Conversations with Dental Friends

Rachael

If you are in the dental industry and feel you have loads of potential and more to give, or maybe you’re new to the dental field, and if you like interesting stories from interesting people that might just inspire your dental future then this podcast is for you!

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Yesterday · 54 min
S6 Ep 4 : Could Dentistry Prepare You For Business? From Clinician to Founder with Dr Ariba Karim
Could dentistry prepare you for business? From clinician to founder What happens when the career you worked so hard for no longer feels like the right fit? In this episode of Conversations with Dental Friends, Rachael is joined by dentist, facial aesthetics practitioner and founder of Whip Belfast, Dr Ariba Karim. Ariba shares the honest story behind her journey from dentistry into hospitality and entrepreneurship. We talk about cultural expectations, choosing dentistry, navigating difficult working environments and the realities of building a career as a self-employed dental professional. After working across Northern Ireland and Dublin, Ariba began to recognise that her mental health was being affected by a career she no longer felt passionate about. Through therapy, travel and plenty of self-reflection, she uncovered a long-suppressed ambition to build something of her own. That idea became Whip Belfast, a personality-filled concept café known for its açaí bowls, matcha, creative menus and distinctly “girly pop” energy. This is a wonderfully honest conversation about career pivots, transferable skills, financial risk, resilience and what can happen when you allow yourself to pursue the work that genuinely lights you up. In this episode Why Ariba chose dentistry and what her early career really looked like The realities of NHS dentistry, self-employment and associate life Recognising when a working environment is not right for you Investing in further training and exploring different niches Mental health, therapy and losing passion for your profession Starting a business, experiencing financial risk and rebuilding after setbacks The skills dentistry gave Ariba that now help her run Whip Building a memorable brand through creativity, social media and community Ariba’s plans to grow Whip while protecting the quality of its original Belfast location Links and resources mentioned Study Dentistry at Queen’s University Belfast Start With Why by Simon Sinek Watch Simon Sinek’s TED Talk, How Great Leaders Inspire Action Derma Medical, where Ariba completed facial aesthetics training Connect with Ariba and Whip Belfast Follow @whipbelfast on Instagram Follow @whipbelfast on TikTok Visit Whip on the Lisburn Road in Belfast Continue the conversation Follow Conversations with Dental Friends on Instagram: @conversationswithdentalfriends Follow Rachael on Instagram: @homegirlhygienist Visit the Homegirl Hygienist website A huge thank you to Oral-B and NSK for sponsoring this episode and supporting Conversations with Dental Friends. If this conversation made you think differently about your own career, share it with a dental friend who might need to hear it. You can also download the free Conversations with Dental Friends Career Planning Workbook by commenting the word link on the episode, and I’ll send it directly to you.
August 27 · 1 hr 6 min
S6 Ep 3 : Could Better Boundaries Help Protect Your Dental Career? Preventing Burnout with Dr Rana
What if the answer to burnout isn’t simply doing less, but learning how to live, work and succeed in a completely different way? In this episode of Conversations with Dental Friends, Rachael is joined by specialist periodontist, author, coach, international speaker and fellow podcaster Dr Rana Al-Falaki. Rana was the first periodontist in the UK to begin using lasers in daily practice and has developed minimally invasive periodontal protocols that are now informing clinical trials around the world. Alongside her clinical and educational work, she is the creator of the NAIL-IT Leadership System, which helps professionals pursue sustainable success without sacrificing their health, happiness or relationships. Behind Rana’s extraordinary career is an incredibly honest story of burnout. She shares what happened when years of overachievement, emotional trauma, professional pressure and never asking for help finally caught up with her. Content note This episode contains a personal discussion of childhood trauma and sexual abuse. This begins at approximately 26 minutes and 15 seconds within the original interview. Please be aware that the precise timestamp may move slightly following the addition of the episode introduction and sponsorship messages. Please look after yourself while listening and feel completely free to pause or skip this part of the conversation. Find out more about Dr Rana Al-Falaki Dr Rana’s official website: https://www.drranaalfalaki.com/ Follow Dr Rana on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drranaalfalaki/ Discover NAIL-IT Leadership and Rana’s coaching, workshops and services: https://www.drranaalfalaki.com/nail-it Find out more about NAIL-IT Leadership: Your Blueprint to Optimal Performance: https://www.drranaalfalaki.com/nail-it-leadership Listen to the NAIL-IT Podcast with Dr Rana Al-Falaki and Dr Bhavin Patel: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/nail-it/id1824975541 Follow the NAIL-IT Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nailit_podcast/ NAIL-IT events and education Find out more about the NAIL-IT Leadership Experience and upcoming 2026 dates: https://www.nailitindentistry.com/nail-it-in-dentistry-leadership-wellbeing-day-dental-team-professionals Find out more about Rana’s periodontal and peri-implant courses: https://www.nailitindentistry.com/perio-courses Find out more about the periodontal and peri-implant masterclass taking place in London on 20 and 21 November 2026: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYeIAZNmhry/ Thank you to our sponsors A huge thank you to Oral-B and NSK for sponsoring this episode and supporting Conversations with Dental Friends. Find out more about Oral-B Professional: https://www.oralbprofessional.co.uk/s/ Find out more about NSK UK: https://mynsk.co.uk/ Stay connected with Conversations with Dental Friends Follow the podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conversationswithdentalfriends/ Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@homegirlhygienist2756?si=IfQgFNVLAMZu1rcL https://substack.com/@conversationswithdentalfriends?r=57fuak&utm_medium=ios Join us on Substack: Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0TR0CyMSp9K3JHIg8eg9nQ Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/conversations-with-dental-friends/id1802284203 Free Career Planning Workbook If you would like some space to reflect on what you want from your own dental career, comment the word LINK on the episode post and I’ll send you my free Conversations with Dental Friends Career Planning Workbook. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a rating or review and share it with a dental friend who may need to hear this conversation.
August 20 · 55 min
S6 Ep : 2 Can Social Media Completely Change Your Dental Career? with Anna Peterson
From making blue-tack braces 🦷😂 to becoming a dental therapist, educator, content creator for 245k+ people, and working with some of the biggest brands in dentistry… Anna Peterson’s journey is a powerful reminder that you don’t always know where one decision will take you. In this episode, we talk about career pivots, confidence, social media, and what it really looks like behind the polished dental Instagram world. Anna shares how she didn’t get the A level grades she needed for dentistry, and how she only discovered dental therapy after that door closed. From there, she stepped into a role in restorative dentistry, learned new clinical skills years into practice, and eventually found her way into content creation and education online. We also dive into the moment everything changed online, when her first viral video almost got deleted at just 10 views… before unexpectedly reaching nearly one million views in under 24 hours. Since then, social media has opened doors she never expected, including collaborations with Oral-B and NSK, lecturing opportunities, presenting, and educating thousands of people about oral health. But beyond the viral moments, this conversation is really about something deeper. 💡 Key themes we cover: Not getting the grades you expected — and what comes next Discovering dental therapy and building confidence clinically Learning new skills later in your career (yes, even rubber dam!) The reality of going viral on social media Building a personal brand in dentistry Working with major dental brands like Oral-B and NSK The pressure vs reality of dental social media Why you don’t need to have everything figured out The importance of kindness in dentistry 🧠 Anna’s biggest reminder: You are allowed to ask questions. You are allowed to not know everything. You are allowed to build confidence slowly. And you absolutely do not have to follow a traditional route. Because behind every perfect composite, viral video, and polished Instagram feed… there’s a human being figuring it out too. And as Anna beautifully puts it: “We’re all in it together.” 🫶🏼 ⸻ 🔗 Links & Resources 👩‍⚕️ Follow Anna Peterson: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annapetersondental?igsh=MWhyNWk5ZHYycXY2eQ==&igsi=MWhyNWk5ZHYycXY2eQ== 📱 Conversations with Dental Friends: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conversationswithdentalfriends?igsh=bTh4ZWRlank3dWJs 💙 Sponsored by Oral-B Explore Oral-B professional products & resources: 👉 https://www.oralbprofessional.co.uk/s/login/ 🦷 Sponsored by NSK Discover NSK dental equipment & solutions: 👉 https://mynsk.co.uk ⸻ ✨ In this episode, we also mention: Rubber dam training and clinical confidence Dental photography and content creation Career progression in dental therapy Social media growth and unexpected virality Education, lecturing, and presenting in dentistry
August 13 · 1 hr 16 min
S6 Ep 1 : Are You Seeing the Patient or Just the Tooth? Find Your Focus with Dr Ambrish Roshan
In this episode of Conversations with Dental Friends, I’m joined by Dr Ambrish Roshan, dentist, educator and dental photography enthusiast, for a conversation about finding your direction in dentistry, building a career around the things you genuinely enjoy and why photography can completely change the way you practise. Ambrish shares the story of moving from Singapore to Ireland to study dentistry, the challenges he faced as an international graduate trying to enter the Irish workforce, and how taking a leap of faith has shaped his career. We talk about: 📸 Why dental photography is so much more than before-and-after photos Ambrish explains how documenting each stage of treatment has become one of his most valuable learning and reflection tools, allowing him to identify where things went wrong and continually improve his clinical work. 🦷 Treating the patient, not just the tooth From his early training in implant dentistry to his current restorative work, Ambrish talks about the importance of looking at the patient as a whole and understanding what they actually value when planning treatment. 💬 Putting the patient in the driving seat We discuss listening to patients, understanding their priorities and balancing the three big costs of treatment: time, biology and money. Ambrish shares how he approaches consultations and why understanding a patient’s values can completely change treatment planning. 📷 Creating a simple photography workflow Ambrish talks us through his approach to photographing new patients, including his baseline photographic records, how he uses photography to communicate with patients and why he believes taking 15–20 photographs doesn’t need to take more than two minutes once you have a system. 🎓 Investing in yourself and learning through reflection We talk about his postgraduate training, the photography course that changed his approach and why sometimes the biggest learning comes from reviewing your own work rather than simply completing another course. 📱 Social media, photography & attracting the dentistry you want to do Ambrish shares how posting his clinical photography organically led to patients finding him and explains why showcasing the work you want to do can be such a powerful marketing tool. 🤝 Working with dental brands We also chat about becoming a KOL, choosing brands that align with your values and why authenticity and genuinely using the products you talk about are so important when building trust with your audience. And, of course, we talk about what’s next for Ambrish, including his plans for composite and photography education and some exciting projects coming later in 2026. 🔗 Find Ambrish Instagram: @dr.ambrish.roshan Courses / education: EduDental.ie DON’T FORGET ADD RACHAEL10 AT CHECKOUT FOR 10% OFF 💡 Mentioned in this episode Focus Photography Course – Minesh Patel Michael Crilly Michael Crilly episode Ivoclar DMG / Icon Invisalign If you would like to sign up for Oral-B iO testdrive click here To Sell Is Human – Daniel H. Pink Don’t forget Ambrish has very kindly offered a 10% discount off his upcoming photography course with the code RACHAEL10 Click the course link and add the discount code here ⸻ 🦷 This episode is proudly supported by Oral-B 🦷 This episode is also supported by NSK
July 9 · 37 min
S5 Ep 12 : What Happens When You Advocate from Inside Corporate Dentistry? with Caitlin Miller
SEASON FINALE 🎙️✨ I genuinely cannot believe we’re already at the final episode of Season 5 of Conversations With Dental Friends 🥹🤍 I’m joined by the brilliant Caitlin Miller, Dental Therapist and Head of Dental Hygiene and Therapy at Bupa Dental Care 👏 This conversation felt SO important because we spoke honestly about what it’s really like working within corporate dentistry, the future of dental hygiene and therapy, and how we can better support clinicians in a profession that can sometimes feel incredibly isolating 💭 from starting out as a dental nurse and finding her place within hygiene and therapy, to now leading national initiatives within Bupa, Caitlin’s journey is such a reminder that careers in dentistry can evolve in ways you never expect ✨ in this episode we chat about: ✨ the realities of working within corporate dentistry ✨ support systems and clinician wellbeing ✨ career progression beyond the surgery ✨ the future of dental therapy within the UK ✨ building community for hygienists and therapists What I loved most about this conversation is how much passion Caitlin has for making hygienists and therapists feel heard, valued and supported 🫶🏼 🎧 listen now wherever you get your podcasts I also just want to say the biggest THANK YOU to everyone who has supported this season of Conversations With Dental Friends 🤍 whether you’ve listened to one episode or every single one, shared the podcast, messaged me after an episode or supported from behind the scenes… thank you so much 🫶🏼 And a huge thank you as well to our sponsors @siobhan_education and @lighthouse_dental_company_ire for supporting this season of the podcast ✨ After this episode we’ll be taking a short summer break ☀️ there are so many exciting things coming for the next season already and I genuinely can’t wait 💫 To find out more about dental hygienist and dental therapist scope of practice click here To find out more about a career in bupa click here To find out more about Siobhan education click here To find out more about light house dental company click here
July 1 · 1 hr 7 min
S5 Ep 11: What Happens When You Fall Into a Career You End Up Loving? with Stacey Sagar
New episode of Conversations With Dental Friends is live 🎙️✨ This week I’m joined by the lovely Stacey Saagar and honestly… this conversation felt like such an important reminder that careers in dentistry are allowed to evolve alongside you 🤍 We spoke so openly about confidence, growth, balancing career ambitions with real life, and navigating the pressures that can sometimes come with working in dentistry 💭 From her journey into dental nursing, to education, mentorship and creating a career that aligns with both professional goals and personal priorities, @staceysagar.dental shares so much honesty and perspective throughout this episode 👏🏼 In this episode we chat about: ✨ building confidence within dentistry ✨ balancing family life and career growth ✨ imposter syndrome and self doubt ✨ moving into education and mentorship ✨ creating opportunities beyond clinical practice in the business side of dentistry ✨ the importance of community within dentistry ✨ professional identity and career progression ✨ why your career doesn’t need to look linear to be successful what I loved most about this conversation is how relatable it felt 🫶🏼 🎧 listen now wherever you get your podcasts if you’re currently navigating career uncertainty, trying to build confidence or figuring out what you actually want from your future in dentistry, I really think this episode will resonate 💫 Thankyou so much to @siobhaneducation and @lighthousedentalcompany for sponsoring this episode And as always, if you’d like my free Dental Career Planning Workbook, DM me the word LINK 📚✨ You can find out more about your scope of practice as a dental nurse here You can find out how to become a dental nurse here You can find out more about Stacey’s course here You can find out more about lighthouse dental company here You can find out more about Siobhan’s amazing courses here Don’t forget to follow Stacey on Instagram stacey.sagar_dental You can follow the podcast @conversationswithdentalfriends and I’m over there too @homegirlhygienist See you next week for the series finale of Conversations with Dental Friends 🎧🎙️💗
June 25 · 1 hr 9 min
S5 Ep 10 : What Does Female Ownership in Dentistry Really Take? With Dr Raabiha Maan
New episode of Conversations With Dental Friends is live 🎙️✨ This week I’m joined by the amazing Raahbia Maan and honestly… this conversation felt SO honest, motivating and refreshing 🤍 We spoke about what it really looks like to build confidence in your career while navigating the pressures of dentistry, social media, personal growth and figuring out who you are both inside and outside of the clinic 💭 From her journey into dentistry, to building her online presence, stepping into education and creating opportunities for herself beyond traditional clinical work… @drraabhia story is such a reminder that you don’t have to limit yourself to one version of success 👏 TW we do chat about fertility and miscarriage in the episode so if you’d rather not listen the timestamp for this part of the conversation is in the intro in this episode we chat about: ✨ building confidence as a dental professional ✨ social media and personal branding in dentistry ✨ imposter syndrome and comparison culture ✨ creating opportunities outside of clinical practice ✨ education, mentorship and career growth ✨ balancing ambition with authenticity ✨ finding your people within the profession and @thedentalmumsnetwork What I loved most about this conversation is how openly we spoke about confidence and self belief 🫶🏼 because I think so many people in dentistry are quietly questioning themselves while simultaneously trying to hold everything together professionally, especially as a mum or a female practice owner in dentistry. And hearing someone else be honest about that can feel really reassuring 🤍 Thanks so much to Siobhan Kelleher Education and Lighthouse Dental Company for sponsoring this episode 🎧 listen now wherever you get your podcasts If you’re currently navigating career uncertainty, trying to build confidence, thinking about putting yourself out there online, or figuring out what you want from your future in dentistry, I really think this episode will resonate 💫 and as always, if you’d like my free Dental Career Planning Workbook, DM me the word LINK 📚✨ You can find out more about dental mums network here Find out more about Dr Raabiha’s practice here To find out more about Dentistry in a Nutshell including the new book here You can listen to Raabiha’s Dental Women’s Podcast here To find out more about Siobhan Kelleher education click here To find out more about lighthouse dental company here You can see Dr Raabiha’s instagram here See you next week for another Conversation with Dental Friends
June 18 · 47 min
S5 Ep 9 : What Does It Take to Train the Next Generation of Dental Therapists with Ibby Numan
New episode of Conversations With Dental Friends is live 🎙️✨ This week I’m joined by the brilliant Ibby Numan and honestly… this conversation felt like such an important one for anyone navigating their career in dentistry 🤍 From starting out as a Dental Nurse at the Eastman, to training as a Dental Therapist during Covid, moving into education, working with BADT and helping therapists build confidence through @restore… Ibby’s story is such a reminder that careers don’t need to be linear to be meaningful 👏 in this episode we chat about: ✨ finding your path in dentistry even when you don’t have it all figured out ✨ the reality of training as a dental therapist ✨ confidence, manual dexterity and overcoming self doubt ✨ the pressure of social media in dentistry ✨ communication skills and why they matter more than perfect composites ✨ the loneliness that can come with working in practice ✨ the importance of community through organisations like BADT ✨ moving into education and giving back to the next generation ✨ balancing ambition, career growth and family life What I loved most about this conversation is how honest it was 💭 We spoke about the highs, the difficult days, imposter syndrome, evolving as a clinician and the fact that nobody picks up a handpiece and becomes incredible overnight. There’s so much power in just keeping going 🫶🏼 and hearing Ibby talk about returning to the Eastman as a tutor after starting there as a student dental nurse genuinely felt like such a full circle moment 🥹 🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts If you’re a dental therapist, student therapist or someone feeling a bit stuck in your career right now, I really think this episode will resonate with you 🤍 As always, if you’d like my free Dental Career Planning Workbook, DM me the word LINK 📚✨ everything we discussed including BADT, Restore and education pathways will be linked in the show notes 💫 Huge thankyou to Siobhan Kelleher Education and Lighthouse Dental Company for sponsoring this episode To find out more about dental therapy scope click here Find out more about Eastman Dental School here Find out more about BADT here Find out more about BSDHT here Find out more about restore course here Find out more about Siobhan Kelleher Education here Find out more about Lighthouse Dental Company here See you back here next week with another Conversation with Dental Friends
June 11 · 48 min
S5 Ep 8 : What Does Progress in Dental Hygiene Really Look Like? Sustainable Future - Tracy Doole
new episode of Conversations With Dental Friends is live 🎙️✨ this week I’m joined by Tracy Doole and honestly… this conversation is such a good reminder that your career doesn’t have to fit into one box 🤍 from starting out in business and temp jobs before finding dentistry through dental nursing, to becoming a dental hygienist, educator, sustainability advocate, BSDHT executive member and clinical educator… @theecohygienist has built a career rooted in curiosity, growth and genuine passion for the profession 👏 in this episode we chat about: ✨ finding your path in dentistry later than expected ✨ the reality of graduating and going straight into practice ✨ perio, implant maintenance and creating better patient outcomes ✨ investing in courses, networking and lifelong learning ✨ building confidence as a clinician ✨ sustainability in dentistry and reducing healthcare waste ✨ mentorship, education and public health ✨ getting involved with BSDHT and professional advocacy ✨ balancing clinical work with opportunities beyond the surgery what I loved most about this conversation is how passionate Tracy is about pushing the profession forward while still staying grounded in patient care 💭 we also spoke about how isolating dental hygiene and therapy can sometimes feel and why community, networking and surrounding yourself with people who inspire you is so important 🫶 Thanks so much to Siobhan Kelleher Education and Lighthouse Dental Company for sponsoring this episode 🎧 listen now wherever you get your podcasts and as always, if you’d like my free Dental Career Planning Workbook, DM me the word LINK 📚✨ You can find out more about dental hygiene and dental therapy here Find out more about studying to be a dental nurse here Find out more about smile academy coaching and mentoring here Find out more about BSDHT here Find out more about NSK Ikigai here Find out more about young innovations here Find out more about Siobhan Kelleher Education with Tracy is an educator here Find out more about lighthouse dental company here See you next week for another conversation with dental friends
June 4 · 39 min
S5 Ep 7 : What Does It Mean to Truly Champion Dental Hygiene? Advocacy & impact with Elaine Tilling
New episode of Conversations With Dental Friends is live 🎙️✨ This week I’m joined by the incredible Elaine Tilling, someone who has spent decades shaping the dental profession through education, advocacy, public health work and mentorship 🤍 From joining the Royal Air Force at 17, to becoming a dental hygienist, educator, speaker and passionate advocate for oral health, Elaine’s career journey is honestly such a reminder that there is no one “right” path in dentistry 👏🏼 In this episode we chat about: ✨ building a long and meaningful career in dentistry ✨ moving into education and presenting ✨ mentorship and uplifting others in the profession ✨ smoking cessation, vaping and public health ✨ working with brands while maintaining integrity ✨ the importance of community and professional bodies like BSDHT ✨ finding purpose in your career beyond the clinic What I loved most about this conversation is how deeply Elaine believes in giving back and creating opportunities for the next generation of dental professionals 🫶🏼 It’s one of those episodes that leaves you feeling inspired, grounded and reminded why our profession matters so much 💭 🎧 listen now wherever you get your podcasts And if you’re currently thinking about your next step in dentistry, whether that’s education, diversification, content creation or just figuring out what you actually want from your career, DM me the word LINK for my free Dental Career Planning Workbook 📚✨ I’ll also link my Substack and everything we discussed in the show notes 🤍 Huge Thankyou to Siobhan Kelleher Education and Lighthouse Dental Company for sponsoring this episode You can find more about the scope of Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy here You can find out more about careers in the RAF here You can find out more about Tepe here You can find out more about BSDHT here You can find out more about Siobhan Kelleher Education where Elaine also lectures here You can find out more about Lighthouse Dental Company here See you next week for another Conversation with Dental Friends 🎧
May 28 · 57 min
S5 Ep 6 : Are You Curious About the Industry Side of Dentistry? With Alan McCartney
Another week, another conversation 🎙️✨ and this one brings a different perspective on building a career in dentistry 💭 This week I’m joined by Alan McCartney a name many of you will recognise through his work with global dental brands 🌍🦷 We’re diving into what it really looks like to step beyond the clinic and into the business side of dentistry and how to build a career that evolves with you 🤍 In this episode we get into: ✨ getting started in representing a dental company ✨ building confidence in education & speaking with credibility ✨ creating a reputation people trust within dentistry ✨ transitioning into undergraduate & postgraduate education ✨ and what the future of dentistry could look like 👀 I’ve known Alan for a long time, so it was really interesting to hear more about his journey — and the decisions that shaped it along the way 💡 If you’ve ever thought about changing direction or exploring opportunities beyond clinical practice… this one’s for you 🫶 Everything from today’s episode is linked in the show notes 🎧 If you enjoy this, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and send it to a friend in dentistry who might need to hear it 💌 You can also join us over on Substack (link in bio) ✍️ & if you’re thinking about what’s next for your career, DM me LINK for your free career planning workbook I’ll send it straight over 📩✨ Huge thank you to Siobhan Kelleher Education and Lighthouse Dental Company for sponsoring this episode 🤍 To find out more about GSK click here To find out more about Curaprox and Curaden click here To learn more about Curaden academy click here Upcoming iTop training course in Belfast with Diane Rochford here You can find Alan on Link’dIn here You can find more information about Siobhan Kelleher’s courses here You can find more information about Lighthouse Dental Company here We’ll be back next week with another conversation ✨🎙️
May 21 · 1 hr
S5 Ep 5 : Are Dental Therapists Still Fighting to be Seen? Forward Thinking with Lauren Long
New episode dayyyy 🎙️✨ This week on Conversations With Dental Friends I’m joined by the incredible Lauren Long and honestly… this conversation is SUCH an important one for dental therapists everywhere 🫶 Lauren shares her journey into dental therapy, the challenges she faced getting started and how finding the right supportive team completely changed the direction of her career 💭 Now thriving within the Pain Free Dental Group, advocating for therapists through the British Association of Dental Therapists and helping fellow therapists build confidence through her refresher course Restore ✨ We chat about 👇 🦷 Building confidence in practice 🦷 Finding the right team culture 🦷 Making the most of your scope 🦷 Learning from colleagues and lifting others up 🦷 Getting dental therapy working successfully within practice 🦷 Creating a career you genuinely LOVE One thing I loved about this episode is how honest Lauren is about the hurdles she faced before landing her dream role. I know so many therapists will relate to this conversation 💛 If you’re a dental therapist, hygienist, student or part of a team wanting to make better use of the full clinical team… this episode is for you 🎧 As always thank you SO much for listening and supporting Conversations With Dental Friends 🫶✨ Also a huge thankyou to Siobhan Kelleher education and lighthouse dental company for sponsoring this episode You can find out about the scope of a dental therapist here You can find out more about about BADT here You can find out more about BSDHT here You can find out more about NSK Ikigai here You can read more about Ikigai here You can find out more about the pain free dentistry group here You can find out more about Lauren & Ailish’s Restore course here More info about smile dental academy here Tell us in the comments 👇 What’s been the biggest thing that’s helped build YOUR confidence in practice? 💭
May 14 · 41 min
S5 Ep 4 : Could Networking be the Key to Your Next Career Move? Small Talk with Joe Lovett
✨ NEW EPISODE ✨ This week on Conversations with Dental Friends I’m joined by the one and only Joe Lovett 🎙️ And honestly… this conversation felt very full circle 🫶 The first time Joe and I spoke around 6 years ago it completely shifted the way I viewed my dental career and opened my mind to opportunities outside of the surgery 👀 One of the BIGGEST topics in this episode is networking and if the word networking makes you cringe a little… you need to hear this one 😂 Joe shares so many practical tips on: ✨ finding your people ✨ building genuine connections ✨ networking as an introvert AND extrovert ✨ creating opportunities for yourself ✨ putting yourself in rooms that align with where you want to go Because whether your goals are presenting, writing, teaching, working with brands or simply growing your confidence in the industry… the relationships you build really do matter 🤝 We also chat about: 🦷 getting into dentistry without a traditional dental background 📱 social media and personal branding 💡 giving back to the dental community 🚀 building a career beyond the clinic I absolutely loved catching up with Joe and hearing more about the projects and passions he’s currently working on 💭 You can listen now on Spotify & Apple Podcasts 🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review and share this episode with a dental friend who needs to hear it 👯‍♀️ PLUS 💌 DM me the word “LINK” and I’ll send you my completely FREE career planning workbook + our Substack straight to your inbox ✨ You can follow Joe on Instagram @joelovettcatalyst and on LinkedIn You can find out more about FMC here You can find out more about joes consultancy business catalyst sales and marketing here You can find out more about dentistry’s big challenge here You can find out about our sponsors Siobhan Kelleher Education here Lighthouse dental company here See you next week for another episode of Conversations with Dental Friends 🎙️
May 7 · 1 hr 5 min
S5 Ep 3 : How Far Could You Go In Dentistry if You Didn’t Stay in One Lane? Dr Chinwe Akuono
We’re back ✨ with a brand new episode of Conversations with Dental Friends and this one is so worth your time 🎧🤍 This week I’m joined by Dr Chinwe Aquono truly human sunshine ☀️ and an associate dentist whose career path proves that there is no one “right” way to build something incredible. It’s thoughtful, it’s non-linear, and it’s a reminder that curiosity can take you further than any set path ever could 💭✨ In this episode we get into: ✨ staying curious about what more could look like in your career ✨ transitioning from dental hygienist → dental nurse → dental student (yes, really) ✨ social media, brand collaborations & creating opportunities beyond the clinic ✨ speaking, writing & finding your people ✨ the power of lifting others up through grassroots work like the Black Dental Network 🤍 I loved this conversation Chinwe brings so much perspective, honesty, and warmth. There’s something in here for you wherever you’re at in your career 🫶 If this feels like your kind of episode, make sure you’re subscribed 🎧 …and send it to a friend in dentistry who needs to hear this 💌 You can also join us over on Substack (link in bio) ✍️ & if you’re thinking about what’s next for your career, DM me the word LINK for your free career planning workbook I’ll send it straight over 📩✨ Huge thank you to Siobhan Kelleher Education and Lighthouse Dental Company for sponsoring this episode 🤍 Study to be a dental hygienists here Study dental nursing here Find out more about Kings College London here Find out more about Colgate here Find out more about Phillips here Find out more about Curaprox here Find out more about FMC and dentistry.co.uk here Read one of Dr Chinwe’s articles here Find our more about the Black Dental Network here Find out about Siobhan’s courses here You can find out about lighthouse dental company here You can follow Dr Chinwe on Instagram @dr.chinwe_London and you can follow along with the podcast @conversationswithdentalfriends and I’m there too @homegirlhygienist See you next week for another conversation ✨🎙️
April 29 · 54 min
S5 Ep 2 : Are You Building Your Own Career Ladder? Creating Success with Megan Fairhall
We’re back 🎙️✨ with another conversation with Dental Friends, and this one is packed with value 💭 This week I’m joined by Megan Fairhall 🦷✨ dental therapist, teeth whitening expert, and founder behind MF Academy & She Runs Things 💫 If you already follow her, you’ll know she brings both clinical expertise and serious business mindset and this episode is exactly that blend 🤍 In this episode we get into: ✨ the peaks and pitfalls of further education, and learning to believe in yourself ✨ working smarter (not harder) to grow your career and your income ✨ why teeth whitening can be a total game-changer for you and your practice ✨ building an education platform from the ground up ✨ creating strong female networks beyond dentistry ✨ stepping into advisory roles & representing hygienists and therapists on a bigger stage I absolutely loved this conversation, Megan’s passion for clinical work is matched by her drive for growth, self-improvement, and creating opportunities where they don’t already exist 🚀 Because sometimes… if the ladder isn’t there, you build your own 🪜✨ You can follow Megan and explore her whitening courses via @meganfairhall_ 💡 & definitely check out her events with @sherunsthings_if you’re looking to expand your network 🤝 You can also follow me and the podcast on Instagram as well @homegirlhygienist and @conversationswithdentalfriends Everything from today’s episode is linked in the show notes 🎧 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and send this to a friend in dentistry who needs it 💌 You can also join us over on Substack (link in bio) ✍️ & if you’re thinking about what’s next for your career, DM me LINK for your free career planning workbook, I’ll send it straight over 📩✨ - Jen Atkin blowing my way to the top book here - Monique vassant course here - DMG icon training with Megan here - MF academy & whitening courses here - She runs things here - Ergo refractory loupes here - Social media agency here - BSDHT here - Phillips here - Phillips whitening playbook here - Siobhan Kelleher education here - Lighthouse dental company here Huge thank you to Siobhan Kelleher Education and Lighthouse Dental Company for sponsoring this episode 🤍 See you next week for another conversation ✨🎙️
April 23 · 54 min
S5 Ep1 : How Do You Build Confidence in Your Scope of Practice? Maximising Opportunity w/ Cat Edney
Season 5 is officially LIVE 🎙️✨ …and we’re kicking things off with a big one, episode 50 (!!) with the incredible Cat Edney 🦷💫 After hearing her name come up again and again in previous seasons, I knew we had to get Cat on the podcast, and this conversation did not disappoint 🤍 In this episode we get into: ✨ going straight from A-levels into dental therapy ✨ recognising when it’s time to step into your full scope ✨ rebuilding confidence through education ✨ therapy-led practice & carrying out patient exams ✨ creating a modern therapist mindset ✨ and what her postgraduate course really offers delegates This conversation genuinely left me feeling more confident, more curious, and ready to push myself further which is exactly what this podcast is all about 🫶 I’m so excited to be attending Cat’s course in Belfast this August you can find all the details at the_modern_therapist.com 🌐 & make sure you’re following @themoderntherapist for more 💡 You can follow the podcast on Instagram @conversationswithdentalfriends and I’m over there too @homegirlhygienist or on TikTok if you would prefer You can also join us over on Substack (link in bio) ✍️ & if you’re thinking about what’s next for your career, DM me the word LINK for your free career planning workbook I’ll send it straight over 📩✨ A huge thank you to @siobhankelleher education and @lighthousedentalcompany for sponsoring this episode 🤍 Dental therapist scope of practice click here Find out more about Cat’s upcoming courses including ICON and the modern therapist anterior and posterior courses including the Belfast dates here Find out more about ICON here Intra oral scanning here Cat’s airpolishing webinar with NSK here Studying at Kings College London here Siobhan Kelleher Education here Lighthouse Dental Company here We’ll be back next week with another conversation with dental friends… 🎧✨
April 2 · 47 min
S4 Ep 12 : What Does the Climb to Becoming a Young Practice Owner Really Look Like? Sarah Armstrong
Season finale energy 🎙️✨ This week on Conversations with Dental Friends, I’m sitting down with Dr Sarah Armstrong, who bought her own practice at 28 (yes, really). We get into: Building a business plan Designing a purpose-built refurb Learning as you go (because you have to) Risk vs reward and actually backing yourself Grit, resilience, and taking those skills into everything you do This episode is one of those reminders that you don’t need to have it all figured out to start - you just need to start. Huge thank you to Sarah and SPOILER: she’s literally heading off to climb Mount Everest this week… which is just next level 🏔️ You can follow along on Instagram @scarmstrong and Sarah’s practice new_you_dental You can follow the podcast @conversationswithdentalfriends and I’m over there too @homegirlhygienist If you want to support her journey, you can here: https://gofund.me/3685c9a2d Thank you so much to Oral-B for sponsoring this episode and the whole season 🤍 If this season has got you thinking differently about your career (more intentional, more strategic, more you), you can subscribe to our Substack via the link in bio - or DM me “LINK” and I’ll send it straight over. For more info about Plymouth University click here Creating a business plan click here Check out Sarah’s dental practice here For more information on climbing Mount Everest click here We’re taking a short break over Easter, but season 5 is coming very soon… And in the meantime, now’s your moment to catch up on any episodes you’ve missed on Spotify & Apple Podcasts 🎧
March 29 · 56 min
S4 Ep 11: What Could Happen if Dental Therapists Took the Lead? with Robbie Stewart
What does it really look like to maximise your dental therapy career? 🎙️ Welcome back to another episode of Conversations with Dental Friends. This week I’m chatting with Robbie Stewart, dental therapist and Dental Therapist of the Year 2025 and it was such a great conversation. In this episode we get into: Working in Australia 🇦🇺 what that experience was really like Maximising your dental therapy scope day-to-day in practice 🦷 Stepping into education and sharing knowledge with others📖 Giving back to the profession and supporting the next generation 🫶🏼 Dreaming big and backing yourself in your career 💭 This episode is especially for dental therapists, hygienists, and anyone thinking about how they can grow and develop their career in dentistry. Huge thank you to Robbie for such an inspiring conversation. To find out more about Newcastle universality click here To find out more about working as a dental hygienist in Australia click here Dental therapy scope of practice here Dental elective here If you’re thinking of investing in a dental camera click here for some information For more info on Poppy Duntons courses click here You can follow Robbie on Instagram @robbiethedentaltherapist for more info on his portfolio and upcoming events If you’d like to dive deeper into anything we discussed, check out the show notes for more details. Thank you also to Oral-B for sponsoring this episode. If this conversation has you thinking more intentionally about your own career: ✨ Send me a DM with LINK to get your free career planning workbook ✨ Share this episode with a friend in dentistry ✨ Or save it for later listening You can also find more conversations like this on our Substack newsletter. We’ll be back next week with another episode of Conversations with Dental Friends 🎙️
March 29 · 1 hr
S4 Ep 10 : Are You Waiting for Opportunities or Actually Creating Them? with Linzy Baker
🎙️ Welcome back to Conversations with Dental Friends! This week I’m joined by the brilliant Linzy Baker, a dental therapist who has truly gone from strength to strength in her career. From investing in herself early to building momentum in practice, Linzy shares so many insights for anyone looking to grow and maximise their scope in dentistry. In this episode we chat about: ✨ Why persistence really does pay off when applying for university ✨ How investing in yourself early can create the foundations for long-term success ✨ Why courses are only half the battle — it’s the implementation that makes the real difference in practice ✨ The power of networking and how it can open unexpected doors ✨ Giving back and supporting the wider dental community Linzy shares so much honest advice for anyone who wants to hit the ground running in their career. A huge thank you to Oral‑B for sponsoring this episode 🙌 You’ll find all the links mentioned in the show notes, Diane Rochford teeth whitening info here Reena Wadia perio courses here BTC facial aesthetics training here Smile Academy training here Style Italiano here ADI info here Book the ADI thrive course 25th April Belfast Castle here Dentistry.co.uk here You can find Linzy on Instagram @linzydht you can follow the podcast @conversationswithdentalfriends and I’m there too @homegirlhygienist or on TikTok if you would prefer and don’t forget to subscribe to the Substack newsletter. 📩 If you’d like to get clearer on your career goals for 2026, I’ve created a completely free career planning workbook. Just send me a DM with the word LINK and I’ll send it over. See you next week for another Conversation with Dental Friends 🦷✨
March 29 · 1 hr 9 min
S4 Ep9 : How Do You Turn Clinical Excellence into Practice Consultancy? With Poppy Dunton
From dental therapist → practice consultant → educator… with a few pivots in between. Welcome back to another episode of Conversations with Dental Friends 🎙️ This week I’m chatting with Poppy Dunton (@dunton.consulting) — a dental therapist and practice consultant who’s worked in almost every role in dentistry… and has the perspective to prove it. In this episode we talk about: 💡 Why work experience can completely change your career path 💡 Pushing yourself outside your comfort zone 💡 Jumping in with two feet into dental therapy 💡 The realities of practice management 💡 Pivoting your career when things evolve 💡 Teaching, burnout & changing the conversation around menopause It’s a really honest conversation about career growth, reinvention and backing yourself, even when things feel uncertain. Huge thank you to Poppy for sharing so many insights 🙌 And a massive thank you to Oral-B for sponsoring this episode 🦷 🔗 All links are in the show notes 📩 DM me LINK to get your FREE 2026 Career Planning Workbook 💌 Sign up to the Conversations with Dental Friends Substack (link in bio) Don’t forget to like, share & subscribe if you enjoyed the episode 🤍 See you next week for another conversation with dental friends ✨

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