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

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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.

Feature #102 -Your First Dental Job Can Make or Break You with Dr Michael Filosi

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Your first job in dentistry can shape your confidence, clinical growth, and even whether you stay in the profession. In this episode of the Dental Head Start Podcast, David sits down with Dr. Michael Filosi, a dentist and former practice owner who grew a clinic from 2 chairs to 10, mentored many new graduates, and sold his practice after building a highly structured, high-performing team culture.

The Journey behind the specialist #1: The Dark Days Behind Oral Surgery with Dr Thao Truong

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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 environments, this conversation explores the dark days that shape clinicians long before confidence arrives.

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

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The Unseen Curriculum: Formation Series #9 – The reflection habit that separates good dentists from great ones with Dr Uday Sen

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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 assess what went well, identify what could be improved, and turn clinical challenges into repeatable learning without spiralling into self-doubt.

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

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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 #4 – Learning without ego with Dr Matt Hedge

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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.

Most played episode series #7 – Becoming confident and competent with Dr Maria Avis

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In this episode, Maria walks us through her experiences in dental school, and more importantly, how her graduate job positions set her up to become the comprehensive dentist she is now. Maria is a business owner of her private clinic, Akoya Dental, mother of two boys and two dogs. Listen to this special chat with Maria as this episode is jam packed with info

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

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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.

The Unseen Curriculum #6 – the cost of becoming a dentist with Dr Michael Shambira

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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 essential phases of career
growth: Formation, Integration, and Excellence.