Self development Archives - Dental Head Start

The Journey behind the specialist #3: From fear to mastery with Dr Omar Ikram

October 8, 2026October 8, 2026Leave a Comment

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In this Specialist Series episode, Ahmed sits down with Dr Omar Ikram to explore the journey behind becoming a specialist endodontist, educator and innovator. From his early years in New Zealand to his time training at King’s College London. Dr Omar reflects on the moments that shaped his clinical confidence, his decision to specialise and the challenges that come with mastering one of the most technically demanding areas of dentistry.

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.

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

July 29, 2026July 29, 2026Leave a Comment

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

July 4, 2026July 4, 2026Leave a Comment

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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 #8: Visibility without Distortion with Tye Bate

June 4, 2026June 4, 2026Leave a Comment

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In this episode, Dr Michael Shambira sits down with Tye Bate, the founder and dental marketing expert from 230media.dental to unpack the role of social media in modern dentistry. We explore identity, comparison, content pressure, and how to build an online presence without distorting who you are. This is not about growth hacks. It’s about clarity.

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

February 24, 2026May 15, 2026Leave a Comment

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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.

Feature #99 – Mastering General Dentistry: From mistakes to mentorship with Dr Julian Dantes

February 17, 2026March 25, 2026Leave a Comment

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Dr. Julian Dantes joins Dr. David to discuss the honest journey from a rural “sink or swim” graduate
to a successful practice owner on the Sunshine Coast. Unlike the curated perfection often seen on
social media, Julian shares the raw reality of general dentistry, including his pivot from medicine
and the irony of failing a university “people skills” test despite being a people-focused clinician.