Interference Cast – Protrusive Dental Podcast

Ever fancied teaching dental students part time… but no real idea how you’d actually get in? Are you the kind of person teaching would energise — or quietly drain ? Is a PGCert in dental education actually worth it , or just wishy-washy theory? And the honest question nobody asks out loud: does it pay anything? This is an Interference Cast — the non-clinical arm of the podcast — with Dr Rima Hussa...

The most important part of your surgery isn’t plugged in, mounted, or calibrated. It’s the person standing beside you. Have you ever dreaded walking into a beautiful practice with lovely patients — purely because of who you share the surgery with? What do you actually do, in the moment, when your assistant rolls their eyes at a request for rubber dam? And should you be friends with your assistant...

Why does dentistry on social media look so perfect? Are those flawless before-and-after cases the reality of everyday practice—or just the highlight reel? And why aren’t we talking more openly about the failures, frustrations, and imperfect outcomes that every dentist experiences? In this episode, Dr Artem Mkrtichyan joins Jaz for a refreshingly honest conversation about the realities of modern de...

Is burnout inevitable in dentistry? Why do so many high-achieving dentists still feel unfulfilled? Are we too harsh on ourselves without even realising it? And what if the way we speak to ourselves is the real problem? In this episode, Jaz sits down with Dr Aditi Bhalla —a Prosthodontist and Integrative Psychotherapist, with over 15 years in dentistry and extensive training in mental health, mindf...

Are you sacrificing your health for your patients? Are your neck and back quietly dictating how long you can practise? Do you skip workouts because you “don’t have time”? And what if your career ended—not by choice, but because your body gave up first? In this episode, Jaz is joined by Fraser Smith , a sports scientist and nutrition expert, to break down what dentists actually need to do to stay h...

(This episode discusses suicide prevention and mental health. It does not include graphic details, but please listen with care. If this topic feels close to home, consider pausing and reaching out to someone you trust or a mental health professional.) Why does dentistry have such high levels of stress and burnout? Why do so many clinicians feel isolated despite working in busy practices? What are...

Are AI receptionists here to take over your practice? How do they actually work, and what can they do—or not do—for your team? Could they make life easier for staff without replacing humans, or are they just a gimmick? In this episode, award-winning dentist and marketing expert Dr. Grant McAree joins Jaz to break down AI receptionists. Together, they explore what an AI receptionist really is, how...

Can AI really help you communicate better with patients? What if you could audit your own consultations and discover which words, pauses, and stories increase treatment acceptance? Dr. David Amador joins Jaz for a fascinating episode exploring how AI can transform the way we interact with patients. From auditing conversations to radiographic interpretation, they break down practical applications t...

Are you a high-earning dentist… living paycheck to paycheck? Do you ever feel financially stretched – despite earning well? Are you trapped in dentistry’s “golden handcuffs”? And what would your life look like if you worked because you wanted to… not because you had to? In this rare solo episode, Jaz steps away from occlusion and restorative dentistry to talk about something just as importan...

After watching this episode, you’ll understand exactly why owning your website matters. And here’s the good news: as a Protrusive community member, you can get 50% off your professional dental website – built specifically for associates who want to stand out. 👉 Claim your exclusive discount: protrusive.co.uk/website Do you really need your own website as an associate, or is a st...

Did Triman ever buy his own camera setup? Has he figured out which niche or specialty he wants to pursue? Are molar endodontics and surgical extractions still his fear procedures? And how’s he getting on with those tricky fee discussions and private patient conversations? Dr Triman Ahluwalia returns for another catch-up — one year after stepping into his first associate position. In this episode,...

How do you balance a high-performance dental career with being an effective parent? What strategies help you stay sane amidst the organized chaos of family life? How can showing up as your best self benefit both your patients and your children? Dr. Shandy Vijayan and Dr. Raabiha Maan join Jaz in this nonclinical episode to share their experiences of parenthood in dentistry. From the unique perspec...

Thinking of moving to the USA as a dentist? Wondering what exams, applications, and documents you’ll need to practice or specialize there? Curious about how much it costs — and what life as a dentist in the States is really like? Dr. Hazel Kerr and Dr. Dorrin Reyhani join Jaz for a deep dive into everything you need to know about moving to America as a dentist . Both UK-trained and now faculty at...

Is social media killing professionalism in dentistry? Are young dentists really “clowns” online—or is lightheartedness perfectly fine? Is social media a disease? Where’s the line between humor, banter, and outright disrespect? In this episode, Jaz is joined by Joseph Lucido from the States to tackle these tough questions head-on. Sparked by a fiery Facebook rant, they dive into whether social medi...

With the final places remaining for our Occlusion Getaway, we present the official FAQ Podcast! Dreaming of combining occlusion learning with a luxury getaway ? Want to earn 56 hours of CPD while soaking up the Dubai sunshine ? Looking for a course where you can master PRACTICAL occlusion in Restorative Dentristry and make it a family-friendly, tax-deductible trip ? Easter 2026 is set to be unforg...

Why should Dentists be talking about screen time with parents? Are smartphones even safe for children? What is the right age to give a child their first phone? Laura Spells and Arabella Skinner join Jaz in this thought-provoking episode to tackle one of today’s biggest parenting challenges: smartphones and social media in young hands. Together they explore the impact of early phone use on children...

Are you living your career by design—or just letting it happen to you? Do you know what your ideal day as a dentist looks like? What about your ideal week? In this episode, Jaz is joined by  Dr. Andrea Ogden  to explore how you can design a career—and a life—in dentistry that feels purposeful and fulfilling. They dive into why many of us get stuck on autopilot, chasing goals we...

“Jaz, I don’t know which course to take?” “Should I do Aspire Academy, Kois, Chris Orr or Paul Tipton?” (all great courses and legends by the way!) Of course its confusing – there are now more ‘Level 7 Diplomas’ than Dentists! There are also lots of biased testimonials – surely they can’t ALL be the ‘best course I ever did?’, right? So just HOW do you choose the right postg...

‘Mentorship is more important than courses’ – said lots of wise Dentists, and I think they’re right! Do you have a mentor guiding you in your dental career? How do you know if you’re making the right clinical decisions? https://youtu.be/5N0kj2YuFtA Watch IC058 on Youtube In this episode, Jaz is joined by Damian Panchal and Shivani Sadani to discuss the power of mentorship in dentistry....

How do we decide whether speciality training is right for us? Is the best time to specialise straight after Dental School? Or should we gain some experience in practice first? Dr Beant Thandi  joins us today to share his journey into specialising and shares some key experiences that will surely help guide you along the way. We discuss the different specialities within Dentistry as well as wha...

Two weeks ago I suffered a spontaneous pneumothorax and it shook me. This episode came at the PERFECT time as such health scares remind us that our health and wellbeing are the highest form of Wealth. Should Dentists have a therapist to manage stress and anxiety? Did you know that a BDA survey found 1 in 5 practitioners have seriously considered taking their own lives? Is it the intense work envir...

Why are principals and associates always at loggerheads with each other? Why can it be almost impossible to find the right associates to work at our amazing practice, but also almost impossible to find that amazing practice to work at as an associate?  Join myself and  Dr Sarika Shah  on this episode where we learn more about self leadership and the ways to prioritise our values to...

“Defensive Dentistry and the fear culture is the number 1 cause of anxiety amongst Dentists” How can we instead foster a culture where we can focus on growth and supporting each other? Does Dentistry have a social media problem? https://youtu.be/wsiENbuIXcE Watch IC053 on Youtube Join us on this episode with Dr Mehy Lo-Presti as we navigate dentistry and social media, the pros and cons of using th...

The first EVER ‘Prospective’ episode of Protrusive – I interviewed new-grad Dr Triman Ahluwalia in 2023, then again 7 months later in 2024 to see how he gets on with his first year as a *real* Dentist 😉 We uncover what it feels to be a freshly qualified Dentist, the pressures and fears that come with procedures such as endo and surgical extractions, but what we can do as growing clinicians...

Paying through the nose for your indemnity? You may get better protection with insurance AND it has saved Dentists £1000s – get a quote today from PDI / AllMedPro and get an additional £100 off (this is a promotional link that will save you money) Associate contracts are actually a HUGE deal that we do not give enough attention to… How long can your principal keep your retention for? I...