Communication Archives - Dental Head Start

Feature #104: Uncomfortable Truths About Dentistry – Lessons From 46 Years in Practice with Dr Steven Rasner

August 27, 2026September 7, 2026Leave a Comment

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What does it take to become the kind of dentist who is no longer afraid of dentistry—and still loves the profession decades later?
After 46 years in practice, Dr Steven Rasner has earned a perspective that cannot be learned from a textbook or weekend course. In this candid conversation, he shares the uncomfortable truths behind building clinical confidence, handling failure and complications, earning patient trust, presenting treatment, developing surgical courage and creating greater independence within your career.

The Unseen Curriculum: Formation Series #11 – Designing a Career Before Designing Smiles with Dr Christian Coachman

July 9, 2026July 28, 2026Leave a Comment

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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-accountability, and building resilience for early career dentists.

The Unseen Curriculum: Formation Series #10 – The Cost of Clinical Excellence with Dr Karl Batorski

June 26, 2026June 26, 2026Leave a Comment

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The Unseen curriculum: Formation Series #7 – High Standards Without Self-Punishment with Dr Sam Gidaro

May 25, 2026July 9, 2026Leave a Comment

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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?

The Unseen Curriculum: Formation series #6 – When ambition outpaces judgement with Dr Michael Frazis

May 11, 2026May 11, 2026Leave a Comment

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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.

Feature #100: Mastering Patient Care & Expectations with Dr Sam Gidaro

April 24, 2026April 28, 2026Leave a Comment

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Stepping out of dental school and into a thriving practice can be entirely overwhelming, but it
doesn’t have to be. In this 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 accelerate
your growth

The Unseen Curriculum: Formation Series #5 – The Multifaceted Clinician with Dr Waleed Arshad

April 10, 2026April 28, 2026Leave a Comment

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In this episode, Ahmed Issa and Dr. Waleed break down why dental school only teaches you the bare minimum to
succeed. Dr Waleed shares invaluable insights on integrating sales psychology to ethically simplify
treatment plans, exposes the messy reality behind perfect social media before-and-after cases, and
explains why becoming a multifaceted professional is the true key to standing out against corporate
competition.

The Unseen Curriculum: Formation Series #4 – Learning without ego with Dr Matt Hedge

March 25, 2026May 25, 2026Leave a Comment

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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 feedback, and taking a self-directed approach to growth can quietly compound over time.
This isn’t about learning faster. It’s about learning properly — and becoming the kind of dentist who continues to improve long after the early years.
If you’re a student or new graduate trying to navigate the pressure to perform while still developing your skills, this episode will help steady your approach.

The Unseen Curriculum: Formation Series #2 – Rapid progress without being reckless with Drs Johan Weemaes and Greg Fine

March 10, 2026March 25, 2026Leave a Comment

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Join Dr. Johan and Dr. Greg as they sit down with Mike to discuss the delicate balance between
ambition and safety in a young dentist’s career. From their early days in private practice to
launching their own implantology diploma, they share the roadmap for rapid progression without
crossing the line into recklessness.

Most played episode series #6 – The Cracked Tooth with Dr Michael Mandikos

March 3, 2026March 3, 2026Leave a Comment

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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.