Conversations with Dental Friends

Rachael
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If you are in the dental industry and feel you have loads of potential and more to give, or maybe you’re new to the dental field, and if you like interesting stories from interesting people that might just inspire your dental future then this podcast is for you!

  1. 5d ago

    S6 Ep 5 : How Can Dental Therapists Create More Opportunities? Using Your Full Scope with Imogen Fox

    Could saying yes transform your dental career? From safe beginner to paediatric leader What if the next step in your career is not part of a carefully mapped-out five-year plan, but simply an opportunity you are curious enough to say yes to? In this episode of Conversations with Dental Friends, Rachael is joined by award-winning dental hygienist and therapist Imogen Fox, whose incredibly varied career has taken her through foundation training, head and neck cancer care, special care dentistry, education, private practice and paediatric dentistry. Imogen shares why becoming a “safe beginner” is the real goal when we qualify and how the right mentorship helped her build confidence in her full dental therapy scope. We also discuss why you do not need to feel completely ready before accepting an opportunity and how some of Imogen’s biggest career developments began with a leap of faith. The conversation explores Imogen’s formative work as one of the UK’s first Macmillan dental therapists, what treating head and neck cancer patients taught her about compassionate empathy and the importance of knowing when to ask for help. We also look at the huge opportunity for dental therapists within paediatric dentistry. Imogen explains how therapists can lead children’s examinations, prevention and restorative care, while sharing practical advice for creating a positive experience for young patients. This is a wonderfully reassuring conversation about staying curious, building confidence, exploring your scope and creating a dental career that can evolve alongside the different seasons of your life. In this episode Why foundation training and supportive mentorship can transform early clinical confidenceBecoming comfortable with being a safe beginnerSaying yes before you feel completely readyBuilding a varied career across oncology, special care, education and private practiceWhat head and neck cancer care taught Imogen about compassionate empathyThe opportunities available to dental therapists within paediatric dentistryImogen’s three practical principles for treating childrenCreating a career that supports both professional fulfilment and family lifeLinks and resources mentioned Imogen’s professional profile and dental articlesHead and Neck Cancer Care in the General Practice Setting, Imogen’s on-demand educational webinarProgress and Headwinds for Dental Therapists, Imogen’s article on the future of dental therapy and paediatric careDentaid’s Uganda volunteering programme, for dental professionals interested in overseas volunteeringNSK Ikigai, where Imogen is an opinion leader and educatorConnect with Imogen Connect with Imogen Fox on LinkedInRead more about Imogen’s clinical work at Refresh DentalContinue the conversation Follow Conversations with Dental Friends on Instagram: @conversationswithdentalfriendsFollow Rachael on Instagram: @homegirlhygienistVisit the Homegirl Hygienist websiteA huge thank you to Oral-B and NSK for sponsoring this episode and supporting Conversations with Dental Friends. If this conversation encouraged you to explore more of your scope or say yes to a new opportunity, share it with a dental friend who might need that reminder too. You can also download the free Conversations with Dental Friends Career Planning Workbook by commenting the word link on the episode, and I’ll send it directly to you. Imogen Instagram @dental.hygienist.uk

  2. Sep 3

    S6 Ep 4 : Could Dentistry Prepare You For Business? From Clinician to Founder with Dr Ariba Karim

    Could dentistry prepare you for business? From clinician to founder What happens when the career you worked so hard for no longer feels like the right fit? In this episode of Conversations with Dental Friends, Rachael is joined by dentist, facial aesthetics practitioner and founder of Whip Belfast, Dr Ariba Karim. Ariba shares the honest story behind her journey from dentistry into hospitality and entrepreneurship. We talk about cultural expectations, choosing dentistry, navigating difficult working environments and the realities of building a career as a self-employed dental professional. After working across Northern Ireland and Dublin, Ariba began to recognise that her mental health was being affected by a career she no longer felt passionate about. Through therapy, travel and plenty of self-reflection, she uncovered a long-suppressed ambition to build something of her own. That idea became Whip Belfast, a personality-filled concept café known for its açaí bowls, matcha, creative menus and distinctly “girly pop” energy. This is a wonderfully honest conversation about career pivots, transferable skills, financial risk, resilience and what can happen when you allow yourself to pursue the work that genuinely lights you up. In this episode Why Ariba chose dentistry and what her early career really looked likeThe realities of NHS dentistry, self-employment and associate lifeRecognising when a working environment is not right for youInvesting in further training and exploring different nichesMental health, therapy and losing passion for your professionStarting a business, experiencing financial risk and rebuilding after setbacksThe skills dentistry gave Ariba that now help her run WhipBuilding a memorable brand through creativity, social media and communityAriba’s plans to grow Whip while protecting the quality of its original Belfast locationLinks and resources mentioned Study Dentistry at Queen’s University BelfastStart With Why by Simon SinekWatch Simon Sinek’s TED Talk, How Great Leaders Inspire ActionDerma Medical, where Ariba completed facial aesthetics trainingConnect with Ariba and Whip Belfast Follow @whipbelfast on InstagramFollow @whipbelfast on TikTokVisit Whip on the Lisburn Road in BelfastContinue the conversation Follow Conversations with Dental Friends on Instagram: @conversationswithdentalfriendsFollow Rachael on Instagram: @homegirlhygienistVisit the Homegirl Hygienist websiteA huge thank you to Oral-B and NSK for sponsoring this episode and supporting Conversations with Dental Friends. If this conversation made you think differently about your own career, share it with a dental friend who might need to hear it. You can also download the free Conversations with Dental Friends Career Planning Workbook by commenting the word link on the episode, and I’ll send it directly to you.

  3. Aug 27

    S6 Ep 3 : Could Better Boundaries Help Protect Your Dental Career? Preventing Burnout with Dr Rana

    What if the answer to burnout isn’t simply doing less, but learning how to live, work and succeed in a completely different way? In this episode of Conversations with Dental Friends, Rachael is joined by specialist periodontist, author, coach, international speaker and fellow podcaster Dr Rana Al-Falaki. Rana was the first periodontist in the UK to begin using lasers in daily practice and has developed minimally invasive periodontal protocols that are now informing clinical trials around the world. Alongside her clinical and educational work, she is the creator of the NAIL-IT Leadership System, which helps professionals pursue sustainable success without sacrificing their health, happiness or relationships. Behind Rana’s extraordinary career is an incredibly honest story of burnout. She shares what happened when years of overachievement, emotional trauma, professional pressure and never asking for help finally caught up with her. Content note This episode contains a personal discussion of childhood trauma and sexual abuse. This begins at approximately 26 minutes and 15 seconds within the original interview. Please be aware that the precise timestamp may move slightly following the addition of the episode introduction and sponsorship messages. Please look after yourself while listening and feel completely free to pause or skip this part of the conversation. Find out more about Dr Rana Al-Falaki Dr Rana’s official website: https://www.drranaalfalaki.com/ Follow Dr Rana on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drranaalfalaki/ Discover NAIL-IT Leadership and Rana’s coaching, workshops and services: https://www.drranaalfalaki.com/nail-it Find out more about NAIL-IT Leadership: Your Blueprint to Optimal Performance: https://www.drranaalfalaki.com/nail-it-leadership Listen to the NAIL-IT Podcast with Dr Rana Al-Falaki and Dr Bhavin Patel: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/nail-it/id1824975541 Follow the NAIL-IT Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nailit_podcast/ NAIL-IT events and education Find out more about the NAIL-IT Leadership Experience and upcoming 2026 dates: https://www.nailitindentistry.com/nail-it-in-dentistry-leadership-wellbeing-day-dental-team-professionals Find out more about Rana’s periodontal and peri-implant courses: https://www.nailitindentistry.com/perio-courses Find out more about the periodontal and peri-implant masterclass taking place in London on 20 and 21 November 2026: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYeIAZNmhry/ Thank you to our sponsors A huge thank you to Oral-B and NSK for sponsoring this episode and supporting Conversations with Dental Friends. Find out more about Oral-B Professional: https://www.oralbprofessional.co.uk/s/ Find out more about NSK UK: https://mynsk.co.uk/ Stay connected with Conversations with Dental Friends Follow the podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conversationswithdentalfriends/ Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@homegirlhygienist2756?si=IfQgFNVLAMZu1rcL https://substack.com/@conversationswithdentalfriends?r=57fuak&utm_medium=ios Join us on Substack: Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0TR0CyMSp9K3JHIg8eg9nQ Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/conversations-with-dental-friends/id1802284203 Free Career Planning Workbook If you would like some space to reflect on what you want from your own dental career, comment the word LINK on the episode post and I’ll send you my free Conversations with Dental Friends Career Planning Workbook. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a rating or review and share it with a dental friend who may need to hear this conversation.

  4. Aug 20

    S6 Ep : 2 Can Social Media Completely Change Your Dental Career? with Anna Peterson

    From making blue-tack braces 🦷😂 to becoming a dental therapist, educator, content creator for 245k+ people, and working with some of the biggest brands in dentistry… Anna Peterson’s journey is a powerful reminder that you don’t always know where one decision will take you. In this episode, we talk about career pivots, confidence, social media, and what it really looks like behind the polished dental Instagram world. Anna shares how she didn’t get the A level grades she needed for dentistry, and how she only discovered dental therapy after that door closed. From there, she stepped into a role in restorative dentistry, learned new clinical skills years into practice, and eventually found her way into content creation and education online. We also dive into the moment everything changed online, when her first viral video almost got deleted at just 10 views… before unexpectedly reaching nearly one million views in under 24 hours. Since then, social media has opened doors she never expected, including collaborations with Oral-B and NSK, lecturing opportunities, presenting, and educating thousands of people about oral health. But beyond the viral moments, this conversation is really about something deeper. 💡 Key themes we cover: Not getting the grades you expected — and what comes nextDiscovering dental therapy and building confidence clinicallyLearning new skills later in your career (yes, even rubber dam!)The reality of going viral on social mediaBuilding a personal brand in dentistryWorking with major dental brands like Oral-B and NSKThe pressure vs reality of dental social mediaWhy you don’t need to have everything figured outThe importance of kindness in dentistry 🧠 Anna’s biggest reminder: You are allowed to ask questions. You are allowed to not know everything. You are allowed to build confidence slowly. And you absolutely do not have to follow a traditional route. Because behind every perfect composite, viral video, and polished Instagram feed… there’s a human being figuring it out too. And as Anna beautifully puts it: “We’re all in it together.” 🫶🏼 ⸻ 🔗 Links & Resources 👩‍⚕️ Follow Anna Peterson: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annapetersondental?igsh=MWhyNWk5ZHYycXY2eQ==&igsi=MWhyNWk5ZHYycXY2eQ== 📱 Conversations with Dental Friends: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conversationswithdentalfriends?igsh=bTh4ZWRlank3dWJs 💙 Sponsored by Oral-B Explore Oral-B professional products & resources: 👉 https://www.oralbprofessional.co.uk/s/login/ 🦷 Sponsored by NSK Discover NSK dental equipment & solutions: 👉 https://mynsk.co.uk ⸻ ✨ In this episode, we also mention: Rubber dam training and clinical confidenceDental photography and content creationCareer progression in dental therapySocial media growth and unexpected viralityEducation, lecturing, and presenting in dentistry

  5. Aug 13

    S6 Ep 1 : Are You Seeing the Patient or Just the Tooth? Find Your Focus with Dr Ambrish Roshan

    In this episode of Conversations with Dental Friends, I’m joined by Dr Ambrish Roshan, dentist, educator and dental photography enthusiast, for a conversation about finding your direction in dentistry, building a career around the things you genuinely enjoy and why photography can completely change the way you practise. Ambrish shares the story of moving from Singapore to Ireland to study dentistry, the challenges he faced as an international graduate trying to enter the Irish workforce, and how taking a leap of faith has shaped his career. We talk about: 📸 Why dental photography is so much more than before-and-after photos Ambrish explains how documenting each stage of treatment has become one of his most valuable learning and reflection tools, allowing him to identify where things went wrong and continually improve his clinical work. 🦷 Treating the patient, not just the tooth From his early training in implant dentistry to his current restorative work, Ambrish talks about the importance of looking at the patient as a whole and understanding what they actually value when planning treatment. 💬 Putting the patient in the driving seat We discuss listening to patients, understanding their priorities and balancing the three big costs of treatment: time, biology and money. Ambrish shares how he approaches consultations and why understanding a patient’s values can completely change treatment planning. 📷 Creating a simple photography workflow Ambrish talks us through his approach to photographing new patients, including his baseline photographic records, how he uses photography to communicate with patients and why he believes taking 15–20 photographs doesn’t need to take more than two minutes once you have a system. 🎓 Investing in yourself and learning through reflection We talk about his postgraduate training, the photography course that changed his approach and why sometimes the biggest learning comes from reviewing your own work rather than simply completing another course. 📱 Social media, photography & attracting the dentistry you want to do Ambrish shares how posting his clinical photography organically led to patients finding him and explains why showcasing the work you want to do can be such a powerful marketing tool. 🤝 Working with dental brands We also chat about becoming a KOL, choosing brands that align with your values and why authenticity and genuinely using the products you talk about are so important when building trust with your audience. And, of course, we talk about what’s next for Ambrish, including his plans for composite and photography education and some exciting projects coming later in 2026. 🔗 Find Ambrish Instagram: @dr.ambrish.roshan Courses / education: EduDental.ie DON’T FORGET ADD RACHAEL10 AT CHECKOUT FOR 10% OFF 💡 Mentioned in this episode Focus Photography Course – Minesh Patel Michael Crilly Michael Crilly episode Ivoclar DMG / Icon Invisalign If you would like to sign up for Oral-B iO testdrive click here To Sell Is Human – Daniel H. Pink Don’t forget Ambrish has very kindly offered a 10% discount off his upcoming photography course with the code RACHAEL10 Click the course link and add the discount code here ⸻ 🦷 This episode is proudly supported by Oral-B 🦷 This episode is also supported by NSK

  6. Jul 9

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

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

  7. Jul 1

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

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

  8. Jun 25

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

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

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If you are in the dental industry and feel you have loads of potential and more to give, or maybe you’re new to the dental field, and if you like interesting stories from interesting people that might just inspire your dental future then this podcast is for you!

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