University Archives - Dental Head Start

The Journey behind the specialist #2: The weight of knowing with Dr Joseph Ryan

September 4, 2026September 7, 2026Leave a Comment

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In this Specialist Series episode, Ahmed sits down with Dr Joseph Ryan to explore the journey behind becoming an oral medicine specialist. Together they discuss the challenges of training, the emotional burden of managing chronic disease, navigating uncertainty and the habits that separate good clinicians from exceptional ones.

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 #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.

The Unseen Curriculum #5 – How to build mental resilience as a dental student with Dr Rebecca Smith

December 22, 2025May 25, 2026Leave a Comment

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What does it take to have two babies, work as a nurse, survive dental school, AND come out smiling? Dr. Rebecca Smith shows us that resilience isn’t about being tough – it’s about grace under pressure.

In this powerful series finale, we dive deep into the real meaning of resilience with Dr. Rebecca Smith, who walked one of the most challenging journeys through dental school imaginable. From fertility struggles and miscarriage to clinical mishaps and balancing motherhood with study, Rebecca shares the raw truth about bouncing back when life gets overwhelming.

The Unseen Curriculum #4 – The Mental Game Behind Clinical Confidence with Dr Aneet Gill

November 4, 2025November 4, 2025Leave a Comment

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Ever felt like you’re not good enough to be treating patients? You’re not alone. In this episode of The Unseen Curriculum, Michael Shambira sits down with Dr. Aneet Gill to unpack the mental challenges of being a new dental graduate

Feature 98# – Uni life: Beyond the grades with Michael Shambira

October 28, 2025October 28, 2025Leave a Comment

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Join Christina as she sits down with Michael Shambira, winner of the 2025 Australian Dental Graduate Award, for an intimate conversation about resilience, sacrifice, and success.