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In this episode of Dental Central we explore the important topic of dental sleep medicine with expert Andrew Gikas. With sleep problems becoming more prevalent and leading to a range of health problems, dental practitioners have an important role to play as part of a multidisciplinary team in identifying and referring patients with sleep problems. Andrew talks about some of the questions to ask patients, signs to look for and some of the treatment options. He also talks about furthering your education including the option of a Fellowship in Dental Sleep Medicine with the Australasian Sleep Association.  

Podcaster, musician, former urban planner and dentist. Jesse Liang has had a less than traditional path into the dental profession, and we learn how he has used this diverse background to shape the clinician that he is now. Jesse talks about the importance of communication skills, balancing the art and science of dentistry and his experiences working in both corporate and private practice. We also find out how Jesse made his dad TikTok famous.

ADAVB committees are an important conduit between members and the Branch and provide valuable insight and advice to the organisation. This episode we talk about the different committees of the ADAVB, what being on a committee entails and how you can help to shape the future direction of the Branch. Nominations are now open to join an ADAVB committee. Visit adavb.org/about/our-people/committees for full details and nominate before 30 June 2023. Emily and Matt also talk about some of the great upcoming CPD events on offer, and the ongoing negotiations for the Enterprise Bargaining Agreement for public sector dentists.  

Brandon Lim has packed a lot into his short dental career, and this week Dental Central shares his journey through dental school, into the workforce and back at dental school as a post-graduate student. Brandon talks about: Giving back to the profession in various roles, including President of BOHDS, the Recent Graduates & Students Committee, Continuing Professional Development Committee and Public Dentistry Committee and various volunteering work. Early career roles at the Alfred Hospital and Monash Medical Centre working in multi-disciplinary teams to deliver health care. The decision to specialise and the process of getting into a post-graduate training program. -       If you are a dental student or recent graduate looking for some great early career guidance, don’t miss this episode.

This week Dental Central packed up our recording studio and took a road trip up the Hume and Goulburn Valley Highway to attend the ADAVB Goulburn Valley Group meeting in Mooroopna. It was a great opportunity to hear about some of the issues that dental practitioners are facing in regional, and highlight the important role that these groups play in connecting members and addressing some of the professional isolation that dental practitioners face. Our guests include: Roisin McGrath talking about anxiety in both patients and dental practitioners Warren Shnider (ADAVB President) on the important role groups play in keeping members connected with ADAVB Margaret Tran providing perspectives from a recent graduate practising in regional Victoria Ros Mayne on the support and mentoring that specialists and dentists can provide

Specialist prosthodontist Carolina Perez Rodriguez shares her experience working as a dentist across three countries, the importance of communication skills and the journey to becoming a specialist. Great advice for recent graduates, particularly the role of good mentors at any stage of your career, and learning how to say no to demanding patients. Carolina teaches at the University of Melbourne and is the President of the Australian Prosthodontic Society Victoria Branch, and brings a wealth of experience to this discussion.

20 March is World Oral Health Day, and opportunity to talk about the importance of oral health and encourage people to be proud of their mouth. This episode we talk about what World Oral Health Day means for Emily and Matt, and dive into the emerging problem of e-cigarettes and oral health. And a reminder that it’s Mouthguard March, and the importance of wearing a mouthguard for you and your patients.

‘Those who can, do. Those who can do more, volunteer.’ That sums up Ray Khong, our guest this episode on Dental Central. Ray is a big proponent of taking his dental knowledge and expertise on the road to help people in places such as Peru, Cambodia and the Solomon Islands, and hopefully his story will inspire you to consider volunteering too. Plus we learn about the importance of work-life balance, which for Ray is not just volunteering, but also opera singing and undertaking further study in health law. Join us as we peel back the layers.

There is a global trend towards greater sustainability, and we have seen recent moves in Australia focus on reducing single-use items. This week we talk to Joe Badr about his interesting sustainability journey. As a successful practice owner with a strong emphasis on hygiene-based prevention, Joe was attuned to the waste associated with dental hygiene products but also the issues of patient compliance with oral hygiene at home. Joe gives us insights into building a new business based on sustainability, the challenges doing this through the pandemic and the success of bring a new product line to market. Hopefully this discussion challenges listeners to think more broadly about the burden of waste that we create, not only in dental practice but more broadly in our lives, and to think about the potential benefits to dental practices in tackling this sustainability issue.

Welcome back to Season 3 of Dental Central. Emily and Matt are well rested, and looking forward to a big year with some fantastic guests lined up to keep you updated with everything that is going on at the ADAVB and more. In this episode we talk to Mihiri Silva and Tabitha Acret, who are both speaking at ADX Melbourne coming up from 30 March – 1 April 2023. ADAVB is putting on a great CPD program as part of ADX Melbourne, and Mihiri and Tabitha give a few teasers of their presentations to whet your appetite - Predictable Paediatrics: Patient focused management of MIH and Periodontal disease vs biofilm: complications & treatment planning. Go to https://www.adx.melbourne/ to find out more about ADX Melbourne and to register.

It’s been another big year, and the team at Dental Central wrap up the year that was, Spotify-style. Emily and Matt look back at some of the highlights of 2022, from dental school graduations to a record breaking ADAVB Convention, their favourite podcast episodes and thoughts about what 2023 might bring. A big thanks to all of our listeners in 2022 who have taken us to more than 6400 downloads since we first launched in 2021. We hope everyone has a restful break over the Christmas and New Year period, and we look forward to reconnecting in 2023.

As part of Mental Health Month, Dental Central is focusing on mental health. In this episode Emily and Matt are joined by Professor Marie Bismark – a doctor, psychiatry trainee, lawyer and researcher with qualifications in bioethics and public health, and one of Australian Financial Review’s Top 100 Women of Influence in 2019. We dive into:  The experiences of health care workers during the pandemic, detailed in Marie’s book ‘Experiences of Health Workers in the COVID-19 Pandemic – in their own words.’ The importance of recognition for health care workers The impact of the ‘health care heroes’ label Mental health findings during the pandemic Ahpra complaints/notifications and the impact on practitioner wellbeing Mental health and mandatory notification Note: some listeners might find some of this content difficult or confronting. If it does cause distress, there are support services available, including: Beyond Blue - 1300 22 4636 Lifeworks - 1300 361 008 Dental Practitioner Support - 1800 377 700 And don’t forget to go back and listen to some of our previous episodes.