Welcome to What I Wish I Knew by Dental Head Start. This is a podcast where we learn from people that have been there, made the mistakes, learnt the lessons and have developed into the accomplished dental professionals they are today.

It’s your weekly mentoring session.

Have you ever had a bonded wire retainer break off or debond? 

Or witnessed relapse occurring despite the fixed wire retainer? 

If you’ve done enough ortho cases, the answer is probably yes. 

What if you have no occlusal space to place an upper wire? 

Zig-zag or straight?

Lab made or direct? 

Fixed or removable?

Canine to canine or a shorter wire?

Decisions, decisions! 

If these questions about orthodontic retention have ever crossed your mind, tune in because this podcast with orthodontist Dr Katie Xu is going to answer them all.


Dr Katie Xu

Dr. Katie Xu obtained her general dentistry degree from the University of Melbourne in 2013, graduating with first-class honours. While there, she has received numerous scholarships and awards including the Cato Graduate Scholarship and the Des Crack Memorial Prize for the highest marks in Paediatric dentistry and Orthodontics.

She completed a further 3-year Master’s Degree in the Doctor of Clinical Dentistry specialising in Orthodontics at the University of Melbourne. She has since, presented at numerous national orthodontic conferences and has research publications in the Australian Orthodontic Journal and the International Journal of Oral Science. She is an active member of the Australian Dental Association, the Australian Orthodontic Society, and is also an examiner for the Australian Dental Council.

She is based in private practice in Melbourne CBD, with a heavy focus towards orthodontic treatment that optimises the facial and dental aesthetics. 

Follow her Facebook group: Ortho Talk with Dr. Katie Xu for easy to understand orthodontic summaries, as well as her instagram @drkatiexuorthodontics for a glimpse into her life as an orthodontist.


Principle Practice Management Software 

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Cloud based dental software, rethought from the ground up for 2021 and beyond. Finally, an intelligent platform that optimises every process and workflow from scheduling to treatment planning to account management.

Designed for intuitiveness, Principle offers seamless interconnectivity between patients, appointments, staff, tasks, notes, meetings, labs and more. This means fewer clicks, fuller books, faster communication, nothing slipping through the cracks and greater business transparency. 

Principles of best practice embedded in software design to keep your team lean and your time productively occupied.


Dental Protection Limited

Dental Protection Limited

Dental Protection we’re the first to come on board supporting dental students and graduates through the Dental Head Start Podcast and now they’re stepping up again by release the new publication Young Dental Practitioners as well as the Survival guide, their e-Learning platform ‘Prism’ and Sign up for Risk Wise Connect. Find it at the links or on their Facebook Page.

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