
Diabetes and cardiovascular disease are key conditions linked to gum health.
Understanding correlation vs. causation is crucial in dental practice.
Effective communication with patients can improve treatment outcomes.
Treating pregnant patients for periodontal health is safe and beneficial.
Proper diagnosis is essential for effective dental treatment.
Patients are often unaware of the links between gum health and overall wellness.
Motivating patients with health benefits can enhance compliance.
Evidence-based dentistry is vital for accurate patient information. Add the word diagnosis to templates for clarity.
Team collaboration (dental and medical practices) enhances patient care effectiveness.
Screening for conditions like diabetes can save lives.
Holistic care in dentistry is becoming increasingly important.
A periodontal protocol is crucial for consistent care.
Need to Read it? Check out the Full Episode Transcript below!
Highlights of this episode:
3:50 Introduction to Dr Reena Wadia
7:14 Systemic Link
12:24 Under Investigation
13:54 Using this with our Patients
17:04 Birthweight-related Studies and Pregnancy
20:14 Make a Periodontal Diagnosis
Step by Step Functional Crown Lengthening – PDP207
Episode 1
Tuesday, December 10, 2024 • Duration 01:03:26
What are the steps involved in Functional Crown Lengthening?
Which scenarios/teeth are best for this type of surgery?
What is biologic width and why should we care?
Is Bone sounding a diagnostic test, or just a genre of music?
The answer to these questions and a lot more can be found in this packed episode with Dr Hiten Halai. We cover the right protocols when crown lengthening and understand the difference between aesthetic and functional crown lengthening.
Using a periodontal probe, go into the depth of the sulcus, pushing deeply until you hit bone, all while recording the measurement with the probe. This measurement will then guide you on how to carry out your crown lengthening procedure. Push hard to pass the connective tissue and ensure you are touching the bone.
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Need to Read it? Check out the Full Episode Transcript below!
Highlights of this Episode: 03:19 Protrusive Dental Pearl 06:10 Introduction – Dr Hiten Halai 12:56 Functional Crown Lengthening 15:41 Understanding Crown Lengthening Types 18:42 University of Dental Instagram 22:38 Biologic Width aka Supra-crestal Tissue Attachment 25:51 Functional Crown Lengthening: Practical Considerations 31:09 Assessments & Keratinised Tissue 35:47 Understanding Tissue Phenotypes39:16 Case Study: Premolar Treatment43:17 Bone Sounding and Biologic Width46:58 Shape of Gingivectomy50:31 Flap Designs52:37 Burs for Crown Lengthening56:13 Healing and Restoration Timelines58:31 Learning and Training Opportunities
Exodontia for Beginners – Extractions via Avocados! – PS012
Episode 1
Wednesday, December 4, 2024 • Duration 39:39
Application points, luxation vs elevation, avoiding common mistakes – this one’s an episode that I wish I had when I was at dental school!
How do you know when you’ve found the application point during extractions?
What are the key protocols that can help make your extractions more efficient?
This week’s Protrusive Student episode is all about exodontia – and again I’m joined by Emma Hutchison, our Protrusive Student Ambassador, to discuss some tips and tricks on how to make extractions that little bit easier.
Jaz also shares a memorable analogy—could removing a stone from an avocado be the perfect way to describe an extraction?!
Key Takeaways
Tactile feedback is crucial during tooth extractions.
Understanding application points can improve extraction techniques.
Using the right amount of pressure is essential to avoid breaking teeth during extraction.
Luxators are typically used to sever the PDL before extraction.
Atraumatic extraction techniques are important for preserving bone for future implants.
Luxators should not be used as elevators.
Understanding the mechanics of elevators is crucial for effective extractions.
The ‘six second rule’ helps in assessing extraction progress.
Having a plan for extractions can prevent complications.
Communicating with patients about the extraction process is essential.
Avoid tunnel vision; consider the surrounding teeth during extractions.
Breaking interproximal contacts can simplify extractions.
Always check the patient’s medical history before procedures.
An audible checklist can prevent mistakes during extractions.
White Patches – When to Refer + Diagnoses ORAL MED – PDP206
Episode 1
Friday, November 29, 2024 • Duration 01:00:12
Are you confident in diagnosing white patches?
Which white patches need an URGENT referral?
How do you tell the difference between lichen planus, lichenoid reactions, and other common lesions?
Dr. Amanda Phoon Nguyen is back with another amazing episode, this time diving deep into the world of oral white patches. Jaz and Amanda explore the most common lesions you’ll encounter, breaking down their appearance, diagnosis, and management.
They also discuss key strategies to help you build a strong differential diagnosis, because identifying the right lesions early can make all the difference in patient care.
Protrusive Dental Pearl: A new infographic summarizing Dr. Amanda Phoon Nguyen’s key teachings. Jaz describes it as an easy-to-follow “cheat sheet” designed to simplify complex ideas and make it easier to apply the concepts discussed in the episode.
White patches in the oral cavity can be classified into normal variants, non-pathological patches, and potentially malignant disorders.
It is important to identify the cause of the white patch and differentiate between different types.
Referrals should be made based on the characteristics of the white patch and the urgency of the situation.
Clinical photographs are valuable in referrals and can aid in triaging patients.
Ongoing monitoring is important for potentially malignant disorders. Lichen planus can have different types and presentations, and a biopsy may be necessary for certain cases.
Enlarged taste buds, particularly in the foliate papillae, are usually bilateral and not a cause for concern.
Product: Magic3 (3% hydrogen peroxide, colourless plaque indicator), by Dr Wyman Chan — protrusive.co.uk/magic3.
What You’ll Take From This Episode
Diagnosis first — MIH or caries? The distinction changes the plan, the prognosis and the whole conversation with the family.
Reading the extraction window off an OPG — why chronological age tells you nothing, and what the second molar’s bifurcation tells you instead.
The restorative ladder — seal, composite, preformed metal crown, or plan the extraction: matching the least invasive option that will actually hold.
When to involve the orthodontist — essential or desirable, which teeth come out, and managing the space afterwards.
Getting sensitive molars numb — why MIH teeth are so hard to anaesthetise, and the comfort stack that helps.
Highlights of This Episode
00:00 TEASER
00:59 First Permanent Molars of Poor Prognosis in Children
02:51 Painless Chemical Polishing for Kids (Protrusive Dental Pearl)
04:53 Meet Dr Nicole Sturzenbaum, Paediatric Dentist
11:49 MIH or Caries? Getting the Diagnosis Right
15:14 What Is MIH? Causes, Grades and 'Cheese Molars'
17:23 When to Extract a First Molar: Reading the OPG
20:08 Sealant, Composite or Crown for MIH Molars
22:32 Stainless Steel Crowns for Hypomineralised Molars
25:52 Do You Need an Orthodontic Opinion Before Extraction?
29:15 Talking to Parents About Removing an Adult Tooth
31:56 Anaesthesia Tips for Sensitive MIH Molars
36:14 Managing the Space After First Molar Extraction
41:15 Balancing and Compensating Extractions Explained
47:53 Early Orthodontics and Prevention at Toothbeary
51:15 OUTRO
From the Guest
Dr Nicole Sturzenbaum is a paediatric dentist and the owner and clinical director of Toothbeary, a paediatric dental practice in Richmond, London.
EAPD guidance (cited on the episode). European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry policy documents on MIH (Lygidakis et al., best clinical practice guidance for clinicians dealing with children presenting with MIH) and on paediatric local analgesia (Kühnisch et al., 2017).
Preoperative analgesia for MIH (further reading). Vicioni-Marques, F., Paula-Silva, F. W. G., Carvalho, M. R., Queiroz, A. M., Freitas, O., Duarte, M. P. F., Manton, D. J., & Carvalho, F. K. (2022). Preemptive analgesia with ibuprofen increases anesthetic efficacy in children with severe molar: a triple-blind randomized clinical trial. Journal of applied oral science : revista FOB, 30, e20210538. https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-7757-2021-0538
Listen: Subscribe to the Protrusive Dental Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.
This episode is eligible for 1.0 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance.
This episode meets GDC Outcomes C.
AGD Subject Code: 430 Pediatric Dentistry.
Aim & Learning Outcomes
Aim: To help general dentists diagnose, assess and manage first permanent molars of poor prognosis in children — recognising molar-incisor hypomineralisation, timing extraction from radiographic development, and choosing between restoration and extraction with the wider team.
Learning Outcomes — by the end of this episode, dentists will be able to:
Differentiate molar-incisor hypomineralisation from caries of hygiene origin, and explain how that distinction changes management and communication.
Apply radiographic developmental assessment — the second molar’s bifurcation and the presence of third molars — to judge the timing of first permanent molar extraction.
Select an appropriate management pathway, from sealant and composite through preformed metal crown...
Whitening tetracycline staining — realistic timelines, why darker teeth lift faster, and how to frame it honestly against veneers.
The non-vital tooth without a drill — whiten every tooth to target, then paint the single dark tooth to match, and why leakage (not the bleach) causes rebound.
Costing and consent — charging “almost by time,” staged reviews, and matching invasiveness to the mouth in front of you.
Highlights of This Episode
00:00 Teaser
01:05 Trayless Whitening Part 2: Recap of Part 1
03:55 Protrusive Dental Pearl: Treating Family and Friends
06:55 Whitening White Spot Lesions After Orthodontics
11:55 Whiten First or Restore First? Cavitated Anterior Caries
18:35 The Frosted Glass Analogy: Explaining White Spots to Patients
21:05 A Two-Stage White Spot Protocol: Remineralise, Then Whiten
32:57 Midroll
36:23 Whitening Tetracycline-Stained Teeth
40:03 Costing and Consent: Bleaching vs Veneers
46:23 Whitening a Non-Vital Yellow Central Incisor
47:43 Why Root-Filled Teeth Rebound After Bleaching
53:13 Trayless Single-Tooth Whitening Without a Drill
1:00:43 How to Access Trayless Whitening and Training
1:03:40 Outro
From the Guest
Dr Wyman Chan is the inventor of trayless teeth whitening and the Get2Smile system, with a PhD in the efficacy and safety of teeth whitening and a whitening clinic in London’s West End. Dr Elvis Law trained in safe dental bleaching under Dr Wyman Chan and now runs the majority of his whitening trayless.
Start Offering Trayless Whitening for Your Office
UK Dentists:
In the UK you need the Get2Smile Kit which is 6% formulation applied twice daily for 30 minutes.
Head to directoralcare.com and register for a free professional account. Approval unlocks the full shop, pricing, offers and their upcoming educational courses.
At checkout, use code: DOCSUMMER20
International Dentists wishing to offer Get2Smile, please enquire from Dr Chan's website. The international version uses 10% formulation applied for 15 minutes, twice daily.
The session will include a live lecture, clinical demonstration, and the opportunity to take part in practical, hands-on training. Dr Wyman Chan will be joined by Dr Niki Shah and Dr Elvis Law, who will also showcase their clinical cases.
Want more?
If you enjoyed this episode, check out: MAGIC Teeth Whitening with Dr. Wyman Chan – PDP245 — Wyman’s first Protrusive episode, covering whitening myths, sensitivity, and whether in-office lights do anything at all..
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Listen, Subscribe, Earn CPD
Listen: Subscribe to the Protrusive Dental Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.
This episode is eligible for 1 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance.
Aim: To give dental practitioners a practical, non-invasive approach to three difficult whitening presentations — post-orthodontic white spot lesions, tetracycline staining, and a discoloured non-vital tooth — together with the expectation-setting and consent conversations that make treatment succeed.
Learning Outcomes — by the end of this episode, dentists will be able to:
Describe how enamel demineralisation produces white spot lesions and explain, in patient-friendly terms, why a repair-then-whiten sequence addresses both the surface and the underlying tooth colour.
Apply a staged, non-invasive protocol to manage white spot, tetracycline and non-vital discolouration cases, selecting an appropriate route by matching invasiveness to the individual patient.
Articulate realistic expectations on shade, timeline and cost, and use them to obtain informed consent for an extended, reviewable whitening course.
Consistency with one file system is often more important than chasing the latest product.
WaveOne Gold remains a simple and user-friendly option for many GDPs.
Rotary and reciprocating systems can both achieve successful outcomes when used appropriately.
A good glide path is often more important than the type of motion being used.
Hand files and Hedström files remain valuable during retreatment.
Mechanical GP removal near the apex increases the risk of extrusion.
Solvents are best reserved for residual gutta-percha rather than used at the start of retreatment.
Understanding motor settings, torque, and RPM improves file safety and efficiency.
Knowing when to refer is a sign of clinical maturity, not weakness.
Clear consent and expectation management reduce stress for both clinician and patient.
Upgrade your endodontic workflow with the Woodpecker Endo Radar Pro. Head to protrusive.co.uk/endomotor and use coupon code PROTRUSIVE at checkout to claim an exclusive discount and your choice of complimentary file system.
This episode is eligible for 0.75 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance.
This episode meets GDC Outcomes C
AGD Subject Code: 070 – Endodontics
Aim: To enhance clinicians’ understanding of glide path preparation, rotary and reciprocating instrumentation, canal negotiation, retreatment strategies, and risk management in contemporary endodontic practice.
Dentists will be able to –
Dentists will be able to evaluate the role of glide path preparation in improving shaping efficiency and reducing procedural errors.
Dentists will be able to compare practical considerations when using rotary and reciprocating file systems.
Dentists will be able to apply safe and predictable approaches to canal negotiation, retreatment, and clinical decision-making.
Need to Read it? Check out the Full Episode Transcript below!
Highlights of this episode:
01:08 Protrusive Dental Pearl
06:25 Value Your Skills
11:54 Importance of Photography and App Launch
14:42 Audio Notes in Dentistry
16:41 Rubber Dam Mastery
18:07 Composite Techniques and Innovations
21:07 Onlays vs Full Crowns
25:54 Best Bonding Agents
28:55 Digital Dentures Revolution
31:24 Mastering Vertical Dimension
32:29 Perfecting Posterior Composites
34:58 Creating Awesome Dentures
36:27 Extraction Techniques and Avocado Analogy
37:47 Looking Forward to 2025
Here are some episodes and webinars mentioned in this episode that are definitely worth checking out:
This episode is eligible for 0.5 CE credits via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance.
This episode meets GDC Outcome A, B and D.
AGD Code: 490 PERIODONTICS (Pathophysiology of periodontal disease)
Aim: To enhance dentists’ understanding of the link between periodontal health and systemic diseases, enabling them to integrate evidence-based periodontal care into their clinical practice.
Learning Outcomes:
Knowledge and Application: Dentists will gain a thorough understanding of the bi-directional relationship between periodontal disease and systemic conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and learn how to apply this knowledge in clinical practice to improve patient outcomes.
Patient Education: Dentists will acquire practical strategies for effectively educating patients about the systemic implications of periodontal health, using analogies, visual aids, and evidence-based communication methods.
Holistic Treatment Planning: Dentists will learn how to incorporate systemic health considerations, such as screening for diabetes or collaborating with medical professionals, into their periodontal treatment plans to deliver comprehensive care.
Aim: To enhance knowledge and practical understanding of crown lengthening procedures, with a focus on distinguishing between aesthetic and functional crown lengthening, and the importance of biologic width in achieving predictable clinical outcomes.
Learning Outcomes:
Identify the key differences between aesthetic and functional crown lengthening and the clinical scenarios in which each is most appropriate.
Demonstrate an understanding of biologic width and its significance in the success of crown lengthening procedures, including the impact on long-term periodontal health.
Apply the principles of bone sounding to accurately assess the need for crown lengthening and ensure optimal restoration outcomes, minimising risks such as gingival recession and bone loss.
Oral lichenoid lesions can be triggered by dental restorative materials or medications, and a change in dental material may sometimes improve the condition.
Smoker’s mouth can present with white patches and inflammation in areas where smoke gathers, and counseling patients to reduce smoking is important.
Oral submucous fibrosis, often caused by areca nut chewing, requires regular review and counseling patients to stop chewing the nut.
Need to Read it? Check out the Full Episode Transcript below!
Highlights for this episode:
01:22 Protrusive Dental Pearl
05:13 Dr. Amanda Phoon Nguyen Introduction
07:39 White Patches Introduction
09:16 Understanding Geographic Tongue
12:44 Keratosis vs. Leukoplakia
19:02 Proliferative Verrucous Leukoplakia
22:18 Referral Tips for General Dentists
29:56 Understanding Leukoplakia
33:17 Urgent and Non-Urgent Referrals
34:37 Patient Communication
39:17 Discussing Erythroplakia
41:03 Oral Lichen Planus: Diagnosis and Management
47:50 Enlarged Taste Buds
49:47 Oral Lichenoid Lesions vs Oral Lichen Planus
53:43 Smoker’s Mouth
55:14 Oral Submucous Fibrosis
57:23 Learning more from Dr. Amanda Phoon Nguyen
This episode is eligible for 1 CE credit via the quiz below.
This episode meets GDC Outcomes B and C.
AGD Subject Code: 730 ORAL MEDICINE, ORAL DIAGNOSIS, ORAL PATHOLOGY (Diagnosis, management and treatment of oral pathologies)
Dentists will be able to –
Identify the cause of a white patch and differentiate between different types.
Understand when and how to make referrals based on the characteristics of the white patch and the urgency of the situation.
Appreciate the importance of ongoing monitoring for potentially malignant disorders, including when to consider a biopsy.
For those interested in visual case studies and deeper insights into oral lesions and conditions, follow Dr. Amanda on Instagram and Facebook!
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