Al Dente

In this episode of Al Dente, we’re joined by the one and only Dr Corfield, a familiar face and voice to countless dental students and alumni. With over 10 years of teaching, a decade of stories, and enough clinic tips to save your next session, Dr Corfield shares his experiences as fifth year coordinator, all with the humour and personality students know and love. Expect plenty of laughs, practica...

In this episode of Al Dente, Kwan, Shalynn, and Kathryn sit down with Theo and Anthony, our AUDSS President and Vice President, for a relaxed, honest chat about what it really takes to lead a dental student society. We go beyond the titles and meetings to talk about the real side of it all, balancing study with leadership, making decisions behind the scenes, and figuring out how to keep a big stud...

We’re putting Dr Singh in the hot seat! In this episode of Al Dente, Kwan and Shalynn sit down with our AUDSS Patron of the Year to explore the realities of dental school across every stage, from finding your footing in first year to navigating the more challenging phases, and what to expect as you approach graduation, including pathways for those interested in specialising or doing research. We a...

As this season comes to a close, Elijah invites Kwan Xu Tan, the new host for Al Dente’s seventh season. Tune in to hear more about Kwan’s experience (including being a president of a society in BDS2!) and for some reminiscing about the past year of AUDSS, as well as what’s to come! 62. The next generation of Al Dente! AUDSS Publications

Are you interested in dental outreach aid trips? Well then look no further! In this episode, Elijah sits down with Yushan Behl from BDS2 and Molly Sweeney from BOH3 to discuss the recent trip to Cambodia. Tune in to hear more about this life changing experience, and some of the antics they got up to! 61. The Cambodian Experience! AUDSS Publications

In this episode, Elijah is joined by the 2025 AURHA reps, Jordan, Angie and friend of the podcast Val. Tune in to hear more about the exciting opportunities AURHA has to offer, and for many stories about the shenanigans these reps got up to on rural outreach trips! Our aural AURHA reps AUDSS Publications

Now that the impending threat of exams is over, Elijah gets a change to talk to Jimmy Ng, a BDS2 student from Hong Kong, all about the life of an international student. If you’ve ever wondered what the admissions process for international students is like, or what it’s like studying far away from home, you won’t want to miss this one! 59. The international perspective! AUDSS

It’s that time of year again when summative sim clinic looms over the BDS2 students, and Dr Poppy has joined Elijah today to talk about it. From studying MI to teaching MI and the whole journey in between, tune in to hear Dr Poppy and Elijah talk about common mistakes in sim, how to improve time efficiency and get a great restoration, and how to take simulated learning into the BDS3 clinics and be...

On this episode of Al Dente, Elijah catches up with Dr Steven Lewis, a dentist with over 40 years of experience! From his days at the old dental school to opening his own clinic, and all the crazy adventures in between, join Elijah and Steven as they discuss the past, present and future of dentistry! 57. The ever experienced Dr Steven! AUDSS Publications

Ever wondered what the role of the AUDSS patron actually is? Well our 2025 patron Dr Abdullah joins us answering all questions! From studying dentistry all around the globe, to becoming a full time academic at the dental school, tune in to the latest episode of Al Dente to hear more about what our patron gets up to, and what advice he has for our students! 56. With our patron, Dr Abdullah! AUDSS P...

Another year means another great season of Al Dente. But wait, who’s running this thing now? Tune in to meet the new publications committee for 2025, and find out more about their dental school journey and exciting things to come! 55. From dental students to running the AUDSS: Meet the President and Vice President! AUDSS Publications

Another year means another great season of Al Dente. But wait, who’s running this thing now? Tune in to meet the new publications committee for 2025, and find out more about their dental school journey and exciting things to come! Feedback form: https://forms.gle/ERWZoQZXVU7Ch5ncA 54. A NEW TEAM? AUDSS Publications

Ever wondered what happens after you graduate? Well recent graduate John Bouras has returned to answer your questions about life post-grad! Tune in to hear about John’s dental journey, from interview to working in a clinic, and see what he has to say about common myths and misconceptions in dentistry. From working as a cafe manager to being events executive during his time at dental school, John s...

This one’s for all of the student visa holders/international students! This episode explores post-study visa options, including permanent residency pathways for dentists. This episode we are joined by Christina Katsouri-Paxinos, a Registered Migration Agent and one of the Directors of PAX Migration Australia. Christina talks about the temporary graduate visa, 491 visa, and permanent residency path...

Your Q&A’s have been answered! Everyone’s heard of how long it takes to go from a) starting medical/dental school, b) finishing both to c), become an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Why don’t we hear it from a dentist who is going through medical school? This episode we are joined by Elaine Yu, who may have been some of your tutors in the Oral Surgery department as part of the BDS program. Bon...

Getting a "borderline" for ergonomics in simulation clinic? Is your neck barely making it through seeing two patients in clinic? Join Ravinath, the Adelaide Representative for Byron Medical, as we learn more about the ergonomic loupes offered by our generous AUDSS sponsor. Learn about how loupes are made, where they are made, and how it ends up on your nose bridge in the dental clinics. Dental Pro...

Do you remember the first time you picked up a dental mirror? The first semester of BDS (and for some, of university) has been completed for our first years. Tune in to hear Elijah and Dat reflect on their first five months of dental school, and whether it lives up to their expectations. Dental Protection sign-up link: https://dentalstudentjoin.dentalprotection.org/?_gl=1*1pewqy0*_ga*MzMzNTY2MTg4L...

You've been to his lectures since first year, and hopefully laughed at some of his jokes in class too. Starting from studying in Erbil, Iraq, learn more about how Professor Muhammed Yakin made his way to becoming a researcher, oral pathologist and BDS5 coordinator within our dental school. Here, Professor Yakin references his favourite TV shows, including Vikings and Breaking Bad. And also, some a...

From crying at his desk daily to writing novels about a world of cats and dogs, Dr Thomas Corfield has been selected as the AUDSS Patron of 2024. Who knew that a dentist could have a dental instrument in one hand, composing music with the other, and maybe writing a novel simultaneously? Often known as our BDS5 coordinator, it is hard to tell whether Dr Corfield is speaking in satire or otherwise....

When does one decide to be a dentist? A PhD candidate? Learn more about this from our guest this episode, Taseef Farook. From being awarded the International Student of the Year Award in 2023, to receiving over $400,000 AUD in research scholarships, Dr Taseef shares his humble beginnings with us. Learn more about how the “boy who was called a cyclops” inspired him to pursue research—on top of bein...

Rising up the ranks, we have our AUDSS President and Vice President joining us today. Previously general committee members, both have taken on executive roles within the AUDSS. Now they are leading it in their final year of dental school! So why did President Alexander Giannopoulos and Vice President Brendan Nham want to do dentistry in the first place? What are they doing outside of ‘teeth and gu...

Is this deja vu? Today we’re bringing back the 2022 host of Al Dente, only for her to sit in the interviewer’s chair. Jingyang, an up-and-coming graduate dentist, shares her journey through not one, but two rural placements. Listen in to find out what Jingyang has planned–hint, she’s headed to the outback for some officer training to become a navy dentist. 44. Who used to run this, and where is sh...

Welcome (back) to dental school! Meet the masterminds working behind the scenes for this podcast. Catherine and Jessica, your 2024 AUDSS Publications General Committee members, discuss how they ended up in dentistry. And as a bonus – what techniques they used to succeed in their first year of dental school. Please send us any episode suggestions, potential guests and feedback here: https://forms.g...

This episode, Ella gets the opportunity to catch up with BDS1 Theresa Tran and BOH1 Arabella McIntosh. We chat about the transition to uni, the freshers’ favourite tutors and their hopes for the coming years. Tune in for some first-year nostalgia (tooth ID, anyone?) and to hear any questions you submitted on the AUDSS Insta story ;) 42. First Year Frenzy AUDSS

In today’s episode, Ella meets Dr Amy Cao and Dr Saloni Singh, two members of the ADASA recent graduates committee. We talk about the highs and lows of transitioning from dental school to professional practice (and managing the stress that comes along with it), how they got involved in the ADA community, and what they hope to achieve on the committee. Dr Singh also divulges a bit about how she got...