The Dental Head Start Podcast

Hosted by Dr Michael Shambira In this episode, Dr. Christian Coachman, founder of Digital Smile Design, opens up about the long road from dental technician to influential educator. Discover how humble confidence helped him navigate doubt, poor communication pitfalls in dentistry and the mindset shifts that turn uncertainty into lasting success. Learn practical lessons on mentorship, self-accountab...

Hosted by Ahmed Issa Behind every title is a journey most people never see. In this first episode of Ahmed’s specialist journey series, he sits down with Specialist Oral Surgeon Dr Thao Truong to unpack the pressure, sacrifice and self-doubt behind operating at the highest level of dentistry. From hospital training and specialist exams to carrying responsibility in high-stakes surgical envir...

Hosted by Ahmed Issa Behind every great clinician is a journey of pressure, pain, sacrifice, and relentless refinement. In this episode of the Formation Series, Ahmed Issa sits down with Dr Karl Batorski to unpack the darker side of growth. The sleepless nights, the pressure, the self-doubt, and the difficult seasons that often sit behind success in dentistry. This is a raw conversation about what...

Hosted by Dr Michael Shambira In this episode, Michael sits down with Dr Uday Sen to explore one of the most underrated skills in dentistry: how to reflect properly after a case. For many students and early-career dentists, reflection can become either vague, overly negative, or something rushed through after a difficult appointment. Uday shares a more practical and constructive approach: how to a...

Hosted by Dr Michael Shambira In this episode, Dr Michael Shambira sits down with Tye Bate, the founder and dental marketing expert from 230media.dental to unpack the role of social media in modern dentistry. We explore identity, comparison, content pressure, and how to build an online presence without distorting who you are. This is not about growth hacks. It’s about clarity. If you’re navigating...

Hosted by Dr Michael Shambira In this episode, I sit down with Dr Sam Gidaro to unpack a tension many high-performing students and early-career dentists feel but rarely articulate: how do you pursue excellence without turning that pursuit inward? We explore the difference between high standards and self-criticism, why ambitious dentists often struggle to feel “good enough,” how early competence ca...

Hosted by Dr Michael (Mike) Shambira In this episode of the Formation series, Mike sits down with Dr Michael Frazis, Director of Education at Ripe Global, to explore the blind spots that shape early-career growth in dentistry. Drawing from years of teaching and mentoring clinicians, Michael Frazis shares insights on ambition, judgement, efficiency, and the common traps dentists fall into when tryi...

Hosted by Ahmed Issa Ahmed Issa sits down with Dr Rand Younes to explore the journey behind the title. From arriving in Australia as a young immigrant with little English, to becoming dux of her school, launching a mobile dental service at just 17, and building a career grounded in purpose, service, and impact. Together, they unpack the defining chapters that shaped her path: the challenges of den...

Hosted by Dr Michael Shambira and Ahmed Issa Stepping out of dental school and into a thriving practice can be entirely overwhelming, but itdoesn’t have to be. In this feature episode, we sit down with Dr. Sam Gidaro to explore the realities of clinical life, the pressures of practice ownership, and how to find the perfect mentor to accelerateyour growth. Dr. Sam shares his exact process for...

Hosted by Ahmed Issa Real growth in dentistry is built in discomfort. In this feature episode of the Formation Series, Ahmed Issa sits down with Dr Waleed Arshad to explore confidence, mentorship, mindset and what it takes to grow into a well-rounded clinician. Not about shortcuts. About becoming who the profession demands of you. Connect with Ahmed and Dr Waleed on instagram @ waleedarshadd @ dra...

In this episode of the Formation series, Dr. Mike Shambira talks with Dr Matt Hedge, a cosmetic dentist on the Gold Coast, to unpack what it actually means to learn well in the early years of dentistry. They talk about staying teachable, building confidence without rushing it, and finding the balance between ambition and humility. Matt shares how surrounding yourself with the right people, seeking...

Hosted by Dr Erica Hwin When I see dentists producing amazing work in various specialties, the first thing I want to know is how they were able to build their skills to that point. Knowing the skills Dr. Maria Avis holds, I had the opportunity to unravel her dental journey. In this episode, Maria walks us through her experiences in dental school, and more importantly, how her graduate job position...

Hosted by Dr Michael Shambira In early dentistry, ambition and responsibility collide. You want to move quickly. You want to grow. You want to do meaningful work. But you’re also responsible for real people, and that changes everything. In this Formation episode of The Unseen Curriculum, I sit down with Johan Weemaes and Greg Fine to unpack one of the most important tensions in early career dentis...

One of the most common findings when charting is a crack in a tooth, but determining the severity and the right treatment path can be a dilemma. In this episode, host Erica Hwin sits down with specialist prosthodontist Dr. Michael Mandikos to decode the complexities of cracked teeth, from initial diagnosis to the final restoration. You will learn the critical differences between benign craze lines...

If you are doing everything right on paper but still feel unsettled or unsure of yourself, this episode is for you. We dive deep into the “hidden curriculum” of dentistry—the gap between your clinical skills and the heavy emotional weight of new responsibility. We explore why most of your doubt isn’t a lack of skill but a system calibration issue, and break down the three essenti...

Hosted by Dr David Keir Dr. Julian Dantes joins Dr. David to discuss the honest journey from a rural “sink or swim” graduate to a successful practice owner on the Sunshine Coast. Unlike the curated perfection often seen on social media, Julian shares the raw reality of general dentistry, including his pivot from medicine and the irony of failing a university “people skills”...

Hosted by Dr Michael Shambira What does it take to have two babies, work as a nurse, survive dental school, AND come out smiling? Dr. Rebecca Smith shows us that resilience isn’t about being tough – it’s about grace under pressure. In this powerful series finale, we dive deep into the real meaning of resilience with Dr. Rebecca Smith, who walked one of the most challenging journe...

Ever felt paralysed by criticism? Dr. Andrew Cheng reveals how he transformed brutal feedback into rapid skill development and went from implants to high-level cosmetic dentistry in just a few years. In this first part of our three-part series, discover the mindset shifts and practical strategies that separate good dentists from great ones. What You’ll Learn: The Mindset Behind Rapid Growth:...

Hosted by Dr David Keir Ever wondered what legal pitfalls could cost you thousands when buying a dental practice? Dr. David Keir and Dr. Jesse Green reveal the critical legal considerations every dentist needs to know before taking the plunge into practice ownership. In this insightful episode, you’ll discover: Which key advisors to engage early in your practice acquisition journey How to st...

Discover the hidden secrets to perfect dental bonding that they never taught you in dental school! In this episode, Dr. Bez breaks down the critical steps that make the difference between successful restorations and frustrating failures. Learn: Why air abrasion is a game-changer for creating pristine bonding surfaces Essential soft tissue management techniques to prevent bleeding complications The...

Hosted by Michael Shambira Ever felt like you’re not good enough to be treating patients? You’re not alone. In this episode of The Unseen Curriculum, Michael Shambira sits down with Dr. Aneet Gill to unpack the mental challenges of being a new dental graduate. Discover how to transform self-doubt into clinical confidence through: Building resilience when facing challenging casesBreakin...

Hosted by Christina Potestas Ever wondered what it takes to excel in dental school while overcoming life’s biggest challenges? Join Christina as she sits down with Michael Shambira, winner of the 2025 Australian Dental Graduate Award, for an intimate conversation about resilience, sacrifice, and success. In this powerful episode, you’ll discover: How Michael’s journey from Zimbab...

Hosted by Dr David Keir Are you contemplating diving into practice ownership? Get ready to unlock the secrets of successful practice acquisition with our Dental Business Head Start series! Join Dr. David Keir and Dr. Jesse Green from the Savvy Dentist podcast as they unravel the mysteries of buying a dental practice. In this episode we explore the essential foundations for successful practice owne...

Hosted by Dr David Keir Ever wondered what drives the most respected dentists to achieve excellence? Join us for an intimate conversation with Dr. Sahil Soni, the renowned DPR administrator and respected dental educator, as he shares his remarkable journey from struggling new graduate to clinical excellence. In this powerful episode, you’ll learn: How overcoming clinical anxiety in his early...

Hosted by Dr David Keir Ever wondered what your dental career will actually look like after graduation? The transition from dental school to private practice isn’t just a new job – it’s entering an entirely different world of dentistry that your education barely prepares you for. In this episode: Learn the real differences between university clinics and private practice environme...