Hosted by Ahmed Issa
Behind every title is a journey most people never see.
In this first episode of Ahmed’s specialist journey series, he sits down with Specialist Oral Surgeon Dr Thao Truong to unpack the pressure, sacrifice and self-doubt behind operating at the highest level of dentistry. From hospital training and specialist exams to carrying responsibility in high-stakes surgical environments, this conversation explores the dark days that shape clinicians long before confidence arrives.
Dr Truong reflects on the realities of oral surgery training, the emotional weight of patient care and the moments that tested her resilience throughout her journey. Beyond the operating room, she also shares how humanitarian work in developing countries reshaped her perspective on dentistry, responsibility, and purpose.
This episode is not just about oral surgery — it’s about growth, discipline, identity, and becoming someone capable of carrying responsibility at the highest level.
Get connected:
[00:49] From Medical Science to Dentistry
[02:20] Why Oral Surgery Was Not Love at First Sight
[03:29] Finding Mentors in Oral Surgery Residency
[05:45] The Case That Made Her Question Everything
[07:34] Taking Feedback and Letting Go of Ego
[08:55] Why Students Need to See Specialists Struggle
[11:06] Staying Calm When Surgery Gets Difficult
[13:52] Sponsor: OrthoEd Aligner Essentials
[15:54] The 6 to 8 Second Rule
[17:44] Changing a Patient’s View of Dentistry
[20:16] Why General Dentistry Came Before Specialization
[22:43] Inside Oral Surgery Specialty Training
[26:00] How to Get Into the Program
[28:09] What the Interview Really Assesses
[29:18] The First Year as an Interview Year
[31:47] Year by Year: Clinical and Theory Breakdown
[34:24] Dr. Thao’s Scope of Practice Today
[36:45] Sponsor: Dental Advice Network
[38:46] Questioning the Specialty and Managing Complications
[42:19] Consent, Nerve Risk, and Patient Communication
[43:41] MRONJ, Fear, and Practical Management
[46:50] The Responsibility of Being the Go-To Surgeon
[48:37] Advice for Future Oral Surgeons
[50:08] There Is No Right Time to Specialize
[51:54] How New Grads Can Become an Asset
[53:55] Where to Find and Shadow Dr. Thao
[55:35] Outro and Dental Head Start Resources
Dr Thao Truong is a University of Sydney–trained Specialist Oral Surgeon working across both public hospital systems and private practice in New South Wales. After graduating with honours in Dentistry and completing a Bachelor of Medical Science with Honours, she spent years training through major hospital networks before completing a Doctor of Clinical Dentistry in Oral Surgery at the University of Sydney. Alongside clinical practice, Dr Thao is a Senior Lecturer and Clinical Educator involved in mentoring postgraduate trainees and dental students. Known for her calm and empathetic approach to patient care, she practices the full scope of oral surgery with interests spanning wisdom teeth removal, dental implants, bone grafting, oral pathology and complex surgical cases. Beyond surgery, she is actively involved in humanitarian dental work through organisations including Vietnam Vision Projects and AusViet Charity Foundation.
Dental Head Start is proud to collaborate with the Dental Advice Network to offer our community access to some of the most respected names in Australian dentistry. DAN functions as a comprehensive knowledge hub, offering a wealth of resources including live webinars, explainer videos, and up-to-the-minute news updates. Highlights of the platform include the highly regarded Journal Club with Professor Laurie Walsh and specialised legal insights from Dr Steven Parker, who brings the dual perspective of both a clinician and a lawyer to complex regulatory matters.
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The post The Journey behind the specialist #1: The Dark Days Behind Oral Surgery with Dr Thao Truong appeared first on Dental Head Start.