The Voice in the Operatory

Dr. Ellie Halabian began TeethMatter in 2023, about one year into her first job out of residency. She was working at a federally qualified health centre, commuting an hour each way, seeing a high volume of patients in a challenging working environment. She felt burnt out and disappointed. "I would see my colleagues on Instagram and think, 'Why am I not doing that? How can I get there?' So I started the podcast to open the conversation around how others navigate their careers."

A Sound That Reminds You of Dentistry

A jackhammer. It reminds me of the sound a handpiece makes.

A Texture That Matches Your Communication Style

My communication style is like linen — breathable, natural, and honest. It's relaxed but never careless.

Something You're Still Unlearning From Dental School

There's no such thing as perfection.

A Word You're Trying to Reclaim

Confidence.

Something a TeethMatter Guest Said That Stayed With You

"If someone is firing you, they're freeing up your future."

What's Kept You Grounded in Clinical Work?

I feel most purposeful when I'm able to create connections with the patient, reduce barriers, and empower them through education.

What's Missing in How We Talk About Dentistry?

There are a few conversations we don't have enough. First, we rarely talk about how emotionally, physically, and mentally taxing dentistry is. In dental school, you might see three or four patients a day — but in the real world, it can be twenty.

Second, there's no real financial security. People assume dentists live opulent lives, but many of us are jumping between offices, fighting for a seat in a practice, often with no benefits.

Third, communication is everything. Your day depends entirely on people — patients, assistants, office managers. If you don't know how to communicate, your day is going to be hard.

And lastly, dentistry is expensive. School debt, continuing education, malpractice insurance, disability, licensing fees — no matter how you look at it, the financial burden can make the payoff feel inconsequential.

I hope TeethMatter becomes a recognised platform for dental professionals and entrepreneurs to share their stories — so people feel reassured about where they are and empowered to make their next decision.

If You Could Redesign Dental Culture From the Ground Up

I'd start with opening up communication channels. As much transparency as possible. Everything else — culture, care, community — flows from that.