S5 Ep 6 : Are You Curious About the Industry Side of Dentistry? With Alan McCartney

S5 Ep 7 : What Does It Mean to Truly Champion Dental Hygiene? Advocacy & impact with Elaine Tilling

New episode of Conversations With Dental Friends is live 🎙️✨ This week I’m joined by the incredible Elaine Tilling, someone who has spent decades shaping the dental profession through education, advocacy, public health work and mentorship 🤍 From joining the Royal Air Force at 17, to becoming a dental hygienist, educator, speaker and passionate advocate for oral health, Elaine’s career journey is honestly such a reminder that there is no one “right” path in dentistry 👏🏼 In this episode we chat about: ✨ building a long and meaningful career in dentistry ✨ moving into education and presenting ✨ mentorship and uplifting others in the profession ✨ smoking cessation, vaping and public health ✨ working with brands while maintaining integrity ✨ the importance of community and professional bodies like BSDHT ✨ finding purpose in your career beyond the clinic What I loved most about this conversation is how deeply Elaine believes in giving back and creating opportunities for the next generation of dental professionals 🫶🏼 It’s one of those episodes that leaves you feeling inspired, grounded and reminded why our profession matters so much 💭 🎧 listen now wherever you get your podcasts And if you’re currently thinking about your next step in dentistry, whether that’s education, diversification, content creation or just figuring out what you actually want from your career, DM me the word LINK for my free Dental Career Planning Workbook 📚✨ I’ll also link my Substack and everything we discussed in the show notes 🤍 Huge Thankyou to Siobhan Kelleher Education and Lighthouse Dental Company for sponsoring this episode You can find more about the scope of Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy here [https://www.gdc-uk.org/docs/default-source/information-standards-and-guidance/scope-of-practice/scope-of-practicea2afa3974b184b6a8500dd0d49f0b74f.pdf?sfvrsn=8f417ca8_7] You can find out more about careers in the RAF here [https://recruitment.raf.mod.uk/roles/roles-finder/medical-services/dental-officer] You can find out more about Tepe here [https://tepedirect.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoqXP-czSuyI9LXCmCRINqNY8Pbxv1Cf4imtBAE99AI872ilS3B5] You can find out more about BSDHT here [https://www.bsdht.org.uk] You can find out more about Siobhan Kelleher Education where Elaine also lectures here [https://siobhankelleher.com] You can find out more about Lighthouse Dental Company here [https://lighthousedentalcompany.com] See you next week for another Conversation with Dental Friends 🎧

S5 Ep 6 : Are You Curious About the Industry Side of Dentistry? With Alan McCartney

Another week, another conversation 🎙️✨ and this one brings a different perspective on building a career in dentistry 💭 This week I’m joined by Alan McCartney a name many of you will recognise through his work with global dental brands 🌍🦷 We’re diving into what it really looks like to step beyond the clinic and into the business side of dentistry and how to build a career that evolves with you 🤍 In this episode we get into: ✨ getting started in representing a dental company ✨ building confidence in education & speaking with credibility ✨ creating a reputation people trust within dentistry ✨ transitioning into undergraduate & postgraduate education ✨ and what the future of dentistry could look like 👀 I’ve known Alan for a long time, so it was really interesting to hear more about his journey — and the decisions that shaped it along the way 💡 If you’ve ever thought about changing direction or exploring opportunities beyond clinical practice… this one’s for you 🫶 Everything from today’s episode is linked in the show notes 🎧 If you enjoy this, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and send it to a friend in dentistry who might need to hear it 💌 You can also join us over on Substack (link in bio) ✍️ & if you’re thinking about what’s next for your career, DM me LINK for your free career planning workbook I’ll send it straight over 📩✨ Huge thank you to Siobhan Kelleher Education and Lighthouse Dental Company for sponsoring this episode 🤍 To find out more about GSK click here [https://www.gsk.com/en-gb/media/press-releases/gsk-consumer-healthcare-leads-oral-care-industry-with-launch-of-its-first-carbon-neutral-toothbrush/] To find out more about Curaprox and Curaden click here [https://curaden.co.uk] To learn more about Curaden academy click here [https://curadenacademy.com/en/itop-trainings] Upcoming iTop training course in Belfast with Diane Rochford here [https://curadenacademy.com/en/events/6767-itop-implant-introductory-clear-dental-belfast-or-september-2026] You can find Alan on Link’dIn here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-mccartney-5071a223?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app] You can find more information about Siobhan Kelleher’s courses here [https://siobhankelleher.com] You can find more information about Lighthouse Dental Company here [https://lighthousedentalcompany.com] We’ll be back next week with another conversation ✨🎙️

S5 Ep 5 : Are Dental Therapists Still Fighting to be Seen? Forward Thinking with Lauren Long

New episode dayyyy 🎙️✨ This week on Conversations With Dental Friends I’m joined by the incredible Lauren Long and honestly… this conversation is SUCH an important one for dental therapists everywhere 🫶 Lauren shares her journey into dental therapy, the challenges she faced getting started and how finding the right supportive team completely changed the direction of her career 💭 Now thriving within the Pain Free Dental Group, advocating for therapists through the British Association of Dental Therapists and helping fellow therapists build confidence through her refresher course Restore ✨ We chat about 👇 🦷 Building confidence in practice 🦷 Finding the right team culture 🦷 Making the most of your scope 🦷 Learning from colleagues and lifting others up 🦷 Getting dental therapy working successfully within practice 🦷 Creating a career you genuinely LOVE One thing I loved about this episode is how honest Lauren is about the hurdles she faced before landing her dream role. I know so many therapists will relate to this conversation 💛 If you’re a dental therapist, hygienist, student or part of a team wanting to make better use of the full clinical team… this episode is for you 🎧 As always thank you SO much for listening and supporting Conversations With Dental Friends 🫶✨ Also a huge thankyou to Siobhan Kelleher education and lighthouse dental company for sponsoring this episode You can find out about the scope of a dental therapist here [https://www.gdc-uk.org/docs/default-source/scope-of-practice/scope-of-practice.pdf] You can find out more about about BADT here [https://badt.org.uk] You can find out more about BSDHT here [https://www.bsdht.org.uk] You can find out more about NSK Ikigai here [https://mynsk.co.uk/ikigai/] You can read more about Ikigai here [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Journey-Japanese-Francesc-Miralles-Collection/dp/9124289213/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?crid=26Q8GVY1MJHJ6&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.3AWx2cvq8cEsCxscX4xRDdLYU2QKy1iJQy_fZCP9eT5KM8z6X1_0f4brJVuL1CNoi020hTz02s6pM0lyEkKtFZU-wHSWQa23d9-WWuRnAPdaOxiVZJ1fvQ18N1U3WRPRq5Ob5UC5U-bfIuzrPQntaNuY9kg8vQk8gi8cHI7lavyb4KxutOTDEneHg0ZcF0PKXqPm5mjxWgktbG7pwm5yLA.h48udBoZ1CO9ccPyv0YC606h8wbmHZqp3YkJxL4n0XM&dib_tag=se&keywords=ikigai&qid=1778875766&sprefix=iligai%2Caps%2C177&sr=8-5] You can find out more about the pain free dentistry group here [https://painfreedentistrygroup.co.uk] You can find out more about Lauren & Ailish’s Restore course here [https://www.restoredentalcourse.co.uk/events?utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAdGRleAR0XfBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAadjis0wnXX5C-y2d7TDsh8-e9fr4toOpTM4Ecuq30TcAxjRPSvarDZScD2Pmg_aem_mM4j7nD4J98P-B9SNfyq4Q&utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social] More info about smile dental academy here [https://www.smiledentalacademy.com/lecturers] Tell us in the comments 👇 What’s been the biggest thing that’s helped build YOUR confidence in practice? 💭

S5 Ep 4 : Could Networking be the Key to Your Next Career Move? Small Talk with Joe Lovett

✨ NEW EPISODE ✨ This week on Conversations with Dental Friends I’m joined by the one and only Joe Lovett 🎙️ And honestly… this conversation felt very full circle 🫶 The first time Joe and I spoke around 6 years ago it completely shifted the way I viewed my dental career and opened my mind to opportunities outside of the surgery 👀 One of the BIGGEST topics in this episode is networking and if the word networking makes you cringe a little… you need to hear this one 😂 Joe shares so many practical tips on: ✨ finding your people ✨ building genuine connections ✨ networking as an introvert AND extrovert ✨ creating opportunities for yourself ✨ putting yourself in rooms that align with where you want to go Because whether your goals are presenting, writing, teaching, working with brands or simply growing your confidence in the industry… the relationships you build really do matter 🤝 We also chat about: 🦷 getting into dentistry without a traditional dental background 📱 social media and personal branding 💡 giving back to the dental community 🚀 building a career beyond the clinic I absolutely loved catching up with Joe and hearing more about the projects and passions he’s currently working on 💭 You can listen now on Spotify & Apple Podcasts 🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review and share this episode with a dental friend who needs to hear it 👯‍♀️ PLUS 💌 DM me the word “LINK” and I’ll send you my completely FREE career planning workbook + our Substack straight to your inbox ✨ You can follow Joe on Instagram @joelovettcatalyst and on LinkedIn You can find out more about FMC here [https://www.fmc.co.uk] You can find out more about joes consultancy business catalyst sales and marketing here [https://catalystsalesandmarketing.com] You can find out more about dentistry’s big challenge here [https://www.dentaid.org/big-community-challenge/] You can find out about our sponsors Siobhan Kelleher Education here [https://siobhankelleher.com] Lighthouse dental company here See you next week for another episode of Conversations with Dental Friends 🎙️

S5 Ep 3 : How Far Could You Go In Dentistry if You Didn’t Stay in One Lane? Dr Chinwe Akuono

We’re back ✨ with a brand new episode of Conversations with Dental Friends and this one is so worth your time 🎧🤍 This week I’m joined by Dr Chinwe Aquono truly human sunshine ☀️ and an associate dentist whose career path proves that there is no one “right” way to build something incredible. It’s thoughtful, it’s non-linear, and it’s a reminder that curiosity can take you further than any set path ever could 💭✨ In this episode we get into: ✨ staying curious about what more could look like in your career ✨ transitioning from dental hygienist → dental nurse → dental student (yes, really) ✨ social media, brand collaborations & creating opportunities beyond the clinic ✨ speaking, writing & finding your people ✨ the power of lifting others up through grassroots work like the Black Dental Network 🤍 I loved this conversation Chinwe brings so much perspective, honesty, and warmth. There’s something in here for you wherever you’re at in your career 🫶 If this feels like your kind of episode, make sure you’re subscribed 🎧 …and send it to a friend in dentistry who needs to hear this 💌 You can also join us over on Substack (link in bio) ✍️ & if you’re thinking about what’s next for your career, DM me the word LINK for your free career planning workbook I’ll send it straight over 📩✨ Huge thank you to Siobhan Kelleher Education and Lighthouse Dental Company for sponsoring this episode 🤍 Study to be a dental hygienists here [https://www.bsdht.org.uk/training-schools/] Study dental nursing here [https://cfmsr.org.uk/courses/nebdn_dental_nursing/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23662224187&gbraid=0AAAAADcDXQ0xsTn-5jgNlP_8cn0BBk-WF&gclid=CjwKCAjwzevPBhBaEiwAplAxvjU1NqJ6MG27ZHI7yBWjAJ87nlFqjuh0KVsZ5_wgqNCTuuMX4v7eABoCtfoQAvD_BwE] Find out more about Kings College London here [https://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-taught] Find out more about Colgate here [https://www.colgateprofessional.co.uk/products/sensitive] Find out more about Phillips here [https://www.philips.co.uk/c-m-pe/dental-professionals] Find out more about Curaprox here [https://curaprox.co.uk/?utm_adgroup=135226827815&utm_device=m&utm_matchtype=b&utm_network=g&utm_term=curaprox&utm_campaign=16662964949&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=591609431975&hsa_acc=1086455180&hsa_cam=16662964949&hsa_grp=135226827815&hsa_ad=591609431975&hsa_src=g&hsa_tgt=kwd-186474400&hsa_kw=curaprox&hsa_mt=b&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=16662964949&gbraid=0AAAAAobCvokKB9JoPXcVcA1MESG9jq8_5&gclid=CjwKCAjwzevPBhBaEiwAplAxvqJlIrSfGE2ASi4wFlajpiB5QdhM0lrYkQxingRB4aLZZH87-hqQNhoCpfcQAvD_BwE] Find out more about FMC and dentistry.co.uk here [https://www.fmc.co.uk] Read one of Dr Chinwe’s articles here [https://dentistry.co.uk/2026/02/24/volunteering-beyond-the-clinic-dental-care-in-luxor/] Find our more about the Black Dental Network here [https://www.blackdentalnetwork.com] Find out about Siobhan’s courses here [https://siobhankelleher.com] You can find out about lighthouse dental company here You can follow Dr Chinwe on Instagram @dr.chinwe_London and you can follow along with the podcast @conversationswithdentalfriends and I’m there too @homegirlhygienist See you next week for another conversation ✨🎙️