Al Dente
by AUDSS
Welcome to Al Dente by the Adelaide University Dental Students Society, made by dental students, for dental students. Season 7 is here Hosted by our Publication Executive, Kwan Xu Tan, alongside Gen Comm duo Kathryn Lin and Shalynn Tsai We’re bringing you behind the scenes of dentistry real conversations with dentists from all walks of life insights from specialists, teaching staff and alumni special guests from outside our university Think less textbook, more real talk. From career paths and clinical life to the highs, lows, and everything in between, we’re here to share what actually matters. If you’re figuring out your path in dentistry, you’re in the right place!
Episodes
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70. Ms Elvina Bonnici: The OHT Who Does It All
Time management is a life skill, not just one for clinic. In this episode, Elvina breaks down her journey, tips&tricks, and general advice for all students who want to have a balanced lifestyle. She chats about her experiences as a clinically practicing oral health therapist with extended adult...
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69. Ms Margie Steffens OAM: How To Set Goals And Actually Achieve Your Dreams
Listen to this episode if you're feeling stuck... On today's episode, Margie breaks down her journey in establishing Common Ground; a dental home for many, as well as the ins and outs to volunteering. Her wise words will bring inspiration on goal setting, and motivate you to create something…
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68. Dr YS Chee: What I Wish I Knew in Dental School
68. Dr YS Chee: What I Wish I Knew in Dental School Dr YS Chee joins Al Dente! A beloved tutor of ours, Dr YS Chee, joins us on Al Dente to chat all things dental school, from his own experience as a student to life on the other side as a tutor. We dive into tips and tricks for surviving dental...
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67: Dr Evan Jones: Implants, Mentorship and the Journey Beyond Dental School
Thinking about implants? Before you book that course… listen to this After 14 years in dentistry, Dr Evan Jones reflects on the decisions that shaped his career, from mentorship and implant dentistry to the moments that taught him the most. Because becoming a great clinician isn’t just about...
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66. Dr John Berketa: The Dentist Who Solves Crimes
What do murder investigations, disaster victim identification, and flying into some of Australia's most remote communities have in common? In this episode of Al Dente, we sit down with Dr John Berketa to explore the fascinating world of forensic odontology. From real criminal and legal cases to...
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65. Laugh, Learn, Clinic with Dr Corfield
In this episode of Al Dente, we’re joined by the one and only Dr Corfield, a familiar face and voice to countless dental students and alumni. With over 10 years of teaching, a decade of stories, and enough clinic tips to save your next session, Dr Corfield shares his experiences as fifth year...
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64. P & VP in the Hot Seat
In this episode of Al Dente, Kwan, Shalynn, and Kathryn sit down with Theo and Anthony, our AUDSS President and Vice President, for a relaxed, honest chat about what it really takes to lead a dental student society. We go beyond the titles and meetings to talk about the real side of it all,...
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63. Dr Singh on the Pod
We’re putting Dr Singh in the hot seat! In this episode of Al Dente, Kwan and Shalynn sit down with our AUDSS Patron of the Year to explore the realities of dental school across every stage, from finding your footing in first year to navigating the more challenging phases, and what to expect as…
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62. The next generation of Al Dente!
Welcome to Al Dente 🎙️ by the Adelaide University Dental Students Society, made by dental students, for dental students. Season 7 is here 👀 Hosted by our Publication Executive, Kwan Xu Tan, alongside Gen Comm duo Kathryn Lin and Shalynn Tsai We’re bringing you behind the scenes of dentistry 🦷...
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61. The Cambodian experience!
Are you interested in dental outreach aid trips? Well then look no further! In this episode, Elijah sits down with Yushan Behl from BDS2 and Molly Sweeney from BOH3 to discuss the recent trip to Cambodia. Tune in to hear more about this life changing experience, and some of the antics they got up...
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60. Our auraful AURHA reps
In this episode, Elijah is joined by the 2025 AURHA reps, Jordan, Angie and friend of the podcast Val. Tune in to hear more about the exciting opportunities AURHA has to offer, and for many stories about the shenanigans these reps got up to on rural outreach trips! Our aural AURHA reps AUDSS...
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59. The international perspective!
Now that the impending threat of exams is over, Elijah gets a change to talk to Jimmy Ng, a BDS2 student from Hong Kong, all about the life of an international student. If you’ve ever wondered what the admissions process for international students is like, or what it’s like studying far away from...
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58. Dr Poppy pops in!
It’s that time of year again when summative sim clinic looms over the BDS2 students, and Dr Poppy has joined Elijah today to talk about it. From studying MI to teaching MI and the whole journey in between, tune in to hear Dr Poppy and Elijah talk about common mistakes in sim, how to improve time...
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57. The ever experienced Dr Steven!
On this episode of Al Dente, Elijah catches up with Dr Steven Lewis, a dentist with over 40 years of experience! From his days at the old dental school to opening his own clinic, and all the crazy adventures in between, join Elijah and Steven as they discuss the past, present and future of...
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56. With our patron, Dr Abdullah!
Ever wondered what the role of the AUDSS patron actually is? Well our 2025 patron Dr Abdullah joins us answering all questions! From studying dentistry all around the globe, to becoming a full time academic at the dental school, tune in to the latest episode of Al Dente to hear more about what…
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55. From dental students to running the AUDSS: Meet the President and Vice President!
Another year means another great season of Al Dente. But wait, who’s running this thing now? Tune in to meet the new publications committee for 2025, and find out more about their dental school journey and exciting things to come! 55. From dental students to running the AUDSS: Meet the President...
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54. A NEW TEAM?
Another year means another great season of Al Dente. But wait, who’s running this thing now? Tune in to meet the new publications committee for 2025, and find out more about their dental school journey and exciting things to come! Feedback form: https://forms.gle/ERWZoQZXVU7Ch5ncA 54. A NEW TEAM?...
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53. New Grad Dentist and Your Questions Answered
Ever wondered what happens after you graduate? Well recent graduate John Bouras has returned to answer your questions about life post-grad! Tune in to hear about John’s dental journey, from interview to working in a clinic, and see what he has to say about common myths and misconceptions in...
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52. Sponsor Exclusive: PAX Migration
This one’s for all of the student visa holders/international students! This episode explores post-study visa options, including permanent residency pathways for dentists. This episode we are joined by Christina Katsouri-Paxinos, a Registered Migration Agent and one of the Directors of PAX…
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51. Dentist-Doctor: the Oral and Maxillofacial Pathway (Med School Edition)
Your Q&A’s have been answered! Everyone’s heard of how long it takes to go from a) starting medical/dental school, b) finishing both to c), become an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Why don’t we hear it from a dentist who is going through medical school? This episode we are joined by Elaine Yu…
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50. Sponsor Exclusive: Byron Medical
Getting a "borderline" for ergonomics in simulation clinic? Is your neck barely making it through seeing two patients in clinic? Join Ravinath, the Adelaide Representative for Byron Medical, as we learn more about the ergonomic loupes offered by our generous AUDSS sponsor. Learn about how loupes...
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49. We made it in: First Year Dental Student episode
Do you remember the first time you picked up a dental mirror? The first semester of BDS (and for some, of university) has been completed for our first years. Tune in to hear Elijah and Dat reflect on their first five months of dental school, and whether it lives up to their expectations. Dental...
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48. From Oral Pathologist to Comedian: Meet Professor Yakin
You've been to his lectures since first year, and hopefully laughed at some of his jokes in class too. Starting from studying in Erbil, Iraq, learn more about how Professor Muhammed Yakin made his way to becoming a researcher, oral pathologist and BDS5 coordinator within our dental school. Here,...
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47. Entering the Field of Patrons with Dr Corfield
From crying at his desk daily to writing novels about a world of cats and dogs, Dr Thomas Corfield has been selected as the AUDSS Patron of 2024. Who knew that a dentist could have a dental instrument in one hand, composing music with the other, and maybe writing a novel simultaneously? Often…
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46. The boy who was called a cyclops: the origins of the PhD Dentist
When does one decide to be a dentist? A PhD candidate? Learn more about this from our guest this episode, Taseef Farook. From being awarded the International Student of the Year Award in 2023, to receiving over $400,000 AUD in research scholarships, Dr Taseef shares his humble beginnings with us....
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45. The President and his Vice
Rising up the ranks, we have our AUDSS President and Vice President joining us today. Previously general committee members, both have taken on executive roles within the AUDSS. Now they are leading it in their final year of dental school! So why did President Alexander Giannopoulos and Vice...
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44. Who used to run this, and where is she now?
Is this deja vu? Today we’re bringing back the 2022 host of Al Dente, only for her to sit in the interviewer’s chair. Jingyang, an up-and-coming graduate dentist, shares her journey through not one, but two rural placements. Listen in to find out what Jingyang has planned–hint, she’s headed to…
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43. Who’s Running This? Your 2024 Publications Committee
Welcome (back) to dental school! Meet the masterminds working behind the scenes for this podcast. Catherine and Jessica, your 2024 AUDSS Publications General Committee members, discuss how they ended up in dentistry. And as a bonus – what techniques they used to succeed in their first year of...
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42. First Year Frenzy
This episode, Ella gets the opportunity to catch up with BDS1 Theresa Tran and BOH1 Arabella McIntosh. We chat about the transition to uni, the freshers’ favourite tutors and their hopes for the coming years. Tune in for some first-year nostalgia (tooth ID, anyone?) and to hear any questions you...
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41. Graduation and Beyond (ft. ADASA)
In today’s episode, Ella meets Dr Amy Cao and Dr Saloni Singh, two members of the ADASA recent graduates committee. We talk about the highs and lows of transitioning from dental school to professional practice (and managing the stress that comes along with it), how they got involved in the ADA...
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40. From Periodontics to Patronage
Hello again! After a break (courtesy of Covid), Al Dente is back with a legend of the dental school: Dr Selbach! She’s this year’s patron of the AUDSS, and explains what that means to her. But we also get to know who Dr Selbach is outside of work. She tells us about her busy life with three dogs...
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39. Presidential Address
“This episode features friends, housemates, and AUDSS President and Vice President—that would be Fiona Guo and Nadia Heng (both BDS5)! Host Ella sits down with the pair and gets to know them a little better. We chat about all the standard stuff (their lives outside of uni, the journey to…
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38. A New Chapter
Welcome back! The Publications team kicks off the year with a fun episode. We introduce new host Ella George (BDS3), budding snowboarder Valerie Yung (BDS2) and editing whiz Neha Arghode (BDS3). We discuss everything from our plans for the future to our worst dental habits, and the most...
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36. Burning Questions: Your Guide to ILA 2.8
Second years, gather around for this one! The pubs team unite one last time this year to discuss the final ILA for BDS2. We introduce our patient, Mr Robert Burns, a young Indigenous Australian man who’s come in for a check-up. We then delve into all the key things to know about rheumatic fever,...
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35. Having a Ball!
On the chilly night of 3rd of September 2022, the dental and oral health students of the University of Adelaide had a night under the stars, Tony brought out his drum, and we danced the night away at our annual grand dental ball. But before all that, Jingyang asked students the real questions.…
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34. CPD Chronicles (Ft. Nexlec)
In this episode: The AUDSS Pubs Committee gather together again - this time, to chat about CPD courses and the importance of them for practicing dentists. Jingyang, Ella and Dalena are also joined by Skye Xie, the head of media and communications at Nexlec, which is an Adelaide-based company that...
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33. Who Run the World (Part 2)?
In this Episode: Jingyang is joined by two powerhouse ladies of the AUDSS, Denise Yap (2022 AUDSS Secretary) and Sukhmani Dhillon (2022 AUDSS Student Affairs Executive Officer). We discuss the struggles of adapting to small town Adelaide and the funky tasting water we have down under. Experiences...
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32. Who Run the World (Part 1)?
In this Episode: Jingyang is joined by two powerhouse ladies of the AUDSS, Denise Yap (2022 AUDSS Secretary) and Sukhmani Dhillon (2022 AUDSS Student Affairs Executive Officer). We discuss the struggles of adapting to small town Adelaide and the funky tasting water we have down under. Experiences...
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31. Post-convention blues
In this episode: For those who have no idea what ADSA is and always get it confused with ADASA, this episode aims to change that! Brendan Phan (BDS2) and Edwin He (BDS4) join Jingyang to discuss their experience this year at the ADSA Melbourne convention and why all dental students should go at...
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30. MaxFax, Melbourne & Mental wellbeing
In this episode: Jingyang and Ella are lucky enough to interview oral and maxillofacial surgery resident, Dr Ven Woo. Our Melbournian guest shares her thoughts on Adelaide and her shock of moving to a city that closes on public holidays. She reveals how an unexpected job opportunity led her to…
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29. BDS1 ILA- Jackson's Malocclusion: Easy as 1, 2, 3!
In this episode: The 2022 AUDSS Pubs Committee sit down for their first podcast together! This episode marks the first of many, where the pubs committee put their heads together to hash out various ILA case scenarios across multiple years . To kick things off, Jingyang, Ella and Dalena run…
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28. Exploring Special Needs Dentistry Part 2
In this episode, Jingyang and Dalena are joined by the youngest of only 24 special needs dentistry specialists in Australia, Dr Trudy Lin (whose lengthy list of achievements and awards are nothing short of amazing) ! We learn about Dr Lin's career path, tips for working with special needs…
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27. Exploring Special Needs Dentistry Part 1
In this episode, Jingyang and Dalena are joined by the youngest of only 24 special needs dentistry specialists in Australia, Dr Trudy Lin (whose lengthy list of achievements and awards are nothing short of amazing) ! We learn about Dr Lin's career path, tips for working with special needs…
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25. Etch, Prime, BOHnd
In this Episode: Jingyang sits down with some remarkable students and 2022 co-BOH liasons for AUDSS, Edward Miller and Ronan Young! We learn about their journey to discovering their passion for oral health and the Bachelor of Oral Health degree, the role of oral health therapists in the dental...
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26. Loupe Shields? Aboat time! (Ft. Ambience)
In this Episode: Al Dente has gone international! Jingyang is joined in this special, cosmopolitan episode by DMD1 student, Brendan and Ambience Head of Business Development, Amanda! We discuss the differences between UBC Dental School and Adelaide Dental School and how UBC dental students have…
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24. Presenting the Patron
In this episode, we meet Dr Anna Murray, Patron of the AUDSS for 2022! Jingyang and Ella sit down with Dr Murray to discuss what being the patron actually means, the joys of general dentistry, her journey moving to Australia and, naturally, what our new patron has in common with a spoon…
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23. The Eagle Has Landed
Welcome to the Al Dente podcast- season 3! Our first episode of the season features two very important members of the AUDSS, Mr President Derek Li (BDS5) and Madam Vice President Scarlett Kim (BDS5). This episode is hosted by new host of Al Dente, BDS4 student, Jingyang Li. Tune into this episode...
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22. AUDSS Patron Podcast with Margie Steffens
In this Episode: This one is for the international students (soon to be graduates) looking to stay after completing their degrees as well as all the prospective international students keen on studying at an Australian university. Today's guests are Christina and Constantine Paxinos from our new...
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21. PAX Migration Australia
In this Episode: This one is for the international students (soon to be graduates) looking to stay after completing their degrees as well as all the prospective international students keen on studying at an Australian university. Today's guests are Christina and Constantine Paxinos from our new...
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20. CSI: Adelaide Dental School
In this Episode: Today's guest is Dr. John Berketa, a forensic odontologist of 15 years experience and current 5th year tutor at the University of Adelaide Dental School. In the pod we discuss all things related to forensic odontology including victim identification, trauma analysis, age...
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About this show
Welcome to Al Dente by the Adelaide University Dental Students Society, made by dental students, for dental students. Season 7 is here Hosted by our Publication Executive, Kwan Xu Tan, alongside Gen Comm duo Kathryn Lin and Shalynn Tsai We’re bringing you behind the scenes of dentistry real conversations with dentists from all walks of life insights from specialists, teaching staff and alumni special guests from outside our university Think less textbook, more real talk. From career paths and clinical life to the highs, lows, and everything in between, we’re here to share what actually matters. If you’re figuring out your path in dentistry, you’re in the right place!
Hosted by
AUDSS