Private Practice Archives - Dental Head Start

As a new grad, it’s almost the norm rather than the exception nowadays to have at least some form of digital dentistry within one’s practice. But it wasn’t always this way, and for many more seasoned dentists, the world of digital dentistry was something they had to slowly piece together over the years and learn to leverage.

In this months’ feature, we explore Dr Lingaiah Dronavalli’s journey in dentistry from his early years as a new grad with huge expectations but without the tools, resources and mindset to grow and how that overall affected his feeling of fulfillment, to where he is today – a self proclaimed dental peacock who takes pride in his work!

We talk about Dr Lingaiah’s discovery of digital dentistry and CEREC specifically, and how that’s not only shaped his growth as a clinician, but also how it’s taught him to leverage technology to maximise efficiencies and workflows within his practice and ultimately optimise the entire patient experience. We explore the concept of practice ownership and associateship and the importance of building mutually supportive environments within the practice.

TIP #132 – The Sixth Month (The Courage to Try Again) with Dr Erica Hwin

August 31, 2023August 31, 2023Leave a Comment

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FEATURE #85 – Finding the Right Job with Dr Nauvneel Kashyap

August 28, 2023August 28, 2023Leave a Comment

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With job hunting season just around the corner, we’re teaming up with Nauv Kashyap to cover the top most commonly asked questions students and new grads have when it comes to finding the right job.

Even as times change, the challenges we face as new grads are evergreen. In this episode, we’re talking about the differences between dentist-owned practices vs big corporate organisations, rural vs metro considerations, how to excel as an associate, red flags to look out for in contracts and what to do when a job isn’t what it was promised to be.

Nauv is a huge advocate for new grads, and is passionate about standing up for them and ensuring they are being treated fairly within their workplaces. There is so much to unpack in this episode and we’re really lucky to have Nauv’s insight on the topic.

TIP #114 – The First Month (The Mental, Physical & Social Exhaustion) with Dr Erica Hwin

February 23, 2023February 24, 2023Leave a Comment

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Welcome to the first of a series of monthly catch ups with Erica!

Starting full-time work can be exciting, daunting, invigorating and exhausting all at the same time. It takes a lot out of you – mentally, physically, emotionally and socially.

In this episode, Erica shares the lessons she’s learnt in her first month so far and the mentality she is developing in order to stay positive and focused on improving her skills as a new grad.

In true ‘What I Wish I Knew’ style, Erica goes over 12 tips for fellow new grads and those currently in dental school to think about. How should you take that X-Ray? Should you use rubber dam? What if I hit the pulp? All this and lots more discussed in this episode!

FEATURE #79 – A Journey in Confidence with Dr Erica Hwin & Haydyn Bathurst

January 30, 2023January 30, 2023Leave a Comment

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Happy New Year to our Dental Head Start family! To kick 2023 off, we wanted to touch base and share the big plans we have in store for you on The Dental Head Start Podcast.

Firstly, we’d like to welcome our superstar editor Haydyn Bathurst to the microphone for his official debut as our new student host! Haydyn has been a huge asset to the team and we’re excited to share his perspectives and advocacy for all the dental students out there.

With her shiny AHPRA registration in hand, Erica is now a new graduate dentist! In this episode, we’ll get to hear from her side of the table – her university experience, the lessons the podcast has taught her and how her first few weeks as a dentist have been. Join us as we dive into discussions about building confidence, exploring opportunities and the mentality we develop in order to navigate an industry as difficult as dentistry.

Thank you all for your endless support. Here’s to another bigger and better year!

New Grad Focus #3 – Finding The Perfect Job For You with Dr Stephen Dudgeon & Dr Eli Burger

November 24, 2022November 22, 2022Leave a Comment

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When we’re about to graduate from dental school and looking for a job, we always hear how it is so important finding the right job for us that will allow us to rapidly grow both clinically and non-clinically as a new graduate dentist. But with so many job advertisements all touting the same perks and equipment, how can we filter out a job that may hold us back from growth from one that will maximise our first year a dentist?

Welcome back to the New Grad Focus series. My name is Phillip Nguyen and I am a first year graduate and today we are joined by Dr Steve Dudgeon and Dr Eli Burger who are co-CEOs of Avenue Dental, a group of practices on the Sunny Coast. And, they also happen to be my bosses and the guys I work for today. They have a passion for giving back to the dental community. They started the Australian Dental Graduate of the Year Award, the Mini-Residency Program as well as various other programs that help students and young dentists excel at the beginning of the careers. They are also passionate about how a supportive and fun workplace culture can lead to high quality dentistry and an outstanding patient experience. We discuss all the different factors to look for when choosing your first job out of dental school so if keep listening if you’d like to learn a few tips that may just help change the direction of how your first year will go. Enjoy the episode!

FEATURE #77 – Isn’t It Wonderful When Patients Say Yes with Dr Paul Homoly

November 21, 2022November 20, 2022Leave a Comment

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As dentists, where our primary goal is to help those in need, we need to remember that our patients aren’t just mouths with problems we need to fix, but they are human beings with feelings and needs, goals and ambitions and stories we owe it to them to listen to.

In his book, ‘Isn’t It Wonderful When Patients Say Yes’, Dr Paul Homoly introduces the concept of the Spectrum of Appeal – of red and blue language that shape the way we communicate with our patients. He is a leading voice on the topics of treatment acceptance for complete dentistry, practice development, and influential communications.

In this episode, we get to hear Dr Homoly’s unique journey in dentistry, and the passion he has for it that has led him to be the first dentist worldwide to earn the highest designation in professional speaking from the National Speakers Association. It was an absolute honour to speak with Dr Homoly, and it’s a conversation I hope inspires you all!

TIP #109 – Questions to Ask Your Practice with Dr Mitesh Vasant

November 17, 2022November 19, 2022Leave a Comment

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There’s no denying that the job hunting scene post-Covid has changed dramatically, and it’s become a new grads’ market. In this episode, we welcome back Dr Cigdem Kipel who sits down with Dr Mitesh Vasant, both of whom are practice owners, to break down the nitty gritty questions graduates should be asking when joining a practice.

What’s the culture and environment like? How might it influence the treatment you undertake? What’s the mentorship like and what can you bring to the table to contribute to the team? This is a great episode hearing from people sitting on the other side of the interview table, with insightful tips for new grads embarking on their dental journey

New Grad Focus #2 – Public vs Private with Dr Steph Ib and Dr Bianca Lee

November 10, 2022November 10, 2022Leave a Comment

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During our time in dental school, most of us will only work in a setting treating patients within the public system. But the statistics show that about 90% of us will work in a private practice when we graduate. So do you know the differences between working in a public job vs a private job?

In this episode, we are joined by Dr Bianca Lee and Dr Steph Ib and we speak about the core differences of working in these different sectors and how they can change our growth pathway. We discuss topics like remuneration structures, work/life balance, opportunities to extend your scope and much, much more. If you are a final year student or new graduate listening to this episode, I hope you learn something new and perhaps it will open your eyes to working in a sector that you had not thought about much previously. Enjoy the episode!

FEATURE #76 – Enhancing the Dental Team with Kathy Metaxas

October 17, 2022October 12, 2022Leave a Comment

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With over 44 years of experience in the dental industry, Kathy Metaxas knows a thing or two about dental practices. She is the founder of Platinum Professional Development, a motivational speaker, dental educator, coach and advocate for patient care and management, fostering strong team culture and implementing systems to ensure dental practices can function at the optimal potential.

One of the things we love doing on the podcast is bringing on people who aren’t necessarily dentists, but are fundamental and integral to our industry. We all know a dental practice is only as good as its staff, and in today’s episode Kathy talks us through it all. We talk about leadership, teamwork, how generational differences affect us and her advice for new grads entering the world of dentistry.