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.

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

August 28, 2023August 28, 2023Leave a Comment

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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

November 17, 2022November 19, 2022Leave a Comment

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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 #67 – Building Communities and the New Grad Experience with Dr Anthony Yammine and Dr Yasmin Samiee

December 16, 2021January 20, 2022Leave a Comment

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Dental Head Start has always been about helping dental students become great dentists, and over the years, we’ve interviewed dozens of successful dentists to hear their journeys and tips for younger dentists. However, with the end of the year looming up and grad season upon us, I thought it would be interesting to turn things around a little, and actually hear things from a new grad’s perspective. And I couldn’t think of anyone better to chat with than Anthony and Yasmin.

Anthony and Yasmin are finishing their first year out as dentists, but even from the get go as wide-eyed dental students, they were doing incredible things for the community. In their final year of dental school, they were the President and Secretary of the Sydney University Dental Association (SUDA) and are both now now continuing to engage with the industry through their roles in ADA NSW Recent Graduate and Advocacy committees.

This was such an insightful conversation hearing Anthony and Yasmin’s fresh perspective on their job hunting process especially as a couple, different mentorship styles and finding the right balance between having confidence as a new graduate dentist, but also understanding their limitations. This is a heart-warming episode full of words of encouragement that I think one that our student listeners in particular will really enjoy!

TIP #67 – Job Hunting During COVID-19 with Dr Jeff Kho

November 25, 2021November 17, 2021Leave a Comment

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Needless to say, COVID-19 has shaken the world and the dental industry is by no means exempt. So how has this affected the experience of new grads and their job hunting prospects?

Dr Jeff Kho shares his thoughts on the matter – and I’m pleased to let you know, it’s not all doom and gloom! In this episode, we talk about how to begin our job search journey, the pros and cons of old and new books, and how to toss up between multiple great offers.

FEATURE #66 – [Re-Run] Dental Students to Graduates with Dr Rohan Krishnan

November 15, 2021January 20, 2022Leave a Comment

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Dr Krishnan has spent many years contributing to ADA NSW, initially on and then as chair of the Recent Graduate Committee and more recently as a Board Director. He is also on the board of Filling The Gap and runs his own private practice.

Impressive, yet my interest was peaked when he shared his new project with the University of Sydney. Dr Krishnan has put together a course for Usyd students to help them with transitioning to private practice. Together with hand chosen people from his broad network of passionate, excellent colleagues, Rohan is able to make a difference at the coalface. And I truly hope this becomes an Australia and New Zealand University wide approach.

#22 – Dr Bruce Baird from the Productive Dentist Academy

November 25, 2019November 24, 2019Leave a Comment

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Years ago, I can clearly remember hearing an American Dentist on Howard Farran’s Podcast ‘Dentistry Uncensored’ talking about productivity. He was producing around $3000 per hour – $20-30,000 per day and I honestly thought it was mad. How could this be possible?

This episode, we have the pleasure of chatting with that man! Dr Bruce Baird, in partnership with Victoria Peterson, are the founders of “The Productive Dentist Academy”. They specialise in improving your productivity and in this chat, we find out a little about how they do this and the journey Bruce took to get there.

The OHT Experience Part 3 – Private General

November 12, 2018November 12, 2018Leave a Comment

The OHT Experience Part 3 – Private General Part 3 covers the experiences of a new graduate OHT working in […]

5 Factors for Transitioning into Private Practice

August 23, 2018August 22, 2018Leave a Comment

Day 1. New shoes, fresh shirt, loupes in hand, ready to roll. You’ve got the job, the degree and now […]