Protrusive Dental Podcast

When you walk through the door after work, are you actually present or are you still running the day’s to-do list in your head?Is there ever a “good” time to have a baby in the middle of specialist training and how do you fund it?How do the best dentist-parents you know protect time with their kids without their careers stalling?And can technology actually give you hours back — or is that just another thing to feel guilty about?This is one for the dads. In this Interference Cast episode, Jaz sits down with Dr Sunny Marwaha — a dentist completing part-time specialist training in prosthodontics at Guy’s, who became a father right in the middle of it. It’s not a clinical episode. It’s an honest conversation about doing the hardest career stretch (training, buying practices, building a name) at the exact same time you’re raising young children — the sleep, the money, the guilt, and the strategies that actually help. Two dentist dads, comparing notes.What You’ll Take From This EpisodePriority management, not time management — Decide what this season of life is for, and protect it; priorities shift as the kids grow.Leave the day at the door — both directions — The driveway is dad mode, the clinic is showtime; you can’t take work home or home to work.Run the family like a small business — Regular family meetings and a “mind like water” system can help carry the load without living in your head.Use AI to buy back time — Make use of dictated notes, auto-drafted letters, and turning papers into audio for the commute. This is leverage, not cheating.Specialise or self-direct? — An honest filter for whether a structured training pathway or private courses and mentorship suits you better.Highlights of This Episode00:00     Teaser00:42     Daddy Dentist: Balancing Fatherhood and Dentistry03:42     Should You Specialise or Learn Through Private Courses?10:12      How to Time Having Kids Around Specialist Training13:32     Paternity Leave for Dentists: What's Realistic?16:42     Funding Specialist Training With a Young Family20:02     Why Family Support Is a Privilege, Not a Given22:57     Time Management vs Priority Management23:42     The Two Moments With Your Kids That Matter Most29:12      Protecting Sleep, Fitness and Your Mental Health30:13     Midroll39:03    Top Tips for Dentist Dads41:53      Using AI to Buy Back Time for Your Family45:53     Run Your Family Like a Small Business53:33     How to Cut Kids' Screen Time (and Make It Stick)59:23     Life After Specialist Training: A Shorter Week59:57     OutroFrom the GuestDr Sunny Marwaha is a dentist completing part-time specialist training in prosthodontics at Guy’s (King’s College London). He’s passed the MProst (Royal College of Surgeons), with his final MClinDent and GDC specialist listing still ahead. He became a dad to son Kabir midway through training; his wife Amrit is also a dentist.👉  Follow Sunny on Instagram: @dr_marwahaReferences & Further ReadingListed for reference (mentions, not endorsements):NotebookLM — Google’s AI research tool; can turn a source document (e.g. a paper) into an audio, podcast-style discussion for the commute.Trello, Inkpad Notepad, and Google Calendar — The “mind like water” offload system. Loom — screen/video-message tool, mentioned as an alternative to written tooth-by-tooth reports.Want more?If you enjoyed this episode, check out: [Screen Times and SmartPhones for Children – Best Practices – IC061]. The screen-time reset comes up near the end of this chat; that episode goes deeper. Tags#InterferenceCast #CareerDevelopment #BeyondDentistryListen, Subscribe, Earn CPDListen: Subscribe to the Protrusive Dental Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.This episode is eligible for 1.0 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance.This episode meets GDC Outcome B.AGD Subject Code: 770 Self-Improvement.

Complete Dentures That Actually Work: Impressions, CR & AdaptationYou don’t have to suck at complete dentures — there’s a science to them, and an art you gather with experience.Why do complete dentures feel so unpredictable — when a crown prep or an endo doesn’t?What’s the number-one impression mistake dentists make — and the tissue-conditioning step most of us skip?And when a new denture comes back painful — is it the extension, or the occlusion?This one is a whistle-stop tour of complete dentures with Dr Leif Stromberg — a Dallas general dentist who learned removable prosthodontics directly from the legendary Earl Pound and has taught it for decades. Recently nominated for the Texas AGD’s 2026 Texas Dentist of the Year™ Award, Dr. Stromberg brings a wealth of clinical experience, leadership and mentorship to the profession.Rather than drilling into a single appointment, Jaz put a stack of Protrusive Guidance community questions to him and covered the whole arc, from choosing the right patient to troubleshooting a painful denture at delivery. Expect breadth over depth — a lot of ground, a little from each stage — with plenty of technique, nuance and communication tips to take back to the chair.Protrusive Dental Pearl: Pick the Patient Before the DentureYou don’t have to treat everyone. Before promising anything, work out whether you can meet the patient’s expectations — because you can build the world’s best denture and they still may not adapt to it. The single strongest predictor of success is the patient’s own adaptation, not the technical quality of the prosthesis.So read the markers of adaptation. The patient who has worn a technically poor, flimsy denture happily for years — and only needs a new one because the old one is worn out — is a home run: improve the retention and stability and they’ll do brilliantly, because their neuromuscular adaptation is already proven. The patient who has hated every set they’ve owned is the warning sign. Assess adaptation right from the first appointment; it matters more than the articulator you own.What You’ll Take From This EpisodePick the patient, not just the denture — the markers of adaptation that predict success before you start.Where the teeth actually go — Pound’s lingual control lines, and why “lingual” means stable.The number-one impression mistake — coverage versus overextension, plus pre-impression tissue conditioning.Records without the wobble — recording centric relation with a gothic arch tracer, and why the facebow ranks low.A painful denture at delivery — how to tell overextension from occlusal overload, and what to do about each.Highlights of This EpisodeFrom the GuestDr. Stromberg teaches  the fundamentals of predictable complete dentures through a run of CE courses on Dentaltown — a five-part written series and a video series that walk through the exam, impressions, records, try-in and delivery.👉  Stromberg’s “Keys to Complete Denture Success” CE courses on DentaltownLearn more at: https://www.strombergdentistry.com/articlesWant more?If you enjoyed this episode, check out: Occlusion for Complete Dentures – PDP162Tags#PDPMainEpisodes #ProsthoPerio #Communication Listen, Subscribe, Earn CPDListen: Subscribe to the Protrusive Dental Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.This episode is eligible for 0.75 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance.This episode meets GDC Outcomes CAGD Subject Code: 670 Removable Prosthodontics.Aim & Learning OutcomesAim: To give clinicians a predictable, appointment-by-appointment approach to complete dentures — patient selection and adaptation, accurate records, functional tooth position, and troubleshooting at delivery.Learning Outcomes — by the end of this episode, dentists will be able to:1. Assess a patient’s suitability for complete dentures and their likely adaptation, and manage expectations before treatment begins.2. Describe the sequence of clinical appointments for complete dentures and the key objective of each — impression coverage, recording centric relation and vertical dimension, and functional tooth position.3. Differentiate the common causes of pain at denture delivery (overextension versus occlusal overload) and apply an appropriate method to identify and correct each.

Holistic, biological, functional — is there actually a difference, or is it all just marketing?Are root canals really dangerous — or is that just what the algorithm keeps showing your patients?When a patient wants their sound fillings out, do you test, reassure, or drill?And how do you bring sleep, diet and blood tests into a dental appointment without it stopping being dentistry?This episode sits down with Dr James Goolnik (https://uk.linkedin.com/in/james-goolnik)— clinical dentist, founder of the London holistic practice Optimal Dental Health, past President of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and one of Jaz’s earliest mentors. James openly calls himself a holistic and biological dentist, which makes him the ideal person to separate the thoughtful, evidence-aware end of this world from the online extremism that gives it a bad name. Expect a balanced, honest conversation: some of it you’ll adopt tomorrow, some of it you’ll want to pressure-test — which is exactly the point.Protrusive Dental Pearl: Dentistry Isn’t Just About Fixing TeethThis one isn’t a clinical tip — it’s a sentiment that frames the whole episode. Dentistry isn’t just about fixing teeth; it’s about improving health. You don’t have to agree with every claim made in biological dentistry — but you will struggle to disagree that a patient’s diet, sleep, breathing, stress and inflammation all influence oral health.So the pearl is simple: stay curious, stay open-minded — but stay critical, and never stop asking better questions.What You’ll Take From This EpisodeThe holistic–biological spectrum — what each word actually means, and where thoughtful practice tips into online extremism.Test or reassure? — the three-question filter for deciding whether any test earns its place before you order it.Safe amalgam removal — the SMART protocol, and when a worried patient’s sound filling should be left well alone.The mouth-body connection — how sleep, glucose control and systemic inflammation affect the mouth, and where to refer.The balanced take on root canals and implants — whether root canals are dangerous, and titanium versus ceramic with metal-allergy testing.Highlights of This Episode00:00     Teaser00:59     Holistic vs Biological Dentistry: What's the Difference?05:49    Why Listening Beats Perfect Margins in Dentistry10:29     Why Patients Started to Doubt Root Canal Treatment12:09     Mercury Fillings: Should You Remove Amalgam?14:09     The SMART Protocol for Safe Amalgam Removal19:59     The Mouth-Body Connection: Sleep, Diabetes & Alzheimer's24:59    How to Build Nutrition Into a Dental Practice26:25     Midroll34:01     Sleep Tests, Glucose Monitors and Blood Tests in Practice38:21     Is Biological Dentistry Dangerous? The Extremist Problem39:21     Are Root Canals Dangerous? A Balanced Take41:51     Titanium vs Zirconia Implants and Metal Allergy Testing46:51     When Removing a Healthy Tooth Becomes Negligent50:56    What Diet Should Dentists Actually Follow?53:41     How to Get Started in Holistic Dentistry56:30    OutroFrom the GuestDr James Goolnik is a clinical dentist and founder of Optimal Dental Health, a holistic practice in London built around integrating nutrition, sleep and whole-health screening into everyday dentistry. He is a past President of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, a member of the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology, and the author of “Brush” (profits to Dentaid) and the “Kick Sugar” cookbook (profits to his Rewards Project charity).👉  Optimal Dental Health — monthly practitioner newsletter, and connect with James on LinkedInWant the Toolkit?We’ve turned this episode into a practical Holistic Dentistry Clinical Toolkit — with quick-reference guides for whole-body assessment, testing, patient conversations, and navigating the holistic–biological spectrum.Download the free toolkit at www.protrusive.co.uk/biologicalReferences & Further ReadingSources and further reading from this episode:IAOMT — Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique (SMART). The protocol for safely removing amalgam (rubber-dam isolation, adsorbent rinse, sectioning, high-volume evacuation) to minimise mercury exposure for patient and team. MELISA test. A validated blood lymphocyte-transformation test for type-IV hypersensitivity to metals including titanium and mercury — used to guide titanium-vs-ceramic implant decisions. Tests, devices & materials referenced — a home overnight sleep test, a phase-contrast microscope, a national blood-testing partner, point-of-care fingerprick analysers (CRP / HbA1c), a blood/hair/urine mercury panel, continuous glucose monitors, and Biodentine for vital-pulp therapy. Want more?If you enjoyed this episode, check out: Implementing Sleep, Airway and Myo to Restorative Dentistry Part 1 — PDP262Tags#PDPMainEpisodes #Communication #BeyondDentistryListen, Subscribe, Earn CPDListen: Subscribe to the Protrusive Dental Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.This episode is eligible for 1.0 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance.This episode meets GDC Outcomes C.AGD Subject Code: 150 Health, medicine and nutrition.Aim & Learning OutcomesAim: To give dentists a balanced, evidence-aware understanding of holistic and biological dentistry — what the terms mean, how to integrate whole-health thinking and appropriate testing into practice, and how to navigate patient beliefs about root canals, mercury and metal-free dentistry without abandoning the evidence base.Learning Outcomes — by the end of this episode, dentists will be able to:1. Differentiate between holistic and biological approaches to dentistry, and articulate where evidence-based, minimally invasive care ends and unsupported claims begin.2. Apply a structured decision filter to judge whether an additional test or intervention is justified — whether it will change treatment, provide a benchmark, or motivate the patient — while working within scope and referring appropriately.3. Describe t...

Injection moulding is meant to save you time. Too often it hands you a mouthful of flash and a cleanup that swallows the chair time you thought you were saving.Dr Sandra Hulac is a Clinical Instructor at the Kois Center in Seattle and an Accredited Fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. She uses full-mouth injection moulding to road-test occlusions and stabilise breaking-down dentitions, and she teaches the technique hands-on.In this episode she works through where the mess actually comes from, and how design, matrix strategy, careful PTFE and a simple cleanup protocol keep a case clean from the first injection.This episode comes with an infographic: the whole no-mess workflow on one visual guide to keep beside you during design and cleanup. Download it at protrusive.co.uk/nomess. It is the fastest way to turn this episode into something you actually use at the chair.What You’ll Take From This EpisodeMost injection-moulding mess is prevented at the design stage, through thickness targets and clear lab communication, long before any cleanup.The alternating matrix technique, injecting every other tooth, is the biggest single cleanup saver and cuts the PTFE you need.Matrices cured in a pressure pot, with a spacer protocol, give even thickness and far fewer bubbles.Thin, careful PTFE prevents distortion; bunching it interproximally creates the very excess you are trying to avoid.An S-shaped motion with a Ceri-saw and several 12-plate blades clears resin while protecting the contact.Good pre-treatment hygiene, using diluted hypochlorite or povidone-iodine rather than chlorhexidine, cuts bleeding and contamination.Highlights of this episode:00:00 Teaser00:54 Introduction02:17 Dental Pearl: Free Injection Moulding Infographic03:17 Main Interview with Dr. Sandra Hulac4:49 Innovations in Dental Education07:26 The Mess Problem in Injection Moulding15:38 Alternating Matrix Technique18:18 Every-Other-Tooth Technique27:54 Cleanup Instruments and Techniques31:35 Handling Teflon and PTFE36:41 Patient Oral Hygiene Tips37:27 Dilution protocol:39:24 Key Principles for Minimizing Mess40:42 Matrix Fabrication and Spacer Protocol43:55 Course Information and Conclusion46:19 OutroFrom the GuestMaster Full Mouth Injection Moulding in this exclusive two-day hands-on course!📅 Dates: Feb. 26-27, 2027📍 Location: Central London Venue (TBC)🌐 Learn more & secure your spot: protrusive.co.uk/FMIMWant more?Learn to treat tooth wear with injectable composite in Injectable Composites in PDP081Tags#PDPMainEpisodes, #BreadandButterDentistry, #AdhesiveDentistryListen, subscribe, and earn CPDListen: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and inside Protrusive Guidance.Earn CPD: This episode is eligible for 0.75 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance.Compliance: GDC Development Outcome C. AGD Subject Code 250 Operative (Restorative) Dentistry.Aim & Learning OutcomesAim: To enable dental professionals to minimise cleanup during injection moulding by optimising design, matrix use, PTFE application, and interproximal finishing techniques.By the end of this episode, dentists will be able to:Explain how proper design and lab communication can reduce composite flash and cleanup in injection moulding.Demonstrate the alternating matrix technique and the correct use of PTFE in minimising mess.Identify and use appropriate instruments and techniques for efficient interproximal cleanup after injection moulding.

Your patient is nine years old. One first permanent molar is crumbling — the others look fine. Does it stay, or does it go?Is that broken-down first permanent molar really down to poor brushing — or is it Molar Incisor Hypomineralisation?When is the right time to take a first permanent molar out — and how do you read it off the X-ray?And how do you tell a parent their child needs an adult tooth removed — without losing them?First permanent molars of poor prognosis are one of the genuine head-scratchers of general practice — full of ifs, buts and timing. In this episode Jaz sits down with Dr Nicole Sturzenbaum, a paediatric dentist and the owner and clinical director of Toothbeary in Richmond, London, to work through the whole decision: getting the diagnosis right (molar-incisor hypomineralisation versus caries), reading the extraction window off an OPG, the restorative ladder from sealant to stainless steel crown, when to bring in the orthodontist, and how to handle the conversation with anxious parents. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer — but there is a clear way to think about it.Protrusive Dental Pearl: Painless Polishing for Anxious KidsThe mechanical clean is what frightens children (and plenty of adults) — the scaler, the bristle brush, the gritty prophy paste. For the polishing part, a colourless plaque-dissolving foam gel does the job without any of it. It fizzes wherever there is plaque, so you can hand the child a mirror and show them exactly where to brush; it leaves the teeth satin-smooth, reduces gingival inflammation, and is painless and non-invasive.Two caveats: it does not remove calculus — you still need a hand or ultrasonic scaler for that — and you should agitate the gel gently at the gingival margin for the full effect. It is especially useful for orthodontic and adolescent patients because it reaches the nooks around brackets, which is where post-orthodontic white-spot lesions start.Product: Magic3 (3% hydrogen peroxide, colourless plaque indicator), by Dr Wyman Chan — protrusive.co.uk/magic3.What You’ll Take From This EpisodeDiagnosis first — MIH or caries? The distinction changes the plan, the prognosis and the whole conversation with the family.Reading the extraction window off an OPG — why chronological age tells you nothing, and what the second molar’s bifurcation tells you instead.The restorative ladder — seal, composite, preformed metal crown, or plan the extraction: matching the least invasive option that will actually hold.When to involve the orthodontist — essential or desirable, which teeth come out, and managing the space afterwards.Getting sensitive molars numb — why MIH teeth are so hard to anaesthetise, and the comfort stack that helps.Highlights of This Episode00:00     TEASER00:59     First Permanent Molars of Poor Prognosis in Children02:51     Painless Chemical Polishing for Kids (Protrusive Dental Pearl)04:53     Meet Dr Nicole Sturzenbaum, Paediatric Dentist11:49     MIH or Caries? Getting the Diagnosis Right15:14     What Is MIH? Causes, Grades and 'Cheese Molars'17:23     When to Extract a First Molar: Reading the OPG20:08     Sealant, Composite or Crown for MIH Molars22:32     Stainless Steel Crowns for Hypomineralised Molars25:52     Do You Need an Orthodontic Opinion Before Extraction?29:15     Talking to Parents About Removing an Adult Tooth31:56     Anaesthesia Tips for Sensitive MIH Molars36:14     Managing the Space After First Molar Extraction41:15     Balancing and Compensating Extractions Explained47:53     Early Orthodontics and Prevention at Toothbeary51:15     OUTROFrom the GuestDr Nicole Sturzenbaum is a paediatric dentist and the owner and clinical director of Toothbeary, a paediatric dental practice in Richmond, London. 👉  Toothbeary — paediatric dentistry, sedation & early orthodontics, Richmond, LondonReferences & Further ReadingEAPD guidance (cited on the episode). European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry policy documents on MIH (Lygidakis et al., best clinical practice guidance for clinicians dealing with children presenting with MIH) and on paediatric local analgesia (Kühnisch et al., 2017).Preoperative analgesia for MIH (further reading). Vicioni-Marques, F., Paula-Silva, F. W. G., Carvalho, M. R., Queiroz, A. M., Freitas, O., Duarte, M. P. F., Manton, D. J., & Carvalho, F. K. (2022). Preemptive analgesia with ibuprofen increases anesthetic efficacy in children with severe molar: a triple-blind randomized clinical trial. Journal of applied oral science : revista FOB, 30, e20210538. https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-7757-2021-0538Want more?If you enjoyed this episode, check out: Zirconia vs Metal Hall Crowns vs Conventional with Dr Tim Keys – PDP227Tags#PDPMainEpisodes #OrthoRestorativeListen, Subscribe, Earn CPDListen: Subscribe to the Protrusive Dental Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.This episode is eligible for 1.0 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance.This episode meets GDC Outcomes C.AGD Subject Code: 430 Pediatric Dentistry.Aim & Learning OutcomesAim: To help general dentists diagnose, assess and manage first permanent molars of poor prognosis in children — recognising molar-incisor hypomineralisation, timing extraction from radiographic development, and choosing between restoration and extraction with the wider team.Learning Outcomes — by the end of this episode, dentists will be able to:Differentiate molar-incisor hypomineralisation from caries of hygiene origin, and explain how that distinction changes management and communication.Apply radiographic developmental assessment — the second molar’s bifurcation and the presence of third molars — to judge the timing of first permanent molar extraction.Select an appropriate management pathway, from sealant and composite through preformed metal crown...

Patient has patchy white spots after braces — do you really whiten, or will that just make the spots stand out more?Tetracycline staining darker than your darkest shade tab — is bleaching even worth attempting, or is it veneers by default?A single dark, root-filled central incisor — can you fix it without picking up a drill at all?And how do you talk a patient through weeks, shades and cost so they actually consent to the slow, non-invasive route?This is Part 2 of the trayless whitening series with Dr Wyman Chan — inventor of trayless teeth whitening and the Get2Smile system — and Dr Elvis Law, who now runs around 90% of his whitening trayless. Part 1 covered the science and the everyday protocol; this part applies it to the three cases dentists find hardest, with the costing and consent conversations that make them work.Protrusive Dental Pearl: Treating Family and FriendsAlmost every clinician has a story about a case that went wrong on a family member, a friend, or a loved one. It’s not a random fluke. When we treat someone we love, we put our guard down — we relax the checklist, skip a step, get driven by emotion, and lose our judgement.So if you must treat family and friends, stay razor-sharp and treat them exactly as you would a stranger. Be extra vigilant, extra hot on your protocols, and take the emotion out of it. If that tooth needs a root canal, it needs a root canal — don’t bend the plan to preserve pulp vitality that was never the right call. The best pearl is not to treat loved ones at all; the real-world one is to not lose your judgement when you do.What You’ll Take From This EpisodeThe frosted glass model — a patient-ready way to explain white spots: enamel is clear glass, dentine is a yellow sponge, and acid has turned the glass frosty.A two-stage white spot protocol — remineralise and condition the gums first, then whiten trayless, and why a dirty tray would have sabotaged the result.Whitening tetracycline staining — realistic timelines, why darker teeth lift faster, and how to frame it honestly against veneers.The non-vital tooth without a drill — whiten every tooth to target, then paint the single dark tooth to match, and why leakage (not the bleach) causes rebound.Costing and consent — charging “almost by time,” staged reviews, and matching invasiveness to the mouth in front of you.Highlights of This Episode00:00     Teaser01:05     Trayless Whitening Part 2: Recap of Part 103:55     Protrusive Dental Pearl: Treating Family and Friends06:55     Whitening White Spot Lesions After Orthodontics11:55     Whiten First or Restore First? Cavitated Anterior Caries18:35     The Frosted Glass Analogy: Explaining White Spots to Patients21:05     A Two-Stage White Spot Protocol: Remineralise, Then Whiten32:57     Midroll36:23     Whitening Tetracycline-Stained Teeth40:03     Costing and Consent: Bleaching vs Veneers46:23     Whitening a Non-Vital Yellow Central Incisor47:43     Why Root-Filled Teeth Rebound After Bleaching53:13     Trayless Single-Tooth Whitening Without a Drill1:00:43   How to Access Trayless Whitening and Training1:03:40   OutroFrom the GuestDr Wyman Chan is the inventor of trayless teeth whitening and the Get2Smile system, with a PhD in the efficacy and safety of teeth whitening and a whitening clinic in London’s West End. Dr Elvis Law trained in safe dental bleaching under Dr Wyman Chan and now runs the majority of his whitening trayless.Start Offering Trayless Whitening for Your OfficeUK Dentists:In the UK you need the Get2Smile Kit which is 6% formulation applied twice daily for 30 minutes.Head to directoralcare.com and register for a free professional account. Approval unlocks the full shop, pricing, offers and their upcoming educational courses.At checkout, use code: DOCSUMMER20International Dentists wishing to offer Get2Smile, please enquire from Dr Chan's website. The international version uses 10% formulation applied for 15 minutes, twice daily.📌 Want to learn directly from Dr Wyman Chan? Join him for Redefining Early Caries Management and Aesthetic Dentistry in Shanghai, China, on 20–21 October 2026.Saturday 5th September London, UK CPD EVENT:👉Join Dr Wyman Chan for an exciting event focused on redefining the management of dental plaque-induced oral diseases.📍 Royal Asiatic Society, London NW1 2HDThe session will include a live lecture, clinical demonstration, and the opportunity to take part in practical, hands-on training. Dr Wyman Chan will be joined by Dr Niki Shah and Dr Elvis Law, who will also showcase their clinical cases.Want more?If you enjoyed this episode, check out: MAGIC Teeth Whitening with Dr. Wyman Chan – PDP245 — Wyman’s first Protrusive episode, covering whitening myths, sensitivity, and whether in-office lights do anything at all..Tags#PDPMainEpisodesListen, Subscribe, Earn CPDListen: Subscribe to the Protrusive Dental Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.This episode is eligible for 1 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance.This episode meets GDC Outcomes CAGD Subject Code: 780 Esthetics/Cosmetic Dentistry.Aim & Learning OutcomesAim: To give dental practitioners a practical, non-invasive approach to three difficult whitening presentations — post-orthodontic white spot lesions, tetracycline staining, and a discoloured non-vital tooth — together with the expectation-setting and consent conversations that make treatment succeed.Learning Outcomes — by the end of this episode, dentists will be able to:Describe how enamel demineralisation produces white spot lesions and explain, in patient-friendly terms, why a repair-then-whiten sequence addresses both the surface and the underlying tooth colour.Apply a staged, non-invasive protocol to manage white spot, tetracycline and non-vital discolouration cases, selecting an appropriate route by matching invasiveness to the individual patient.Articulate realistic expectations on shade, timeline and cost, and use them to obtain informed consent for an extended, reviewable whitening course.

What if the tray is the reason your whitening results are inconsistent?Why would a dentist who owns a whitening lab — and holds four patents on making bleaching trays — tell you to skip the tray?Trayless whitening does not mean strips. It means the patient puts in a retractor and paints the gel directly onto the teeth, twice a day, for half an hour. No impression, no lab bill, no two-week wait, and no soft plastic reservoir quietly absorbing your peroxide.This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation with Dr Wyman Chanand Dr Elvis Law, recorded live in their central London whitening practice. Wyman has done nothing but whitening since 2002, has a PhD on the efficacy and safety of whitening processes, and — despite owning the lab that makes the trays — now does most of his cases without one. Elvis trained under him and reckons around 90% of his own cases are now trayless.Part 1 is the mechanism, the protocol and an honest list of who it doesn’t suit. Part 2 takes it into the hard cases.Protrusive Dental Pearl: Let the Patient Pick the ShadeMost of us ask “how white do you want to go?”, get a laugh about Hollywood white or Simon Cowell white, then hold a B1 tab against the canine and call that the destination. Try flipping it.Under corrected light, record where the patient is now. Then hand over the whole shade guide, arranged by value, and let them choose the tab they want to reach. Photograph both.This is the VITA Shade guide arranged by value:B1 → A1 → B2 → D2 → A2 → C1 → C2 → D4 → A3 → D3 → B3 → A3.5 → B4 → C3 → A4 → C4Two things change. You now know the target precisely instead of inferring it, and you can track progress against a fixed reference. Most patients land on B1 — it’s the last shade before the bleach range, and it reads natural rather than veneered. Some will point at 0M1 and that’s a different conversation, which is exactly the point.Because whatever they choose dictates how many weeks, how much gel and how many reviews the case needs — and therefore what it should cost. A single flat whitening fee assumes every case takes the same work. They don’t. Someone starting at C4 who wants a bleach shade can get there, but it takes more gel, more time, more reviews and probably a protocol change along the way. Price that honestly.Only you can decide what the tiers look like in your practice. But it might be worth sitting down as a team of dentists and therapists and asking: how are we delivering whitening? Two tiers? More? Based on what?What You’ll Take From This EpisodeConscious bleaching — why an awake patient with an open mouth is a completely different chemical situation to a sealed tray worn overnight, and what that does to sensitivity.The formulation constraint — peroxide needs acid to stay stable on the shelf, which is why pre-mixed products lean acidic and why two-component gels exist at all.The full trayless protocol — wear schedule, spacing, patient positioning, review intervals and what to troubleshoot first when a case is behind.Who it doesn’t suit — an honest contraindications list, including the one objection patients raise most often and the answer to it.Tray hygiene as a clinical instruction — the reason results vary so much between patients using the identical gel.An A3.5 to B1 case — start to finish in three weeks, with the review points and the maintenance plan.Highlights of This Episode00:00     TEASER01:05     Trayless Teeth Whitening Explained03:40     Protrusive Dental Pearl: Let Patients Pick Their Whitening Shade06:05     Meet the Guests: A Career Built on Teeth Whitening10:27     What Is Trayless Whitening? (It's Not Whitening Strips)13:44     Why Whitening Trays Waste Your Bleaching Gel15:37     Are Whitening Strips Acidic? Gel Formulation Explained19:17     Conscious Bleaching and Whitening Sensitivity24:43     When NOT to Use Trayless Whitening29:05     The Trayless Whitening Protocol: 30 Minutes Twice a Day32:55     Midroll42:45     How to Clean Whitening Trays Properly50:02     A3.5 to B1 in Three Weeks: A Case Walkthrough56:16     Tooth Porosity and the 45-Degree Recline Rule1:02:09   Whitening Top-Ups and the Five-Year Guarantee1:06:49   How to Price Teeth Whitening and Let Patients Pick the Shade1:07:45   OUTRO1:12:56   What's Coming in Part 2Start Offering Trayless Whitening for Your OfficeUK Dentists:In the UK you need the Get2Smile Kit which is 6% formulation applied twice daily for 30 minutes.Head to directoralcare.com and register for a free professional account. Approval unlocks the full shop, pricing, offers and their upcoming educational courses.At checkout, use code: DOCSUMMER20The Trayless whitening system is called Get2Smile.International Dentists wishing to offer Get2Smile, please enquire from Dr Chan's website. The international version uses 10% formulation applied for 15 minutes, twice daily.📌 Want to learn directly from Dr Wyman Chan? Join him for Redefining Early Caries Management and Aesthetic Dentistry in Shanghai, China, on 20–21 October 2026.Join Dr Wyman Chan for an exciting event focused on redefining the management of dental plaque-induced oral diseases.The session will include a live lecture, clinical demonstration, and the opportunity to take part in practical, hands-on training. Dr Wyman Chan will be joined by Dr Niki Shah and Dr Elvis Law, who will also showcase their clinical cases.Want more?If you enjoyed this episode, check out: MAGIC Teeth Whitening with Dr. Wyman Chan – PDP245 — Wyman’s first Protrusive episode, covering whitening myths, sensitivity, and whether in-office lights do anything at all.Tags#PDPMainEpisodes Listen, Subscribe, Earn CPDListen: Subscribe to the Protrusive Dental Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.This episode is eligible for 1 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance.This episode meets GDC Outcomes C.AGD Subject Code: 780 Esthetics/Cosmetic Dentis...

Your patient brushes well, avoids sweets — and still keeps getting decay. What if the answer isn’t in their mouth at all?What if two inexpensive finger-prick tests told you more about a patient’s gum disease and implant prognosis than anything on the radiograph?And here’s the uncomfortable one: if the science is this clear, is not checking starting to look like a medico-legal risk? Especially for imlpant surgery!This is a conversation with Dr Tif Qureshi— the dentist who changed how the profession thinks about the lifelong patient, the envelope of function, and Align, Bleach, Bond. He’s gone down a new rabbit hole: metabolic health. In general practice he’s now doing blood tests — HbA1c and vitamin D — and making the case that the mouth isn’t connected to the body, it is the body. This isn’t about becoming a “biological dentist” (as you’ll hear, Tif is refreshingly blunt about the wilder end of that world). It’s about respecting the biology, screening sensibly, and helping patients where we’re genuinely placed to help. https://youtu.be/mt1MXLFCTp0 Watch PDP275 on YouTubeProtrusive Dental Pearl: Test Yourself FirstBefore you even think about introducing blood tests for your patients, ask whether you’re checking your own biomarkers at a sensible interval. The deepest way to understand this topic is to learn it on yourself and your family first — run your own HbA1c, vitamin D, iron, and liver and kidney markers, and see what the data tells you.Start quarterly, like hygienist visits, then stretch to six-monthly or annual once things look good. Getting invested in your own numbers is what makes better food and lifestyle choices actually stick — and it’s the honest starting point for ever offering this to a patient.What You’ll Take From This EpisodeThe metabolic lens — why one disordered glucose-and-insulin system sits under so much chronic and dental disease, and why dentistry is well placed to act on it.Sugar, redefined — why patients who avoid sweets still get decay, and how frequency of starchy carbs drives the problem.The two biomarkers that matter most — what HbA1c and vitamin D each tell you about caries, perio and healing.How to run it in practice — finger-prick logistics, what to test, and how to raise it on the medical history form.The medico-legal case — why documenting these markers can protect you before implant, graft and perio work.Highlights of This Episode00:00  Why Dentists Should Care About Blood Tests06:00  Metabolic Disease: The Root Cause Dentists Miss13:00  Why Starchy Carbs Cause Decay, Not Just Sugar15:50  HbA1c and Caries: What the SHIP Study Shows21:00  Insulin Resistance: The Hidden Driver of Gum Disease26:00  How to Talk to Patients About Diet Without Scaring Them31:00  Why Vitamin D Deserves a Place in Dentistry34:00  Vitamin D, Implant Failure and Perio Risk37:00  Blood Tests as Medico-Legal Defence42:00  What Dentists Should Test: HbA1c and Vitamin D44:00  How In-Practice Blood Testing Actually Works50:00  The Mouth Is the Body: Screening, Not Diagnosing51:00  Is This Biological Dentistry? An Honest Answer57:00  How to Learn Blood Testing for Your PracticeFrom the GuestDr Tif Qureshi qualified from King’s College London in 1992 and is a Past President of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. He is Founder and Clinical Director of IAS Academy, best known for pioneering Align, Bleach, Bond and Progressive Smile Design, and as a teacher of the Dahl concept. His current focus is metabolic health in general practice.👉  IAS Academy — Align, Bleach, Bond, the Dahl concept, and blood-testing / metabolic health trainingComing soon: Join Dr. Tif in one-day metabolic health programme. He has spent years connecting the dots between what’s happening in the mouth and what’s happening in the body. The results are undeniable: better outcomes, stronger case acceptance, and a rock-solid medico-legal position.This one-day course will change the way you practise. For good.👉Metabolic Health in DentistryReferences & Further ReadingStudies and sources referenced in this episode:Song I-S, et al. Severe Periodontitis Is Associated with Insulin Resistance in Non-abdominal Obese Adults. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2016;101(11):4251–4259. Insulin resistance as an independent risk factor for severe perio in normal-weight adults.Botelho J, et al. Vitamin D Deficiency and Oral Health: A Comprehensive Review. Nutrients, 2020;12(5):1471. Vitamin D across caries, periodontitis, orthodontic and surgical outcomes.Schmolinsky J, Kocher T, Rathmann W, Völzke H, Pink C, Holtfreter B. Diabetes status affects long-term changes in coronal caries – The SHIP Study. Sci Rep. 2019 Oct 30;9(1):15685. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-51086-z. PMID: 31666549; PMCID: PMC6821733.Want more?If you enjoyed this episode, check out: Why do some Dentists find Dahl Distasteful? – PDP016. #PDPMainEpisodes #BeyondDentistry #CommunicationListen, Subscribe, Earn CPDListen: Subscribe to the Protrusive Dental Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.This episode is eligible for 1.0 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance.This episode meets GDC Outcomes C and A.AGD Subject Code: 730 Oral Medicine, Oral Diagnosis, Oral PathologyAim & Learning OutcomesAim: To help dental practitioners understand the link between metabolic health and oral disease, and to evaluate whether simple in-practice biomarker screening has a place in their care of patients.Learning Outcomes — by the end of this episode, dentists will be able to:Describe how disordered glucose and insulin metabolism relates to caries, periodontal disease and healing outcomes, and explain what HbA1c and vitamin D each indicate.Apply a structured, non-alarmist approach to discussing diet and biomarker screening with patients, within the professional boundary of screening rather than diagnosing or prescribing.Evaluate the clinical and medico-legal case for documenting relevant biomarkers before periodontal and surgical treatment, and identify when to refer to a medical colleague.

Filling, stainless steel crown, pulpotomy or extraction — how do you actually decide on a deciduous tooth?Why is the lower first primary molar the one that always seems to flare up?When should you reach for silver diamine fluoride instead of the drill — and when is a child’s cooperation telling you to change the plan entirely?And how do you actually do a pulpotomy, step by step, without it blowing up under the crown?This is a paediatric dentistry masterclass with Dr Nidhi Kotak— “The Baby Tooth Dentist,”. It’s built for the general dentist who treats children and wants clearer rules: when to fill versus crown, how to read the radiograph, silver diamine fluoride, local anaesthetic and behaviour guidance, isolation, and a full pulpotomy and stainless steel crown technique. The through-line is simple — in children you decide fast, protect the airway, and treat for predictability rather than heroics. https://youtu.be/3OscfwF7SIQ Watch PDP274 on YouTubeProtrusive Dental Pearl: Strategic FlexibilityYou cannot be rigid when treating children. The mindset shift is to stop asking “what should be done for this child?” and start asking “what can be done for this child?” With children you have to be fast and efficient, and curveballs are constant — sometimes the parent is harder to manage than the child. So the plan has to bend.The worked example: you planned a conventional prepped stainless steel crown, but cooperation drops mid-appointment. Rather than abandon the visit, switch to a no-prep whole-crown approach and protect the tooth anyway. It stays in the child’s best interest — and it’s far kinder to your own mental health. It’s a mindset worth carrying into all of dentistry, not just children’s.What You’ll Take From This EpisodeWhen to fill vs crown — the surface rule for baby molars, why crowns are so predictable in children, and where composites still work.The “D” devil tooth — why the lower first primary molar flares up, and why mesial caries on a D is an automatic crown.Pulpotomy indications — the signs that say vital pulpotomy, the ones that say extraction, and why a pulp exposure in a primary tooth is an automatic pulpotomy.SDF, sedation and isolation — arresting decay without drilling, matching sedation to the child, and protecting the airway.The pulpotomy technique — a full step-by-step from caries removal to cementing the stainless steel crown, including the modern medicament choice.Highlights of This Episode00:00  TEASER00:59  Pediatric Dentistry for GDPs: The Strategic Flexibility Mindset07:24  Why GDPs Struggle Treating Children08:19  When to Fill vs When to Crown a Baby Tooth12:18  Class II vs Stainless Steel Crown: The Surface Rule13:41  Reading Pediatric Radiographs & When to Take Bitewings19:15  SDF vs Fluoride Varnish: When to Use Each22:37  Resin Infiltration (Icon) for Children’s Teeth25:15  Pulpotomy in Primary Teeth: When It’s Indicated26:19  The “D” Devil Tooth: Why Mesial Caries Means a Crown27:31  Hall Crowns and the Modified Whole Crown Technique27:48  Midroll38:39  Local Anaesthetic & Behaviour Guidance in Children40:38  Sedation Options: Oral, Nitrous & Intranasal46:22  Rubber Dam vs Isolite: Isolation for Kids48:59  How to Do a Pulpotomy: Step-by-Step Technique58:03  OUTRODr Nidhi Kotak is a dual US and Canadian board-certified paediatric dentist — a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and a Fellow of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada. Follow Dr. Nidhi for more paediatric dentistry tips 👉  @babytoothdentist on InstagramWant more?If you enjoyed this episode, check out: Zirconia vs Metal Hall Crowns vs Conventional with Dr Tim Keys – PDP227#PDPMainEpisodes #EndoRestorativeListen, Subscribe, Earn CPDListen: Subscribe to the Protrusive Dental Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.This episode is eligible for 1.0 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance.This episode meets GDC Outcomes C AGD Subject Code: 430 Pediatric Dentistry.Aim & Learning OutcomesAim: To give dental practitioners a clear, decision-led approach to restorative paediatric dentistry — how to choose between filling, crowning, pulpotomy and extraction, how to manage caries conservatively, and how to carry out a pulpotomy and stainless steel crown safely.Learning Outcomes — by the end of this episode, dentists will be able to:Differentiate the presentations that indicate a direct restoration, a stainless steel crown, a vital pulpotomy, or an extraction in the primary dentition, using clinical and radiographic findings.Describe minimally invasive and behaviour-management options in children — silver diamine fluoride, fluoride varnish, resin infiltration, local anaesthesia, sedation and isolation — and select them appropriately for the individual child.Apply a step-by-step technique for a vital pulpotomy and stainless steel crown in a primary molar, including the current choice of medicament and cementation.

How good is your consent for orthodontics — really?More adults are having ortho, and more GDPs are providing it. So which risks should you be discussing with every single patient — and which ones depend on the person in the chair?When a case is heading for a big overjet or a tricky rotation, is that a conversation you have at the start, or one you scramble to explain halfway through?And what actually makes a consent form legally valid — the signature, or everything around it?This episode brings together two perspectives you don’t often hear in the same room. Dr Zaid Esmailis a specialist orthodontist and founder of the Online Orthodontic Academy, who mentors GDPs through fixed and aligner cases. Dr Neel Jaiswal returns for the dento-legal view — he’s a dentist and the founder of Professional Dental Indemnity (PDI). Together with Jaz, they get very specific about what individualised consent looks like in practice, and how to build a process your patients remember and a court respects. https://youtu.be/YvsiIiX1Q1w Watch PDP273 on YouTubeProtrusive Dental Pearl: Make Your Patient Feel UniqueIt might be your 100th, 500th or 1,000th case — but for the patient in the chair, this is a significant event. Never forget that. A routine extraction is routine for you; for them it’s a big deal, and remembering that makes you a better communicator.To make a specific risk stick, make the patient feel unique. Point to their OPG: “Your sinus here is actually really interesting,” or “Did you know your roots are unusually long?” Patients remember a risk framed as if they’re a special case far better than a generic warning. Make it personal, and the consent becomes memorable.What You’ll Take From This EpisodeThe whole episode turns on one idea: generic, templated consent is no longer defensible — the skill is individualising the form to the patient in front of you. Premium members get the full breakdown; here’s the shape:The layers of valid consent — consent is like an onion; a signed form and a documented conversation each cover a gap the other leaves open.Individualising risk from the records — how the OPG and photos turn a generic warning (resorption, devitalisation, recession, relapse) into a patient-specific one.The two-appointment consent flow — records, individualised risks, thinking time, and why you sign or initial every line.The Class II Div 2 overjet trap — the case that looks like simple crowding and ends in a big overjet, and how to consent for it before you start.When to treat, add an option, or refer — the GDC line on offering all options, and building alternatives into the form.Highlights of This Episode:00:00  Teaser01:01  Consent in Orthodontics: Why It Has to Be Individualised02:59  Protrusive Dental Pearl: Make Your Patient Feel Unique07:58  What Makes Orthodontic Consent Different10:08  How Much Ortho Litigation Comes From Consent?11:53  What Makes Consent Valid and Patient-Specific12:26  Individualising Ortho Risk from the OPG13:11  Using the ClinCheck as a Consent Tool14:40  How to Structure the Consent Appointment15:30  Root Resorption, Devitalisation, Recession and Relapse19:37  Should You Initial Every Line of a Consent Form?21:50  Midroll27:11  Building a Multi-Layered Consent Process29:31  Consenting for Fees, Relapse and Retainers34:41  The Class II Div 2 Overjet Trap37:51  When Should a GDP Refer an Ortho Case?40:31  How to Learn Orthodontics with Mentorship47:01  OutroDr Zaid Esmail is a specialist orthodontist. He founded the Online Orthodontic Academy to teach GDPs orthodontics — assessment, diagnosis and treatment planning across fixed appliances and aligners — with one-to-one case mentorship. He’s extended a 10% discount to the community with the code PROTRUSIVE.👉  Online Orthodontic Academy — online ortho mentorship, fixed & aligners, Level 7 DiplomaDr Neel Jaiswal returned for the dento-legal perspective. He’s a dentist and the founder of Professional Dental Indemnity (PDI), which introduces dentists to insurance-based indemnity cover.Request a Quote for Insurance and Get £100 off👉  Professional Dental Indemnity (PDI) — insurance-based dental indemnityWant more?If you enjoyed this episode, check out: Consent Is Like An Onion – Are You Consenting Your Patients Correctly? – PDP113Tags#PDPMainEpisodes #OrthoRestorative #Communication Listen, Subscribe, Earn CPDListen: Subscribe to the Protrusive Dental Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.This episode is eligible for 0.5 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance.This episode meets GDC Outcomes AAGD Subject Code: 565 Documentation & Risk Management Aim & Learning OutcomesAim: To help dental practitioners obtain valid, individualised consent for orthodontic treatment — identifying the risks that apply to every patient, tailoring them to the individual, and structuring a consent process that is both comprehensible to the patient and defensible in law.Learning Outcomes — by the end of this episode, dentists will be able to:Describe the elements that make orthodontic consent valid and patient-specific, including the material-risk standard and the role of reasonable alternative treatments.Apply a structured, multi-layered consent process — individualising risk from the clinical records and documenting the discussion — to an individual orthodontic patient.Identify the case types and clinical situations that warrant additional consent, an alternative option, or onward referral to a specialist.

Ever fancied teaching dental students part time… but no real idea how you’d actually get in? Are you the kind of person teaching would energise — or quietly drain? Is a PGCert in dental education actually worth it, or just wishy-washy theory? And the honest question nobody asks out loud: does it pay anything? This is an Interference Cast — the non-clinical arm of the podcast — with Dr Rima Hussain, a general dentist who teaches restorative dentistry to undergraduates at King’s a couple of days a week. It’s a candid look at what a career in dental education actually involves: how to get in, who thrives and who burns out, what the work is really like, and the honest truth about the pay and the rewards. The bigger theme: dentistry is a career you can mould in endless directions — and for the right person, teaching is one of the most energising of them. https://youtu.be/DzmcM-SbD68 Watch IC076 on YouTube What You’ll Take From This Episode The full self-assessment and the step-by-step route into a teaching role are in the Premium Notes. Here’s the shape of what we cover: Are you built for the classroom? — the two-camp self-check (energised vs drained) that predicts whether teaching will recharge you or wear you down. How to actually land a role — the ‘BDJ Jobs’ plus pick-up-the-phone route, and why “who you know” so often cuts through the application process. Relatability as a strength — why being closer to a student’s level can beat decades of experience for an absolute beginner. Back to basics — the “monkey see, monkey do” risk from YouTube and AI, and what the tutor’s real job becomes. The honest pay-and-balance picture — why you don’t do it for the money, what you do get, and how teaching and practice keep each other fresh. Highlights of This Episode 00:00  Teaser 01:08  Should You Teach Dentistry? How to Know If It’s for You 04:39  How a General Dentist Gets Into Dental Education 06:15  Signs You’re Suited to Teaching Dentistry 08:52  Is a PGCert in Dental Education Worth It? 12:07  How to Land a Clinical Teaching Post at a Dental School 14:38  Why a Relatable Tutor Beats Decades of Experience 16:52  How Dental Students Have Changed Since COVID 19:20  Is Social Media and AI Helping or Hurting Dental Students? 21:55  Midroll 26:43  Why “Back to Basics” Beats Chasing Advanced Techniques 29:20  How to Get a Teaching (or Associate) Job: Pick Up the Phone 31:50  Why Dental Tutors Quit After Six Months 36:29  The Most Rewarding Part of Teaching Dentistry 38:46  Teaching, Practice and Pay: How to Avoid Burnout 44:39  Outro From the Guest Dr Rima Hussain is a general dentist who also teaches restorative (conservative) dentistry to undergraduates at King’s College London — a route she fell into via tutoring as a teenager and has been in since 2019. Her advice for anyone curious: you’re probably already teaching in some form, so try it; the worst case is you find it isn’t for you. 👉  Reach Rima on Instagram References & Further Reading Mentioned in this episode: Rath T. StrengthsFinder 2.0. Gallup Press, 2007. The strengths-assessment book referenced for the “Learner” theme and the idea of building your career around your natural strengths. “Learner” is one of its 34 themes; the assessment is now delivered as CliftonStrengths. BDJ Jobs. The British Dental Journal jobs board where clinical tutor and academic posts are advertised, usually with short application windows. Want more? If you enjoyed this episode, check out: 2 Years Out of Dental School – Insights for New Grads – IC066 #InterferenceCast #CareerDevelopment #BeyondDentistry Listen, Subscribe, Earn CPD This episode is eligible for 0.5 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance. This episode meets GDC Outcomes B  AGD Subject Code: 770 Self-Improvement  Aim & Learning Outcomes Aim: To help dentists evaluate a part-time career in dental education — what the role involves, how to obtain one, and how to sustain it alongside clinical practice. Learning Outcomes — by the end of this episode, dentists will be able to: Identify the personal attributes and expectations that distinguish dentists who thrive in clinical teaching from those who do not. Describe the practical routes into a dental-school teaching post, including where posts are advertised and how a direct, proactive approach can work. Recognise the workload, financial and work-life-balance realities of part-time teaching, and strategies to avoid burnout while balancing teaching and practice.

Ever fancied teaching dental students part time… but no real idea how you’d actually get in?Are you the kind of person teaching would energise — or quietly drain?Is a PGCert in dental education actually worth it, or just wishy-washy theory?And the honest question nobody asks out loud: does it pay anything?This is an Interference Cast — the non-clinical arm of the podcast — with Dr Rima Hussain, a general dentist who teaches restorative dentistry to undergraduates at King’s a couple of days a week. It’s a candid look at what a career in dental education actually involves: how to get in, who thrives and who burns out, what the work is really like, and the honest truth about the pay and the rewards. The bigger theme: dentistry is a career you can mould in endless directions — and for the right person, teaching is one of the most energising of them. https://youtu.be/DzmcM-SbD68 Watch IC076 on YouTubeWhat You’ll Take From This EpisodeThe full self-assessment and the step-by-step route into a teaching role are in the Premium Notes. Here’s the shape of what we cover:Are you built for the classroom? — the two-camp self-check (energised vs drained) that predicts whether teaching will recharge you or wear you down.How to actually land a role — the ‘BDJ Jobs’ plus pick-up-the-phone route, and why “who you know” so often cuts through the application process.Relatability as a strength — why being closer to a student’s level can beat decades of experience for an absolute beginner.Back to basics — the “monkey see, monkey do” risk from YouTube and AI, and what the tutor’s real job becomes.The honest pay-and-balance picture — why you don’t do it for the money, what you do get, and how teaching and practice keep each other fresh.Highlights of This Episode00:00  Teaser01:08  Should You Teach Dentistry? How to Know If It’s for You04:39  How a General Dentist Gets Into Dental Education06:15  Signs You’re Suited to Teaching Dentistry08:52  Is a PGCert in Dental Education Worth It?12:07  How to Land a Clinical Teaching Post at a Dental School14:38  Why a Relatable Tutor Beats Decades of Experience16:52  How Dental Students Have Changed Since COVID19:20  Is Social Media and AI Helping or Hurting Dental Students?21:55  Midroll26:43  Why “Back to Basics” Beats Chasing Advanced Techniques29:20  How to Get a Teaching (or Associate) Job: Pick Up the Phone31:50  Why Dental Tutors Quit After Six Months36:29  The Most Rewarding Part of Teaching Dentistry38:46  Teaching, Practice and Pay: How to Avoid Burnout44:39  OutroFrom the GuestDr Rima Hussain is a general dentist who also teaches restorative (conservative) dentistry to undergraduates at King’s College London — a route she fell into via tutoring as a teenager and has been in since 2019. Her advice for anyone curious: you’re probably already teaching in some form, so try it; the worst case is you find it isn’t for you.👉  Reach Rima on InstagramReferences & Further ReadingMentioned in this episode:Rath T. StrengthsFinder 2.0. Gallup Press, 2007. The strengths-assessment book referenced for the “Learner” theme and the idea of building your career around your natural strengths. “Learner” is one of its 34 themes; the assessment is now delivered as CliftonStrengths.BDJ Jobs.The British Dental Journal jobs board where clinical tutor and academic posts are advertised, usually with short application windows.Want more?If you enjoyed this episode, check out: 2 Years Out of Dental School – Insights for New Grads – IC066#InterferenceCast #CareerDevelopment #BeyondDentistryListen, Subscribe, Earn CPDThis episode is eligible for 0.5 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance.This episode meets GDC Outcomes B AGD Subject Code: 770 Self-Improvement Aim & Learning OutcomesAim: To help dentists evaluate a part-time career in dental education — what the role involves, how to obtain one, and how to sustain it alongside clinical practice.Learning Outcomes — by the end of this episode, dentists will be able to:Identify the personal attributes and expectations that distinguish dentists who thrive in clinical teaching from those who do not.Describe the practical routes into a dental-school teaching post, including where posts are advertised and how a direct, proactive approach can work.Recognise the workload, financial and work-life-balance realities of part-time teaching, and strategies to avoid burnout while balancing teaching and practice.

Sleep, Airway and Mouth Breathing: An ENT’s Guide for DentistsCould a “normal” sleep study still be missing your patient’s airway problem?Why do women and children with real symptoms keep scoring “mild”?Should a mouth-breathing child see a myofunctional therapist — or an ENT first?And which four questions screen a child for sleep problems in under a minute?The roof of the mouth is the floor of the nose — so ENT and dentistry should be in constant dialogue. In practice, they rarely are. In this one, Dr David McIntosh— an Australian ear, nose and throat surgeon with a deep niche in sleep-disordered breathing — makes the case for why that has to change, and gives dentists practical ways to screen and refer. He is direct, analogy-rich and doesn’t mince words; expect a few positions that cut against the grain of how sleep apnoea is usually handled. https://youtu.be/QVEc0ocxTCc Watch PDP272 on YouTubeProtrusive Dental Pearl: When the Numbers MisleadDentists love data — the AHI, the cut-offs (over 5 is mild, over 30 is severe). But take those numbers with a pinch of salt: the thresholds are arbitrary, and a single score tells you nothing about why a patient has the problem.They don’t account for individual variability — especially in women and children, where a mild score can sit right alongside significant symptoms. Read the number with the anatomy and the phenotype — the clinical signs and the airway assessment — never instead of them.What You’ll Take From This EpisodeThis conversation reframes sleep-disordered breathing from a number on a report into something you can localise and refer. A sleep study tells you IF, not WHY — sleep-disordered breathing is the whole spectrum; a normal study doesn’t mean normal breathing.Phenotyping the airway — map the individual anatomical causes instead of trusting a single score.Why women get missed — the gender bias built into standard adult screening tools, and what to ask instead.The four-question filter for children — snore, mouth breathe, stop breathing, wake up tired: any ‘yes’ means refer.Treat the cause before the function — why myofunctional therapy comes after the obstruction is cleared, not before, and how expansion and surgery are matched to the anatomy.Highlights of This Episode00:00  Teaser01:00  Why ENT and Dentistry Should Be Talking02:51  Protrusive Dental Pearl: When Sleep Data Misleads You03:46  Meet the ENT Who Works With Dentists06:00  Sleep Physician, ENT or Dentist: Who Should Lead?07:26  Why Children and Adults Are Completely Different08:58  Sleep-Disordered Breathing Is Not the Same as Sleep Apnoea09:39  Why a Normal Sleep Study Doesn’t Mean Normal Breathing10:01  Same AHI, Different Cause: A Tale of Two Patients12:54  Why One Night’s Sleep Study Isn’t Enough13:44  Where the AHI Cut-Off Numbers Really Came From15:27  CPAP Explained: A Bridge, Not a Cure18:27  When Snoring Hides Something Serious19:10  What Phenotyping the Airway Actually Means20:27  Splint, CPAP, or Both?21:33  Why a CBCT Can Miss a Deviated Septum25:32  Is STOP-Bang Enough to Screen for Sleep Apnoea?26:06  Why the Epworth Sleepiness Scale Is a Blunt Tool26:50  Why STOP-Bang Is Biased Against Women31:17  Sleep Apnoea in Women: Mild on Paper, Severe in Life32:05  Midroll36:56  The Triad: Airway, TMD and Orthodontics37:12  The Three Most Common Causes of Night-Time Grinding39:41  The Four Questions That Screen a Child for Sleep Problems41:03  Tired vs Not Tired: The Sign That Changes Everything43:36  Should You Refer to Myofunctional Therapy Before an ENT?45:58  The Hidden Dangers of Forcing Nasal Breathing52:28  Maxillary Expansion vs Surgery: Which One Fixes It?54:51  How Dentists Can Assess Adenoids56:25  Save the Child First: The Drowning Analogy57:56  Where Dentistry and ENT Go From Here1:00:05  Outro – New-Look Premium Notes & CPD OutroFrom the GuestDr David McIntosh is an ear, nose and throat surgeon (MBBS, FRACS, PhD) with a special interest in sleep-disordered breathing and airway obstruction. A self-described compulsive educator, he is the author of several books on Amazon — including dENTal health, on the connection between ENT and dental disease, and Snored to Death, on the lesser-recognised causes of obstructive sleep apnoea in adults.References & Further ReadingSources discussed in this episode:Chervin RD, Hedger K, Dillon JE, Pituch KJ. Pediatric sleep questionnaire (PSQ): validity and reliability of scales for sleep-disordered breathing, snoring, sleepiness, and behavioral problems. Sleep Medicine, 2000;1(1):21–32. The 22-item PSQ; a score above 0.33 suggests sleep-disordered breathing.Loved This Episode? Try NextAirway Dentistry with Jeff Rouse – PDP229Listen, Subscribe, Earn CPDThis episode is eligible for 1 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance.This episode meets GDC Outcomes CAGD Subject Code: 730 – Oral Medicine, Oral Diagnosis, Oral Pathology (Sleep medicine)#PDPMainEpisodes #OralSurgeryandOralMedicineAim & Learning OutcomesAim: To help dental practitioners recognise sleep-disordered breathing across the whole airway, screen adults and children appropriately, and refer at the right time and to the right clinician.Learning Outcomes — by the end of this episode, dentists will be able to:Differentiate sleep-disordered breathing from obstructive sleep apnoea, and explain why a normal sleep study does not exclude clinically significant breathing problems.Apply a structured screening approach for adults and children, including recognising why standard adult tools under-detect sleep-disordered breathing in women and children.Evaluate when to refer for specialist airway assessment, and articulate why addressing anatomical obstruction should precede functional (myofunctional) therapy.

The most important part of your surgery isn’t plugged in, mounted, or calibrated. It’s the person standing beside you.Have you ever dreaded walking into a beautiful practice with lovely patients — purely because of who you share the surgery with?What do you actually do, in the moment, when your assistant rolls their eyes at a request for rubber dam?And should you be friends with your assistant at all — or does that cross a line you’ll regret?This is an Interference Cast — a non-clinical but deeply practical episode — with Dr. Sarah Braun, a dentist in Australia and a fellow Protrusive Guidance member who DM’d to suggest this very topic. No course, no book, nothing to sell: just two clinicians comparing notes (and the odd scar) on the one relationship that quietly shapes your whole working life. It sits inside this month’s theme of the relationships that support your career. https://youtu.be/OyztRyPpcHM Watch IC075 on YouTubeWhat You’ll Take From This EpisodeThe full breakdown is in the Premium Notes; here’s the shape of the thinking that runs through the episode:Engagement is the whole game — the assistant relationship sets the mood of the room, the patient’s experience, and whether good people stay.Speak their language — appreciation only lands if it’s delivered in the form that particular person actually values.Appreciation is a verb — specific, named praise lands far harder than a vague “good job.”Let them, let me — you don’t control how someone reacts in the moment; you only control your response to it.Lead the room — dentistry is a performance, and the room takes its emotional cue from whoever is leading it.Highlights of this episode:00:00 TEASER01:13 Why This One Relationship Can Make or Break You03:49 A Non-Clinical Interference Cast: What to Expect04:47 Meet the Guest: Nine Years In, City to Country07:01 A Week in Private Practice09:15 How Much Does the Dentist–Assistant Relationship Matter?11:01 Engagement at Work: The Gallup Lens12:30 People Remember How You Made Them Feel14:21 When the Relationship Turns Toxic15:23 The Power Imbalance You Might Not See18:11 The First-Day Conversation20:52 Keeping Your Assistant Engaged22:23 Specific Praise Beats a Vague “Good Job”23:55 Midroll27:37 You Can Only Control Yourself29:34 The Eye-Roll Moment: Let Them, Let Me31:23 Off Days vs Patterns32:12 Appreciation, Gifting & Speaking Their Language35:32 Run the Relationship Like It Matters36:48 Friends With Your Assistant, or Keep Your Distance?39:08 A Best Friend at Work: The Engagement Link41:15 Advice for New Grads: Start With Time Management44:26 Teaching as a Tool: Show Your Working Out48:05 Wrap-Up & a Healthy Debate48:37 CPD Outro & the Protrusive VaultReferences & Further Reading:Sources and further reading from this episode:Chapman G. The Five Love Languages. Northfield Publishing, 1992. The five ways people give and receive appreciation — words of affirmation, quality time, acts of service, receiving gifts, and physical touch — applied here to the dentist–assistant relationship.Robbins M, Robbins S. The Let Them Theory. Hay House, 2024. The “let them / let me” reframe for releasing what you can’t control and owning your own response.Rath T. StrengthsFinder 2.0. Gallup Press, 2007. The CliftonStrengths assessment; “Learner” is one of its talent themes, referenced in the discussion of teaching as a way to engage your assistant.Gallup employee-engagement research. The Gallup Q12 engagement survey (including the validated “I have a best friend at work” item) and Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace reports. Source of the workforce-engagement framing in this episode. Exact figures vary by year — see Reviewer Note.Want more?If you enjoyed this episode, check out: How to Find a Mentor in 5 Seconds Flat! – IC058. #InterferenceCast #CareerDevelopment #Communication #BeyondDentistryListen, Subscribe, Earn CPD:This episode is eligible for 0.75 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance.This episode meets GDC Outcomes A and BAGD Subject Code: 550 Practice Management and Human RelationsAim & Learning Outcomes:Aim: To help dental practitioners understand and strengthen the working relationship between dentist and dental assistant — recognising its impact on team engagement, patient experience and personal job satisfaction, and building practical habits to improve it.Learning Outcomes — by the end of this episode, dentists will be able to:Explain how the working relationship between a dentist and a dental assistant affects team engagement, the patient experience, and clinician wellbeing.Identify practical strategies for communicating appreciation and recognition in ways suited to the individual, and for involving an assistant according to their preferences.Apply self-management and emotional-regulation approaches to leading the surgery and responding constructively to interpersonal friction.

Is rotary really better than reciprocating?Can you safely skip the glide path with modern reciprocating systems?What is the best file system for a GDP who wants predictable endodontic results?And perhaps the biggest question of all: does the file system matter as much as we think it does?In Part 2 of the Endo Showdown, Dr Samuel Johnson returns to tackle some of the most common questions dentists have about file systems, glide path preparation, retreatment, and endodontic workflow. From practical negotiation tips to choosing a system that works in your hands, this episode focuses on the decisions that can make endodontics simpler, safer, and more predictable. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onZMR-872HQ Watch PDP271 on YouTubeProtrusive Dental PearlCut your gutta-percha at the level of the canal orifice and thoroughly clean the pulp chamber before placing the coronal restoration.⚠️ Leaving gutta-percha and sealer coronally can compromise the coronal seal and promote leakage.✅ Use isopropyl alcohol to clean resin-based sealer residue before bonding. Water is effective for cleaning bioceramic sealers.Key TakeawaysEstablish a glide path before shaping whenever possible.D-Finders can negotiate difficult canals more predictably than traditional K-files.Intermediate files such as size 12 or 12.5 can help bridge the jump from size 10 to size 15.Straight-line access reduces file binding and improves shaping efficiency.Avoid forcing glide path files to working length.Gates Glidden drills may be unnecessarily aggressive for routine coronal flaring.Consistency with one file system is often more important than chasing the latest product.WaveOne Gold remains a simple and user-friendly option for many GDPs.Rotary and reciprocating systems can both achieve successful outcomes when used appropriately.A good glide path is often more important than the type of motion being used.Hand files and Hedström files remain valuable during retreatment.Mechanical GP removal near the apex increases the risk of extrusion.Solvents are best reserved for residual gutta-percha rather than used at the start of retreatment.Understanding motor settings, torque, and RPM improves file safety and efficiency.Knowing when to refer is a sign of clinical maturity, not weakness.Clear consent and expectation management reduce stress for both clinician and patient.Highlights of this episode: 00:00 Teaser01:09 Introduction02:15 Protrusive Dental Pearl: Coronal GP Removal & Pulp Chamber Clean-Up03:59 Glide Path File Protocol & Canal Negotiation06:24 Access Cavity Design & Coronal Flaring in RCT08:38 File Taper & Canal Preparation Philosophy09:54 Managing Difficult Canals in Endodontic Treatment11:48 When to Introduce the Glide Path File13:24 Using Intermediate File Sizes15:39 Useful Negotiation & Shaping Tips17:19 Choosing a File System20:19 Rotary vs Reciprocating in Clinical Practice21:29 Motor Settings & File Control21:40 XP-Endo & Specialised File Designs22:05 Endo Motor Ads24:44 XP-Endo & Specialised File Designs25:16 Retreatment Files & GP Removal26:08 Preferred Gutta-Percha Removal31:21 Recommended System for Simplicity32: 44 Building Skills Faster in Endodontics36:13 Consent & Managing Expectations41:51 Reciproc vs WaveOne Gold42:22 Preferred Retreatment Protocol43:33 Using Rotary Files in Reciprocation45:12 Curved Canals & Shaping Efficiency46:32 Can Reciproc Blue Bypass the Glide Path?49:29 OutroWant more?Check out the previous episode with Dr. Samuel Johnson: Working Lengths and Troubleshooting Apex Locators – PDP216🦷 Looking for an endomotor?Upgrade your endodontic workflow with the Woodpecker Endo Radar Pro. Head to protrusive.co.uk/endomotor and use coupon code PROTRUSIVE at checkout to claim an exclusive discount and your choice of complimentary file system.🎁 Subscribe to Dr. Samuel Johnson’s amazing YouTube Channel: I Love The Pulp for more helpful endodontics tips and tricks. #PDPMainEpisodes #EndoRestorativeThis episode is eligible for 0.75 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance.This episode meets GDC Outcomes CAGD Subject Code: 070 – EndodonticsAim: To enhance clinicians’ understanding of glide path preparation, rotary and reciprocating instrumentation, canal negotiation, retreatment strategies, and risk management in contemporary endodontic practice.Dentists will be able to –Dentists will be able to evaluate the role of glide path preparation in improving shaping efficiency and reducing procedural errors.Dentists will be able to compare practical considerations when using rotary and reciprocating file systems.Dentists will be able to apply safe and predictable approaches to canal negotiation, retreatment, and clinical decision-making.

Rotary or reciprocating files — which should you actually be using? Is one safer than the other? Does reciprocation really reduce file separation? Are you choosing your system because it suits the canal anatomy, or because it is simply the one you were taught? Endodontic file systems can feel like a maze of brands, tapers, alloys, motions and marketing claims. But beneath all that noise, the real question is much more practical: what is your file doing inside the canal, and what compromise are you accepting? In this episode, Dr Samuel Johnson returns to unpack the Endo Showdown: rotary versus reciprocating files. We cover file motion, glide paths, shaping philosophy, NiTi metallurgy, cyclic fatigue, torsional fatigue, and why no system is perfect. https://youtu.be/HfWDBbNgjsA Watch PDP270 on YouTube Protrusive Dental Pearl A palliative root canal can be useful for an unrestorable tooth if disinfecting the canal allows infection to heal and natural bone to recover before extraction and future implant planning. ⚠️ Do not dismiss root canal treatment purely because the tooth is not a long-term functional restoration. ✅ Where appropriate, consider whether endodontic disinfection could improve the future implant site by allowing natural bone healing. Key Takeaways The purpose of shaping is not simply to scrape canal walls; it is to create space for irrigant flow. Irrigation is the most important part of root canal disinfection. Rotary files move in a continuous 360-degree rotation. Reciprocating files cut in one direction and reverse before excessive stress builds up. Modern reciprocation is designed to cut, release and gradually progress apically. File choice is not just about motion; metallurgy, taper, design and operator experience all matter. NiTi hand files with strong shape memory may be problematic in curved canals because they want to straighten. Martensitic heat-treated files are more flexible and can better follow canal curvature. Unwinding flutes are a warning sign that a file may be close to separation. Inspect files regularly during treatment, especially in curved, calcified or difficult canals. A glide path is essential before introducing larger rotary or reciprocating files. Without a glide path, a shaping file may create its own path, risking ledging, transportation or perforation. “Grabby” files pull themselves into the canal; this can be useful in experienced hands but risky if forced. Reciprocating systems can feel simpler and safer, but they are not foolproof. Cyclic fatigue happens when a file repeatedly bends around a curve until microcracks form. Torsional fatigue happens when part of the file binds while the motor continues to turn. Highlights of the episode: 00:00 Teaser 00:47 Introduction 02:13 Protrusive Dental Pearl: Palliative Root Canal Treatment 05:30 Main Question: Rotary vs Reciprocating Files 06:31 Hybrid File Motions 08:19 File Choice Is More Than Motion 10:26 Purpose of Shaping in Endodontics 11:10 Chemo-Mechanical Preparation 11:34 Rotary Motion in Root Canal Treatment 11:45 Origins of Reciprocation 12:21 Balanced Force Technique 18:00 NiTi K-Files vs Stainless Steel K-Files 22:37 Practical Advice: Inspect the File 23:40 Rotary Can Also Be a One File System 24:24 Reciprocation and Sense of Safety 24:47 “Grabby” Files 24:53 Midroll 33:54 Choosing Between Rotary and Reciprocating 35:20 Cyclic Fatigue 37:41 Endo Radar Pro Ads 40:20 Torque and RPM in Endodontics 41:41 Why Reciprocation Advances 42:56 Debris Extrusion in RCT 43:34 Benefits of Rotary Systems 44:13 Tactile Feedback in Root Canal Treatment 45:21 Outro Want more? Check out previous episode with Dr. Samuel Johnson: Working Lengths and Troubleshooting Apex Locators – PDP216 🦷 Looking for an endomotor? Upgrade your endodontic workflow with the Woodpecker Endo Radar Pro. Head to protrusive.co.uk/endomotor and use coupon code PROTRUSIVE at checkout to claim an exclusive discount and your choice of complimentary file system. #PDPMainEpisodes #EndoRestorative This episode is eligible for 0.5 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance. This episode meets GDC Outcomes CAGD Subject Code: 070 Endodontics Aim: To improve dentists’ understanding of rotary and reciprocating endodontic file systems, including file motion, glide path creation, file metallurgy, fatigue mechanisms, irrigation principles, and practical steps to reduce procedural risks. Dentists will be able to – Understand the clinical differences between rotary and reciprocating file motions and how these may influence endodontic workflow Recognise key risk factors for file separation, including cyclic fatigue, torsional fatigue, file distortion and inappropriate file use Apply practical principles around glide path creation, irrigation, file inspection and system selection in endodontic treatment

Rotary or reciprocating files — which should you actually be using?Is one safer than the other? Does reciprocation really reduce file separation? Are you choosing your system because it suits the canal anatomy, or because it is simply the one you were taught?Endodontic file systems can feel like a maze of brands, tapers, alloys, motions and marketing claims. But beneath all that noise, the real question is much more practical: what is your file doing inside the canal, and what compromise are you accepting?In this episode, Dr Samuel Johnson returns to unpack the Endo Showdown: rotary versus reciprocating files. We cover file motion, glide paths, shaping philosophy, NiTi metallurgy, cyclic fatigue, torsional fatigue, and why no system is perfect. https://youtu.be/HfWDBbNgjsA Watch PDP270 on YouTubeProtrusive Dental PearlA palliative root canal can be useful for an unrestorable tooth if disinfecting the canal allows infection to heal and natural bone to recover before extraction and future implant planning.⚠️ Do not dismiss root canal treatment purely because the tooth is not a long-term functional restoration.✅ Where appropriate, consider whether endodontic disinfection could improve the future implant site by allowing natural bone healing.Key TakeawaysThe purpose of shaping is not simply to scrape canal walls; it is to create space for irrigant flow.Irrigation is the most important part of root canal disinfection.Rotary files move in a continuous 360-degree rotation.Reciprocating files cut in one direction and reverse before excessive stress builds up.Modern reciprocation is designed to cut, release and gradually progress apically.File choice is not just about motion; metallurgy, taper, design and operator experience all matter.NiTi hand files with strong shape memory may be problematic in curved canals because they want to straighten.Martensitic heat-treated files are more flexible and can better follow canal curvature.Unwinding flutes are a warning sign that a file may be close to separation.Inspect files regularly during treatment, especially in curved, calcified or difficult canals.A glide path is essential before introducing larger rotary or reciprocating files.Without a glide path, a shaping file may create its own path, risking ledging, transportation or perforation.“Grabby” files pull themselves into the canal; this can be useful in experienced hands but risky if forced.Reciprocating systems can feel simpler and safer, but they are not foolproof.Cyclic fatigue happens when a file repeatedly bends around a curve until microcracks form.Torsional fatigue happens when part of the file binds while the motor continues to turn.Highlights of the episode:00:00 Teaser00:47 Introduction02:13 Protrusive Dental Pearl: Palliative Root Canal Treatment05:30 Main Question: Rotary vs Reciprocating Files06:31 Hybrid File Motions08:19 File Choice Is More Than Motion10:26 Purpose of Shaping in Endodontics11:10 Chemo-Mechanical Preparation11:34 Rotary Motion in Root Canal Treatment11:45 Origins of Reciprocation12:21 Balanced Force Technique18:00 NiTi K-Files vs Stainless Steel K-Files22:37 Practical Advice: Inspect the File23:40 Rotary Can Also Be a One File System24:24 Reciprocation and Sense of Safety24:47 “Grabby” Files24:53 Midroll33:54 Choosing Between Rotary and Reciprocating35:20 Cyclic Fatigue37:41 Endo Radar Pro Ads40:20 Torque and RPM in Endodontics41:41 Why Reciprocation Advances42:56 Debris Extrusion in RCT43:34 Benefits of Rotary Systems44:13 Tactile Feedback in Root Canal Treatment45:21 OutroWant more?Check out previous episode with Dr. Samuel Johnson: Working Lengths and Troubleshooting Apex Locators – PDP216🦷 Looking for an endomotor?Upgrade your endodontic workflow with the Woodpecker Endo Radar Pro. Head to protrusive.co.uk/endomotor and use coupon code PROTRUSIVE at checkout to claim an exclusive discount and your choice of complimentary file system.#PDPMainEpisodes #EndoRestorativeThis episode is eligible for 0.5 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance.This episode meets GDC Outcomes CAGD Subject Code: 070 EndodonticsAim: To improve dentists’ understanding of rotary and reciprocating endodontic file systems, including file motion, glide path creation, file metallurgy, fatigue mechanisms, irrigation principles, and practical steps to reduce procedural risks.Dentists will be able to –Understand the clinical differences between rotary and reciprocating file motions and how these may influence endodontic workflowRecognise key risk factors for file separation, including cyclic fatigue, torsional fatigue, file distortion and inappropriate file useApply practical principles around glide path creation, irrigation, file inspection and system selection in endodontic treatment

Should we still be drilling early caries lesions? Where do peptides, resin infiltration, fluoride varnish and SDF actually fit in modern practice? Is hydroxyapatite toothpaste a genuine alternative to fluoride, or just another dental trend? And when you see that suspicious grey occlusal shadow, do you seal it, explore it, or actively surveil it? In part two of this modern caries management episode, Jaz continues the conversation with Prof. Avijit Banerjee on minimal intervention dentistry. This episode moves beyond diagnosis and communication into the practical management of early and progressing caries lesions, including peptides, SDF, hydroxyapatite toothpaste, fissure sealing, xerostomia, root caries and selective caries removal. https://youtu.be/dGt7FW7C4N0 Watch PDP269 on YouTube Protrusive Dental Pearl Use the Contemporary Caries Management Implementation Pack as a chairside aid to turn the episode into daily clinical action. ⚠️ Learning the evidence is not enough if it never makes it into your patient conversations, risk assessment or treatment planning. ✅ Print it, laminate it, and use it to support communication, diagnosis, active surveillance and minimally invasive decision-making. Disclaimer: This is an educational resource produced by Team Protrusive, derived from the two-part Protrusive Dental Podcast episode featuring Prof. Avijit Banerjee. Its contents were not written, reviewed, or endorsed by Prof. Banerjee; they represent Team Protrusive’s own interpretation of the material discussed. It is intended as a practical summary and is not a substitute for primary sources. We strongly encourage all clinicians to consult the latest Clinical Practice Guidelines before making treatment decisions. Key Takeaways: Peptides are designed to infiltrate early enamel lesions and create a scaffold for mineral deposition. Peptide technologies still need minerals from saliva, toothpaste, mouthwash or other sources to work. Fluoride supports remineralisation; it acts more like the “mortar” than the “bricks”. Early E1 lesions are usually managed with prevention, fluoride, oral hygiene, diet control and biofilm control. Deeper enamel lesions, such as progressing E1 or E2 lesions, may be suitable for resin infiltration or peptide infiltration. SDF is better suited to cavitated lesions where arrest and stabilisation are needed. In the UK, SDF is licensed for dentine sensitivity, so caries arrest is an off-label use. SDF can be very useful for children, older adults, medically compromised patients and care-home patients. The main downside of conventional SDF is black staining, especially on anterior teeth. Hydroxyapatite toothpaste has more science behind it than charcoal-style fad toothpastes. Fluoride toothpaste remains the preferred baseline recommendation when patients are happy to use fluoride. A suspicious grey occlusal lesion should be assessed in the context of the patient’s overall caries risk. In selected cases, a tiny exploratory opening can act like a diagnostic biopsy. Sealing fissures on the same tooth being restored can be sensible when the fissure pattern is deep. For severe xerostomia and root caries risk, consider high-fluoride regimes, close recalls, trays or dentures as carriers for remineralising agents. YouTube Highlights: 00:00 Teaser 01:17 Introduction 02:17 Pearl: Caries Management Implementation Pack 05:54 What are Peptides? 14:42 SDF: Silver Diamine Fluoride 14:55 Early Enamel Lesion Pathway 15:11 When to Consider Resin or Peptide Infiltration 15:51 Best Use Case for SDF 20:14 Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste 21:18 Fluoride Safety and Evidence 27:00 Midroll 40:53 Preventive vs Therapeutic Sealants 42:09 Severe Xerostomia and Root Caries 44:40 Using Trays or Dentures as Carriers 45:48 Tooth Mousse and CPP-ACP 47:11 Artificial Saliva 47:46 Why the Patient Has Dry Mouth Matters 49:35 Current Position on Stepwise Excavation 50:09 Selective Caries Removal 51:15 Deep Caries Guidelines 53:01 Materials Are Not Everything in Caries Management 55:59 Further Learning Resource  56:44 Outro Want more? Check out part one of this modern caries management series for communication, diagnostics, triangulating data and deciding which caries detection tools are actually worth using. 🦷 Download the Contemporary Caries Management Implementation PackHead to protrusive.co.uk/MID to access the free implementation pack, including key communication points, diagnosis guidance, management flowcharts and evidence links. Professor Avijit Banerjee’s recommended reading and ongoing work: New textbook: A Clinical Guide to Advanced Minimum Intervention Restorative Dentistry (Banerjee A., Elsevier, 2024) — the most comprehensive single reference for modern MIOC and MID. 👉  uk.elsevierhealth.com (ISBN 978-0-443-10971-3) Resources mentioned in this episode: S3 Guidelines: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13099699/  🦷 Interested in Proximal Resin Infiltration? Explore The Iconic Method with Cat Edney: a free 1-hour webinar on 24 June 2026, followed by a hands-on 1-day Birmingham course on 4 July 2026 covering Icon resin infiltration, tooth whitening and NIRI-guided enamel management, with verifiable CPD available.  Don’t miss out!DMG Icon Proximal discount for dental professionals at protrusive.co.uk/dmg #PDPMainEpisodes #BreadandButterDentistry  This episode is eligible for 0.75 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance. This episode meets GDC Outcomes C AGD Subject Code: 250 Operative (Restorative) Dentistry Aim: To improve dentists’ confidence in modern minimal intervention caries management by applying risk-based decision-making, active surveillance, appropriate use of remineralising and arresting therapies, and evidence-informed restorative strategies. Dentists will be able to – Assess early and progressing caries lesions using patient risk, clinical signs, symptoms and radiographic findings. Select appropriate non-operative, microinvasive and stabilisation strategies, including fluoride, peptides, resin infiltration, sealants and SDF. Manage high-risk patients, including those with xerostomia or root caries risk, using prevention, recall planning and patient-specific delivery methods.

Should we still be drilling early caries lesions?Where do peptides, resin infiltration, fluoride varnish and SDF actually fit in modern practice?Is hydroxyapatite toothpaste a genuine alternative to fluoride, or just another dental trend?And when you see that suspicious grey occlusal shadow, do you seal it, explore it, or actively surveil it?In part two of this modern caries management episode, Jaz continues the conversation with Prof. Avijit Banerjee on minimal intervention dentistry. This episode moves beyond diagnosis and communication into the practical management of early and progressing caries lesions, including peptides, SDF, hydroxyapatite toothpaste, fissure sealing, xerostomia, root caries and selective caries removal. https://youtu.be/dGt7FW7C4N0 Watch PDP269 on YouTubeProtrusive Dental PearlUse the Contemporary Caries Management Implementation Pack as a chairside aid to turn the episode into daily clinical action.⚠️ Learning the evidence is not enough if it never makes it into your patient conversations, risk assessment or treatment planning.✅ Print it, laminate it, and use it to support communication, diagnosis, active surveillance and minimally invasive decision-making.Disclaimer: This is an educational resource produced by Team Protrusive, derived from the two-part Protrusive Dental Podcast episode featuring Prof. Avijit Banerjee. Its contents were not written, reviewed, or endorsed by Prof. Banerjee; they represent Team Protrusive’s own interpretation of the material discussed. It is intended as a practical summary and is not a substitute for primary sources. We strongly encourage all clinicians to consult the latest Clinical Practice Guidelines before making treatment decisions.Key Takeaways:Peptides are designed to infiltrate early enamel lesions and create a scaffold for mineral deposition.Peptide technologies still need minerals from saliva, toothpaste, mouthwash or other sources to work.Fluoride supports remineralisation; it acts more like the “mortar” than the “bricks”.Early E1 lesions are usually managed with prevention, fluoride, oral hygiene, diet control and biofilm control.Deeper enamel lesions, such as progressing E1 or E2 lesions, may be suitable for resin infiltration or peptide infiltration.SDF is better suited to cavitated lesions where arrest and stabilisation are needed.In the UK, SDF is licensed for dentine sensitivity, so caries arrest is an off-label use.SDF can be very useful for children, older adults, medically compromised patients and care-home patients.The main downside of conventional SDF is black staining, especially on anterior teeth.Hydroxyapatite toothpaste has more science behind it than charcoal-style fad toothpastes.Fluoride toothpaste remains the preferred baseline recommendation when patients are happy to use fluoride.A suspicious grey occlusal lesion should be assessed in the context of the patient’s overall caries risk.In selected cases, a tiny exploratory opening can act like a diagnostic biopsy.Sealing fissures on the same tooth being restored can be sensible when the fissure pattern is deep.For severe xerostomia and root caries risk, consider high-fluoride regimes, close recalls, trays or dentures as carriers for remineralising agents.YouTube Highlights:00:00 Teaser01:17 Introduction02:17 Pearl: Caries Management Implementation Pack05:54 What are Peptides?14:42 SDF: Silver Diamine Fluoride14:55 Early Enamel Lesion Pathway15:11 When to Consider Resin or Peptide Infiltration15:51 Best Use Case for SDF20:14 Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste21:18 Fluoride Safety and Evidence27:00 Midroll40:53 Preventive vs Therapeutic Sealants42:09 Severe Xerostomia and Root Caries44:40 Using Trays or Dentures as Carriers45:48 Tooth Mousse and CPP-ACP47:11 Artificial Saliva47:46 Why the Patient Has Dry Mouth Matters49:35 Current Position on Stepwise Excavation50:09 Selective Caries Removal51:15 Deep Caries Guidelines53:01 Materials Are Not Everything in Caries Management55:59 Further Learning Resource 56:44 OutroWant more?Check out part one of this modern caries management series for communication, diagnostics, triangulating data and deciding which caries detection tools are actually worth using.🦷 Download the Contemporary Caries Management Implementation PackHead to protrusive.co.uk/MID to access the free implementation pack, including key communication points, diagnosis guidance, management flowcharts and evidence links.Professor Avijit Banerjee’s recommended reading and ongoing work:New textbook: A Clinical Guide to Advanced Minimum Intervention Restorative Dentistry (Banerjee A., Elsevier, 2024) — the most comprehensive single reference for modern MIOC and MID.👉  uk.elsevierhealth.com (ISBN 978-0-443-10971-3)Resources mentioned in this episode: S3 Guidelines: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13099699/ 🦷 Interested in Proximal Resin Infiltration?Explore The Iconic Method with Cat Edney: a free 1-hour webinar on 24 June 2026, followed by a hands-on 1-day Birmingham course on 4 July 2026 covering Icon resin infiltration, tooth whitening and NIRI-guided enamel management, with verifiable CPD available. Don’t miss out!DMG Icon Proximal discount for dental professionals at protrusive.co.uk/dmg#PDPMainEpisodes #BreadandButterDentistry This episode is eligible for 0.75 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance.This episode meets GDC Outcomes CAGD Subject Code: 250 Operative (Restorative) DentistryAim: To improve dentists’ confidence in modern minimal intervention caries management by applying risk-based decision-making, active surveillance, appropriate use of remineralising and arresting therapies, and evidence-informed restorative strategies.Dentists will be able ...

If you showed the same bitewing to 10 dentists, would they all agree on whether to pick up the drill? Why does the word monitoring mean nothing to a patient — and how does swapping it for active surveillance change everything from your notes to your indemnity to your government policy meetings? Is it overtreatment to act on an E2 lesion — or is “watch and wait” actually the lazy answer dressed up as minimally invasive? And what should you actually do with AI caries detection that flags shadows your eye doesn’t see? In this episode, Professor Avijit Banerjee — Professor of Cariology & Operative Dentistry at King’s College London, Honorary Consultant at Guy’s & St Thomas’, and First Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry at the College of General Dentistry — sits down with Jaz for what is genuinely one of the most important caries conversations on the podcast. Part one of two. Avijit doesn’t do soft answers. The drill-fill-bill model is broken. “Monitoring” needs to go. “Treatment planning” is antiquated terminology medics dropped twenty-five years ago. And AI in caries diagnosis? Useful — but the moment it gets things wrong, you are the one with indemnity, not the software. What you walk away with is a framework (MIOC), a decision filter (three factors that decide whether to pick up a bur), and a vocabulary shift you can implement tomorrow. Part two covers peptides, SDF, hydroxyapatite, stepwise excavation, and managing caries in xerostomia. https://youtu.be/YriLo8_hXNw Watch PDP268 on YouTube Protrusive Dental Pearl: Delete the Word “Monitor” from Your Vocabulary Stop saying monitor. Start saying active surveillance. ⚠️ Active surveillance must not mean passive delay — document your reasoning, risk assessment, and what would trigger intervention. ✅ Explain it to patients as structured, proactive care: clinical checks, radiographs, risk review, behaviour support, and timely action if things change. Key Takeaways Minimum intervention oral care is bigger than minimally invasive dentistry. MIOC is prevention-based, person-focused, susceptibility-related, and delivered by the whole oral healthcare team. MID is only one part of MIOC: operative dentistry when a tooth actually needs intervention. The four MIOC domains are: identify the problem, prevent lesions and control disease, provide minimally invasive operative care, then reassess. A care plan is more useful than a treatment plan because it includes justification, prevention, behaviour change, and review. Ask patients what matters to you, not just what’s the matter with you. Cavitation, cleansability, and lesion activity should guide whether to intervene operatively. A cavitated lesion that cannot be cleaned is much more likely to remain active. Smooth surface lesions may sometimes be made cleansable without conventional drilling. Restorations are not just about filling holes; they help recreate a cleansable tooth surface. There is no single perfect caries detection technology — clinical examination and good radiographs remain fundamental. If using NIRI, fluorescence, scanners, or AI, understand how the technology works and where it fails. AI should support diagnosis, not replace clinical judgement. For uncertain early lesions, triangulate: clinical findings, radiographs, risk, technology, and patient factors. Proximal resin infiltration has a role in the right patient and situation, especially as part of a wider prevention-led strategy. Highlights of This Episode 00:00 Teaser 02:17 Protrusive Dental Pearl: Active Surveillance, Not Monitoring 09:14 Minimum Intervention Oral Care vs Minimally Invasive Dentistry 11:28 Core Principles of MIOC 11:48 Domain 1: Identify the Problem 12:46 Domain 2: Prevention of Lesions and Control of Disease 13:18 Microinvasive Care Options 14:41 Domain 3: Minimally Invasive Operative Dentistry 16:38 Why “Active Surveillance” Matters 18:24 MIOC as a Practical Framework 19:43 Applying MIOC in Patient Communication 22:38 Sustainability & Salutogenesis 29:05 When to Pick Up a Drill 30:23 Biofilm as the Engine of Caries 31:33 Purpose of a Restoration in Caries Management 36:13 Caries Detection Technologies 42:44 Watch and Wait vs Detect and Manage 01:02:52 Outro Professor Avijit Banerjee’s recommended reading and ongoing work: New textbook: A Clinical Guide to Advanced Minimum Intervention Restorative Dentistry (Banerjee A., Elsevier, 2024) — the most comprehensive single reference for modern MIOC and MID. 👉  uk.elsevierhealth.com (ISBN 978-0-443-10971-3) 🦷 Interested in Proximal Resin Infiltration? Don’t miss out! DMG Icon Proximal discount for dental professionals at protrusive.co.uk/dmg Explore The Iconic Method with Cat Edney: a free 1-hour webinar on 24 June 2026, followed by a hands-on 1-day Birmingham course on 4 July 2026 covering Icon resin infiltration, tooth whitening and NIRI-guided enamel management, with verifiable CPD available.  Loved This Episode? Try this next: Is Caries Detector Dye BS? – PDP138 #PDPMainEpisodes #BreadandButterDentistry  Listen & Earn CPD This episode is eligible for 1 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance. This episode meets GDC Outcomes A and C AGD Subject Code: 250 Operative Dentistry (Caries Detection and Prevention) Aim & Learning Outcomes Aim: To equip dental practitioners with a contemporary, evidence-informed framework for the diagnosis and non-operative or minimally invasive management of dental caries — with a particular focus on the decision-making that determines whether operative intervention is justified. Learning Outcomes — by the end of this episode, dentists will be able to: Describe the four underpinning principles and four clinical domains of Minimum Intervention Oral Care (MIOC), and articulate the difference between MIOC and minimally invasive dentistry. Apply a structured decision filter — incorporating cavitation, cleansability, and lesion activity — to determine whether a carious lesion requires operative intervention or microinvasive/non-operative management. Differentiate between passive monitoring and active surveillance, and use appropriate language in clinical communication, care planning, and contemporaneous notes

If you showed the same bitewing to 10 dentists, would they all agree on whether to pick up the drill?Why does the word monitoring mean nothing to a patient — and how does swapping it for active surveillance change everything from your notes to your indemnity to your government policy meetings?Is it overtreatment to act on an E2 lesion — or is “watch and wait” actually the lazy answer dressed up as minimally invasive?And what should you actually do with AI caries detection that flags shadows your eye doesn’t see?In this episode, Professor Avijit Banerjee— Professor of Cariology & Operative Dentistry at King’s College London, Honorary Consultant at Guy’s & St Thomas’, and First Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry at the College of General Dentistry — sits down with Jaz for what is genuinely one of the most important caries conversations on the podcast. Part one of two.Avijit doesn’t do soft answers. The drill-fill-bill model is broken. “Monitoring” needs to go. “Treatment planning” is antiquated terminology medics dropped twenty-five years ago. And AI in caries diagnosis? Useful — but the moment it gets things wrong, you are the one with indemnity, not the software.What you walk away with is a framework (MIOC), a decision filter (three factors that decide whether to pick up a bur), and a vocabulary shift you can implement tomorrow. Part two covers peptides, SDF, hydroxyapatite, stepwise excavation, and managing caries in xerostomia. https://youtu.be/YriLo8_hXNw Watch PDP268 on YouTubeProtrusive Dental Pearl: Delete the Word “Monitor” from Your VocabularyStop saying monitor. Start saying active surveillance.⚠️ Active surveillance must not mean passive delay — document your reasoning, risk assessment, and what would trigger intervention.✅ Explain it to patients as structured, proactive care: clinical checks, radiographs, risk review, behaviour support, and timely action if things change.Key TakeawaysMinimum intervention oral care is bigger than minimally invasive dentistry.MIOC is prevention-based, person-focused, susceptibility-related, and delivered by the whole oral healthcare team.MID is only one part of MIOC: operative dentistry when a tooth actually needs intervention.The four MIOC domains are: identify the problem, prevent lesions and control disease, provide minimally invasive operative care, then reassess.A care plan is more useful than a treatment plan because it includes justification, prevention, behaviour change, and review.Ask patients what matters to you, not just what’s the matter with you.Cavitation, cleansability, and lesion activity should guide whether to intervene operatively.A cavitated lesion that cannot be cleaned is much more likely to remain active.Smooth surface lesions may sometimes be made cleansable without conventional drilling.Restorations are not just about filling holes; they help recreate a cleansable tooth surface.There is no single perfect caries detection technology — clinical examination and good radiographs remain fundamental.If using NIRI, fluorescence, scanners, or AI, understand how the technology works and where it fails.AI should support diagnosis, not replace clinical judgement.For uncertain early lesions, triangulate: clinical findings, radiographs, risk, technology, and patient factors.Proximal resin infiltration has a role in the right patient and situation, especially as part of a wider prevention-led strategy.Highlights of This Episode00:00 Teaser 02:17 Protrusive Dental Pearl: Active Surveillance, Not Monitoring 09:14 Minimum Intervention Oral Care vs Minimally Invasive Dentistry 11:28 Core Principles of MIOC 11:48 Domain 1: Identify the Problem 12:46 Domain 2: Prevention of Lesions and Control of Disease 13:18 Microinvasive Care Options 14:41 Domain 3: Minimally Invasive Operative Dentistry 16:38 Why “Active Surveillance” Matters 18:24 MIOC as a Practical Framework 19:43 Applying MIOC in Patient Communication 22:38 Sustainability & Salutogenesis 29:05 When to Pick Up a Drill 30:23 Biofilm as the Engine of Caries 31:33 Purpose of a Restoration in Caries Management 36:13 Caries Detection Technologies 42:44 Watch and Wait vs Detect and Manage 01:02:52 OutroProfessor Avijit Banerjee’s recommended reading and ongoing work:New textbook: A Clinical Guide to Advanced Minimum Intervention Restorative Dentistry (Banerjee A., Elsevier, 2024) — the most comprehensive single reference for modern MIOC and MID.👉  uk.elsevierhealth.com (ISBN 978-0-443-10971-3)🦷 Interested in Proximal Resin Infiltration?Don’t miss out! DMG Icon Proximal discount for dental professionals at protrusive.co.uk/dmgExplore The Iconic Method with Cat Edney: a free 1-hour webinar on 24 June 2026, followed by a hands-on 1-day Birmingham course on 4 July 2026 covering Icon resin infiltration, tooth whitening and NIRI-guided enamel management, with verifiable CPD available. Loved This Episode? Try this next:Is Caries Detector Dye BS? – PDP138#PDPMainEpisodes #BreadandButterDentistry Listen & Earn CPDThis episode is eligible for 1 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance.This episode meets GDC Outcomes A and CAGD Subject Code: 250 Operative Dentistry (Caries Detection and Prevention)Aim & Learning OutcomesAim: To equip dental practitioners with a contemporary, evidence-informed framework for the diagnosis and non-operative or minimally invasive management of dental caries — with a particular focus on the decision-making that determines whether operative intervention is justified.Learning Outcomes — by the end of this episode, dentists will be able to:Describe the four underpinning principles and four clinical domains of Minimum Intervention Oral Care (MIOC), and articulate the difference between MIOC and ...

Why does dentistry on social media look so perfect?Are those flawless before-and-after cases the reality of everyday practice—or just the highlight reel?And why aren’t we talking more openly about the failures, frustrations, and imperfect outcomes that every dentist experiences?In this episode, Dr Artem Mkrtichyan joins Jaz for a refreshingly honest conversation about the realities of modern dentistry. Known for his candid and relatable social media posts, Dr. Artem has built a following by sharing what many dentists think—but rarely say out loud: dentistry is hard, results aren’t always perfect, and social media often paints an unrealistic picture of the profession. https://youtu.be/uTKaeewgrgE Watch IC074 on YouTubeKey TakeawaysSocial media has become a powerful tool for dentists to connect and share experiences.Mistakes in clinical practice are common and should be openly discussed.Rural practice may not always lead to higher income as expected.Success in dentistry is subjective and varies for each individual.Continuous learning and skill development are crucial for career growth.Financial freedom in dentistry is not guaranteed and varies widely.Networking and mentorship can significantly impact career progression.Social media can be leveraged to attract patients and build a personal brand.Highlights of this episode:00:00 Teaser00:18 Introduction02:24 Meet Dr Artem Mkrtichyan05:27 Rejections And Resilience09:03 Why Honesty Wins10:58 Rural Dentistry Reality14:58 Handling Online Criticism16:01 Associate Vs Owner Myth18:05 Midroll: Protrusive App22:48 Dentistry Money Reality26:57 Design Your Career Path28:00 Standing Out In Saturated Markets29:27 Content Marketing Strategy31:46 Veneer Minimum Ethics33:48 Final Advice And CommunityIf this episode resonated with you, don’t miss “I Committed Fraud – Learn from My Mistakes” – PDP248#InterferenceCast #BeyondDentistryThis episode is not eligible for CPD/CE points, but never fear, there are hundreds of hours of CPD waiting for you on the Ultimate Education Plan.

Why does occlusion feel so confusing at dental school? What if the problem is not that occlusion is too complex, but that it was taught in the wrong order? How do you make sense of worn teeth, bite scans, shimstock, leaf gauges, provisionals and T-Scan without getting overwhelmed? And which small ideas can genuinely change the way you diagnose, plan and restore? In this episode, Jaz is joined by Dr. Mahmoud Ibrahim for a brilliant occlusion-focused conversation. They each bring five clinical “pearls” that helped occlusion finally click for them — from facially generated treatment planning to checking the contralateral side, muscle palpation, provisionals and digital occlusal data. https://youtu.be/REQ_L5NNEF4 Watch PDP267 on YouTube Protrusive Dental Pearl Create a PowerPoint or Keynote library of your clinical photos so you can quickly show patients relevant examples during consultations. ⚠️ Avoid hunting through random folders chairside — it feels clunky and breaks the flow of the conversation. ✅ Build a scrollable visual library of cracks, before-and-afters, complications, direct restorations, overlays, crowns and consent examples to support clearer patient communication. Key Takeaways Occlusion becomes easier when it is placed inside the treatment planning sequence, not treated as a separate subject. Facially generated treatment planning starts with where the upper teeth need to be for aesthetics. Once the central incisors are planned, the rest of the occlusion becomes easier to organise. Worn teeth that are still in occlusion are often in the wrong position. Anterior wear may be caused by tooth position, contact time, contact force, or a combination of all three. Gingival levels can reveal whether worn lower incisors have over-erupted. Digital bite scans are useful, but they are not always a perfect representation of the patient’s bite. Shimstock remains one of the most valuable and inexpensive tools for checking true occlusal contacts. After fitting a restoration, checking the contralateral side first can reveal whether the new restoration is high. Anterior guidance should be steep enough to separate the back teeth, but shallow enough to allow the lower incisors room to move. Muscle palpation should assess the quality and symmetry of contraction, not just whether the muscles exist. Always assess the opposing tooth before placing composite, ceramic or an indirect restoration. A leaf gauge can help create a more repeatable jaw position when planning more complex occlusal cases. Provisionals are essential for testing aesthetics, function, vertical dimension and occlusion before committing to final restorations. Highlights of the Episode: 00:00 Teaser 00:56 Introduction 03:36 Pearl: Build a Clinical Photo PowerPoint 12:48 Pearl 1: Facially Generated Treatment Planning 15:56 Pearl 2: Worn Teeth in Occlusion Are in the Wrong Position 18:05 Why Tooth Position Matters 18:22 Three Causes of Wear to Consider 19:34 Pearl 3: Digital Bite Scans Are Not Always Accurate 20:24 Why Shimstock Still Matters in Digital Dentistry 24:18 Pearl 4: Check the Contralateral Side After a Restoration 26:27 Pearl 5: The First Movement of Opening Is Not Pure Rotation 28:27 Midroll 33:10 Pearl 6: Healthy Occlusion Should Have Coordinated Muscle Contraction 35:22 Why Muscle Palpation Is a Useful Data Point 38:18 Practical Muscle Assessment Tip 38:58 Pearl 7: Always Look at the Opposing Tooth 39:33 What to Check Before an Indirect Restoration 39:44 Why the Opposing Tooth Matters 41:13 Pearl 8: Leaf Gauge for Finding a Repeatable Jaw Position 42:43 What a Leaf Gauge Is 44:33 Pearl 9: Provisionals Reduce the Fear of Complex Cases 47:49 Pearl 10: T-Scan Adds Objective Occlusal Data 53:16 Course Options and Learning Pathway 55:59 Outro ✨Connect with Dr. Mahmoud on Instagram 📍 Want to make occlusion more practical? Bulletproof is designed to take occlusion from abstract theory to real-world clinical application — covering posterior crowns, quadrant dentistry, PROPER conformative dentistry, occlusal risk assessment, shimstock, leaf gauges and daily protocols you can use straight away. The next Bulletproof course takes place on 26th–27th June at London Heathrow (Radisson Blu Hotel) Don’t miss it — find out more at bulletproofdentistry.com ➡️Check out more episodes on occlusion: Indirect Restorations For Guiding Teeth – PDP196 #PDPMainEpisodes  #OcclusionTMDandSplints This episode is eligible for 0.75 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance. This episode meets GDC Outcomes C AGD Subject Code: 180 Occlusion Aim: To help dentists improve their understanding and clinical application of occlusion by recognising key diagnostic signs, using practical occlusal assessment tools, and applying occlusal principles to restorative treatment planning. Dentists will be able to – Apply facially generated treatment planning principles when assessing occlusal and restorative cases. Identify how tooth position, contact time and contact force contribute to tooth wear and restoration risk. Use practical occlusal assessment methods such as shimstock, contralateral checking, muscle palpation, leaf gauges, provisionals and T-Scan data.

Why does occlusion feel so confusing at dental school?What if the problem is not that occlusion is too complex, but that it was taught in the wrong order?How do you make sense of worn teeth, bite scans, shimstock, leaf gauges, provisionals and T-Scan without getting overwhelmed?And which small ideas can genuinely change the way you diagnose, plan and restore?In this episode, Jaz is joined by Dr. Mahmoud Ibrahim for a brilliant occlusion-focused conversation. They each bring five clinical “pearls” that helped occlusion finally click for them — from facially generated treatment planning to checking the contralateral side, muscle palpation, provisionals and digital occlusal data. https://youtu.be/REQ_L5NNEF4 Watch PDP267 on YouTubeProtrusive Dental PearlCreate a PowerPoint or Keynote library of your clinical photos so you can quickly show patients relevant examples during consultations.⚠️ Avoid hunting through random folders chairside — it feels clunky and breaks the flow of the conversation.✅ Build a scrollable visual library of cracks, before-and-afters, complications, direct restorations, overlays, crowns and consent examples to support clearer patient communication.Key TakeawaysOcclusion becomes easier when it is placed inside the treatment planning sequence, not treated as a separate subject.Facially generated treatment planning starts with where the upper teeth need to be for aesthetics.Once the central incisors are planned, the rest of the occlusion becomes easier to organise.Worn teeth that are still in occlusion are often in the wrong position.Anterior wear may be caused by tooth position, contact time, contact force, or a combination of all three.Gingival levels can reveal whether worn lower incisors have over-erupted.Digital bite scans are useful, but they are not always a perfect representation of the patient’s bite.Shimstock remains one of the most valuable and inexpensive tools for checking true occlusal contacts.After fitting a restoration, checking the contralateral side first can reveal whether the new restoration is high.Anterior guidance should be steep enough to separate the back teeth, but shallow enough to allow the lower incisors room to move.Muscle palpation should assess the quality and symmetry of contraction, not just whether the muscles exist.Always assess the opposing tooth before placing composite, ceramic or an indirect restoration.A leaf gauge can help create a more repeatable jaw position when planning more complex occlusal cases.Provisionals are essential for testing aesthetics, function, vertical dimension and occlusion before committing to final restorations.Highlights of the Episode:00:00 Teaser00:56 Introduction03:36 Pearl: Build a Clinical Photo PowerPoint12:48 Pearl 1: Facially Generated Treatment Planning15:56 Pearl 2: Worn Teeth in Occlusion Are in the Wrong Position18:05 Why Tooth Position Matters18:22 Three Causes of Wear to Consider19:34 Pearl 3: Digital Bite Scans Are Not Always Accurate20:24 Why Shimstock Still Matters in Digital Dentistry24:18 Pearl 4: Check the Contralateral Side After a Restoration26:27 Pearl 5: The First Movement of Opening Is Not Pure Rotation28:27 Midroll33:10 Pearl 6: Healthy Occlusion Should Have Coordinated Muscle Contraction35:22 Why Muscle Palpation Is a Useful Data Point38:18 Practical Muscle Assessment Tip38:58 Pearl 7: Always Look at the Opposing Tooth39:33 What to Check Before an Indirect Restoration39:44 Why the Opposing Tooth Matters41:13 Pearl 8: Leaf Gauge for Finding a Repeatable Jaw Position42:43 What a Leaf Gauge Is44:33 Pearl 9: Provisionals Reduce the Fear of Complex Cases47:49 Pearl 10: T-Scan Adds Objective Occlusal Data53:16 Course Options and Learning Pathway55:59 Outro✨Connect with Dr. Mahmoud on Instagram📍 Want to make occlusion more practical?Bulletproof is designed to take occlusion from abstract theory to real-world clinical application — covering posterior crowns, quadrant dentistry, PROPER conformative dentistry, occlusal risk assessment, shimstock, leaf gauges and daily protocols you can use straight away.The next Bulletproof course takes place on 26th–27th June at London Heathrow (Radisson Blu Hotel)Don’t miss it — find out more at bulletproofdentistry.com➡️Check out more episodes on occlusion: Indirect Restorations For Guiding Teeth – PDP196#PDPMainEpisodes #OcclusionTMDandSplintsThis episode is eligible for 0.75 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance.This episode meets GDC Outcomes CAGD Subject Code: 180 OcclusionAim: To help dentists improve their understanding and clinical application of occlusion by recognising key diagnostic signs, using practical occlusal assessment tools, and applying occlusal principles to restorative treatment planning.Dentists will be able to –Apply facially generated treatment planning principles when assessing occlusal and restorative cases.Identify how tooth position, contact time and contact force contribute to tooth wear and restoration risk.Use practical occlusal assessment methods such as shimstock, contralateral checking, muscle palpation, leaf gauges, provisionals and T-Scan data.

Are we overcomplicating posterior composites? Are those beautiful fissures and stains actually helping the patient… or just us? Why does that “perfect” restoration suddenly need 20 minutes of occlusal adjustment after rubber dam removal? And how can we make functional, predictable composites without burning time or stress? In this episode, Dr. Vishaal Shah shares a refreshingly practical approach to posterior composites. From understanding the basics, to simplifying anatomy and improving efficiency, this is a grounded, clinically focused conversation on how to deliver restorations that actually serve the patient. https://youtu.be/tdkTxzcloN0 Watch PDP266 on YouTube Protrusive Dental PearlMatch your composite anatomy to the patient’s dental age and opposing dentition before you start building. ⚠️ Overbuilding cusps in a worn dentition will create occlusal interferences and wasted adjustment time✅ Assess space, wear, and occlusion first—then design the restoration accordingly Key Takeaways Function, efficiency, and occlusal compatibility should guide every restoration Dental age (wear) is more important than chronological age when planning anatomy Always assess the opposing tooth before designing cusps and fissures Use the whole arch—not just the contralateral tooth—as your anatomical guide Follow the central fissure line across the quadrant to orient your restoration Avoid textbook anatomy in worn dentitions—adapt to what’s present Large MOD composites often act as interim restorations before crowns Build proximal walls first to establish contact and control final contour Use composite slump (with a microbrush) to naturally form proximal curvature Base layer height should match the deepest fissure level of adjacent teeth Map out fissures and cusps before building to improve accuracy and speed Start with the most difficult cusp first to reduce fatigue-related errors Proper planning before drilling reduces occlusal errors and remakes Highlights of the Episode: 00:00 Teaser 01:08 Introduction 01:50 Pearl: Matching Anatomy to Dental Age 05:32 Posterior Composite: Start with Basics, Not Complexity 10:42 Efficient Approach to Large Restorations 14:22 Efficiency vs Ideal Posterior Restorations 19:25 Building Proximal Walls First 20:55 Using Putty Stents for Missing Cusps 23:54 Midroll 27:15 Using Putty Stents for Missing Cusps 27:25 Matrix System Selection 28:06 No Pre-Wedging Philosophy 29:06 Managing Composite Overhangs 30:46 Matrix Ring Differences 32:45 Interjection 37:03 Matrix Ring Differences 37:43 Proximal Wall Technique for Posterior Composite 41:03 Base Layer Strategy in Posterior Restorations 42:23 Mapping Anatomy Before Composite Build-Up 43:13 Cusp Build-Up Approach 45:03 Minimal Adjustment Philosophy 46:43 Final Philosophy: Keep It Simple 48:00 Learning Opportunities 49:54 Outro 🔥 Want to level up your posterior composites?Dr. Vishaal Shah runs hands-on courses focused on simplifying and mastering everyday restorations.👉 Visit www.levelupdentistry.com to explore courses and upcoming training opportunities. More about posterior restorations:Check out more episodes on occlusion and restorative dentistry: How to Place Posterior Composites without Destroying Your Anatomy – PDP200 #PDPMainEpisodes  #BreadandButterDentistry  This episode is eligible for 0.75 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance. This episode meets GDC Outcomes C AGD Subject Code: 250 Operative Dentistry Aim: To enhance clinicians’ understanding of efficient, functional posterior composite techniques with a focus on anatomy, occlusion, and practical workflow. Dentists will be able to – Assess dental age and occlusal compatibility when planning posterior composites Apply simplified, efficient techniques to build functional posterior restorations Select appropriate materials and matrix systems to optimise contact, contour, and outcomes

Are we overcomplicating posterior composites?Are those beautiful fissures and stains actually helping the patient… or just us?Why does that “perfect” restoration suddenly need 20 minutes of occlusal adjustment after rubber dam removal?And how can we make functional, predictable composites without burning time or stress?In this episode, Dr. Vishaal Shah shares a refreshingly practical approach to posterior composites. From understanding the basics, to simplifying anatomy and improving efficiency, this is a grounded, clinically focused conversation on how to deliver restorations that actually serve the patient. https://youtu.be/tdkTxzcloN0 Watch PDP266 on YouTubeProtrusive Dental PearlMatch your composite anatomy to the patient’s dental age and opposing dentition before you start building.⚠️ Overbuilding cusps in a worn dentition will create occlusal interferences and wasted adjustment time✅ Assess space, wear, and occlusion first—then design the restoration accordinglyKey TakeawaysFunction, efficiency, and occlusal compatibility should guide every restorationDental age (wear) is more important than chronological age when planning anatomyAlways assess the opposing tooth before designing cusps and fissuresUse the whole arch—not just the contralateral tooth—as your anatomical guideFollow the central fissure line across the quadrant to orient your restorationAvoid textbook anatomy in worn dentitions—adapt to what’s presentLarge MOD composites often act as interim restorations before crownsBuild proximal walls first to establish contact and control final contourUse composite slump (with a microbrush) to naturally form proximal curvatureBase layer height should match the deepest fissure level of adjacent teethMap out fissures and cusps before building to improve accuracy and speedStart with the most difficult cusp first to reduce fatigue-related errorsProper planning before drilling reduces occlusal errors and remakesHighlights of the Episode:00:00 Teaser01:08 Introduction01:50 Pearl: Matching Anatomy to Dental Age05:32 Posterior Composite: Start with Basics, Not Complexity10:42 Efficient Approach to Large Restorations14:22 Efficiency vs Ideal Posterior Restorations19:25 Building Proximal Walls First20:55 Using Putty Stents for Missing Cusps23:54 Midroll27:15 Using Putty Stents for Missing Cusps27:25 Matrix System Selection28:06 No Pre-Wedging Philosophy29:06 Managing Composite Overhangs30:46 Matrix Ring Differences32:45 Interjection37:03 Matrix Ring Differences37:43 Proximal Wall Technique for Posterior Composite41:03 Base Layer Strategy in Posterior Restorations42:23 Mapping Anatomy Before Composite Build-Up43:13 Cusp Build-Up Approach45:03 Minimal Adjustment Philosophy46:43 Final Philosophy: Keep It Simple48:00 Learning Opportunities49:54 Outro🔥 Want to level up your posterior composites?Dr. Vishaal Shah runs hands-on courses focused on simplifying and mastering everyday restorations.👉 Visit www.levelupdentistry.com to explore courses and upcoming training opportunities.More about posterior restorations:Check out more episodes on occlusion and restorative dentistry: How to Place Posterior Composites without Destroying Your Anatomy – PDP200#PDPMainEpisodes  #BreadandButterDentistry This episode is eligible for 0.75 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance.This episode meets GDC Outcomes CAGD Subject Code: 250 Operative DentistryAim: To enhance clinicians’ understanding of efficient, functional posterior composite techniques with a focus on anatomy, occlusion, and practical workflow.Dentists will be able to –Assess dental age and occlusal compatibility when planning posterior compositesApply simplified, efficient techniques to build functional posterior restorationsSelect appropriate materials and matrix systems to optimise contact, contour, and outcomes

When is it appropriate to consider an MRI for your TMD patient? What’s actually involved in MRI of the TMJ? Can you use any MRI machine, or is the choice of imaging center crucial? And who should be reporting on these scans — does it really matter? (Hint: yes, it does!) Dr. Kevin Lotzof, a straight-talking radiologist, joins Jaz for a controversial deep dive into the role of MRI in Temporomandibular Disorders. While many experts downplay its importance, Kevin argues that TMJs are under-imaged and under-diagnosed — and that we may be missing critical pathology. They explore the practicalities of imaging, how to set expectations with your patients, and why strong but differing views in TMD care can ultimately help you refine your own clinical approach. https://youtu.be/-yo_Qx4Zg5Q Watch PDP265 on YouTube  Protrusive Dental Pearl: Adopt the mindset of “Find the cancer today.”When carrying out examinations—whether soft tissue or extraoral—approach it with the intention of detecting oral or skin cancers early. This mindset helps clinicians look beyond just teeth, catch unusual or suspicious lesions, and potentially save lives. Key Takeaways TMJ is often overlooked but is crucial for overall health. MRI is essential for accurate TMJ diagnosis. Cone beam CT cannot replace MRI for TMD assessment. Patients with headaches may have undiagnosed TMD. Education on TMJ imaging is lacking among dental professionals. Asymptomatic patients should still be scanned for TMJ issues. The quality of imaging directly impacts diagnosis accuracy. Patients often feel anxious about MRI procedures. Understanding patient perspectives can improve care. There is a need for better collaboration between dentists and radiologists. Highlight of the episode: 00:00 Teaser 00:55 Intro 05:20 Protrusive dental pearl 06:36 Interview with Dr. Kevin Lotzof 09:38 Under-Imaging and Differing Perspectives 13:27 Access and MRI Centers in the UK 17:51 TMJ MRI: Patient Expectations 22:17 Midroll 25:53 Open MRI Machines 27:26 Ideal Candidates for MRI Imaging 29:55 Cone Beam CT vs. MRI 31:53 Screening and Asymptomatic Patients 38:43 Centers with Reliable TMJ Imaging 41:27 Encouragement for General Dentists 46:33 Outro Where to Get Reliable TMJ Imaging ⭐ Top Pick: Orion, Wimpole Street, London(Full contact details available via the Protrusive Guidance App) 🏙️ Other London Options: Spire Bushey, Circle Hendon, Cavell, Kings Oak, Circle Healthcare Center  Learn more about TMJ radiographic imaging in PDP223: Understanding TMD Radiographic Imaging – Pano vs CBCT vs MRI #PDPMainEpisodes #OcclusionTMDandSplints #CareerDevelopment This episode is eligible for 0.75 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance.  This episode meets GDC Outcomes A and C. AGD Subject Code: 730 ORAL MEDICINE, ORAL DIAGNOSIS, ORAL PATHOLOGY (Imaging techniques) Aim: To highlight the importance of MRI in the diagnosis and management of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, ensuring safe and effective orthodontic and restorative treatment planning. Dentists will be able to: Explain why MRI is superior to clinical examination and CBCT in diagnosing TMJ pathology. Identify the key indications for TMJ MRI, including both dental and non-dental symptoms. Recognize the limitations of poor imaging technique and reporting in TMJ diagnosis

When is it appropriate to consider an MRI for your TMD patient?What’s actually involved in MRI of the TMJ?Can you use any MRI machine, or is the choice of imaging center crucial?And who should be reporting on these scans — does it really matter? (Hint: yes, it does!)Dr. Kevin Lotzof, a straight-talking radiologist, joins Jaz for a controversial deep dive into the role of MRI in Temporomandibular Disorders. While many experts downplay its importance, Kevin argues that TMJs are under-imaged and under-diagnosed — and that we may be missing critical pathology.They explore the practicalities of imaging, how to set expectations with your patients, and why strong but differing views in TMD care can ultimately help you refine your own clinical approach. https://youtu.be/-yo_Qx4Zg5Q Watch PDP265 on YouTube Protrusive Dental Pearl: Adopt the mindset of “Find the cancer today.”When carrying out examinations—whether soft tissue or extraoral—approach it with the intention of detecting oral or skin cancers early. This mindset helps clinicians look beyond just teeth, catch unusual or suspicious lesions, and potentially save lives.Key TakeawaysTMJ is often overlooked but is crucial for overall health.MRI is essential for accurate TMJ diagnosis.Cone beam CT cannot replace MRI for TMD assessment.Patients with headaches may have undiagnosed TMD.Education on TMJ imaging is lacking among dental professionals.Asymptomatic patients should still be scanned for TMJ issues.The quality of imaging directly impacts diagnosis accuracy.Patients often feel anxious about MRI procedures.Understanding patient perspectives can improve care.There is a need for better collaboration between dentists and radiologists.Highlight of the episode:00:00 Teaser00:55 Intro05:20 Protrusive dental pearl06:36 Interview with Dr. Kevin Lotzof09:38 Under-Imaging and Differing Perspectives13:27 Access and MRI Centers in the UK17:51 TMJ MRI: Patient Expectations22:17 Midroll25:53 Open MRI Machines27:26 Ideal Candidates for MRI Imaging29:55 Cone Beam CT vs. MRI31:53 Screening and Asymptomatic Patients38:43 Centers with Reliable TMJ Imaging41:27 Encouragement for General Dentists46:33 OutroWhere to Get Reliable TMJ Imaging⭐ Top Pick:Orion, Wimpole Street, London(Full contact details available via the Protrusive Guidance App)🏙️ Other London Options:Spire Bushey, Circle Hendon, Cavell, Kings Oak, Circle Healthcare Center Learn more about TMJ radiographic imaging in PDP223: Understanding TMD Radiographic Imaging – Pano vs CBCT vs MRI#PDPMainEpisodes #OcclusionTMDandSplints #CareerDevelopmentThis episode is eligible for 0.75 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance. This episode meets GDC Outcomes A and C.AGD Subject Code: 730 ORAL MEDICINE, ORAL DIAGNOSIS, ORAL PATHOLOGY (Imaging techniques)Aim: To highlight the importance of MRI in the diagnosis and management of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, ensuring safe and effective orthodontic and restorative treatment planning.Dentists will be able to:Explain why MRI is superior to clinical examination and CBCT in diagnosing TMJ pathology.Identify the key indications for TMJ MRI, including both dental and non-dental symptoms.Recognize the limitations of poor imaging technique and reporting in TMJ diagnosis

Is titanium still the gold standard for implants?Are zirconia implants just hype from biological dentistry… or something more?Do ceramic implants really integrate as well as titanium?And should we already be offering patients a choice?Zirconia implants are no longer a fringe concept—they’re entering mainstream conversations. In this episode, Dr. Pav Khaira returns to break down the science, clinical decision-making, and real-world application of zirconia vs titanium implants. From corrosion and osteoimmunology to occlusion and case selection, this is a practical, evidence-led discussion for clinicians navigating modern implant options. https://youtu.be/-RCvf2KOdSc Watch PDP264 on YouTubeProtrusive Dental Pearl: Thriving in Challenging Times💡 Prioritize quality sleep—it sharpens decision-making, improves mood, and reduces irritability (6–7 solid hours beats longer, disrupted sleep).➡️ Remember, stress comes from how we respond, not the situation itself—focus on what you can control and let go of the rest.📢 Lean on your support system and make time for reflection and gratitude—they help reframe pressure and build resilience.Key TakeawaysZirconia implants integrate just as well as titanium, with comparable clinical outcomesEarly healing may be slightly faster around zirconia, but long-term results are similarTitanium can corrode over time, releasing particles linked to peri-implantitisZirconia does not corrode, removing this biological risk factorModern implant thinking focuses on osteoimmunology, not just osseointegrationZirconia implants are often one-piece → no microgap and improved crestal bone stabilitySurgical placement must be highly precise—zirconia is less forgiving than titaniumGuided osteotomy is strongly recommended for ceramic implantsFracture risk in modern zirconia implants is low when manufactured correctlyHot isostatic pressing significantly increases zirconia strength and reduces defectsCase selection is critical—limited bone or complex angulation may favour titaniumZirconia implants are typically cement-retained onlyExcess cement remains a risk factor for peri-implant disease → manage carefullyZinc phosphate cement is useful due to radiopacity and bacteriostatic propertiesAngled screw correction (titanium) is predictable only up to ~15 degreesPatient preference for metal-free dentistry is a growing driver of zirconia demandEpisode Highlights00:00 Teaser00:49 Introduction02:32 Protrusive Dental Pearl: Advice for Dentists during challenging times05:14 Basics: What Are Implants Made Of?07:13 Osseointegration: Zirconia vs Titanium08:28 Why Zirconia? Biological Rationale11:13 Clinical Advantages of Zirconia Implant14:09 Zirconia Implants Limitations in Clinical Use17:45  Case Selection: When to Use Zirconia Implant19:16 Fracture Risk: Myth vs Reality21:30 Midroll24:51 Fracture Risk: Myth vs Reality25:29 Importance of Manufacturing Zirconia Implants27:49 Weaknesses & Clinical Considerations of Zirconia Implants30:49 Occlusal Programming for Implants32:24 Screw vs Cement Retention in Implants34:07 Angle Screw Correction (titanium Context)36:20 Cement Choices for Zirconia Implants38:27 Market Share & Future Trends of Zirconia Implants40:25 Learning Resources for Zirconia Implants41:51 Medico-Legal Considerations of Zirconia Implants47:37 Training & Education Pathways for Zirconia Implants 48:25 OutroWant to go deeper into implants?Explore Dr. Pav Khaira’s Academy of Implant Excellence— training designed to help you truly understand the why behind implant dentistry, not just follow protocols. Hands-on options, mentorship, and advanced training available.✨Follow Academy of Implant Excellence on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/academyofimplantexcellenceMentioned resources from this EpisodeBook: Zirconia: Material Properties and Surgical Principles for Dental Implants and RestorationsWant more?📢 Check out more episodes on implant complications and treatment planningImplant Occlusion that Makes Sense – PDP 204Implant Assessment for GDPs: from Space Requirement to Ridge Preservation – PDP052#PDPMainEpisodesThis episode is eligible for 0.75 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance.This episode meets GDC Outcomes CAGD Subject Code: 690 ImplantsAim: To improve understanding of zirconia implants, including biological considerations, clinical indications, limitations, occlusal principles, consent, and material-related decision-making.Dentists will be able to –Describe the clinical and biological considerations when comparing zirconia and titanium implantsIdentify key case selection factors and limitations for zirconia implant treatmentApply practical principles for occlusion, cementation, consent, and risk reduction in implant dentistry

Is burnout inevitable in dentistry?Why do so many high-achieving dentists still feel unfulfilled?Are we too harsh on ourselves without even realising it?And what if the way we speak to ourselves is the real problem?In this episode, Jaz sits down with Dr Aditi Bhalla—a Prosthodontist and Integrative Psychotherapist, with over 15 years in dentistry and extensive training in mental health, mindfulness, and movement—to explore compassion-focused dentistry. They unpack burnout, perfectionism, fear-driven practice, and how understanding your mind could be the key to a sustainable, fulfilling career. https://youtu.be/pNsW6AiWsWQ Watch IC073 on YoutubeKey TakeawaysBurnout often stems from perfectionism, shame, and constant self-criticismMany dentists tie their self-worth entirely to clinical performanceChildhood experiences can shape how we respond to stress and pressureHigh-functioning anxiety is common but often goes unnoticedNHS-style time pressure and fear of complaints drive chronic stressDecision fatigue in dentistry significantly impacts performance and wellbeingSocial media amplifies comparison and feelings of inadequacyThere is a growing gap between expectations and real-world dentistryCompassion requires courage, wisdom, and commitment—not weaknessDentists are good at caring for patients but neglect self-careAccepting positive feedback is as important as improving weaknessesEmotional awareness is the first step to managing stress effectivelyA “compassion toolkit” helps regulate emotions in real-time clinical scenariosSustainable dentistry requires prevention of burnout, not just coping strategiesTeam culture improves when you recognise the human behind the roleCompassionate leadership still requires clear boundaries and accountabilityHighlights of this episode:00:00 Teaser00:51 Introduction07:50 What “Therapy” Means11:43 Role of Childhood & Trauma13:10 Therapists Need Therapy Too14:40 Breakdown & Burnout in Dentistry16:50 Causes of Burnout in Dentistry19:50 Clinical Stress Factors20:50 Decision Fatigue in Dentistry23:35 Burnout in Modern Dentistry – Why More Now?27:38 Midroll30:59 Burnout in Modern Dentistry – Why More Now?31:11 What is Compassion?32:11 Lack of Self-Compassion in Dentistry33:11 Three Directions of Compassion in Dentistry35:11 Compassion Focused Dentistry (CFD)39:11 Nervous System Awareness41:31 Applying Compassion in DailyDental Practice43:01 Compassion = Emotional Intelligence + Mindfulness43:41 Compassion “Kit Bag”45:11 Compassion in the Team46:41 Creating a Compassionate Practice51:51 Getting Started with Compassion54:12 Outro💡 Want to improve your wellbeing and prevent burnout?Dr Aditi Bhalla runs free workshops and resources via the Dental Wellbeing Hub. You can also explore her work and sign up through her website: draditibhalla.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/draditibhalla/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/draditibhallaDental Wellbeing Hub Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dentalwellbeinghub#InterferenceCast #BeyondDentistryWant more?Check out the episode with Marco Maiolino on perfectionism in dentistry – Stop Being a Perfectionist – it’s OK to Fail – PDP184This episode is eligible for 0.75 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance.This episode meets GDC Outcomes B and DAGD Subject Code: 770 Self-improvementAim: To explore the principles of compassion-focused dentistry and how emotional awareness, self-compassion, and team dynamics can improve clinician wellbeing and reduce burnout.Dentists will be able to –Recognise the role of emotional awareness and self-compassion in managing clinical stressIdentify key contributors to burnout in modern dental practiceApply practical strategies to foster a compassionate and sustainable workplace

Are you sacrificing your health for your patients?Are your neck and back quietly dictating how long you can practise?Do you skip workouts because you “don’t have time”?And what if your career ended—not by choice, but because your body gave up first?In this episode, Jaz is joined by Fraser Smith, a sports scientist and nutrition expert, to break down what dentists actually need to do to stay healthy, pain-free, and practising for longer. From EMS training and realistic exercise routines to nutrition and injury prevention, this is a practical guide to protecting your most important asset—your health. https://youtu.be/kQu7rDlzT8k Watch IC072 on YoutubeKey TakeawaysHealth is a key pillar of career longevity in dentistryMany dentists sacrifice exercise and sleep during high-stress periodsShort, consistent workouts are more sustainable than long, infrequent sessionsEMS can be a useful time-efficient adjunct but should not replace a full training programmeStrength, endurance, and mobility are all essential components of fitnessMost dentists should start with small, manageable exercise habits and build graduallyDeadlifts are beneficial but require proper technique and guidanceReformer Pilates is a practical option for improving posture and mobilityStretching provides short-term relief but must be combined with strengtheningMost musculoskeletal pain in dentists is due to repetitive strain and weaknessMovement and gradual strengthening are key to managing and preventing painIgnoring early pain increases the risk of chronic, persistent symptomsNutrition should be balanced and sustainable rather than extremeProtein intake is often insufficient in active individualsSupplements can support performance but should not replace a good dietLong-term success depends on prioritising health as part of professional responsibilityHighlights of this episode:00:00 Teaser00:53 Introduction05:40 What is EMS Training?07:45 Get to know Fraser Smith09:35 What’s the ideal health routine for Dentists?11:56 Deadlifts for Dentists15:01 Stretching & Posture Tips for Dentists18:35 Midroll21:56 Stretching & Posture Tips for Dentists25:41 Balanced Nutrition28:23 Protein Intake Suggestions30:51 Back Pain Management39:09 Outro💡For tailored support with strength, posture, and long-term health,  check out Vive Fitness Want more?Check out episodes on health and longevity in dentistry: My Neck, My Back (Fix Your Posture While Removing Plaque!) – PDP220#InterferenceCast #BeyondDentistryThis episode is not eligible for CPD/CE points, but never fear, there are hundreds of hours of CPD waiting for you on the Ultimate Education Plan, including Premium clinical walkthroughs and Masterclasses.

(This episode discusses suicide prevention and mental health. It does not include graphic details, but please listen with care. If this topic feels close to home, consider pausing and reaching out to someone you trust or a mental health professional.)Why does dentistry have such high levels of stress and burnout?Why do so many clinicians feel isolated despite working in busy practices?What are the early warning signs that a colleague might be struggling?And what can you actually do — practically — if someone is in crisis?In this powerful and deeply important episode, Professor John Gibson shares his personal story and the mission behind the Canmore Trust. The conversation explores suicide prevention in dentistry, how to recognise warning signs, and the simple but life-saving actions every clinician should know. https://youtu.be/F8uWxhn3B8k Watch IC071 on YouTubeKey TakeawaysDentistry has a well-recognised issue with stress, burnout, and suicide riskSuicide is always multifactorial — never caused by a single eventToxic culture, including harassment and unrealistic expectations, contributes to distressSocial media comparison can amplify feelings of inadequacy and isolationDentistry is uniquely demanding — both intellectually and technicallyMental health stigma prevents open conversations within the professionNeurodivergence is increasingly relevant and often underdiagnosedPerfectionism is a key risk trait linked to suicidal thinkingWorking below your moral standards creates significant psychological stressWarning signs include changes in temperament, withdrawal, and isolationAsking directly about suicide does not increase risk — it can save livesUse the “double bounce” approach: ask the question twice if neededIf someone says yes, act immediately — hospital or emergency servicesYou are not responsible for managing the crisis aloneEarly support includes sharing concerns and involving a trusted personGP support can be transformative and should not be delayedHighlight of this episode:00:00 Teaser00:51 Intro04:16 John Gibson Introduction07:15 Understanding the Scale of Suicide in Dentistry09:59 Why Suicide Happens in Dentistry11:13 Key Risk Factors of Suicide in Dentistry12:09 Social Media and Comparison12:52 Isolation13:04 Difficulty of Dentistry14:03 Mental Health Stigma15:22 Neurodiversity18:18 Perfectionism and Moral Conflict in Dentistry21:44 Recognising Warning Signs of Suicide21:46 Midroll25:07 Recognising Warning Signs of Suicide26:21 How to Approach a Suicidal Colleague28:49 Double Bounce Technique30:44 If the Answer is YES33:36 Support and Resources for Dentists34:12 Key Suicide Prevention Steps37:40 Creating a Supportive Workplace39:18 Reflective Space40:00 Daily Positivity Practice42:46 Canmore Trust Podcast42:59 OutroLearn more about mental health in Dentistry:Check out more episodes on mental health, burnout, and wellbeing in dentistry.PDP185 – Mental Health in DentistryIC040 – Overcoming Adversities💙 Support and resourcesIf this episode resonated with you or someone you know, explore the Canmore Trust for practical support and guidance:👉 thecanmoretrust.co.uk👉 The Canmore Trust PodcastThey also offer helpful resources and podcasts focused on suicide prevention and mental well-being for healthcare professionals.➡️General Dental Council – Mental Health and Well Being in Dentistry: A Rapid Evidence Assessment#InterferenceCast #Communication #BeyondDentistryThis episode is eligible for 0.5 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance.This episode meets GDC Outcomes BAGD Subject Code: 770 Self Improvement (Mental Health / Stress Management)Aim: To enhance clinicians’ understanding of suicide risk within dentistry, including contributing factors, warning signs, and practical approaches to supporting colleagues, fostering open conversations, and creating a mentally healthy workplace.Dentists will be able to –Recognise the multifactorial nature of suicide in dentistry and identify key contributing risk factors such as toxic culture, isolation, and stigma.Identify behavioural and emotional warning signs of suicide in dental professionals and apply appropriate communication strategies, including direct questioning and empathetic support.Implement practical steps to support colleagues in crisis and contribute to a workplace culture that prioritises mental health and wellbeing.

You’ve spotted the signs—wear, scalloping, fragmentation, maybe even a low AHI—but what does that really mean?When the data doesn’t match the symptoms, how do you move forward?And how do you integrate airway into full mouth rehab without compromising function, stability, or predictability?In this episode, Jaz is joined by Dr. Aston Parmar to explore the real-world application of airway dentistry. They discuss how to help patients own their problem, why sleep testing matters, and how airway influences diagnosis, treatment planning, and long-term outcomes. https://youtu.be/-zVV1FAT0NI Watch PDP263 on YouTubeProtrusive Dental PearlNasal Breathing and Simple ScreeningNasal airflow can be a major limiting factor in sleep quality.Simple test: flare nostrils → if breathing improves, nasal resistance may be present.Nasal dilators can be a cheap, low-risk intervention for selected patients.Not all patients need mandibular advancement — sometimes the issue is nasal.Second pearl: test snoring improvement by advancing the mandible.If forward positioning reduces snoring sound → mandibular advancement may help.Key TakeawaysPatients must own their problem before accepting treatmentAirway dentistry is about risk reduction, not cureApnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) has limitations—context and patterns matter more than raw scoresUpper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS) is common but underdiagnosedSleep fragmentation can exist even with low AHI scoresMyofunctional therapy improves compliance and outcomesMulti-night sleep testing provides more accurate insightsCollaboration with ENT specialists improves diagnostic accuracyAirway is the bookend of full mouth rehab (start and end)Dentistry should be airway-sympathetic, not just tooth-focusedMandibular advancement devices are effective but require careful titrationMorning occlusal guides help reduce bite changes from appliancesNot all patients need the same pathway—risk stratification is keyPredictability in dentistry depends on understanding the whole systemThe environment (airway, function, biology) matters more than the teethHighlights of this episode:00:00 – Introduction to Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome02:08 – Pearl: Nasal Breathing and Simple Screening07:43 – Recap: Myofunctional Therapy and Indications08:30 – Role of Myofunctional Therapy in Treatment Planning09:40 – Patient Communication and Case Acceptance23:20 – Sleep-Disordered Breathing Spectrum23:50 – Apnea vs Hypopnea and Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) Limitations30:00 – Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS)35:43 – Management of UARS37:00 – Mandibular Advancement Devices (MAD)39:00 – Maxillary Expansion and Surgical Options41:00 – Treatment Pathway and ENT Involvement44:00 – Risk Assessment in Full Mouth Rehab59:30 – Airway-Sympathetic Dentistry01:02:00 – Treatment Philosophy and Case Selection01:07:00 – Airway as Bookends of Treatment01:09:00 – Managing Side Effects of MAD01:12:00 – Career Insight and Final ReflectionsWant to learn more?Watch part 1 of this episode: PDP262 – Implementing Sleep, Airway and Myo to Restorative Dentistry Part 1Also, check out Stop Blaming Bruxism with Dr. Sandra Hulac – PDP142🦷Master Airway Dentistry in PracticeJoin Dr. Aston Parmar’s course on 8th May in CardiffLearn how to screen, test, and manage airway patientsUnderstand real-world workflows and patient communicationBuild confidence in integrating airway into your practice👉 Book via: www.dentalsleep.co.uk🦷 Ergonomics Day – Dentistry Without Back Pain!Join us Saturday, 13th June, Heathrow with Dr. Anikó Ball, world-leading ergonomics expert! Learn proper posture, positioning, and techniques to prevent back problems while practicing dentistry.💺 Hands-on workshop with a mobile dental chair📸 Live camera demo on a big screen💻 Can’t attend in person? Join online with live stream & replay🎟 Early bird tickets even include a full event video!👉 Grab your spot now!#PDPMainEpisodes #CareerDevelopment #OrthoRestorativeThis episode is eligible for 1.25 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance. This episode meets GDC Outcome CAGD Subject Code: 730 – Oral Medicine, Oral Diagnosis, Oral PathologyAimTo provide dentists with a practical understanding of airway-focused dentistry, including sleep assessment, risk-based treatment planning, and the integration of airway considerations into full mouth rehabilitation.Dentists will be able to:Recognize the limitations of AHI and the importance of sleep fragmentation in diagnosis.Understand the role of myofunctional therapy in improving airway function and treatment outcomes.Apply a risk-based approach when integrating airway considerations into restorative and occlusal treatment planning.

What do you actually do once you’ve screened a patient for airway or sleep-disordered breathing?You suspect sleep apnea—but since we can’t diagnose it as dentists, how does that influence the care you provide?What do you do with that information, and who should you be working with to help your patient?And what if you want to implement airway into your practice—but you’re not in the right environment to do so?In this episode, Dr. Aston Parmar joins Jaz to break down how to implement airway in everyday dentistry. Together, they explore what happens after screening, how it influences treatment planning, and how dentists can work with other professionals to deliver better care. https://youtu.be/wGbgbW8muUI Watch PDP262 on YouTube Protrusive Dental PearlUse the Mallampati Score as a quick chairside airway screen: have the patient open wide and stick out their tongue. Grade 1 = low risk; higher grades indicate greater Sleep-Disordered Breathing risk. ⚠️ In TMD patients, limited opening can give falsely high scores. ✅ Always interpret alongside history and full exam.Key TakeawaysAirway management is often overlooked in dental education.Sleep testing can significantly improve patient outcomes.Dentists should focus on airway health to enhance sleep quality.Collaboration with orthodontists can benefit patient care.Myofunctional therapy is crucial for both children and adults.Early intervention before age six is vital for nasal breathing.Tongue function plays a significant role in dental health.Breathing patterns can affect orthodontic stability.The Malampati score is a key indicator of sleep disorder risk.Upper airway resistance syndrome can be difficult to diagnose.Collaboration with myofunctional therapists enhances patient outcomes.Understanding airway health is essential for total body health.Inspiring the next generation of dental professionals is important.Highlights of this episode:00:00 Teaser00:51 Introduction04:03 Protrusive Dental Pearl: Mallampati Score05:37 Meet Dr. Aston Parmar09:51 Journey into Dentistry17:10 Implementing Training in Practice22:41 First Exposure to Airway Concept30:18 South Wales Dental Sleep Clinic Model30:21 Midroll33:42 South Wales Dental Sleep Clinic Model41:17 Myofunctional Therapy Explained48: 51 Orthodontic Stability and Neutral Zone54:52 Quickfire Screening Red Flags01:02:55 Sleep Apnea Basics01:04:23 Upper Area Resistance Syndrome (UARS)01:08:53 OutroWant more? Check out Airway Dentistry with Jeff Rouse – PDP229🦷 Ergonomics Day – Dentistry Without Back Pain!Join us Saturday, 13th June, Heathrow with Dr. Anikó Ball, world-leading ergonomics expert! Learn proper posture, positioning, and techniques to prevent back problems while practicing dentistry.💺 Hands-on workshop with a mobile dental chair📸 Live camera demo on a big screen💻 Can’t attend in person? Join online with live stream & replay🎟 Early bird tickets even include a full event video!👉 Grab your spot now!#PDPMainEpisodes #CareerDevelopment #OrthoRestorativeThis episode is eligible for 1 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance. This episode meets GDC Outcome CAGD Subject Code: 730 – Oral Medicine, Oral Diagnosis, Oral PathologyAim: To provide a practical, data-driven framework for identifying airway-related risks, understanding myofunctional therapy, and integrating sleep screening into routine dental assessment.Dentists will be able to –Recognize key airway and sleep-related risk factors during routine dental examinations.2. Understand the role of myofunctional therapy in improving airway function and orthodontic stability.3. Apply simple chairside screening methods to identify patients who may require further airway assessment.

Are AI receptionists here to take over your practice?How do they actually work, and what can they do—or not do—for your team?Could they make life easier for staff without replacing humans, or are they just a gimmick?In this episode, award-winning dentist and marketing expert Dr. Grant McAree joins Jaz to break down AI receptionists. Together, they explore what an AI receptionist really is, how it integrates with your practice, and the compliance and legal considerations every dentist should know.They also dive into the bigger picture—who these systems are really for, how patient interactions are managed, and a live demonstration of an AI receptionist in action that shows exactly what it can—and can’t—do for your practice. https://youtu.be/Jx-0jOZG3lE Watch IC070 on YouTubeKey Takeaways:AI receptionists are evolving to provide better patient interactions.Data insights reveal significant gaps in patient communication.The technology is designed to assist, not replace human receptionists.AI can help streamline appointment bookings and patient inquiries.Understanding patient needs is crucial for effective AI responses.Customization of AI responses is essential for different practices.The future of AI in dentistry looks promising but requires careful implementation.AI should not be seen as a replacement but as a tool for efficiency.Compliance and data storage are critical in patient interactions.The integration of AI can lead to improved patient experiences.YouTube Highlights:00:00 Teaser05:06 Meet Dr. Grant McAree07:32 Grant’s Journey to AI11:03 AI Gold Rush and Inequality11:56 Interjection14:01 AI Gold Rush and Inequality15:59 Compliance and Legal Risks18:42 What an AI Receptionist Does20:54 Midroll24:16 What an AI Receptionist Does26:51 Comparing AI to Human Receptionists32:47 Leads Data and Compliance36:38 Future Adoption and Risks42:46 Additional Features and Learning More43:30 Jaz Call to AI Receptionist46:01 OutroUnlock the future of patient consultations! 🎯Join my free course and learn how to use smart glasses + flamingo camera to give patients a live guided tour of their mouth—showing cracks, stains, and all the details in real time.✅ Step-by-step setup✅ Compatible with all loupes✅ Tips to maximize patient trust and conversion✅ PDF guides and tutorials includedDM me FLAMINGO on Instagram or Click Here to enroll before I start charging! Don’t miss out on this wow-factor technology.Check out RoboReception—an AI receptionist and lead tracker that captures interactions and streamlines practice workflow.If you want to dive deeper into AI, check out Practical AI for Dentistry – Save Time, Achieve More#InterferenceCast #BeyondDentistryThis episode is eligible for 0.75 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance. This episode meets GDC Outcomes AAGD Subject Code: 550 PRACTICE MANAGEMENT AND HUMAN RELATIONSAimTo understand the role, capabilities, compliance requirements, and practical integration of AI reception systems in dental practices.Dentists will be able to –Identify key functions and limitations of AI reception systems in dentistry.Understand compliance and legal risks associated with AI in both NHS and private settings.Recognize practical strategies for integrating AI to support staff without replacing them.

Can you claim parking expenses as a dentist?What about a coffee machine for your practice—could that really be deductible?Or investing in a MSc in Implantology—does that count as a tax write-off?In this episode, chartered accountant Sebastian Stracey joins Jaz to answer all those “am I naughty if I claim this?” questions that dentists and associates always wonder about. Together, they cover what’s truly deductible, what isn’t, and some surprising exceptions you might not expect.They also dive into the bigger picture—how principals and associates really compare in terms of income, stress, and responsibility—and Seb shares insights that might change the way you view your career path. https://youtu.be/BW_TZ5iZ-B8 Watch PDP261 on YouTubeProtrusive Dental PearlCheck out our free Financial Resilience Webinar Replay on Protrusive Guidance, where Dr. Sunny Sadana and I discuss associate contracts, case acceptance, investing, and fee setting.Key Takeaways:Dentists often forget to claim mobile phone bills as expenses.Home office usage can be claimed, especially for associates.Keeping detailed mileage logs is crucial for claiming travel expenses.Laundry and cleaning expenses for scrubs can be claimed.Communication with your accountant is key to maximizing claims.Continuing education expenses can be gray areas but may be allowable.Gathering evidence for claims is essential to justify them to HMRC.Specialization programs can be claimed if they build on existing knowledge.Fixed fee services for accountants are beneficial for associates.Always discuss your situation with your accountant to ensure compliance. Many new dentists struggle financially during their training.Understanding tax obligations is crucial for financial stability.VAT regulations can be complex, especially for cosmetic treatments.It’s important to save for tax throughout the year, not just at the end.Common misconceptions about tax deductions can lead to financial pitfalls.Dentists should engage in financial education early in their careers.Expense claims can be tricky, especially for gifts and personal items.The distinction between personal and business expenses is vital for tax purposes.Associates and principals have different financial realities in dentistry.Communication and education about finances are essential for dental professionals.Highlight of this episode:00:00 Teaser00:42 Introduction02:06 Pearl: Free Financial Resilience Webinar Replay04:45 Meet Sebastian Stracey06:56 Common Missed Expenses13:57 Home Internet Claims16:49 Asking Accountants Questions19:07 Claiming Masters Courses26:31 Specialist Training Costs27:30 Midroll30:41 Specialist Training Costs33:28 Saving for Tax Bills36:36 VAT on Cosmetic Work40:06 “Am I Naughty If?” Questions49:10 Wild Expense Attempts50:11 Ways Dentists Can Learn More About Tax and Finance51:56 Associate vs Principal Numbers53:39 OutroGet expert financial guidance for individuals and businesses with Humphrey & Co—your trusted partners in taxes, planning, and business successLearn strategies for career security, smart investing, and building wealth—watch Personal Finances for Dentists (IC068)#PDPMainEpisodes #BeyondDentistryThis episode is eligible for 0.75 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance. This episode meets GDC Outcomes B.AGD Subject Code: 550 – Practice Management and Human ResourcesAim: To outline common allowable and non-allowable expense claims for dentists and highlight the importance of documentation, communication with accountants, and financial planning.Dentists will be able to –Identify commonly missed claimable expenses in dental practice.Recognize expenses that are not allowable under tax rules.Understand the importance of documentation and communication with accountants when claiming expenses.

Can AI really help you communicate better with patients?What if you could audit your own consultations and discover which words, pauses, and stories increase treatment acceptance?Dr. David Amador joins Jaz for a fascinating episode exploring how AI can transform the way we interact with patients. From auditing conversations to radiographic interpretation, they break down practical applications that improve both communication and patient care.They also discuss how storytelling, patient trust, and ethical use of AI all come together to boost treatment acceptance — showing that AI isn’t here to replace us, but to make us better. https://youtu.be/L38Hhu855Ro Watch IC069 on YouTubeKey TakeawaysAI is transforming the way dental practices operate.Storytelling is crucial for effective patient communication.Building a strong team culture enhances practice success.Data security is paramount when using AI tools.Continuous training is essential for team development.Patient engagement strategies can improve treatment acceptance.AI tools can streamline administrative tasks and improve efficiency.Understanding patient needs leads to better care outcomes.Effective marketing requires a solid online presence and SEO.Networking with other professionals can provide valuable insights.Highlight of the episode00:00 Teaser00:34 Intro02:23 Dr. Amador’s Background and Practice08:14 Using AI for Decision Support10:26 Leveraging AI for Communication and Training15:57 Using AI for Patient Care and Diagnosis21:37 Midroll 124:58 Using AI for Patient Care and Diagnosis26:11 Leveraging AI for Dental Practice Efficiency27:35 Midroll 230:20 Leveraging AI for Dental Practice Efficiency32:44 Training and Scaling with AI Tools33:45 Creating SOPs and Playbooks36:53 Enhancing Patient Communication with Personalized Videos40:36 Training and Data-Driven Growth44:52 OutroAI isn’t the future — it’s your next teammate.Imagine: while you focus on patient care, AI records your consults, summarizes them, audits your communication, and helps interpret radiographs.Plaud.ai makes note-taking automatic. Overjet makes diagnostics and patient communication crystal clear.Check out Midtown Dental Studio — where cutting-edge technology meets genuine care. If you found this episode valuable, don’t miss PS015: Communicating Fees, Treatment Plans, and More#InterferenceCast #CareerDevelopment #CommunicationThis episode is eligible for 0.75 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance. This episode meets GDC Outcomes A and BAGD Subject Code: 550 – Practice Management and Human RelationsAim: To explore how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to audit communication, enhance storytelling, and improve patient conversion while maintaining patient-centered care.Dentists will be able to –Explain how AI tools can support communication, diagnosis, and patient understanding in dentistry.Demonstrate how storytelling and patient-centered communication influence treatment acceptance.Evaluate the ethical, professional, and practical considerations of integrating AI into dental practice.

What is a prompt, and how do AI models actually work?Which AI tools should you be using in dentistry?Is it safe to put patient details into AI—and how can it help you save time and reduce stress?In this episode, Dr. Daz Kasperek joins to make AI in dentistry tangible, even if you’ve never used it before. Together, we cover the basics: from getting started with prompts and AI models to understanding ethical considerations and practical ways AI can streamline your workflow.They also explore the bigger picture—how AI can improve efficiency, enhance patient communication, and give clinicians more time to enjoy life outside the clinic. https://youtu.be/cmin0h7GNyE Watch PDP260 on YouTube Protrusive Dental Pearl: A free AI tool called Dental Disrupt Smile Simulator lets you upload a smile photo and instantly generate a realistic smile makeover simulation for patient discussions. It runs as a custom GPT inside ChatGPT, created by Dr. Jason LipscombKey Takeaways:AI is revolutionizing the field of dentistry, particularly in diagnosis.Prompt engineering is crucial for effective AI interactions.Personalization of AI tools can significantly improve their utility.AI can automate administrative tasks, potentially reducing the need for receptionists.AI can enhance communication between dentists and patients.The integration of AI in dentistry is still in its early stages.AI can provide personalized recommendations for patient care.Voice transcription is a more efficient way to interact with AI.The future of dentistry will heavily rely on AI technologies. AI is revolutionizing image creation in dentistry.Choosing the right AI model is crucial for effective use.Patient confidentiality must be prioritized when using AI.AI can transform administrative roles in dentistry.AI can assist in personalized education and training.The human connection in healthcare cannot be replaced by AI.Job roles will evolve rather than disappear due to AI.AI’s limitations highlight the importance of clinician expertise.Episode Highlights:00:00 Teaser01:08 Introduction03:05 Protrusive Dental Pearl – Smile Simulator06:39 Meet Dr Daz Kasperek07:16 AI Adoption and Inequality16:58 Better Prompting with RCT (Role, Context, Task)21:56 AI and Administrative Work in Dentistry30:42 AI Notes in Practice35:05 Midroll38:26 AI Notes in Practice38:49 Smile Simulator Demo41:57 Choosing Your AI Stack49:01 Patient Confidentiality and Data Safety54:38 AI in Dentistry – What It Will Replace01:01:56 What AI Cannot Replace01:04:53 Endo AI Research and Thesis01:07:10 Contact and Resources01:08:17 OutroIf you enjoyed this episode, don’t miss “NEVER Write Notes Again! How I Use AI for Awesome and Efficient Dental Records – PDP181.”#PDPMainEpisodes #CareerDevelopment This episode is eligible for 1 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance. This episode meets GDC Outcomes A and C.AGD Subject Code: 550 PRACTICE MANAGEMENT AND HUMAN RELATIONSAim: To provide dental professionals with a foundational understanding of artificial intelligence (AI) in dentistry, including its practical applications, limitations, and ethical considerations, to improve efficiency, patient communication, and clinical workflow.Dentists will be able to:Explain what AI is and the difference between an AI model and a prompt.Identify key AI platforms and tools relevant to dentistry and personal use.Apply AI safely in clinical practice while maintaining patient confidentiality.

Are you struggling to get your resin work looking flawless?Wondering how to polish your composites so they shine like a pro?Curious about practical tips you can implement immediately to level up your smile makeovers?In this episode, Dr. Charles Brandon shares three game-changing secrets for mastering composite resin. From practical techniques you can apply right away to a conceptual tip that will completely transform the way you polish, Charles leaves no stone unturned.Get ready for an episode packed with actionable advice, insider knowledge, and inspiration from a dentist whose resin work is truly next-level. Whether you’re refining your layering skills or aiming for that perfect finish, this episode is a must-listen. https://youtu.be/dBlN_rbHnTI Watch PDP259 on YouTubeProtrusive Dental Pearl: Level up your resin veneers with the Perio Bur (code and more info here)— a long diamond bur for the slow-speed 1:1 handpiece that gives unmatched control, crisp shaping, and beautiful texture. If you use only one bur for finishing composite, make it this one.Check out this video of Perio bur in Action on a Real Resin Veneer Case → protrusive.co.uk/perioburKey TakeawaysThe significance of patient communication and understanding their needs is highlighted.Mistakes are seen as learning opportunities that contribute to growth in practice.The role of mentorship in navigating challenges in aesthetic dentistry is discussed.Aesthetic communication is crucial for patient satisfaction.Patients are visually aided, not verbally aided.Effective layering techniques can enhance composite work.Practice on typodont models to build skills.The polish is secondary to proper placement and finishing.Understanding composite materials is key to success.Start with two shades for layering to minimize complexity.Courses should cover the entire process, not just techniques.Self-teaching is a valuable way to improve skills.Investing in oneself is essential for growth in dentistry.YouTube Highlights:00:00 Teaser01:10 Introduction02:05 Protrusive Dental Pearl – Using a Perio Bur05:56 Dr. Charles Brandon’s Journey in Dentistry11:42 Challenges and Reflections in Aesthetic Dentistry19:08 Perfect Smile Secret #1: Build from the Bottom Up26:08 Managing Temporaries During a Trial Smile26:48 Midroll30:09 Managing Temporaries During a Trial Smile35:17 Freehand vs. Stent-Based Systems39:19 Perfect Smile Secret #2: More Than Polish44:23 Perfect Smile Secret #3: It’s Not the Composite48:19 Practice and Continuous Learning53:20 Course Offerings and Final Thoughts56:00 OutroLevel Up Your SkillsPractice at home with a simple AliExpress setup (~$200) including a 1:5 & 1:1 handpiece plus micromotor.Take it further with Dr. Charles Brandon’s composite veneer Masterclass and master the full process from design to finish.If you enjoyed this episode, check out Minimal Preparation Veneers – PDP219.#PDPMainEpisodes #AdhesiveDentistry #CareerDevelopmentThis episode is eligible for 0.75 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance. This episode meets GDC Outcomes  C.AGD Subject Code: 780 ESTHETICS/COSMETIC DENTISTRYAim: To equip dentists with practical techniques, workflows, and mindset strategies for delivering high-quality aesthetic dentistry using composite veneers, from patient communication and trial smiles to layering, polishing, and continuous skill development.Dentists will be able to –Explain the importance of patient communication, trial smiles, and expectation management in aesthetic dentistry.Demonstrate a stepwise workflow for additive composite veneers, including mock-ups, trial duration, and handling of temporaries.Apply layering, finishing, and polishing techniques effectively using minimal composite shades to achieve predictable aesthetic outcomes.Cost:Access to this CE activity is included with an active Protrusive Guidance membership. Current membership pricing is available at www.protrusive.app.Cancellation & Refund Policy:Memberships may be cancelled at any time. Access to CE activities remains active until the end of the current billing cycle. Subscription charges are non-refundable once processed. Full details are available at www.protrusive.app.

Are you a high-earning dentist… living paycheck to paycheck?Do you ever feel financially stretched – despite earning well?Are you trapped in dentistry’s “golden handcuffs”?And what would your life look like if you worked because you wanted to… not because you had to?In this rare solo episode, Jaz steps away from occlusion and restorative dentistry to talk about something just as important: personal finances and career security for dentists.After going deep down the money rabbit hole — reading books like Rich Dad Poor Dad, The Simple Path to Wealth, and I Will Teach You To Be Rich — Jaz shares how his upbringing, early career decisions, and financial education shaped his beliefs about wealth, freedom, and dentistry.This isn’t financial advice.It’s a mindset shift.And for many dentists, it might be the most important episode you hear this year. https://youtu.be/4OXruGIdb_g Watch IC068 on YouTubeYour day list reflects your earning power.The work you do each day quietly sets the limits of what you can earn.Exams and single-surface composites create one kind of ceiling; comprehensive cases, ortho, rehab, sedation, and complex restorative work create another.Upskilling changes that ceiling and gives you far more control over your financial future.Want more mindset shifts like this?AskJaz — your on-demand dental brain — is built into the Protrusive App.Key TakeawaysHigh income does not guarantee financial security.Dentistry can become “golden handcuffs” without asset building.Invest in yourself early — skill drives earning power.Lifestyle creep quietly erodes freedom.Financial independence means practicing because you want to.Define your rich life and align spending accordingly.Highlights of This Episode:00:00 Why talk about money on a dental podcast?04:12 Perspective and gratitude as dentists10:45 The 45% paycheck-to-paycheck poll16:20 Associates vs principals — the reality22:34 Lifestyle creep explained27:18 Golden handcuffs in dentistry31:10 Growing up with financial scarcity40:02 Investing in yourself early in your career47:55 Index funds and financial resilience55:20 The 20% happiness illusion01:02:18 Defining your rich life01:08:42 Action steps and reflection#PersonalFinances This episode isnot eligible for CPD/CE points, but never fear, there are hundreds of hours of CPD waiting for you on the Ultimate Education Plan.If you enjoyed this episode, check out IC022 – Income for Dentists and Jaz’s Top 10 Financial Literacy books inside Protrusive Guidance.

Have you ever wondered how hypnotherapy can help your dental patients? Can it really reduce anxiety, manage chronic pain, or even stop habits like cheek biting? How can dentists integrate hypnotherapy into their care without stepping outside their scope of practice? In this episode, Jaz and Dr. Rita Pais break down how hypnotherapy works, who can benefit, and practical ways dentists can incorporate it into patient care. They also discuss real patient examples, from dental phobia to awake bruxism, showing how a minimally invasive talking therapy can make a real difference in improving habits, reducing stress, and enhancing overall patient outcomes. https://youtu.be/ONnC_nP0iBQ Watch PDP258 on YouTube Protrusive Dental Pearl: How to Get Patients to Happily Accept a Mouth Prop – Use confident, directive communication paired with a simple analogy and a swallowing expectation to dramatically improve patient acceptance of mouth props. Key Takeaways Hypnotherapy combines hypnosis with therapeutic techniques for health outcomes. Cognitive Behavioral Hypnotherapy (CBH) enhances treatment effectiveness. Patients must be willing to try hypnotherapy for it to work. Chronic pain management can benefit from relaxation techniques in hypnotherapy. Hypnotherapy can address dental phobias and habits like nail-biting. Awareness of habits is crucial for effective hypnotherapy. Finding a qualified hypnotherapist is essential for successful treatment. Science-based approaches in hypnotherapy are preferred by practitioners. Success stories in hypnotherapy can be very rewarding for practitioners. Hypnotherapy can be delivered online or in person, making it accessible. Youtube Highlights 00:00 Teaser 00:59 Introduction 02:13 Protrusive dental pearl: How to Get Patients to Happily Accept a Mouth Prop 05:35 Dr. Rita Pais: Journey into Hypnotherapy 06:32 Hypnotherapy and Its Applications 08:39 Understanding Hypnotherapy and Pain 11:59 How Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy Works 15:35 Midroll 18:56 How Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy Works 20:41 Dental Indications for Hypnotherapy 24:41 Finding a Trusted Hypnotherapist 26:50 Mock Hypnotherapy Session: Patient Journey 30:51 Final Thoughts and Resources 32:28 Outro For dentists looking to refer patients, The Hypnotherapy Directory is one available resource, though it lists all types of hypnotherapy. For patients or colleagues interested in hypnotherapy referrals or collaboration, check out: Rita Pais Hypnotherapy If you loved this episode, make sure to watch Hypnotize Your Patients with 3 Quick Techniques – IC015 This episode is eligible for 0.5 CE credit (Self-instruction) via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance.  This episode meets GDC Outcomes A and C. AGD Subject Code: 340 ANESTHESIA AND PAIN MANAGEMENT (Anxiolysis) Aim: To provide dentists with a practical overview of hypnotherapy applications in dentistry, including cognitive behavioural hypnotherapy (CBH), patient selection, and habit/pain management. Dentists will be able to – Distinguish between hypnosis and hypnotherapy. Explain how cognitive behavioural hypnotherapy integrates CBT and hypnosis. Identify dental indications for hypnotherapy, including phobias, pain, and habits. Cost:Access to this CE activity is included with an active Protrusive Guidance membership. Current membership pricing is available at www.protrusive.app. Cancellation & Refund Policy:Memberships may be cancelled at any time. Access to CE activities remains active until the end of the current billing cycle. Subscription charges are non-refundable once processed. Full details are available at www.protrusive.app.

Have you ever wondered how hypnotherapy can help your dental patients?Can it really reduce anxiety, manage chronic pain, or even stop habits like cheek biting?How can dentists integrate hypnotherapy into their care without stepping outside their scope of practice?In this episode, Jaz and Dr. Rita Pais break down how hypnotherapy works, who can benefit, and practical ways dentists can incorporate it into patient care.They also discuss real patient examples, from dental phobia to awake bruxism, showing how a minimally invasive talking therapy can make a real difference in improving habits, reducing stress, and enhancing overall patient outcomes. https://youtu.be/ONnC_nP0iBQ Watch PDP258 on YouTubeProtrusive Dental Pearl: How to Get Patients to Happily Accept a Mouth Prop – Use confident, directive communication paired with a simple analogy and a swallowing expectation to dramatically improve patient acceptance of mouth props.Key TakeawaysHypnotherapy combines hypnosis with therapeutic techniques for health outcomes.Cognitive Behavioral Hypnotherapy (CBH) enhances treatment effectiveness.Patients must be willing to try hypnotherapy for it to work.Chronic pain management can benefit from relaxation techniques in hypnotherapy.Hypnotherapy can address dental phobias and habits like nail-biting.Awareness of habits is crucial for effective hypnotherapy.Finding a qualified hypnotherapist is essential for successful treatment.Science-based approaches in hypnotherapy are preferred by practitioners.Success stories in hypnotherapy can be very rewarding for practitioners.Hypnotherapy can be delivered online or in person, making it accessible.Youtube Highlights00:00 Teaser00:59 Introduction02:13 Protrusive dental pearl: How to Get Patients to Happily Accept a Mouth Prop05:35 Dr. Rita Pais: Journey into Hypnotherapy06:32 Hypnotherapy and Its Applications08:39 Understanding Hypnotherapy and Pain11:59 How Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy Works15:35 Midroll18:56 How Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy Works20:41 Dental Indications for Hypnotherapy24:41 Finding a Trusted Hypnotherapist26:50 Mock Hypnotherapy Session: Patient Journey30:51 Final Thoughts and Resources32:28 OutroFor dentists looking to refer patients, The Hypnotherapy Directory is one available resource, though it lists all types of hypnotherapy.For patients or colleagues interested in hypnotherapy referrals or collaboration, check out: Rita Pais HypnotherapyIf you loved this episode, make sure to watch Hypnotize Your Patients with 3 Quick Techniques – IC015This episode is eligible for 0.5 CE credit (Self-instruction) via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance. This episode meets GDC Outcomes A and C.AGD Subject Code: 340 ANESTHESIA AND PAIN MANAGEMENT (Anxiolysis)Aim: To provide dentists with a practical overview of hypnotherapy applications in dentistry, including cognitive behavioural hypnotherapy (CBH), patient selection, and habit/pain management.Dentists will be able to –Distinguish between hypnosis and hypnotherapy.Explain how cognitive behavioural hypnotherapy integrates CBT and hypnosis.Identify dental indications for hypnotherapy, including phobias, pain, and habits.Cost:Access to this CE activity is included with an active Protrusive Guidance membership. Current membership pricing is available at www.protrusive.app.Cancellation & Refund Policy:Memberships may be cancelled at any time. Access to CE activities remains active until the end of the current billing cycle. Subscription charges are non-refundable once processed. Full details are available at www.protrusive.app.

After watching this episode, you’ll understand exactly why owning your website matters. And here’s the good news: as a Protrusive community member, you can get 50% off your professional dental website – built specifically for associates who want to stand out.👉 Claim your exclusive discount: protrusive.co.uk/websiteDo you really need your own website as an associate, or is a strong Instagram profile enough? How do you build trust with patients before they even meet you? And how can you ensure you are visible to the patients who are now using AI tools like ChatGPT to find their next dentist?  https://youtu.be/7StOMRLqFuI Watch IC067 on YouTubeIn this episode, digital marketing expert Rick O’Neill joins Jaz to discuss the evolving landscape of dental marketing. Together, they explore the “Zero Moment of Truth” and the 7–11–4 rule, explaining why a website is the only digital asset you truly own in a world of “rented” social media space. They also dive into the future of search, covering how to optimize your presence for both Google and AI, and why authentic video content is the ultimate tool for bridging the “belief gap” with prospective patients.Key Takeaways:Having a purpose beyond profit is crucial for success.The ‘I do, we do, they do’ model is effective for team growth.Patient behavior has evolved; they research extensively before choosing a provider.A personal website is essential for establishing credibility and trust.Visual content, including professional photography, enhances personal branding.Search engine optimization is vital for attracting local patients.Social proof, such as patient testimonials, is more impactful than before-and-after photos alone.Messaging is key; it should resonate with the target audience’s pain points.Dentists have a responsibility to educate the public about their services.Investing in digital marketing can yield measurable returns.Highlights of this episode:00:00 Teaser00:47 Introduction05:43 Introducing Rick O’Neill: Expert in Digital Presence06:43 Insights from Richard Branson10:15 Entry Into Marketing and Dentistry13:25 Digital Assets for Associates and Practices20:26 Key Elements of an Effective Associate Website26:01 Search Optimization: Making Your Website Discoverable26:48 Midroll30:09 Search Optimization: Making Your Website Discoverable32:40 Dentist’s Role in Content Creation34:19 Importance of Social Proof in Dental Marketing45:02 Building a Personal Brand with a Website48:43 The Future of AI in Dental Marketing52:35 Digital Solutions for Associates and Clinics57:04 Resources for Principals and Associates57:41 Outro🎉 Special Community Offer: 50% Off!If you’re nodding along thinking “I need to get serious about my digital presence,” here’s your opportunity.Protrusive community members get 50% off a professionally designed dental website👉 Head over to: protrusive.co.uk/websiteActivate your 50% discount and get your professional, patient-facing website up and running.Check out my website to see what a modern associate website can look like.Want more on building your dental brand? Don’t miss PDP037: Personal Branding for Dentists – Logos and Websites with Shaz Memon#InterferenceCast #CareerDevelopment #CommunicationThis episode is eligible for 0.75 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance. This episode meets GDC Outcomes B and C.AGD Subject Code: 550 PRACTICE MANAGEMENT AND HUMAN RELATIONSAim: To understand the role of personal and practice websites in modern dentistry and how associates and principals can use digital tools to build trust, credibility, and patient engagement.Dentists will be able to –Explain why a personal website is valuable for dentists and associates.Identify the key elements that make an associate website effective.Describe strategies to use digital assets, SEO, and content for patient trust and conversion.

Did Triman ever buy his own camera setup?Has he figured out which niche or specialty he wants to pursue?Are molar endodontics and surgical extractions still his fear procedures?And how’s he getting on with those tricky fee discussions and private patient conversations?Dr Triman Ahluwalia returns for another catch-up — one year after stepping into his first associate position. In this episode, Jaz follows Triman’s journey from new graduate to confident young clinician, exploring what’s changed and what lessons he’s learned along the way.From building confidence in complex procedures to improving communication and investing in the right tools, this episode is packed with insights every fresh grad and early-career dentist can relate to. https://youtu.be/gJNUM6JSLfE Watch IC066 on YouTubeTakeawaysInvesting in photography can enhance documentation and patient engagement.Confidence in discussing costs with patients improves with experience.Mentorship is vital for growth and learning in dentistry.Building a strong portfolio is essential for career development.Choosing the right educational path depends on personal learning styles.Communication with patients should focus on care rather than costs.Dentistry offers diverse pathways for specialization and growth.Highlights:00:00 Teaser00:30 Introduction03:18 Patient Demographics and Practice Insights06:04 Investing in Photography Equipment10:13  Handling Complex Procedures and Referrals13:20 Choosing the Right Courses for Career Growth17:21 Communicating Costs and Building Confidence18:32 Midroll21:53 Communicating Costs and Building Confidence27:31 Learning from Senior Colleagues and Mentorship31:50 Building and Improving Your Dental Portfolio33:56 Final Reflections and Advice for Young Dentists38:41 Outro🎙️ Connect with Dr. Triman Ahluwalia:Instagram: @drtrimanLinkedIn: Dr Triman AhluwaliaIf you enjoyed this episode, don’t miss Triman’s earlier appearance — I Interviewed a New Grad 7 Months Apart – First Year of Practice (IC052)#InterferenceCast #Communication #CareerDevelopmentThis episode isnot eligible for CPD/CE points, but never fear, there are hundreds of hours of CPD waiting for you on the Ultimate Education Plan, including Premium Clinical Walkthroughs and Masterclasses.

What if you finally reach the peak of your career—only to have your body shut it down? Why are so many dentists forced to cancel clinics, not because of burnout or skill, but because of crippling back pain? And what if this “expected hazard of dentistry” didn’t actually have to be inevitable? In this episode, Dr. Aniko Ball joins Jaz to challenge the long-held belief that chronic pain is just part of being a dentist. As an expert in dental ergonomics and the Alexander Technique, she reveals why so many clinicians are unknowingly damaging their bodies every single day—and how simple, overlooked changes can completely transform career longevity. The mission for this episode was simple: deliver five genuinely life-changing, immediately actionable tips to protect your neck, back, and future. No fluff. No theory for theory’s sake. Just practical changes you can implement straight away—starting from your very next clinic session. If your health matters to you as much as your dentistry, this is an unmissable episode. https://youtu.be/u7hEOPpEsGA Watch PDP27 on Youtube Protrusive Dental Pearl: Cut toxic noise, protect time for your health, and optimize the small habits you repeat daily. You only rotate ~10–13 meals—upgrade those, move a little more, sleep a little better. Small, consistent upgrades compound into an unrecognisable year. Key Takeaways: Back pain in dentistry is not inevitable—it is largely the result of cumulative postural habits. Most dental pain comes from holding positions the body was never designed to hold, not from single traumatic events. Lifting the elbow or shoulder for prolonged periods activates movement muscles, guaranteeing shoulder and upper back pain. A finger rest must be used on the non-dominant hand holding the mirror, not just the dominant hand. Hovering the mirror is equivalent to holding the arm raised against gravity. The spine is not designed for sustained bending or twisting, even slightly. Staying vertical is critical—move the patient and the chair, not your spine. Traditional loupes often force neck flexion; refractive loupes or microscopes allow upright posture and straight-ahead vision. Stool height matters: hips slightly higher than knees, feet flat, heels fully released into the floor. If leg weight isn’t given to the floor, the lower back absorbs the load instead. Habits outside the clinic—especially looking down at a mobile phone—train the same harmful postural patterns used in dentistry. Postural change feels strange at first because bad habits feel comfortable, even when they are damaging. Real change requires habit interruption, repetition, and support over several weeks. Your body is your most important instrument—protecting it protects your career. Highlights: 00:00 Teaser 00:52 Introduction 03:36 Pearl – Optimizing Small Habits 07:06 Interview with Dr. Aniko Ball: Her Journey on Ergonomics and Dentistry 10:00 Challenging Misconceptions in Dentistry 17:42 Common Mistakes and Practical Tips for Better Posture 28:29 Importance of Refractive Loupes and Microscopes 29:53 Midroll 33:14 Importance of Refractive Loupes and Microscopes 34:18 Communicating with Patients for Better Ergonomics 38:06 The Science of Habit Change and Neuromuscular Training 42:40 Optimizing Dental Stool Height for Better Ergonomics 47:14 The Impact of Mobile Phone Usage on Posture 50:53 Key Posture and Ergonomic Takeaways 53:35 Full-Day Ergonomics Workshop 59:13 Outro 🚨 This episode is the introduction.The real transformation happens in the room. 📍 Join Dr. Aniko Ball for a full-day, full-demonstration workshop and learn how to make your body—and your back—unbreakable. 📅 Saturday 13th of June — save the date. 🔗 protrusive.dental/unbreakable If this episode resonated with you, My Neck, My Back (Fix Your Posture While Removing Plaque!) – PDP220 is the perfect next watch. #PDPMainEpisodes ##BeyondDentistry #CareerDevelopment This episode is eligible for 0.75 CE credit (Self-instruction) via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance.  This episode meets GDC Outcomes C. AGD Subject Code: 130 ELECTIVES  Aim: To help dentists reduce cumulative musculoskeletal trauma by understanding how posture, habits, and equipment choices directly affect spinal, shoulder, and long-term career health. Dentists will be able to – Identify common postural habits in dentistry that lead to cumulative trauma and chronic pain. Apply practical ergonomic principles to reduce strain on the spine, shoulders, hips, and neck. Modify daily habits, including non-clinical activities, to support long-term musculoskeletal health. Cost:Access to this CE activity is included with an active Protrusive Guidance membership. Current membership pricing is available at www.protrusive.app. Cancellation & Refund Policy:Memberships may be cancelled at any time. Access to CE activities remains active until the end of the current billing cycle. Subscription charges are non-refundable once processed. Full details are available at www.protrusive.app.

What if you finally reach the peak of your career—only to have your body shut it down?Why are so many dentists forced to cancel clinics, not because of burnout or skill, but because of crippling back pain?And what if this “expected hazard of dentistry” didn’t actually have to be inevitable?In this episode, Dr. Aniko Ball joins Jaz to challenge the long-held belief that chronic pain is just part of being a dentist. As an expert in dental ergonomics and the Alexander Technique, she reveals why so many clinicians are unknowingly damaging their bodies every single day—and how simple, overlooked changes can completely transform career longevity.The mission for this episode was simple: deliver five genuinely life-changing, immediately actionable tips to protect your neck, back, and future. No fluff. No theory for theory’s sake. Just practical changes you can implement straight away—starting from your very next clinic session.If your health matters to you as much as your dentistry, this is an unmissable episode. https://youtu.be/u7hEOPpEsGA Watch PDP27 on YoutubeProtrusive Dental Pearl: Cut toxic noise, protect time for your health, and optimize the small habits you repeat daily. You only rotate ~10–13 meals—upgrade those, move a little more, sleep a little better. Small, consistent upgrades compound into an unrecognisable year.Key Takeaways:Back pain in dentistry is not inevitable—it is largely the result of cumulative postural habits.Most dental pain comes from holding positions the body was never designed to hold, not from single traumatic events.Lifting the elbow or shoulder for prolonged periods activates movement muscles, guaranteeing shoulder and upper back pain.A finger rest must be used on the non-dominant hand holding the mirror, not just the dominant hand.Hovering the mirror is equivalent to holding the arm raised against gravity.The spine is not designed for sustained bending or twisting, even slightly.Staying vertical is critical—move the patient and the chair, not your spine.Traditional loupes often force neck flexion; refractive loupes or microscopes allow upright posture and straight-ahead vision.Stool height matters: hips slightly higher than knees, feet flat, heels fully released into the floor.If leg weight isn’t given to the floor, the lower back absorbs the load instead.Habits outside the clinic—especially looking down at a mobile phone—train the same harmful postural patterns used in dentistry.Postural change feels strange at first because bad habits feel comfortable, even when they are damaging.Real change requires habit interruption, repetition, and support over several weeks.Your body is your most important instrument—protecting it protects your career.Highlights:00:00 Teaser00:52 Introduction03:36 Pearl – Optimizing Small Habits07:06 Interview with Dr. Aniko Ball: Her Journey on Ergonomics and Dentistry10:00 Challenging Misconceptions in Dentistry17:42 Common Mistakes and Practical Tips for Better Posture28:29 Importance of Refractive Loupes and Microscopes29:53 Midroll33:14 Importance of Refractive Loupes and Microscopes34:18 Communicating with Patients for Better Ergonomics38:06 The Science of Habit Change and Neuromuscular Training42:40 Optimizing Dental Stool Height for Better Ergonomics47:14 The Impact of Mobile Phone Usage on Posture50:53 Key Posture and Ergonomic Takeaways53:35 Full-Day Ergonomics Workshop59:13 Outro🚨 This episode is the introduction.The real transformation happens in the room.📍 Join Dr. Aniko Ball for a full-day, full-demonstration workshop and learn how to make your body—and your back—unbreakable.📅 Saturday 13th of June — save the date.🔗 protrusive.dental/unbreakableIf this episode resonated with you, My Neck, My Back (Fix Your Posture While Removing Plaque!) – PDP220 is the perfect next watch.#PDPMainEpisodes ##BeyondDentistry #CareerDevelopmentThis episode is eligible for 0.75 CE credit (Self-instruction) via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance. This episode meets GDC Outcomes C.AGD Subject Code: 130 ELECTIVES Aim: To help dentists reduce cumulative musculoskeletal trauma by understanding how posture, habits, and equipment choices directly affect spinal, shoulder, and long-term career health.Dentists will be able to –Identify common postural habits in dentistry that lead to cumulative trauma and chronic pain.Apply practical ergonomic principles to reduce strain on the spine, shoulders, hips, and neck.Modify daily habits, including non-clinical activities, to support long-term musculoskeletal health.Cost:Access to this CE activity is included with an active Protrusive Guidance membership. Current membership pricing is available at www.protrusive.app.Cancellation & Refund Policy:Memberships may be cancelled at any time. Access to CE activities remains active until the end of the current billing cycle. Subscription charges are non-refundable once processed. Full details are available at www.protrusive.app.

When should you attempt to save the root filled molar that everyone else thinks is doomed? What are the key steps to safely remove, treat, and replant a tooth without causing fractures or resorption? And how do you manage patient expectations and post-op care to maximize success? In this episode, Dr. Samuel Kratchman and Dr. Shivakar join Jaz to explore intentional tooth replantation—a procedure that rarely gets the spotlight but can completely change treatment options for challenging cases. They cover everything from case selection and imaging, to managing crowns and fragile teeth, to simple tools and techniques that make this procedure predictable and accessible. They also dive into patient communication, consent, and how to include this procedure as part of your everyday dental armamentarium, giving you the confidence to consider it when the right case comes along. https://youtu.be/SjJTzbJ_AXs Watch PDP256 on YouTube Key Takeaways: Intentional replantation is a viable alternative to extraction. The success rate of intentional replantation is documented at 88-89%. Patient education is crucial for successful treatment outcomes. The periodontal ligament must be kept moist during the procedure. Imaging is essential for understanding tooth anatomy before replantation. The procedure can be performed atraumatically with proper technique. Replantation can be a last chance for teeth that are difficult to replace with implants. A mindset shift is needed in dentistry to prioritize saving natural teeth. Apical infections are often linked to the root tip and surrounding tissue. A good coronal seal is essential before any restorative work. Common complications include ankylosis and resorption. Inflammation can aid in the extraction process by serving the ligament. Post-operative care is vital for successful recovery. Highlights: 00:00 Teaser 00:48 Introduction 03:27 Pearl: PDL is everything  04:54 Interview with Dr. Shivakar Mehrotra 07:03 Interview with Dr. Samuel Kratchman 11:01 Terminologies and Success Rates of Replantation 16:03 Indications of Replantation 22:29 Evaluating Radiographs and Clinical Factors 28:48 Case Studies and Practical Applications 30:51 Midroll 34:12 Case Studies and Practical Applications 38:08 Management of Apical Infection 40:35 Curveball Scenario: Combined Endodontic and Restorative Challenge 45:57 Replantation Success Rates and Complications 51:06 Radiographic Signs and Extraction Techniques 56:03 Postoperative Care and Instructions 59:49 Final Thoughts and Resources 01:02:14 Outro 🚨 First replantation case coming up? Do your homework! 🚨 Before you touch that tooth:📖 Read the published protocols INTENTIONAL REPLANTATION by Dr. Samuel Kratchman Retention and Healing Outcomes after Intentional Replantation 🔍 Review systematic reviews Clinical outcome of intentional replantation with preoperative orthodontic extrusion: a retrospective study by Cho et al A Systematic Review of the Survival of Teeth Intentionally Replanted with a Modern Technique and Cost-effectiveness Compared with Single-tooth Implants by Anshul Mainkar  Keep the learning going! Check out PDP061: Surgical Extrusion for ‘Hopeless’ Teeth. #PDPMainEpisodes #EndoRestorative #OralSurgeryandOralMedicine This episode is eligible for 1 CE credit (Self-instruction) via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance.  This episode meets GDC Outcomes C. AGD Subject Code: 070 ENDODONTICS (Surgical treatment) Aim: To understand the indications, technique, and outcomes of intentional replantation for teeth with failed endodontic treatment, emphasizing atraumatic removal and predictable long-term success. Dentists will be able to – Identify teeth suitable for intentional replantation based on anatomy, root morphology, and prior treatment. Explain the procedural workflow, including atraumatic extraction, extraoral root-end management, and replantation techniques. Counsel patients effectively on prognosis, risks, and postoperative care. Cost:Access to this CE activity is included with an active Protrusive Guidance membership. Current membership pricing is available at www.protrusive.app. Cancellation & Refund Policy:Memberships may be cancelled at any time. Access to CE activities remains active until the end of the current billing cycle. Subscription charges are non-refundable once processed. Full details are available at www.protrusive.app.

When should you attempt to save the root filled molar that everyone else thinks is doomed?What are the key steps to safely remove, treat, and replant a tooth without causing fractures or resorption?And how do you manage patient expectations and post-op care to maximize success?In this episode, Dr. Samuel Kratchman and Dr. Shivakar join Jaz to explore intentional tooth replantation—a procedure that rarely gets the spotlight but can completely change treatment options for challenging cases.They cover everything from case selection and imaging, to managing crowns and fragile teeth, to simple tools and techniques that make this procedure predictable and accessible.They also dive into patient communication, consent, and how to include this procedure as part of your everyday dental armamentarium, giving you the confidence to consider it when the right case comes along. https://youtu.be/SjJTzbJ_AXs Watch PDP256 on YouTubeKey Takeaways:Intentional replantation is a viable alternative to extraction.The success rate of intentional replantation is documented at 88-89%.Patient education is crucial for successful treatment outcomes.The periodontal ligament must be kept moist during the procedure.Imaging is essential for understanding tooth anatomy before replantation.The procedure can be performed atraumatically with proper technique.Replantation can be a last chance for teeth that are difficult to replace with implants.A mindset shift is needed in dentistry to prioritize saving natural teeth. Apical infections are often linked to the root tip and surrounding tissue.A good coronal seal is essential before any restorative work.Common complications include ankylosis and resorption.Inflammation can aid in the extraction process by serving the ligament.Post-operative care is vital for successful recovery.Highlights:00:00 Teaser00:48 Introduction03:27 Pearl: PDL is everything 04:54 Interview with Dr. Shivakar Mehrotra07:03 Interview with Dr. Samuel Kratchman11:01 Terminologies and Success Rates of Replantation16:03 Indications of Replantation22:29 Evaluating Radiographs and Clinical Factors28:48 Case Studies and Practical Applications30:51 Midroll34:12 Case Studies and Practical Applications38:08 Management of Apical Infection40:35 Curveball Scenario: Combined Endodontic and Restorative Challenge45:57 Replantation Success Rates and Complications51:06 Radiographic Signs and Extraction Techniques56:03 Postoperative Care and Instructions59:49 Final Thoughts and Resources01:02:14 Outro🚨 First replantation case coming up? Do your homework! 🚨Before you touch that tooth:📖 Read the published protocolsINTENTIONAL REPLANTATION by Dr. Samuel KratchmanRetention and Healing Outcomes after Intentional Replantation🔍 Review systematic reviewsClinical outcome of intentional replantation with preoperative orthodontic extrusion: a retrospective study by Cho et alA Systematic Review of the Survival of Teeth Intentionally Replanted with a Modern Technique and Cost-effectiveness Compared with Single-tooth Implants by Anshul Mainkar Keep the learning going! Check out PDP061: Surgical Extrusion for ‘Hopeless’ Teeth.#PDPMainEpisodes #EndoRestorative #OralSurgeryandOralMedicineThis episode is eligible for 1 CE credit (Self-instruction) via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance. This episode meets GDC Outcomes C.AGD Subject Code: 070 ENDODONTICS (Surgical treatment)Aim: To understand the indications, technique, and outcomes of intentional replantation for teeth with failed endodontic treatment, emphasizing atraumatic removal and predictable long-term success.Dentists will be able to –Identify teeth suitable for intentional replantation based on anatomy, root morphology, and prior treatment.Explain the procedural workflow, including atraumatic extraction, extraoral root-end management, and replantation techniques.Counsel patients effectively on prognosis, risks, and postoperative care.Cost:Access to this CE activity is included with an active Protrusive Guidance membership. Current membership pricing is available at www.protrusive.app.Cancellation & Refund Policy:Memberships may be cancelled at any time. Access to CE activities remains active until the end of the current billing cycle. Subscription charges are non-refundable once processed. Full details are available at www.protrusive.app.

Are posterior tooth contacts really harmless?Could group function and non-working side interferences be driving muscular TMD, headaches, and facial pain?And can digital occlusal data change how we approach bite adjustment?Dr. Jeremy Bliss joins the podcast to tackle one of the most controversial topics in dentistry: Selective Grinding/Equilibration for TMD but specifically Disclusion Time Reduction (DTR). With a strong focus on restorative technology, lasers, and T-Scan analysis, Jeremy brings a practical and experience-driven perspective to occlusion and bite therapy.This episode breaks DTR down from the very beginning—what it is, how it differs from traditional equilibration, and why reducing posterior tooth contact during excursive movements may help certain susceptible patients. The conversation also explores canine guidance vs group function, macro vs micro occlusion, and where DTR fits within evidence-based dentistry when conservative care has failed. https://youtu.be/TMa11nh7VIU Watch PDP255 on YouTubeProtrusive Dental Pearl: Don’t buy advanced occlusal or motion-tracking tech unless your type of dentistry, training, lab support, and local backup can fully use the data—otherwise it’s just a Ferrari stuck in traffic.Key Takeaways: Disclusion Time Reduction (DTR) & T-ScanT-Scan: Provides objective data on tooth contact timing and force—impossible to see with the eye or articulating paper.EMG: Tracks temporalis and masseter activity to show how muscles respond to occlusion.Goal of DTR: Reduce posterior tooth contact during excursions, shifting contact to canines to relax muscles.Patient Selection: Best for symptomatic muscular TMD; requires sufficient canine/incisal overlap.Clinical Benefits: Reduces headaches, migraines, muscle tension, parafunctional damage, and progressive tooth wear.Procedure: Conservative enamel adjustments (0.5–0.75 mm), guided by T-Scan; posterior teeth should disclude in <0.5 sec.Implant Care: Prevent early loading to protect bone and restorations.Evidence: Supported by systematic review and clinical cases; improves outcomes over traditional occlusal adjustments.Highlights:00:00 Teaser00:53 Introduction09:51 Pearl: Buying Advanced Technologies11:53 Interview with Dr. Jeremy Bliss18:08 Introduction to Digital Occlusal Analysis22:46 Challenges and Controversies in TMD Treatment26:09 Explaining T-Scan and Its Benefits32:42 Understanding the Anatomy and Physiology of DTR36:25 Techniques and Tools for DTR38:14 Midroll41:35 Techniques and Tools for DTR44:19 The Impact of DTR on Muscle Tension and Pain48:43 Bruxism Cessation After DTR49:50 Importance of EMG in DTR52:05 Case Study: A Life-Changing DTR Treatment56:59 Conclusion and Future Directions01:00:46 OutroSystematic ReviewEffectiveness of T-scan Technology in Identifying Occlusal Interferences and its Role in the Management of Temporomandibular Disorders: A Systematic Review Individual Practice Contact: blissdental.co.uk – contact directly via the website form for information about DTR or patient referrals.DTR Treatment for TMD with Dr Jaz Gulati in Richmond, London#PDPMainEpisodes #OcclusionTMDandSplints #CareerDevelopmentTo learn more about Disclusion Time Reduction, check out: Occlusograms are Lying To Us! Don’t Trust the ‘Heat Map’ – PDP247 This episode is eligible for 1 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance. This episode meets GDC Outcomes CAGD Subject Code: 180 OCCLUSIONAim: To understand the principles and clinical applications of digital occlusal analysis and Disclusion Time Reduction (DTR) for managing occlusion-related muscular pain, TMD, and improving restorative dentistry outcomes.Dentists will be able to:Explain the concept of disclusion time and its impact on masticatory muscles.Describe how T-Scan and EMG are used to assess occlusal force, timing, and muscle activity.Identify appropriate patients for DTR and apply objective data to guide safe occlusal adjustments.Cost:Access to this CE activity is included with an active Protrusive Guidance membership. Current membership pricing is available at www.protrusive.app.Cancellation & Refund Policy:Memberships may be cancelled at any time. Access to CE activities remains active until the end of the current billing cycle. Subscription charges are non-refundable once processed. Full details are available at www.protrusive.app.

When are antibiotics truly indicated in dentistry?How do you manage the patient who’s begging for a prescription?And what impact are we having on the gut every time we prescribe unnecessarily?In this episode, Dr. Jeremy Lenaerts joins Jaz to explore the world of antibiotics in dentistry. Together, they cover when to prescribe, when not to, and why analgesics or local measures are often the better option.They also dive into the bigger picture—antibiotic resistance, gut health, and how to navigate those tricky conversations when patients demand antibiotics for the wrong reasons. https://youtu.be/-Q4hvl-8vpU Watch PDP254 on YoutubeProtrusive Dental Pearl? Save time and avoid confusion with a ready-made Antibiotics Cheat Sheet that combines the best guidelines into one resource. It covers:True indications and contraindicationsDrug interactionsFirst, second, and third-line choicesDoses and duration👉 Download it or find it in the Protrusive Vault if you’re a Protrusive Guidance member. Key TakeawaysAntibiotics are often overprescribed in dentistry, with 80% deemed inappropriate.The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in overall health and can be negatively impacted by antibiotics.Educating patients about the risks of antibiotics is essential for informed consent.Local measures should be prioritized over antibiotics for dental infections.Antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance, affecting both individual and public health.The gut microbiome is increasingly recognized as a separate organ essential for health.Dentists should consider the long-term effects of antibiotics on gut health when prescribing.Patient communication is key in managing expectations around antibiotic prescriptions.A balanced diet rich in fiber and fermented foods supports gut health.Dentists must navigate the tension between patient demands and clinical guidelines.Highlights of this episode:00:00 Teaser00:37 Intro02:25 Protrusive dental podcast04:10 Dr. Jeremy’s Journey into Dentistry07:47 Antibiotic Use in Dentistry10:28 True Indications for Antibiotics14:12 Impact of Antibiotics on Gut Health21:09 Clinical Scenarios and Best Practices26:09 Managing Severe Dental Swellings26:28 Midroll29:49 Managing Severe Dental Swellings33:39 Techniques for Anesthetizing Abscesses38:06 Handling Cellulitis and Systemic Infections42:58 Dosage and Safety of Local Anesthetics44:58 Dealing with Dry Sockets and Retreated Teeth47:43 OutroUpdated SDCEP GuidanceFor clinicians in the UK, Drug Prescribing for Dentistry is now available through the dedicated website SDCEP Dental Prescribing.Please note that SDCEP no longer provides updates to the printed guidance, and the Dental Prescribing app is no longer supported or updated—it should be deleted from all devices. The SDCEP Dental Prescribing website is now the authoritative source for the most up-to-date information on prescribing in dental practice.We are also providing the 2016 PDF version of Drug Prescribing for Dentistry for reference, but users should be aware that this document is no longer maintained and may not reflect the latest clinical guidance.Download the 2016 PDF here.If you enjoyed this episode, you’ll also find value in Prescribing Antifungals as a GDP – Diagnosis and Management (PDP151)#PDPMainEpisodes #Communication #BreadandButterDentistry #CareerDevelopmentThis episode is eligible for 0.75 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance. This episode meets GDC Outcomes C and D.AGD Subject Code: 340 (Prescription medication management)Aim: To enhance clinicians’ confidence in the rational prescribing of antibiotics in dentistry, with an understanding of when they are indicated, when they are not, and the broader impact on antimicrobial resistance and gut health.Dentists will be able to –Identify the true clinical indications for antibiotic use in dentistry.Recognize when local measures (drainage, extraction) are preferable to antibiotics.Explain the impact of antibiotic use on antimicrobial resistance and the gut microbiome.Apply current guidelines (e.g., SDCEP) in clinical scenarios involving dental infections.