A review of popular dental podcasts

Whether you are at the gym or even spending a late night in lab, podcasts can be interesting and thought provoking entertainment. There are multiple podcasts that are available for entertainment, but many can be a learning tool. After my first year in dental school, I learned about the world of podcasts. Currently, there are nearly forty different dental podcast shows available online for free. Content varies over across different episodes and shows. Topics range from practice management to CAD/CAM technology and 3D printing. I would like to provide a brief description of the five shows that I have found engaging and helpful.

Dentistry Uncensored with Howard Farran
Dentistry Uncensored is one of the most popular dental podcasts available. Howard Farran, the founder of DentalTown, interviews the biggest voices in dentistry from around the world. His show is for listeners who want to hear about controversial topics in dentistry. My favorite episodes feature leading specialists and their opinions of new procedures and the future of dentistry. With episodes released daily, I often save titles that interest me and listen to them on my way to school.

Dentist Money
This show is perfect for learning about money management and the economics of dentistry. Reese Harper, a financial planner, specializes in helping dentists build their wealth. I find these episodes to concise and to the point. My favorite episodes include searching for a financial planner and how to leverage business and student debt. Dentist Money is great for those interested in the business side of dentistry.

Shared Practices
This podcast is excellent for dental students about to transition into a career of practice ownership. It is great for those wondering how to efficiently buy and run a practice within a few years of graduating. Interesting topics range from what to look for in an associateship to negotiating terms when buying a practice. The show is broken down by topics to create a roadmap from graduation to private practice ownership.

The Dental Hacks Podcast
This show is a wildcard but always proves to be entertaining. The hosts discuss a wide range of topics. Topics range from tooth preparation and composite materials, all the way to practice interior design and management. Hosts Alan Mead and Jason Lipscomb are funny, authentic and genuinely passionate dentists who are always entertaining.

The Life and Dentistry Podcast
The podcast was started by recent graduates so the content is relevant to current dental students. Each episode discusses various topics ranging from memories from dental school through the first day in private practice. This show is great for current dental students and they play to an audience of new dentists wondering what life will be like after graduation. I find that it is easy to relate to the hosts and I really enjoy listening to their personal experiences.

Practice in a Pod!
Practice in a Pod is an excellent resource for searching for specific topics in multiple podcasts. It makes listening to podcasts more convenient because it does not require subscribing to weekly episodes of one show. Instead, it allows you to browse over 4,000 archived episodes by topic. They have sorted them in a way that makes it simple to find what you are looking to learn more about!

Dental podcasts are a great way to start learning more than what they teach you in school. While it is easy to get caught up in the daily grind of dental school, these brief episodes provide a glimpse into the real world of dentistry. Learning to run a business, becoming a leader and staying current on materials and technology is critical to our future. A short episode a day is a great place to start.

~Taylor Squires, Buffalo ‘19