Teeth Matter

Join us for real talk between Dr. H and Dr. Tara Abouhmahboub ( @dentara__ ). Dr. Tara is Tufts Dental School grad (Class 2021) who brings a blend of professionalism and charisma to the table. As a Figs Ambassador and MedPro advisor with a vibrant social media presence her story is both inspiring and relatable. We'll delve into how her Iranian roots have influenced her work ethic and patient c...

No matter how good of dentist you are, accidents can happen. You might not even mean to do it but unintentional situations can lead to even more devastating outcomes. This episode reinforces the importance of enrolling in malpractice insurance to protect your finances but also your reputation. __________________________ If you enjoy the podcast, subscribe and rate ⭐️. If you think a friend will e...

Dr. Christina Radics ( @dr.christina_radics ) is an international dentist, trained in Sweden but who is now practicing in Spain. Her dental journey began in in 2000 and in the process, she discovered that amidst the daily grind, we often overlook our own well-being, leading to unfortunate consequences. She herself has admitted to experiencing burnout twice! This awakening has allowed her to now te...

Real talk between Dr. H and Dr. Ashleigh Robinson ( @ashleighrobinson ), a full-time house call dentist who is providing care to people in their homes. We dive into how she found out about this non-traditional path, what her scope of dentistry looks like, how she manages her records, what its like to move around with instruments, and so much more. Find out if you're a right fit for house call...

Real talk between Dr. H and Dr. Natanya Brown ( @dr.natanya ), a board certified endodontist turned life coach. As someone who no longer is in clinical practice, she talks about what aspects of practice ownership was challenging for her and her reasons for leaving dentistry. She now works as a full-time life coach and hosts her own podcast, The Joyful Dentist . To learn more about Dr. Natanya, che...

In this episode, we're diving into the incredible journey of Dr. Connie Wang ( @drconniewang ), a Pharm D who decided to pursue a career in dentistry! We touch on her reason for changing careers and any surprises she's come across as a newly licensed dentist. We also get the 411 on Dr. Connie's first gig as a dentist – the highs, the lows, and all the deets in between. Looking forward,...

Real talk between Dr. H and Dr. Natasha Sarwar ( @drnatashasarwar ) graduate of NYU, who devoted a decade to the practice of dentistry. Dr. Sarwar candidly shares her personal journey, detailing how the physical strains of the profession compelled her to step away from clinical practice. Now, she has redirected her focus towards advocating for the dental community's well-being by educating the...

In this solo episode, I highlight a sensitive topic for most females, money. Join me as I discuss stereotypes that contribute to women's fear of negotiating, which leads to missed opportunities in both personal and professional realms. I share strategies and actionable tips, to empower listeners to overcome the fear of negotiation, encouraging them to share their experiences on social media. A...

Real talk between Dr. H and Dr. Jamie Ko ( @withjamie.dds ), a general dentist based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.  Dr. Jamie being a relatively recent grad (Class 2019, University of Toronto)  takes us on a journey exploring the synergy between personal and professional growth in the realm of dentistry. She sheds light on the transformative impact of continuing education on her career and the dent...

Real talk with Dr. H and Dr. Tarryn MacCarthy ( @thebizofhappiness ), trained orthodontist and certified wellness coach. This episode focuses on the importance of recognizing and processing emotions as a way to find room for gratitude. Finding gratitude isn't easy. In fact, we need to make time and space for it but when we do, we find ourselves a bit happier than we once were and we bring tha...

Real talk between Dr. H and Dr. Vincent Buscemi ( @vincedds ), a biomimetic specialist located in Bloomfield Hills, MI.  After graduating University of Michigan Dental (Class 2014), Dr. Buscemi has been through it all! From his childhood dentist calling him "the worst dentist ever" to an ugly business split, life didn't seem like it was getting any easier for Dr. Vincent.  And yet,...

Real talk between Dr. H and pediatric dentist Dr. Trudy Ann Frazer ( @tinytoothdoc ). In this episode, we delve into the common misconception of burnout as a mere call for heightened productivity. Join us as we explore the transformative power of shifting perspectives and redirecting our focus towards the intricate balance of our physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.  Dr. Trudy Ann shares in...

Real talk about my recent experiences around quitting my first job, how I found the next one and some bumps along the road. Listen to learn my 5 top takeaways for securing your next job. If you enjoy the podcast, subscribe and rate ⭐️. If you think a friend will enjoy it, share it with them. Feel free to join our community at @_teethmatter to ask questions or share your story.  Disclaimer: We are...

Real talk between Dr. H and Dr. Jossen Gasteleum, a 29 year-old general and cosmetic dentist in Scottsdale, Arizona.  Dr. Jossen graduated from the University of Louisville, Kentucky in 2020 and has already been featured in multiple publications, including HuffPost, Buzzfeed and Fortune Magazine.  Listen to this episode to learn how Dr. Jossen navigates being a young dentist, building confidence t...

Real talk with Dr. H and Dr. Robert Kim ( @dr_robstar ), a remarkable individual whose journey through life's obstacles led him to become a beacon of health and wellness. Dr. Kim's inspiring story has taken him from personal challenges to becoming the owner of One Jujitsu Gym in Redlands, California, where he's helping people of all ages embrace a healthy lifestyle and develop menta...

Real talk with Dr. H and financial expert, Yanislet Fernandez about managing investments, retirement plans, insurances and student loans. Yanislet is a financial advisor with Northwestern Mutual, who specializes in wealth management of physicians and dentists. Key Highlights: The role of risk tolerance and time horizon in shaping your investment strategy. The urgency of paying off student debt and...

Real talk between Dr. H and Dr. Nikhil Sharma ( @nikthedentist ) about starting dentistry at the age of 19. Today, our guest has evolved into the role of Clinical Director, overseeing a team of dentists, and has diversified their income streams beyond traditional clinical practice. Key highlights: Early Ambitions: Our guest shares their early passion for dentistry and what drove them to pursue a d...

Real talk with Dr. H and Dr.  Patrick Anghel ( @pat.the.dentist ), a general dentist and owner of Ranch Plaza Dental Group, located in Las Vegas, NV. In two years, he was able to go from dental student to practice owner, by focusing his attention on increasing case acceptance and strategic marketing. Now, he's created a masterclass to help other dentists achieve financial success. Key Takeawa...

We've all heard stories about the detrimental effects of working in a toxic environment. But today, I'm going to share my own experience. It all began with my job, where stress and a hostile workplace atmosphere took a severe toll on my well-being, even leading to alopecia. I'll discuss how I recognized the signs of toxicity and decided it was time for a change. One of the most impo...

Real talk with Dr. H and Dr. Melani Silvestrini ( @dr.melanierosalia ), a talented dentist and a Miss New York Pageant contestant. Listen to us talk about the intricacies of pursuing a dental career, the notion of unfulfilled potential, dispelling misconceptions about young dentists, and confronting gender bias in a traditionally male-dominated field. Episode Highlights: Segment 1: Introduction to...

Real talk with Dr. H and Dr. Hamza Gaj about how authenticity, originality, social responsibility, and mental health intersect. Our guest, a dental professional and FIGS ambassador, shares their personal journey, shedding light on the challenges and triumphs of balancing their authentic self with the demands of the digital landscape. Hamza is a 2018 graduate of Midwestern University College of Den...

Real talk between Dr. H and Dr. Kyle Stanley on the topic of mental resilience and its impact on dentists' lives.  Dr. Stanley is a graduate of USC and has since become a leading cosmetic dentist based in Beverly Hills. He also has contributed to the world of academia, being an educator as well as publishing research. Despite having so much success, Dr. Stanley experienced what it means to bu...

Real talk between Dr. H and Dr. Steven Lu about the realities of working in public health, the benefits and what to look forward to in private practice.  Dr. Steven Lu (@dentistrywithsteven) is a University of Michigan, Class of 2020 graduate. Since then, he has pursued a position with a Federally Qualified Healthcare Center (FQHC) and has recently transitioned into private practice. In this episo...

Real talk between Dr. H and Dr. Ryan Coulon about the transformative power of personal development through intentional steps and goal-setting. We have learned that emotional intelligence is a fundamental skill in building trust with patients and fostering meaningful connections in the healthcare field. Moreover, we emphasized the importance of embracing risks and stepping out of comfort zones to u...

Real talk about people pleasing being a strong characteristic of dental providers. Learn how this trait is different from having purpose and ways you can unlearn it. Inspiration from this episode came from my recent visit to Istanbul. Anytime I travel, I feel like I get to experience more than just a new culture or geography. Traveling removes me from my reality and gives me an opportunity to reas...