The Graduate Dentist Podcast podcast | Listen online for free

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26. Designing a Crown on exocad - a Walkthrough with Dr Neeraj Surathu
Throughout dental school, we were all trained in traditional analogue techniques—taking PVS impressions and pouring stone models. But when we enter the real world, it’s all about digital workflows: intraoral scanners, in-house milling, CAD design software—and we often find ourselves playing the role of a technician without any formal training. It can be really daunting to work with unfamiliar software, especially when you don’t know what you can and can’t do. The last thing we want is to mess around with the settings and end up violating something like minimum thickness.So for this episode, I’m thrilled to be joined by Dr. Neeraj Surathu, a New Zealand-based dentist who recently completed further specialisation in prosthodontics at the Nova Southeastern University in Florida. What truly sets Neeraj apart is his unique foundation: years of experience working as a digital lab technician. From designing facially driven smiles to 3D-printing surgical guides for All-on-X cases, Neeraj is no stranger to the world of digital dentistry.In this episode, I sent Neeraj two of my real-life cases—a full-coverage crown prep and an onlay prep—for him to critique and analyse from a technician’s perspective. We break down his entire digital workflow step-by-step, covering tooth selection, position, anatomy, proximal and occlusal contacts, marginal design, and minimum thickness.You can watch along with our video walkthrough and use it as a tutorial—pause, start, and replay as you follow along at your own pace in clinic while working on your own case!____________________________________F O L L O W⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thegraduatedentist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@dr.ericahwin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Guests: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@neerajsurathu____________________________________D I S C O R DJoin ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Graduate Dentist Community Discord Server⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This 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 S⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠JS Medical & Dental Finance⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The 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.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RipeGlobal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Led 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.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Angel Aligner⁠⁠With over 20 years of experience in innovation and research and over 1 million smiles transformed, Angel Aligner bring a fresh perspective and technological advancements to clear aligner manufacturing and customer service. Begin your clear aligner journey today, and get in contact with Angel Aligner.⁠⁠⁠⁠Dental Protection Limited⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠With over 50 years of experience and an abundance of risk management resources from podcasts and webinars, to magazines and CPD courses, DPL has you covered for any unwanted scenario that may come your way.Be sure to renew your indemnity insurance by June 30th. And if you signed up as a student, you are automatically covered for your first 18 months of practice for free!____________________________________C O N T A C TEmail: [email protected]
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1:31:09
25. Troubleshooting & Decision Making with Dr Michael Frazis
For those of you who follow me on Instagram, you’ll know I’ve been documenting my journey this year as I undertake RipeGlobal’s Fellowship in Restorative Dentistry. Being in my third year of practice— having navigated many of the trials and tribulations of being a new grad—I felt it was time to take on something more long-term, with built-in accountability and structured progress tracking. I wanted something to help me evaluate my clinical skills, see where my strengths and flaws lie, and fill in the gaps in my knowledge I’d hadn't given the time nor had the resources to explore.In today’s episode, I’m joined by Dr Michael Frazis, lead educator and the driving force behind much of the RipeGlobal's curriculum and content.The theme of this episode is all about trusting the process, building resilience, and the importance of having a plan—and sticking to it. It’s easy to become overwhelmed by the countless decisions we face daily, both in dentistry and in life, and this conversation is about grounding ourselves. From mindset and CPD to clinical goals, upskilling, and patient communication, we explore how to stay centred, intentional, and focused—taking things one step at a time.Link to the Treatment Planning Decision TreeMichael is also running his course Mastering Everyday Dentistry on March 14 & 15 2026 in Sydney. Get 20% off tickets - exclusive to our TGD community through this link: ⁠www.eventbrite.com.au/e/1368141972469/?discount=RipeGlobal4eva⁠____________________________________F O L L O W⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thegraduatedentist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@dr.ericahwin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Guests: ⁠⁠⁠@dr.michaelfrazis⁠____________________________________D I S C O R DJoin ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Graduate Dentist Community Discord Server⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This 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 S⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠JS Medical & Dental Finance⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The 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.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RipeGlobal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RipeGlobal 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 real-world learning that actually helps you feel more confident in the clinic.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dental Practitioner Support⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Whether 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.⁠⁠⁠Dental Protection Limited⁠⁠⁠⁠With over 50 years of experience and an abundance of risk management resources from podcasts and webinars, to magazines and CPD courses, DPL has you covered for any unwanted scenario that may come your way.Be sure to renew your indemnity insurance by June 30th. And if you signed up as a student, you are automatically covered for your first 18 months of practice for free!____________________________________C O N T A C TEmail: [email protected]
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1:41:01
24. For The Love of Endo with Dr Zi En Lim (aka Zethan)
Endo is often really daunting as new grads because the complications and failures can feel so catastrophic - broken files, perforations, hypochlorite accidents - you name it. In this episode, our Discord Endo Guru Zi (aka @zethan_.dental) talks us through ways of building our confidence to tackle root canals, how to manage patient expectations and how to communicate effectively with patients.How do you talk a patient through whether to extract or save a tooth. How do you run through risks and complications without terrifying them? How do you explain to them when things don't go the way you'd hoped such as a separated file? All this and much more in this jam packed episode. I didn’t think I’d enjoy talking about endo as much as I did in this chat with Zi, but I think it really goes to show how infectious his passion and enthusiasm and willingness to share is.____________________________________F O L L O W⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thegraduatedentist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@dr.ericahwin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Guests: ⁠@zethan_.dental____________________________________D I S C O R DJoin ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Graduate Dentist Community Discord Server⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This 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 S⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠JS Medical & Dental Finance⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The 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. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RipeGlobal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Led 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 Support⁠⁠⁠Whether 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.⁠Dental Protection Limited⁠⁠With over 50 years of experience and an abundance of risk management resources from podcasts and webinars, to magazines and CPD courses, DPL has you covered for any unwanted scenario that may come your way. Be sure to renew your indemnity insurance by June 30th. And if you signed up as a student, you are automatically covered for your first 18 months of practice for free! ____________________________________C O N T A C TEmail: [email protected]
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1:51:26
23. Mindfulness & Building Trust with Dr Viet Le & Dr Chiraag Devani
One thing I always feel strongly about — and constantly advocate for on the podcast — is the importance of our mental wellbeing, mindset, attitude, and personal development. These are the foundations for building fulfilling careers, meaningful patient relationships, and living our best, healthiest lives, both professionally and personally.When it comes to this space, few people understand it as deeply as Viet and Chiraag. Dr Viet Le and Dr Chiraag Devani are the founders of Being Together, an initiative dedicated to sharing experiences and raising awareness around mindfulness, gratitude, self-worth, and kindness — and how these elements impact not just our own mental health, but also the way we communicate with our teams and patients.I absolutely love what Viet and Chiraag stand for, and I’m thrilled to announce that they will be running a special workshop on Friday, July 18th — exclusively for our graduate dentist community and free for the first 20 people who sign up. To reserve your spot, email [email protected] and share why you want to join the workshop.____________________________________F O L L O W⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thegraduatedentist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@dr.ericahwin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Guests: @beingtogether_____________________________________D I S C O R DJoin ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Graduate Dentist Community Discord Server⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This 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 S⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠JS Medical & Dental Finance⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The 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. ⁠⁠⁠⁠RipeGlobal⁠⁠⁠⁠Led 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 Support⁠⁠Whether 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.Dental Protection Limited⁠With over 50 years of experience and an abundance of risk management resources from podcasts and webinars, to magazines and CPD courses, DPL has you covered for any unwanted scenario that may come your way. Be sure to renew your indemnity insurance by June 30th. And if you signed up as a student, you are automatically covered for your first 18 months of practice for free! Join Dr Wendy Gill, Specialist Periodontist, and Dr Annalene Weston, Senior Dentolegal Consultant Tuesday May 6th in Perth for a free lecture as they explore the unique risks of periodontal disease. ⁠Register here!⁠____________________________________C O N T A C TEmail: [email protected]
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22. Stop Bending Over Backwards: Posture & Ergonomics with Dr Anikó Ball
If you're anything like me, you know you should be taking care of your back and posture… but we don't. Because we’re young, we're invincible, and we just want to get the job done — even if that means contorting yourself into a human pretzel just to get a good look inside a patient’s mouth.It’s easy to brush off that nagging shoulder tension, lower back pain, or the tightness in your neck. But we’ve all heard the horror stories — of the dentist who sneezed and threw out their back, or had a random back spasm that left them unable to get off the floor and out of practice for months.We often downplay the physical toll dentistry takes on our bodies, but as we often say on the podcast, how can we take care of others if we aren't taking care of ourselves.In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Anikó Ball, founder of Optimum Dental Posture and a passionate advocate for pain-free, sustainable dentistry. After enduring over 30 years of chronic pain in her neck, shoulders, and back — and being told she was a “hopeless case” — Anikó discovered the Inner Ergonomic Principles of the AlexanderTechnique and how to apply it change the way we approach dentistry. She shares:The small, harmful habits we do every day without even realisingPractical tips to improve posture and reduce strain in the clinicMind-body calming techniques to reduce occupational stress and painHer personal journey from chronic pain to empowered, pain-free practiceWhether you're just starting out or decades into your career, this conversation is a must-listen for every dental professional who wants to enjoy a long, healthy, and fulfilling career.____________________________________F O L L O W⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thegraduatedentist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@dr.ericahwin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Guests: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://optimumdentalposture.com____________________________________D I S C O R DJoin ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Graduate Dentist Community Discord Server⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This 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 S⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠JS Medical & Dental Finance⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The 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. ⁠⁠⁠RipeGlobal⁠⁠⁠Led 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 Support⁠Whether 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 TEmail: [email protected]
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1:14:24