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

S5 Ep 12 : What Happens When You Advocate from Inside Corporate Dentistry? with Caitlin Miller

SEASON FINALE 🎙️✨ I genuinely cannot believe we’re already at the final episode of Season 5 of Conversations With Dental Friends 🥹🤍 I’m joined by the brilliant Caitlin Miller, Dental Therapist and Head of Dental Hygiene and Therapy at Bupa Dental Care 👏 This conversation felt SO important because we spoke honestly about what it’s really like working within corporate dentistry, the future of dental hygiene and therapy, and how we can better support clinicians in a profession that can sometimes feel incredibly isolating 💭 from starting out as a dental nurse and finding her place within hygiene and therapy, to now leading national initiatives within Bupa, Caitlin’s journey is such a reminder that careers in dentistry can evolve in ways you never expect ✨ in this episode we chat about: ✨ the realities of working within corporate dentistry ✨ support systems and clinician wellbeing ✨ career progression beyond the surgery ✨ the future of dental therapy within the UK ✨ building community for hygienists and therapists What I loved most about this conversation is how much passion Caitlin has for making hygienists and therapists feel heard, valued and supported 🫶🏼 🎧 listen now wherever you get your podcasts I also just want to say the biggest THANK YOU to everyone who has supported this season of Conversations With Dental Friends 🤍 whether you’ve listened to one episode or every single one, shared the podcast, messaged me after an episode or supported from behind the scenes… thank you so much 🫶🏼 And a huge thank you as well to our sponsors @siobhan_education and @lighthouse_dental_company_ire for supporting this season of the podcast ✨ After this episode we’ll be taking a short summer break ☀️ there are so many exciting things coming for the next season already and I genuinely can’t wait 💫 To find out more about dental hygienist and dental therapist scope of practice click here [https://www.gdc-uk.org/docs/default-source/information-standards-and-guidance/scope-of-practice/scope-of-practice-guidance-2025-(1).pdf?sfvrsn=18b7c40e_11] To find out more about a career in bupa click here [https://jobs.bupadentalcare.co.uk] To find out more about Siobhan education click here [https://siobhankelleher.com] To find out more about light house dental company click here

S5 Ep 11: What Happens When You Fall Into a Career You End Up Loving? with Stacey Sagar

New episode of Conversations With Dental Friends is live 🎙️✨ This week I’m joined by the lovely Stacey Saagar and honestly… this conversation felt like such an important reminder that careers in dentistry are allowed to evolve alongside you 🤍 We spoke so openly about confidence, growth, balancing career ambitions with real life, and navigating the pressures that can sometimes come with working in dentistry 💭 From her journey into dental nursing, to education, mentorship and creating a career that aligns with both professional goals and personal priorities, @staceysagar.dental shares so much honesty and perspective throughout this episode 👏🏼 In this episode we chat about: ✨ building confidence within dentistry ✨ balancing family life and career growth ✨ imposter syndrome and self doubt ✨ moving into education and mentorship ✨ creating opportunities beyond clinical practice in the business side of dentistry ✨ the importance of community within dentistry ✨ professional identity and career progression ✨ why your career doesn’t need to look linear to be successful what I loved most about this conversation is how relatable it felt 🫶🏼 🎧 listen now wherever you get your podcasts if you’re currently navigating career uncertainty, trying to build confidence or figuring out what you actually want from your future in dentistry, I really think this episode will resonate 💫 Thankyou so much to @siobhaneducation and @lighthousedentalcompany for sponsoring this episode And as always, if you’d like my free Dental Career Planning Workbook, DM me the word LINK 📚✨ You can find out more about your scope of practice as a dental nurse here [https://www.gdc-uk.org/standards-guidance/standards-and-guidance/scope-of-practice] You can find out how to become a dental nurse here [https://www.nebdn.org] You can find out more about Stacey’s course here [https://practicegrowthcoaching.co.uk/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAdGRleASyG3dwZG9mAmV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDzEyNDAyNDU3NDI4NzQxNAABpwnBXXz4maZEltJVb3y47kqG0WKM6-h7eGPrgb6eqzSHivxHocBeVyrKslX0_aem_YcAELlgz4D6JRfBgPK-kAw] You can find out more about lighthouse dental company here [https://lighthousedentalcompany.com] You can find out more about Siobhan’s amazing courses here [https://siobhankelleher.com] Don’t forget to follow Stacey on Instagram stacey.sagar_dental You can follow the podcast @conversationswithdentalfriends and I’m over there too @homegirlhygienist See you next week for the series finale of Conversations with Dental Friends 🎧🎙️💗

S5 Ep 10 : What Does Female Ownership in Dentistry Really Take? With Dr Raabiha Maan

New episode of Conversations With Dental Friends is live 🎙️✨ This week I’m joined by the amazing Raahbia Maan and honestly… this conversation felt SO honest, motivating and refreshing 🤍 We spoke about what it really looks like to build confidence in your career while navigating the pressures of dentistry, social media, personal growth and figuring out who you are both inside and outside of the clinic 💭 From her journey into dentistry, to building her online presence, stepping into education and creating opportunities for herself beyond traditional clinical work… @drraabhia story is such a reminder that you don’t have to limit yourself to one version of success 👏 TW we do chat about fertility and miscarriage in the episode so if you’d rather not listen the timestamp for this part of the conversation is in the intro in this episode we chat about: ✨ building confidence as a dental professional ✨ social media and personal branding in dentistry ✨ imposter syndrome and comparison culture ✨ creating opportunities outside of clinical practice ✨ education, mentorship and career growth ✨ balancing ambition with authenticity ✨ finding your people within the profession and @thedentalmumsnetwork What I loved most about this conversation is how openly we spoke about confidence and self belief 🫶🏼 because I think so many people in dentistry are quietly questioning themselves while simultaneously trying to hold everything together professionally, especially as a mum or a female practice owner in dentistry. And hearing someone else be honest about that can feel really reassuring 🤍 Thanks so much to Siobhan Kelleher Education and Lighthouse Dental Company for sponsoring this episode 🎧 listen now wherever you get your podcasts If you’re currently navigating career uncertainty, trying to build confidence, thinking about putting yourself out there online, or figuring out what you want from your future in dentistry, I really think this episode will resonate 💫 and as always, if you’d like my free Dental Career Planning Workbook, DM me the word LINK 📚✨ You can find out more about dental mums network here [https://www.dentalmumsnetwork.co.uk] Find out more about Dr Raabiha’s practice here [https://www.bridgedentalcosmetic.co.uk/raabiha-maan] To find out more about Dentistry in a Nutshell including the new book here [https://dentistryinanutshell.com/about-us] You can listen to Raabiha’s Dental Women’s Podcast here [https://open.spotify.com/show/7wYvgGyahyf3xV2TauRK2O?si=zBEYNQPSST-PITl1aRhVMQ] To find out more about Siobhan Kelleher education click here [https://siobhankelleher.com] To find out more about lighthouse dental company here [https://lighthousedentalcompany.com] You can see Dr Raabiha’s instagram here [https://www.instagram.com/drraabihamaan?igsh=MTNnOWk3NHFyczN6ag==] See you next week for another Conversation with Dental Friends

S5 Ep 9 : What Does It Take to Train the Next Generation of Dental Therapists with Ibby Numan

New episode of Conversations With Dental Friends is live 🎙️✨ This week I’m joined by the brilliant Ibby Numan and honestly… this conversation felt like such an important one for anyone navigating their career in dentistry 🤍 From starting out as a Dental Nurse at the Eastman, to training as a Dental Therapist during Covid, moving into education, working with BADT and helping therapists build confidence through @restore… Ibby’s story is such a reminder that careers don’t need to be linear to be meaningful 👏 in this episode we chat about: ✨ finding your path in dentistry even when you don’t have it all figured out ✨ the reality of training as a dental therapist ✨ confidence, manual dexterity and overcoming self doubt ✨ the pressure of social media in dentistry ✨ communication skills and why they matter more than perfect composites ✨ the loneliness that can come with working in practice ✨ the importance of community through organisations like BADT ✨ moving into education and giving back to the next generation ✨ balancing ambition, career growth and family life What I loved most about this conversation is how honest it was 💭 We spoke about the highs, the difficult days, imposter syndrome, evolving as a clinician and the fact that nobody picks up a handpiece and becomes incredible overnight. There’s so much power in just keeping going 🫶🏼 and hearing Ibby talk about returning to the Eastman as a tutor after starting there as a student dental nurse genuinely felt like such a full circle moment 🥹 🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts If you’re a dental therapist, student therapist or someone feeling a bit stuck in your career right now, I really think this episode will resonate with you 🤍 As always, if you’d like my free Dental Career Planning Workbook, DM me the word LINK 📚✨ everything we discussed including BADT, Restore and education pathways will be linked in the show notes 💫 Huge thankyou to Siobhan Kelleher Education and Lighthouse Dental Company for sponsoring this episode To find out more about dental therapy scope click here [https://www.gdc-uk.org/docs/default-source/scope-of-practice/scope-of-practice.pdf] Find out more about Eastman Dental School here [https://www.ucl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/divisions/eastman] Find out more about BADT here [https://badt.org.uk] Find out more about BSDHT here [https://www.bsdht.org.uk] Find out more about 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] Find out more about Siobhan Kelleher Education here [https://siobhankelleher.com] Find out more about Lighthouse Dental Company here See you back here next week with another Conversation with Dental Friends

S5 Ep 8 : What Does Progress in Dental Hygiene Really Look Like? Sustainable Future - Tracy Doole

new episode of Conversations With Dental Friends is live 🎙️✨ this week I’m joined by Tracy Doole and honestly… this conversation is such a good reminder that your career doesn’t have to fit into one box 🤍 from starting out in business and temp jobs before finding dentistry through dental nursing, to becoming a dental hygienist, educator, sustainability advocate, BSDHT executive member and clinical educator… @theecohygienist has built a career rooted in curiosity, growth and genuine passion for the profession 👏 in this episode we chat about: ✨ finding your path in dentistry later than expected ✨ the reality of graduating and going straight into practice ✨ perio, implant maintenance and creating better patient outcomes ✨ investing in courses, networking and lifelong learning ✨ building confidence as a clinician ✨ sustainability in dentistry and reducing healthcare waste ✨ mentorship, education and public health ✨ getting involved with BSDHT and professional advocacy ✨ balancing clinical work with opportunities beyond the surgery what I loved most about this conversation is how passionate Tracy is about pushing the profession forward while still staying grounded in patient care 💭 we also spoke about how isolating dental hygiene and therapy can sometimes feel and why community, networking and surrounding yourself with people who inspire you is so important 🫶 Thanks so much to Siobhan Kelleher Education and Lighthouse Dental Company for sponsoring this episode 🎧 listen now wherever you get your podcasts and as always, if you’d like my free Dental Career Planning Workbook, DM me the word LINK 📚✨ You can find out more about dental hygiene and dental therapy here [https://www.gdc-uk.org/docs/default-source/scope-of-practice/scope-of-practice.pdf] Find out more about studying to be a dental nurse 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 smile academy coaching and mentoring here [https://www.smiledentalacademy.com/diploma-education-mentoring-coaching] Find out more about BSDHT here [https://www.bsdht.org.uk] Find out more about NSK Ikigai here [https://mynsk.co.uk/ikigai/] Find out more about young innovations here [https://younginnovations.com] Find out more about Siobhan Kelleher Education with Tracy is an educator here [https://siobhankelleher.com] Find out more about lighthouse dental company here See you next week for another conversation with dental friends