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Hosted by Dr Michael Shambira and Ahmed Issa
In this ADSA Convention conversation, Ahmed Issa & Dr Mike Shambira sit down with Dr David Attia to explore the parts of clinical development that are much harder to see from the outside.
David reflects on repeatedly struggling in simulation lab as a student, the expectations young dentists place on themselves after graduation, and why attitude, preparation and the ability to accept feedback often matter more than appearing naturally talented.
They also discuss mentorship, case selection, clinical mistakes, complications, ambition and the maturity required to recognise when a case should not be yours.
Rather than an implant lecture, this is a conversation about the clinician behind the technical skill: how confidence develops, how judgement is earned and what it actually takes to become someone patients and colleagues can trust with increasingly complex dentistry.
A practical conversation for students and early-career dentists about becoming good before trying to look advanced.
Dr David Attia’s Instagram: @dr.davidattia
Ahmed’s Instagram: @drahmedissa
Dr Mike’s Instagram: @thatdentistmike
Key moments
[01:14] Introducing Dr. David Attia
[02:37] Building foundations for future implant work
[05:52] Overcoming SimLab struggles
[09:21] Preparing for complications and managing stress
[13:05] Making the most of dental school
[17:04] Understanding pressure and comparison
[18:12] Finding the right mentor
[24:21] Defining your values and purpose
[27:05] What makes a new graduate an asset
[29:40] Developing communication skills
[32:07] Knowing when to say no to a case
[36:30] Ambition, fear, and imposter syndrome
[42:43] Practicing to improve clinical skills
[44:48] Finding a supportive learning environment
[46:36] Competing with yourself
[47:41] Final advice for dental students
Dr David Attia
Dr David Attia is a general dentist with extensive postgraduate training and experience in oral surgery, implant dentistry and complex rehabilitation.
After graduating from Griffith University, David completed postgraduate training in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopaedics, followed by a Master’s in Oral Implantology through Goethe University in Frankfurt. He now spends much of his clinical time in surgical and rehabilitative dentistry and is heavily involved in education, mentoring and live surgical training for dentists developing their skills in implant dentistry.
What makes David particularly relevant to Dental Head Start is not simply the level at which he practises now, but the path it took to get there: struggling as a student, navigating mistakes and uncertainty, developing judgement through experience, and learning that technical ability alone is not what makes a good clinician.