Your Dental Besties

And when we say change the world, we mean if you were head of hygiene and therapy. What would you do? Comment below. Ben tells us what he would do, and Claire also shares her vision. Also, if you are looking for a job in Oxford, Claire gushes over Ben's practice and why it would be the perfect place to work. Get in touch if you are looking for a hygienist role. As always a BIG thankyou to our spon...

Ben and Claire talk about menopause and peri menopause in the workplace. They recorded this episode right after they delivered the Women's Health course in Oxford, so they felt inspired to talk about this important topic for todays show. If you are interested in attending the Women's Health course there are some spaces still available in Belfast (although only a couple as this podcast is released)...

Claire and Ben start with your gross and funny stories of the week. Be prepared to laugh! Claire nearly fainted from laughing from one of the stories. Then Ben asks Claire about imposter syndrome. Do you get imposter syndrome? How does Claire and Ben deal with it? A BIG THANKYOU to our season 3 sponsors: SKRUBZ EMS SWALLOW DENTAL Don't forget to get involved in our end of season giveaway. The deta...

In this episode we have a DOUBLE Agony Aunt & Agony Uncle (Ben's fave). In the first Agony Aunt/Agony Uncle, a listener asks what to do if you feel like you struggle to tell patients they have disease. It's not an easy conversation to have, so how do you navigate it? The second Agony Aunt/Agony Uncle is someone who wants to understand why people talk so much about general dentistry, but there...

Claire and Ben start they way they love- with your dental funnies. Keep them coming! Not only do we love to receive them (as they make our day at YDB HQ), we know how much you love to hear them. If anything funny happens at work, make sure you let us know. We also love your gross stories too. The topic of the day is plaque and bleeding scores. Do you take them routinely? If not, Claire and Ben loo...

In this episode Claire and Ben talk about how to get a dentist to refer therapy patients as they respond to a situation where a dentist refuses to refer patients over to one of our listeners. This listener is struggling with this dilemma and wrote in. Is this something you are contending with? What would Claire and Ben do and why might this be? Another listener sent in a query about whether or not...

Use the DISC personality theory to better communicate with patients. Claire and Ben go into the psychology of behaviour and talk about how this can be used when treating patients. It's fascinating stuff. Being a hygienist and therapist is so much more than clinical work. The Agony Aunt and Agony Uncle this week is someone who write in asking the pair to discuss using ineffective equipment, it seem...

The start of season 3! To all YDB OG's, thank you for being on this journey with us. Ben, Claire and the YDB team cannot believe we are here. First things first, a HUGE thank you to our season 3 sponsors- EMS, Skrubz and Swallow Dental. In this episode we read out your advice to newly qualified hygienists and therapists. It's a must listen to those who are new in your career. Reach out to us if yo...

Ben and Claire discuss hygiene department 'mistakes'. Well not mistakes, just things that could be done better maybe. From language to appointment times. The Agony Aunt/ Agony Uncle this week is a message received from a hygienist who is worried their wages will start to be affected as a dentist they work with has started doing hygiene treatment. Remember to like, comment and share. DM the team yo...

Ben and Claire play the world words game to begin. Claire says some selected dental words and Ben has to guess what language Claire is (trying) to speak. Do let us know how close she was to speaking your language if you speak any that she attempts. The topic of the day is how to manage mood hoovers and the Agony Aunt, Agony Uncle of the day is a request to discuss YDB's ideas on hygienist apprenti...

In true Ben and Claire style we start with your funnies. You have sent in your ideas about what a gynaecologist can say, but a dentist cannot and you did not disappoint. From pricks to lips, you guys are dirty little rat bags! Then we get serious and talk about Claire's favourite topic- ANALOGIES. She said she'd write a book and so she did. You can find it on Amazon (A Little Book of Analogies). T...

Ben and Claire start by reading out the cringe moments that have happened with your patients. We love your gross and cringe stories, the YDB team would love you to send yours in because we love starting the episodes with these. The topic of the day is Practice red flags. A listener wrote in and asked for us to discuss this, so we did. What is Ben's red flags and why does Claire think a practice sh...

Claire and Ben start this episode with a game of Oh My Gum or Oh My Gob, where Ben has to decide which is a sweet and which is the post biotic pastille. They then discuss pre, pro and post biotics and the differences between them all. Oh My Gob is an Australian brand and a Swiss product. After this, Claire and Ben talk about adding value to the hygiene appointment after a listener asked how we can...

Hear all about how much Ben loves kids. In this episode, Claire and Ben discuss treating kids in practice and what they do when they go into schools to teach oral health. It's not something they both have time for these days unfortunately, but they share what they have done in the past. You might get some tips if you find yourself teaching in schools. What do you do when you teach in schools? And...

Ben and Claire play snog, marry, avoid (dental edition). It's not for the squeamish. Play along on your commute to work- which will you snog marry or avoid? They then switch to discuss implant maintenance. Implants are something we come across daily now (for most of us), so it is important we feel confident in treating them. Bena nd Claire recommend courses and procotols for treating. A BIG thank...

Claire & Ben read out your wins of 2024. Some of you had a great year and we want to celebrate it with you. The Agony Aunt and Agony Uncle this week is a young hygienist who feels like they are not doing a good job because they cannot get the job done in 30 minute appointments as they worry about litigation. It's a common tale we hear a lot. Listen as Ben and Claire give their advice so this a...

Ben and Claire kick start this episode with a game called Mint or SuppleMint. Can Claire guess which mint product is actually a supplement for biofilm control? The duo then talk about how it can help as an adjunct to help with treatment of Xerostomia and biofilm management for per patients and those at risk of caries. The wonderful ingredients that benefit our patients include green tea, xylitol,...

Team YDB loved the side hustles episode in series 1, so we decided to bring you a part 2. We want to spread the word about your side hustle, so Claire and Ben want to give you a shout out. Here are some of them that were sent in: @cwtch_study_club (study group in South Wales and Cornwall) @xaptured.group (professional media specialists) @zeb.and.ro (Luxury soft wax candles) @dimension__digital @ca...

It may be a short one, but it is packed with info about the Women's Health Roadshow in 2025 and we also do a mini deep dive into Fusobacterium Nucleatum (found in biofilm) and how it has associated links with breast cancer (as mentioned in a Times article in October and how it links with colon cancer. If you have ever wondered how these things are possibly connected, then this is the episode to fi...

Claire and Ben are back this week with an exciting GIVEAWAY. Boutique Whitening sponsor season 2 of the podcast and we have partnered with them for a giveaway of a B1 Black Diamond kit. WOWSERS, we know! To win.... you have to jump through many many hoops (listen to the pod to find out- I think Claire got carried away). In a nut shell- you have to like everything, share everything, follow everythi...

Claire and Ben put the 'bleach proof' line of Skrubz scrubs up against some bleach, to see if they live up to their name. Will they stand up to the test? Claire sacrifices a pair of her old Wear Figs scrub bottoms to see which scrubs come out on top. The discussion of the day is all about DENTAL NURSES. They talk dental nurse wages and career progression. If you are a dental nurse, this is an epis...

Claire starts this episode by testing Ben on his knowledge of celebrity smiles. This is a You Tube special so make sure you head there to watch the game. Let's see if you can guess the celebrity smile from the pics of their teeth. The topic of the day is dental icks. Find out what Claire and Ben's dental licks are. Comment with your dental icks. We all have them, so don't be shy! We want to say a...

SEASON 2 GUYS! Thanks so much for an amazing season 1. This episode see's Ben and Claire sharing the funny things you have accidentally said to patients. You are a naughty bunch- we questioned whether we could even repeat some of these, but we figured we are besties so you can handle it. Be prepared for innuendo central! Once Claire and Ben recover from the feature they go on to discuss their thou...

With the last episode in series 1- Claire and Ben kick start this episode with a role reversal! Be prepared to CRINGE. Then they discuss the people they are social media stalking at the minute and those who inspire them. Is your name on the list? They want to point out here that actually, you all inspire them btw. Claire and Ben go on to discuss the topic that arose in Agony Aunt/ Agony Uncle this...

Claire and Ben talk about treating a 'Howard' in this episode. Move over Karen, Howard is the star of the show in this one! Howard is the male pseudonym Claire gives for difficult patients that make you question your ability to be a good hygienist or therapist. We have all been there- treating a patient who has had us on the verge of tears. Embrace it as a learning opportunity and that way it cann...