Who's really in charge when a dental assistant has more experience than the dentist?

In this bonus episode, Dr Tiv and Dr Krish unpack the often-unspoken power dynamics between dentists and dental assistants. Drawing from Dr Krish's experience, they discuss what happens when an experienced DA starts calling the shots, and how a dentist can establish authority without sacrificing mutual respect.

They also explore personality differences, difficult workplace conversations, and why sometimes you need to stand your ground, especially when patient safety is at stake.

Because being a good leader isn't about having the loudest voice. It's about knowing how to communicate, work as a team, and put the patient first.

🎙️ A bonus episode of PowerUp Unfiltered.

Why do dental practice owners and associates so often feel like they're on completely different sides?

In this episode of PowerUp Unfiltered, Dr Tiv and Dr Krish switch perspectives and unpack the tension between owners and associates in dentistry.

From commission rates and cost of living to mentorship, holidays, equipment, productivity, risk and responsibility, they explore why each side can badly misjudge what the other is actually dealing with.

Associates may see a successful-looking practice and assume the owner is making huge profits. Owners may see an associate wanting more money, more time off and more flexibility and wonder why they're not taking more responsibility.

But there's often more going on underneath both perspectives.

This is an honest, sometimes uncomfortable conversation about the realities of running a dental practice and working as an associate — and why understanding the other side can change the way both parties approach the relationship.

"Don't work for a husband and wife team, it's red flag territory."

If you've been in dentistry long enough, you've heard some version of that warning.

Dr Tiv and Darina have been running a practice together for 18 years, and they're surprisingly candid about why that advice exists, and what separates the couples who make it work from the ones who make everyone around them uncomfortable.

Their answer is less romantic than you'd expect: clearly split roles, a defined chain of command (he's the boss at work, she's the boss at home), professional titles instead of pet names, and never, ever arguing in front of staff. It's worked so well that new team members regularly go nine or ten months without realising they're married.

Whether you're planning to run a dental practice with your spouse or applying to a practice run by a married couple, this one is worth the watch.

That clause in your contract saying you can't work within 10km for three years? It's probably not enforceable. But most dentists never find out, because the wording looks final enough that nobody questions it.

Dr Tiv and Dr Krish go through the clauses in an Australian dental contract that dentists often overlook, and more importantly, what you can negotiate:restraint clause, notice periods, and how time off works completely differently depending on whether you're an employee, a contractor, or on a service facility agreement. And the surprisingly human reason so many dentists badmouth a practice on their way out.

You'll also get real numbers: what a reasonable restraint distance actually looks like, why 30 days notice is a floor rather than a target, and what a shutdown fee really costs.

If you're holding a contract right now and wondering which parts are actually set in stone, start here.

Most dentists don't choose their first job. They just say yes to whichever one arrives first, close to home, promised mentorship, a full book of patients, and call it a win. Dr Tiv and Dr Krish get honest about what actually happens after you sign: the pay slip that doesn't add up, the mentoring that never materialises, and the slow, quiet drain of working somewhere that doesn't fit who you are.

If you're about to sign your first contract, or you've been quietly unhappy in your current one for longer than you'd like to admit, this episode is for you.

Dr Krish is back with another frack up, and this one is a proper one. A routine wisdom tooth extraction turns into an emphysema emergency, a hospital trip, and one very swollen patient who handled it better than the dentist did.

In this episode, Dr Tiv and Dr Krish break down exactly what went wrong, why it happened, and what every new grad should know before picking up a handpiece for surgical extractions. Real, honest, unfiltered dentistry.

Disclaimer: This episode is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute clinical or medical advice. Always consult a qualified dental professional or specialist for guidance specific to your clinical situation.

Can your practice owner legally stop you from working near their practice after you leave?

In this episode, Dr Tiv and Dr Krish get unfiltered about restraint of trade clauses in associate dentist contracts. They break down the moral, legal, and practical sides of this controversial topic and share what they have seen go wrong, and right, in real practice. If you are a new grad or associate dentist, this one could save you thousands of dollars and a lot of headaches. No legal advice, just real experience from people who have been on both sides of the chair.

What Happens When Dentists Mess Up (Real Story)

Every dentist has a case they wish they could redo.

In this episode of PowerUp Unfiltered, Dr Tiv shares one of the biggest mistakes from his early career. Just months into practising dentistry, he attempted his first implant restoration case. What followed was a costly lesson.

We talk about the emotional side of clinical mistakes, the pressure young dentists feel, and why failures often become the most valuable learning experiences in dentistry.

If you are a dentist who has ever questioned yourself after a difficult case, this conversation will feel very familiar.