People often talk about the rural experience being incredibly valuable as a new grad less saturation means less competition between clinics, more exposure to a wider variety of procedures, busy books, and patients who are often more accommodating. But what other factors should we be thinking about? Things like mentorship, support, and social connection all play a big part too. In this episode, we’re joined by one of our beloved Graduate Dentistry community members, Dr Si Thu Min Tun, to dive into his experience working regionally over the past three years and the clinical growth that’s come with it. In particular, we explore his special interest in ortho and how he’s managed to gain exposure to it, what further training has opened his eyes to, and what considerations we should make when taking on ortho cases ourselves. But how do we actually get to these cool cases as new grads — when we’re new to the practice, the patient doesn’t fully trust us yet, and we’re not quite confident in our own abilities? Si and I focus a lot on communication in this episode, and on the beauty of staying within a practice long enough to build that trust and continuity so that, eventually, not only is the patient ready for treatment, but we’re ready to take it on too. ____________________________________ F O L L O W @thegraduatedentist Host: @dr.ericahwin Guest: @dr.sithumintun ____________________________________ D I S C O R D Join The Graduate Dentist Community Discord Server This is a forum dedicated to our graduate community for us to debrief episodes, discuss daily dental scenarios and bounce ideas off one another. This is our safe space where silly questions are our favourite questions, where we can celebrate each other's wins, resonate with one another's struggles and laugh together over our silly mistakes. Come join the family! ____________________________________ P A R T N E R S JS Medical & Dental Finance The JS Medical & Dental finance team specialises in both residential and commercial lending tailored for medical and dental professionals. They are a completely independent broker, working for you not the bank, and are dedicated to finding the best options for you unique situation. Whether you're looking to buy a house, a car, a practice or to pay off that year long CPD course, JSMDF offer comprehensive advice to suit your short and long term plans. RipeGlobal Led by Dr Lincoln Harris, RipeGlobal have completely reimagined dental education, giving you on-demand, hands-on training from some of the best clinicians in the world. No expensive travel, no taking time off work, just practical, real-world learning that actually helps you feel more confident in the clinic. Dental Practitioner Support Whether you're new to dentistry or have been practicing for years, Dental Practitioner Support to offer guidance, reassurance, and a safe space to talk about whatever it may be weighing heavy on your heart. They provide 24/7 service that is completely confidential and independent, so you always have someone to turn to. Save the number 1800 377 700, or visit their website to access a whole range of resources. Remember, you are never alone and help is always available. ____________________________________ C O N T A C T Email: erica@thegraduatedentist.com
