What happens when a last-minute acceptance letter changes everything? When you have 24 hours to pack up your life in Canada and chase a dental school dream in Australia? This is Next Gen, where we explore the unique journeys of dental students as they prepare for practice.

In this episode, we're diving into the unexpected path of Austen Oviatt, a Canadian-born fourth-year dental student at the University of Sydney who went from biology to computer programming to extractions - and has already completed over 70 of them!

Austen opens up about the whirlwind decision to leave everything behind for dental school, the challenges of being an international student navigating visa requirements, and why age and life experience can be your greatest assets in patient care.

We'll explore how working at Campbelltown Hospital's intimate clinic setting has accelerated his hands-on learning, from routine extractions to full clearances and emergency cases.

From shadowing oral surgeons to witnessing procedures go wrong (and how experienced clinicians handle the pressure), Austen shares honest insights about building confidence, managing complications, and the reality that even seasoned professionals get nervous. We'll also discuss the unique challenges facing international graduates - from contract negotiations to the financial conversations that dental school never teaches you.

So grab your coffee, settle in, and let's brush up on what it takes to leap across continents for dentistry.

If you want to stay up to date with the latest developments in dentistry, check out our upcoming CPD courses at adacpd.au.

Dental school teaches you the technical skills, but what about the emotional reality of patient care? The weight of making decisions that affect someone's smile, their confidence, their daily life - and doing it all whilst you're still learning the ropes.
This is Next Gen, where we sit down with dental students preparing for the transition from textbooks to real-world practice. In this episode, we're exploring the human side of dentistry with Ahjeong Yoo, a fourth-year dental student at Sydney University and president of SUDA. Ahjeong opens up about her unique emotional connection to her patients' teeth, the challenge of saying "no" when you're a people-pleaser, and why she chose restoration over extraction - even when it's not always the easiest path.

If you want to stay up to date with the latest developments in dentistry, check out our upcoming CPD courses at adacpd.au.

Starting any new job comes with its challenges, but stepping into a dental practice as a fresh graduate brings a unique blend of excitement and terror. The impostor syndrome, and that nagging voice asking, “Am I really qualified to be doing this?”

This is Fresh-Out Fridays, where we sit down with early-career dentists who share the unfiltered truth about navigating those early-career moments that dental school didn’t quite prepare you for. In this episode, we’re diving deep with Dr Samantha Tang as she opens up about overcoming that initial awkwardness, building confidence with patients, and finding her groove in a busy practice. We’ll explore practical strategies for managing those “am I doing this right?” moments, and discover how what feels like your biggest weakness might actually become your greatest strength.

So grab your coffee, settle in, and let’s brush up on what it takes to thrive as a new dentist.

If you want to stay up to date with the latest developments in dentistry, check out our upcoming CPD courses at adacpd.au.