Brace Yourself

In the very first episode of Cases in Common, Seshani and Gitaanjali from AMSA join Ana and Emma from ADSA to explore a condition encountered daily across both medicine and dentistry: Diabetes mellitus. What does gum disease have to do with blood sugar control? More than most clinicians realise. Following the journey of a patient with poorly controlled Type 2 Diabetes, we examine how chronic infla...

What does the path from dental student to specialist orthodontist to practice founder actually look like? In this episode of Brace Yourself, Emma sits down with Dr. Jessica Yeo, specialist orthodontist and founder of Glow Orthodontics in Sydney. Dr. Yeo shares the deeply personal experiences that shaped her career, the practical steps she took to get into a specialty program, and what nobody tells...

A five-minute exam can save a life. In this episode, Julia Flor explores why early detection of oral cancer makes such a dramatic difference in survival. We cover the key clinical red flags — from non-healing ulcers and red/white patches to suspicious lumps, numbness, and high-risk oral sites. You’ll learn how to apply the two-week rule, assess malignant vs benign features, and recognise oral pote...

Adhesive dentistry is the foundation of almost everything we do — but how much do you really understand about etching and bonding? In this episode, we break down the science and the steps so you can approach every restoration with confidence. Ana and Demi walk through the purpose of etching, the differences between enamel and dentine bonding, and the systems you’ll come across in clinic. We also c...

Patients ask about it all the time — but it’s not something we get much hands-on experience with at dental school. In this episode, we demystify tooth whitening from both vital and non-vital angles. Carol Lam and Demi-Lee Muir break down the science, techniques, materials, risks, and real-world advice on how to manage patient expectations and treatment planning. Whether you’re whitening natural te...

In this episode of the Brace Yourself podcast, we’re teaming up with the ADSA Education Series hosted by Demi-Lee Muir to bring you an honest and insightful discussion on rural dental placements. Our guest, Reynard Conradie — a fifth-year dental student from the University of Queensland — shares his real-world experience navigating regional clinics, building confidence in patient care, and handlin...

Think GORD is just about heartburn? Think again. In this episode, we dive into the overlooked connection between gastro-oesophageal reflux, obesity, and intraoral disease. Join Dania Jaber as she unpacks how systemic reflux impacts enamel, salivary function, and periodontal health—and why bariatric surgery might be the most underrated dental intervention. Backed by science, driven by curiosity, an...

Clinical skill gets you through the door — but communication is what keeps it open. In this episode, we unpack why effective patient communication is just as critical as your hand skills. From building trust to reducing anxiety and improving treatment outcomes, we explore evidence-based strategies and the 5 Cs of communication that every dental student should master. Learn how analogies, visual ai...

From acrylic allergies to chronic dermatitis, this episode unpacks a hidden health issue affecting dental students across Australia. Why are our hands—our most valuable tools—at risk? Host Dania Jaber explores the science behind occupational skin disease in prosthodontics, shares real student testimonies, and offers solutions you can implement today. 🔬 Featuring: The difference between irritant a...

This is the very first Bite-Sized episode of the Brace Yourself Podcast — and the official launch of our Podcast Digest series. Each digest is designed to give you more than just a quick listen: it’s a structured, evidence-based resource you can save, share, and refer back to. Is irreversible pulpitis really... irreversible? In this episode, we unpack the shift toward Vital Pulp Therapy (VPT) and...

"In this episode of "Brace Yourself", host Carol Lam, chats with the brilliant Dr. Margaret Tran from Goulburn Valley Dental Group in rural Victoria. Dr. Tran takes us on her journey into rural dentistry, busts some myths, and shares the quirks of practicing in the countryside. From emergency cases to tech-savvy solutions, this episode is packed with tips and stories perfect for anyone curious abo...

Get ready for an exciting episode with Dr. Gabrielle Smart, an esteemed paediatric dentist from Hills & Country Paediatric Dentistry, hosted by ADSA’s Treasurer Carol Lam. Episode highlights:  - Why Paediatric Dentistry? -  Day in the Life  - Scope of Practice -  General Anaesthesia Insights -  Importance of Early Dental Care -  CDBS  - Effective Communication & Collaborate Care -  Future...

Join us once again as Martina and Andrea continue their conversation with Dr Alex Khominksy. This time as they delve further into periodontics they discuss clinical aspects from, treatment planning, integrating photography and its power, and ways to communicate to patients. Finally listen to the end to find out more about the General Dental Residency (gDR) and how students and new graduate dentist...

Join us in this episode as we chat with Dr. Alex Khominsky, a specialist in Periodontics. Dr. Khominsky shares his inspiring journey to specialty training, detailing the challenges and rewards of becoming a periodontist. Dive into the intricacies of his training, his work in private practice, and his unique experiences as a new graduate in the dental unit at the Alfred Hospital. Get ready for an e...

Join us in this enlightening episode of 'Brace Yourself,' where we sit down with Dr. Sonny Lee, a pioneer in digital dentistry. Explore how he merges advanced technology with traditional practices to redefine dental care. From the benefits of 3D printing and milling technologies to the innovative uses of ozone therapy and microscopy in patient care, Dr. Lee shares his insights into the tra...

The highly anticipated Part 2 with Dr Erica Hwin from The Graduate Dentist! Join Martina and Andrea, once again, as they continue their conversation with Dr Erica - this time, with a focus on the job hunting side of things! In this episode, Dr Erica shares her number 1 piece of advice for final year students preparing to graduate and enter the workforce; the benefits and importance of shadowing as...

Join Martina and Andrea (4th year students) alongside our special guest Dr Erica Hwin (host of The Graduate Dentist) as they have an in depth conversation about the transition and bridging the gap between dental school and real world dentistry! In this episode Dr Erica shares her experiences as a new grad dentist as we dive into all the facets of the new graduate experience; the unexpected changes...

Welcome back to another season of ADSA's Brace Yourself! Martina Ta, Ana Elefterescu, David Paik and Andrea Karumathy from the 2024 Publication's team welcomes you back to Season 5 and explores what we will get up to this season. This year, our team is excited to bring on a range of guest speakers both from the industry and students to share their pearls of wisdom. Through Brace Yourself w...

We are ending season 4 of ADSA’s Brace Yourself podcast with a bang - tune in for our last episode, organised by our own University of Adelaide Representative, Carol Lam - "🎙️ Unlocking Opportunities with RACDS 🦷✨" Explore the world of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (RACDS) and discover how they're here to empower dental students. Learn about the support they off...

We are approaching the end of Season 4 of ADSA’s Brace Yourself podcast but before that, tune in for our December episode - ‘Unraveling Roots & Routes: Dr. Omar's Endo Odyssey’ 🦷🌐 Join first-year UWA host Brigitte Choo in this episode as she sits down with the globally practiced endodontist, Dr. Omar, who updates us on everything going on since his last visit here. Building on Dr Omar’s...

Welcome back for another episode of ADSA's Brace Yourself Podcast! 🎙️ From Scrubs to Smiles: Grad Talk with JCU Get ready to dive into the exciting world of dentistry with our extraordinary guests - Arushi, Caroline, Laura, and Shreejal. These James Cook University (JCU) 4th and 5th-year dental stars are sharing their incredible journeys as almost-graduating dental students on the latest ADSA...

🎙️ Tune into the October episode of the ADSA Brace Yourself Podcast - “Behind the Scenes of BOHDS: LaTrobe Student Club” Join Edmund Pan and Jamie Huang, the president and secretary of BOHDS (Bendigo Oral Health and Dentistry Society) from La Trobe, on 'Brace Yourself’! As third-year dental students navigating early clinics and class marathons, they're here to dish out the delightful detai...

🎙️ Tune in to our September Episode - First-Year Dental Diaries: Lessons from UoA Join the dynamic duo of Sam and Brandon on this episode of 'Brace Yourself,' the ADSA podcast. These first-year dental students from the University of Adelaide share their experiences in dental school, from juggling part-time jobs to navigating the exciting challenges of clinic. Tune in to gain valuable insights into...

Welcome to our 6th episode for Brace Yourself - “Mental Health in Dentistry” Join the thought-provoking episode with Dr. Viet Le and Dr. Chiraag Devani on our new episode, hosted by Carol Lam (UoA), as we peel back the curtain on the pursuit of perfectionism among dental students. Our guests’ wisdom casts a guiding light on the profound significance of prioritising mental well-being, both during t...

Welcome back to Brace Yourself's 4th episode for 2023! In this episode, join host Wen (Dental Student) as she welcomes the brilliant Dr. Chrish Fernando ( https://www.chrishanfernando.com/ ) to an extraordinary episode of Brace Yourself! With a passion for empowering the next generation of dental professionals, he shares invaluable insights and advice tailored for dental students soon to gradu...