Conversations with Dental Friends

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 –...

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....

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...

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 ✨ steppi...

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: ​non-traditional routes into dentistry ​amb...

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...

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 • s...

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...

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 valua...

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 s...

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: ​What dental coaching actually looks like in practice ​Turning motivation into something you can break down, action, and sustain ​How coaching can transform not just individuals, but a...

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...

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 yo...

✨ 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 inc...

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...

🎙️ 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 c...

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 s...

🎙️ 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...

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 ar...

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 menti...

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 m...

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...

Welcome back to Conversations with Dental Friends in today’s episode I’m chatting to the brilliant Michelle Molloy about practice management You can find out more about dental nursing here More information about Michelle’s practice management course here and you can also check out a similar course through NIMDTA here You can follow Larne Dental Centre on Instagram @larnedentalcentre Thankyou so mu...

Welcome back to Conversations with Dental Friends! This week I’m chatting to Dr Maria Catney however you may know her as someone else when you get to the end of this episode 👀 Maria first and foremost is an amazingly gifted dentist and here are some links to the courses she suggested here MJDF Occlusion course Perio course Orthodontic Course However if you are interested in creative writing or ju...

Welcome back to Conversations with Dental Friends! This week I’m joined by the amazing Nina Farmer who is a DUAL QUALIFIED Dental and Nutritional Therapist This chat with Nina as so amazing because not only does Nutritional Therapy enrich your life but it can also enrich the lives of your patients and colleagues too. To find out more about Nutritional Therapy you can click the link here If you’re...