Protrusive Dental Podcast

Epizode

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  How Not to Cry Whilst Injection Moulding - Secrets to Reduce Excess and Clean Up - PDP280 19.08.2026 48min

  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.
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  Maintain or Extract? First Permanent Molars of Poor Prognosis - PDP279 12.08.2026 53min

  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...
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  TRAYLESS Whitening Technique Part 2 - Tetracycline Staining and Non Vital Bleaching Scenario! - PDP278 05.08.2026 1h 2min

  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.
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  TRAYLESS Whitening Technique Part 1 - with Dr Wyman Chan - PDP277 30.07.2026 1h 6min

  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...
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  What Dental School Didn’t Prepare You For – PDP276 22.07.2026 46min

  Just qualified — so why does it feel like the learning is only just beginning?What should you actually focus on in year one: the flawless dentistry on your feed, or something far less glamorous?How do you tell a patient their nerve might die — without it sounding like YOUR fault?And when a patient says “just do whatever you think” — what do you say back?This is the conversation every new dentist needs and every experienced one recognises. Our guest is Dr Emma Hutchison — a former dental nurse who trained at the University of Glasgow, and has been the face of the Protrusive Students series across her studies. We recorded in her final weeks of dental school, right on the threshold of practice, and talked through everything the syllabus skips: the safe-beginner mindset, what to learn (and what to ignore) early on, how to protect your standards under time pressure, which cases to take on, and how to talk to patients about risk, cost and consent so the words actually land. If you’re fresh out, this one hits hard. If you’re an oldie, it’s a trip down memory lane — and a reminder of how far you’ve come. https://youtu.be/gjJiDVP4w-4 Watch PDP276 on YouTubeProtrusive Dental Pearl: Predict the Complication Before It HappensA communication pearl for every deep restoration. When a filling sits close to the nerve — a big cavity, a crack — name the likely complication before it happens. Show the patient the images, then tell them what to expect: a twinge to cold or hot that can linger a few days, so keep taking painkillers and keep the area clean. And warn them what a red flag looks like: a severe throbbing ache keeping them up at night, or pain out of the blue without eating or drinking, means the nerve is struggling and they should call you.Do this and, if the complication ever arrives, you look like the expert who called it — not someone something went wrong for. Skip it and reception fields the panicked calls instead. It reassures the patient, lowers your callback rate, and quietly reduces your risk profile. Obvious, easy to forget, and worth saying out loud every single time.What You’ll Take From This EpisodeThe safe-beginner mindset — why qualifying is the driving licence, not the destination, and how the happiest dentists keep getting 1% better.Just-in-time learning — study for the cases actually in your diary, not the obscure pathology you won’t meet for years.Get good before you get fast — master the bread and butter, protect a little extra time early, and reflect on every procedure.Clever hacks vs cutting corners — how to tell the difference, and why every shortcut quietly rewires the habit.Consent that works — getting patients to own the problem, and giving a clear recommendation instead of a fifteen-item menu.Highlights of This Episode00:00  Teaser01:05  The Things Dental School Doesn’t Prepare You For03:05  Communication Pearl: Predict the Complication Before It Happens05:35  Life as a Final-Year Dental Student on Outreach09:55  Why You’re Only a “Safe Beginner” When You Qualify13:45  Master Bread-and-Butter Dentistry Before the Fancy Stuff16:05  Just-in-Time Learning: Study for the Cases in Front of You18:05  Get Good Before You Get Fast (and Protect Your Time)19:45  Clever Hacks vs Cutting Corners: Don’t Lose Your Standards24:14  Midroll27:46  The Skills to Nail in Your First Year as a Dentist30:11  Which Cases to Take On — and Learning From Mistakes35:46  How to Explain Risk and Get Patients to Own the Problem41:26  When Patients Refuse the Ideal Treatment: Start With Their Goal44:26  Treatment Planning Without the Overwhelm: Loom & “Guess Who”47:36  Claim Your CPD & Become the Next Protrusive Student47:38  OutroDr Emma Hutchison came to dentistry the long way round — from a dental nursing background into dental school at the University of Glasgow, with final-year outreach on the Kintyre peninsula in Campbeltown. She has been the face of the Protrusive Students series throughout her studies, and this episode marks her crossing from student to newly qualified dentist. On behalf of the whole Protruserati: we’re proud of you, Emma.Become the next Protrusive Student: with Emma qualifying, we’re looking for the next keen student who wants part-time work, an income while studying, and to contribute to Protrusive — or a nudge if you know one. DM the team inside the Protrusive Guidance app.Resources & Mentions From This EpisodeQuick & slick rubber dam — the in-app video series on quadrant isolation, for building the rubber dam habit from day one.21-Day Photography Challenge — the in-app challenge that walks you through capturing every clinical photo, including the dreaded occlusal shots, in your first three weeks.Loom School — in-app training on async, Loom-video treatment planning (roughly 90 minutes of CPD across around 15 bite-sized lessons).Access the above masterclasses and more when you subscribe to the Ultimate or Infinity plan.Want more?If you enjoyed this episode, check out: Periodontics for Beginners – PS008#PDPMainEpisodes #CareerDevelopment #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 A and D.AGD Subject Code: 770 Self-Improvement Aim & Learning OutcomesAim: To give early-career dentists a practical framework for the transition from dental school to independent practice — how to keep developing, how to protect clinical standards under time pressure, and how to communicate risk and treatment options as part of valid consent.Learning Outcomes — by the end of this episode, dentists will be able to:Apply a “just-in-time” approach to continuing development, prioritising the competencies relevant to the cases in front of them over isolated advanced techniques.Differentiate time-saving efficiencies from quality-compromising shortcuts, and describe strategies to maintain clinical standards early in practice.Apply structured communication techniques to explain procedural risk, establish a patient’s treatment goal, and make a clear, defensible recommendation as part of va...
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  Why is Dr Tif Qureshi doing Blood Tests for his Patients? Should YOU? – PDP275 15.07.2026 1h 2min

  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.
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  Mastering Pediatric Dentistry: Pulpotomy and Crown Techniques – PDP274 08.07.2026 56min

  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.
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  Consent in Orthodontics Should Be Individualised – PDP273 03.07.2026 46min

  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.
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  Thinking About Teaching Dentistry? Here’s What You Need to Know First – IC076 01.07.2026 43min

  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.
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  Putting the ENT into dENTistry – PDP272 24.06.2026 59min

  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.
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  Your Dental Assistant Can Make or Break You – IC075 17.06.2026 47min

  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.
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  Rotary vs Reciprocating Files Part 2 with Samuel Johnson – PDP271 10.06.2026 51min

  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.
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  Rotary vs Reciprocating Files – The Endo Showdown with Samuel Johnson Part 1 – PDP270 03.06.2026 44min

  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
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  A Practical Guide to Modern Caries Management Part 2 – Peptides, SDF, Hydroxyapatite and Xeristomia! – PDP269 27.05.2026 55min

  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 ...
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  A Practical Guide to Modern Caries Management – MIOC and MID Part 1 – PDP268 20.05.2026 1h 1min

  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 ...
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  Realism, Mistakes and Radical Honesty in Dentistry – IC074 13.05.2026 34min

  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.
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  10 Occlusion Pearls That Will Blow Your Mind – PDP267 11.05.2026 54min

  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.
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  Posterior Composites Done Right – PDP266 08.05.2026 48min

  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
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  Why We Need to Take MRIs for TMJs! – PDP265 06.05.2026 45min

  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
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  Zirconia vs. Titanium: The Implant Debate – PDP264 29.04.2026 47min

  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