By Dania Al-Zubaidy and Millicent Brodie Cooper, co-editors

Welcome to Cardiff's takeover of BDJ Student!

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This edition centres on our theme Empowerment in action: Overcoming challenges in dentistry a celebration of resilience, creativity and the determination to make positive change. Cardiff Dental School, since its founding in 1964, has grown into a vibrant hub of clinical excellence and research innovation. Our location in the capital means we serve a diverse patient base from across Wales, nestled between the hustle and bustle of the city and the South Wales Valleys.

A dental degree can be demanding, and each stage of training comes with its obstacles. Whether it's mastering new clinical skills, juggling a busy social life alongside endless coursework, or raising your voice on important issues affecting our patients and communities, challenges are ever-present. In this issue, our contributors show how they've met those problems head-on, turning them into opportunities for growth and inspiration.

Inside, you'll find heartfelt stories like From Rejection to Resilience: My Path to Dentistry, alongside cutting-edge educational initiatives such as Talking Teeth. Our global perspective shines through with students' reflections on their experiences in Kathmandu, while pieces like Give Yourself Some Curing Time remind us all of the vital importance of wellbeing and balance. We also tackle hot topics in dentistry, including space replacement treatment modalities to the rising trend of vaping among young people.

Bringing this edition together has been a reminder that empowerment doesn't always come from big moments - sometimes it's in the small acts: sharing knowledge, supporting a peer, or taking that first step towards a new goal. We hope the voices in these pages inspire you as much as they've inspired us.