In this episode of the Dentology podcast, Dr. James Hunter shares his unique journey from a global upbringing to becoming a dentist. He discusses his early life in Singapore, Colorado, and Oxford, and how these experiences have shaped his worldview.

He reflects on his transition from studying theology to dentistry, the challenges faced during his foundation training amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, and his upcoming family move to Liberia to provide dental care in a country with a severe shortage of dentists.

He talks about the political landscape of Liberia, the challenges of relocating with a family, the impact of dental practice on community health, and his plans to integrate family life within a new culture.

Topics:

-          How did your early years set you up for the person you are today?

-          What work did your parents do?

-          You studied at Cardiff Dental School but wasn’t your first degree, was it?

-          Your Foundation Training year fell during the Covid lockdowns, how did this impact your ability to get some practical experience?

-          Tell us about the associate position at the practice in Cornwall and what dentistry is Cornwall is like?

-          Tell us about your new adventure to the West African country of Liberia. How did this come about?

-          Talk us through the landscape of this country and what oral healthcare looks like?

-          What do you think will be early challenges moving to the west coast of Africa?

-          What is the plan while you are there – treat or treat and train others?

-          What will family life look like for you?

-          How can people keep in touch with your experience?

In this episode, hosts Andy and Chris chat with Sarika Shah, a dentist and principal of Platinum Dental Care, discussing her remarkable journey from Kenya to the UK.

Sarika shares insights about her childhood, the influence of her parents, her decision to move to England for education, and her eventual choice to pursue a career in dentistry.

Sarika shares her journey from being an international student to becoming a successful dental practice owner. She discusses the importance of keeping options open during her education, the challenges she faced in securing a dental position, and the significance of mastering clinical skills before venturing into the business side of dentistry.

Sarika emphasises the entrepreneurial spirit within the dental field and the transformation of her practice, Platinum Dental Care, into a thriving business. She also highlights the crucial role of dental care professionals and the need for collaboration within the dental team.

Finally, she shares her personal journey of balancing family life with running a business and talks about the significance of self-care, personal leadership, and the need for mentorship and community support for women in dentistry.

Topics:

-          How did your parents set you up for the future given you grew up in Kenya and moved to the UK when you were 16 to finish high school?

-          Did you always know you’d be a dentist?

-          You qualified from Manchester and then did your VT in Norwich – what was dental school like and why Norwich?

-          Did you seek out any business education in the early years?

-          Were you always destined to be a principal?

-          What more did you need that being an associate couldn’t deliver?

-          What did the practice look like when you bought it compared to what you have now?

-          Is there a general misunderstanding inside the profession (which impacts on patient understanding) of the value that therapists (and to a lesser extent hygienists) bring the party?

-          Since buying your practice you’ve also become a mum, how did this change things for you?

-          This year you launched Flourish as a Female – tell us about this?

Happy new year from all at the Dentology Podcast.

Season’s greetings from all at the Dentology Podcast.

In this episode, hosts Andy and Chris chat with Reena Wadia, a renowned figure of authority across the global dental industry and Principal Periodontist and Founder of RW Perio, leading clinic for periodontal health located on 75 Harley Street.

Reena talks about her journey in dentistry, the influences of her upbringing, and discusses her early aspirations.

She reflects on her decision to pursue a career path specialising in periodontology and the challenges faced in setting up and marketing a specialist practice.

She talks about her new book, The Perio Handbook and her work with the Perio School, the leading Global Teaching Academy for Periodontal Courses which she set up due to the increasing demand for training in periodontics.

Topics:

-          Where did you grow up and what was your childhood like?

-          You qualified from Barts and The London with the prestigious Gold Medal – what did your dental career look like in the early days?

-          What was it about perio that caught your attention?

-          What are the challenges you’ve faced marketing a specialist practice

-          Your new book ‘The Perio Handbook’ – who is it for?

-          Has the way perio is treated changed much over the years?

-          Is gum aesthetics generally available as part of a wider aesthetic makeover or does it require a periodontist?

-          Tell us about the Perio School – is there a decent level of interest in perio and gums?

In this episode, hosts Chris and Andy chat to Stephen Kettle, a seasoned business professional with over 30 years of experience in the building maintenance industry and now a key figure in the dental fit-out niche. As the founder of Clover Dental Fit Out, Stephen took a bold step in launching his business during 2021, amidst the uncertainties of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Stephen talks about his childhood in Cheshire, the early influences in his life that have been pivotal to his career success and his decision to transition into the dental sector.

He shares how he came to specialise in dental fitouts, the support he offers to aspiring dentists, key considerations for setting up a successful dental practice and the emerging trend of super clinics in dentistry.  

He discusses the challenges and rewards of starting Clover Dental Fit Out during such a turbulent time and shares his insights on navigating the complexities of starting a dental practice.

Finally, he talks about his experience with the Flying Start TV programme back in the late 90’s which provided him with valuable business mentorship.

Topics:

-          Tell us about your childhood. What was your upbringing like?

-          How did you come to be in the dental niche?

-          Starting Clover Dental Fit Out: Was 2021 a great or tough time to start a new business?

-          What are key differences between the dental niche and general businesses?

-          What are the current trends in what new practices are looking for?

-          When setting up a new practice we know how important the location is – do most clients come to you with a site they’ve committed to?

-          Is there an optimal blueprint for a squat?

-          What would you say are the 3 most important things if you right at the beginning of planning your squat?

-          In other countries (far east, USA etc) there are super-clinics with 20+ surgeries, do you see a time where UK dentistry could go down this path?

-          Tell us about your experience with the Flying Start TV programme in the late 90’s

-          Based on your own experience - what are the most important skills for an entrepreneur to have?

In this conversation, hosts Andy and Chris delve into the significance of personal branding for dental professionals.

They discuss how personal branding can enhance a dentist's professional identity, attract patients, and create a positive narrative in the industry.

The conversation covers practical steps for building a personal brand, the role of social media, and the importance of authenticity in branding.

They emphasise that personal branding is not just about marketing but about genuinely representing oneself and connecting with others in the dental community.

In this episode, Nipun Kathuria, co-founder and CEO of Smile Genius Dental, shares his journey from India to Ireland, discussing the importance of a positive mindset, cultural transitions, and his unexpected path into the world of dentistry.

He chats about personal growth, the challenges of adapting to new environments, and the intricacies of the dental industry.

He discusses the technological advancements in dentistry, highlighting the lag in software innovation compared to other industries.

Finally, Nipun shares insights on entrepreneurship, personal growth, and the challenges faced in the dental tech market.

Topics:

-          Was there a time you can look back on your childhood and say this is why I am the person I am today?

-          Tell us about your move from Ireland to do an MBA at Trinity College.

-          How did you find this transition – from leaving family, a new continent, different culture?

-          What sort of work experience did you gain in the early days?

-          How did you get into dentistry?

-          When did you start looking at workflows for clear aligners?

-          Do the patient, the practice and the lab need to be aligned for progress to be made? Is there a weak link?

-          Who do you see at the forefront of this market?

-          Align is clearly a dominant player in this market but could this change over time with tech, workflows, cost to deliver, etc shifting over time?

-          Are labs behind the game in marketing themselves and their services?

-          If you can take only one learning from your entrepreneurial journey - what is it?

In this podcast episode, hosts Andy and Chris talk with health and wellness coach George Vernon about his journey becoming a boxing enthusiast and ultimately a health coach.

They explore the importance of holistic health, the impact of burnout, and the challenges of changing mindsets in the fitness industry.

George chats about the need for a comprehensive approach to health that includes physical fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being, while also sharing personal experiences that shaped his understanding of optimal health.

He emphasises the importance of balancing work and home life, finding one's niche, and the significance of resistance training.

Finally, the conversation touches on common traits among dentists, important skills for entrepreneurs, and ways to overcome barriers to health and fitness.

Topics:

-          Was there a time you can look back on your childhood and say this is why I am the person I am today?

-          What was the driver to box – was it fitness, protection, fighting, energy outlet?

-          How did you find the niche of dentistry?

-          Burnout is a real issue in dentistry, how did this build manifest itself for you?

-          Tell us more about your comprehensive approach to health. Can you just focus on one area?

-          How can dentists help themselves on a day-by-day basis?

-          In life we have a knack of finding time for the things we want to do so why do we find it so hard to prioritise time for our health?

-          Do dentists have specific needs to get on track and stay there?

-          What are the most important skills for an entrepreneur to have?

In this episode, Dr. Sorabh Patel (Principal Dentist and lead clinician at Dental Beauty Blackheath and Dental Beauty Lee) chats to hosts Chris and Andy about his journey becoming a dentist and practice owner. He discusses his childhood, the challenges faced by his family, the impact of his upbringing on his work ethic, and the pivotal moments that led him to choose dentistry as a career.

He chats about his time at dental school and the motivations behind his decision to enter a partnership in practice ownership, emphasising the importance of real-world experience over formal education and his decision to partner in a dental practice.

Finally, he reflects on the daily challenges of running a practice, the sacrifices he has made for success, and the lessons learned along the way.

Topics:

-          Can you set the scene for us and let us know what your childhood was like?

-          What did you see in these few weeks that made you want to join the profession?

-          Do we still have this early-stage opportunity for youngsters to get this experience?

-          What was dental school like?

-          Was it always your career plan to own a practice?

-          Why did you choose the partnership route instead of going it alone?

-          What does your day to day work look like?

-          When you started in dentistry who was kind to you?

-          Are soft skills important communication skills getting left out at dental school?

-          What is the cost of your success?

-          Has anything been left behind for this success?

-          If you can take only one learning from your entrepreneurial journey- what is it?

In this episode, hosts Andy and Chris chat to Ed Calvert about his journey from a background in physiotherapy to a successful career in medical sales within the dental industry. The discussion delves into the importance of networking, the challenges of facing personal health issues, and the transformative experience of travelling the world.

Ed reflects on how his upbringing and career choices shaped his perspective on sales and personal growth, emphasising that everyone is in sales in some capacity. The conversation highlights the significance of building relationships and adapting to various situations in both personal and professional realms.

He goes on to talk about the innovative services offered by Dental Monitoring, the role of technology and AI in modern dentistry, and the challenges of changing established practices. Finally, he reflects on the future of dental treatment and the importance of legacy.

Topics:

-  Was there a time you can look back on your childhood and say this is why I am the person I am today?

- Your time at university studying physiotherapy

- How did you get into medical device sales and what devices were they?

- Tell us about your early midlife crisis in 2017-2018

– how did this manifest itself?

- What did you learn about yourself travelling for a year?

- When did you join Dental Monitoring?

- Was the pandemic a boom period for Dental Monitoring?

- Is there a general acceptance of AI linked tech in dentistry or are we still in the early adoption phase?

- Where is AI going in the future for dentistry?

In this episode, hosts Chris and Andy reflect on their 24 years of business ownership, sharing key lessons learned along the way.

They emphasise the importance of celebrating successes, building a strong team, staying focused on the original purpose, and maintaining open communication. Continuous learning, patience, nurturing relationships, and prioritising mental health are also highlighted as essential components for long-term success in business.

Listen now to hear how these lessons have helped them navigate challenges and maintain success over the years, and how they continue to apply them as they look to the future.

In this episode of the Dentology Podcast, Chris and Andy chat to private cosmetic dentist Dr Riaz Sharif.

Riaz talks about his childhood and explains how early life experiences have shaped the person he is today. From a challenging upbringing to boxing at the famous York Hall in Bethnal Green, Riaz reflects on how all these experiences have guided his decisions and career path so far.

He explains how dentistry wasn’t his first choice of career and how he initially pursued biomedical sciences at the University of Birmingham before heading to Hungary to study dentistry.

He talks about some of the challenges and obstacles he’s faced and the coping mechanisms he’s developed to use when trauma comes his way.

After qualifying as a dentist in Slovakia and moving back to the UK, Riaz shares his journey since qualifying, including his experience in the mentorship programme with MyDentist. He discusses the importance of mentorship, fitness, health, and mindset, all factors which help him stay resilient and focused.

Looking ahead, Riaz talks about his future ambitions in dentistry, including the possibility of owning his own practice one day.

Topics:

-          Tell us about your childhood

-          As a youngster you boxed, at the famous York Hall in Bethnal Green – what was the appeal of boxing?

-          You didn’t start out with dentistry in mind and pursued biomedical sciences at the University of Birmingham - Was this a passion or just a degree?

-          Heading to Hungary to study dentistry

-          Do you seek out difficult things to prove yourself?

-          What coping mechanisms do you use when trauma comes your way?

-          How long did it take you to qualify as a dentist?

-          What’s your journey been like since qualifying?

-          Tell us about the mentorship programme with MyDentist – how has this helped you?

-          How important has your own fitness, health and mindset been to keep control of what you can been?

-          What are your future ambitions in dentistry?

-          Do you plan to own a practice one day?

In this episode, Chris and Andy are delighted to be joined once again by Nicki Rowland, a well-known figure in dentistry and a previous guest back in August 2022 (episode 53).

Nicki is the co-founder of The Exceptional Leadership Academy (ELA), a consultancy that supports dental businesses in thriving and growing, and the founder of The Magic Dentist, a charity with a mission to educate children about the importance of good oral health.

In this episode, Nicki talks about The Magic Dentist, a unique initiative aimed at equipping parents, teachers, and professionals with tools to engage children and help them understand the benefits of maintaining oral health, while also preparing them for visiting the dentist.

Nicki talks about the importance of early oral health education, the activities and events The Magic Dentist organises, how children’s media and films can often portray dentists negatively and whether children are given enough information so they know what to expect at a first dental visit.

She shares more about what she’s learnt so far in setting up a charity and what her goals and plans are for The Magic Dentist in 2025.

Finally, she talks about her daughter Izzy's involvement as the illustrator behind The Magic Dentist’s book and characters.

Topics:

-          Explain more about The Magic Dentist

-          How big is the problem of oral health among young children?

-          What sort of events and activities do you undertake through the project to help educate children about the importance and positive impact of good oral health?

-          What are your views on how dentists are often portrayed negatively in children’s media and films?

-          Is there enough information available about what to expect at the first visit to the dentist?

-          What is the ultimate aim of The Magic Dentist?

-          What initiatives are planned for 2025?

-          What have you learned about setting up a charity?

-          What is your daughter Izzy’s involvement?

In this episode, Chris and Andy are joined by Paul Ebert, the CEO and Founder of Tabeo, a platform revolutionising patient financing by bringing payment plans, loans, and card services together in one place.

Paul shares how growing up in a small village in Germany helped shape his entrepreneurial journey, which led him from investment banking to fintech, and eventually into the world of healthcare payments.

He chats about how a chance meeting with a London based venture capitalist guided him toward the dental industry, and what inspired him to create Tabeo.

Paul also discusses the need for simplifying payments in primary care and how Tabeo's integrated platform is streamlining administrative tasks for healthcare providers.

Plus, he explains more about his passion for nature and the most important lesson he’s learned from his entrepreneurial journey so far.

Topics:

-          Was there a time you can look back on your childhood and say this is why I am the person I am today?

-          What is the one activity you do that makes you the happiest?

-          How did you end up in dentistry by chance?

-          Explain your career journey to day

-          What was the inspiration for founding Tabeo?

-          What problem did you set out to solve?

-          In what way do payments need to be simplified?

-          How important is data in modern day financing and can this also be fed back into the practices to improve performance?

-          What does Tabeo offer?

-          Is reporting appreciated and by practice owners to the extent it could / should be?

-          When you say plans, how do they differ from the incumbents in this space?

-          Where does your love of nature come from?

-          If you can take only one learning from your entrepreneurial journey, what is it?

In this special episode of the Dentology Podcast, hosts Andy and Chris dive into the top five critical mistakes dentists often make when selling their practice.

Whether you're considering selling now or in the future, understanding these pitfalls can save you time, money, and a lot of headaches.

Chris and Andy discuss why not getting a proper valuation and letting the buyer set the price can cost you dearly, the dangers of dragging your feet on due diligence, and the common misconception that your landlord will be quick to help.

Plus, they explore the importance of planning well in advance and why using a non-dental solicitor might not be the money-saver you think it is.

Take a listen to this episode for more insight into these key issues and help to ensure you navigate the sales process successfully.

In this special episode of the Dentology Podcast, hosts Andy and Chris talk in depth about the four biggest mistakes dentists often make when buying a practice.

If you're thinking about buying a dental practice, this episode is a must-listen.

Andy and Chris explore why buying a practice just because a friend has one could be a costly error, the risks of choosing a practice in the wrong location, and the importance of educating yourself on business fundamentals like leadership, financial management, and people management before taking the plunge.

Lastly, they discuss the misconception that you'll instantly earn more money—because while increased earnings are possible, they don't happen overnight.

In this episode, Andy and Chris welcome Shameek Popat, a dental professional with an incredible journey and passion for dentistry and CEO/Founder of Tooth Angel. They take a trip down memory lane to explore Shameek's childhood and the importance of family in his life, especially his close-knit connection to his uncle, who inspired him with a career in dentistry.

Shameek’s joyful outlook on life reflects his positive approach to both personal and professional challenges. He discusses his qualifications, from graduating from Guys in 1993 to earning an MSc in Sports Dentistry and an ICD Fellowship in recent years. He shares insights into the niche field of sports dentistry and explains what some of the key issues.

As a former dental practice owner for 18 years and now working as an associate, Shameek talks about the transition and overcoming owner fatigue. With connections in the dental world, both in the UK and abroad, he chats about his experiences mentoring at the Kois Center in Seattle and how dental education compares between the UK and the US.

Finally, he talks about the story behind Tooth Angel, the innovative dental care product company he founded and shares the inspiration behind the brand and why it’s set to make a big impact on dental practices.

Topics:

-          Your childhood: where did you grow up?

-          What was family life like for you?

-          Were you close as an extended family?

-          Explain about your dental career to date, from graduating to earning an Msc in Sports Dentistry

-          Is sports dentistry a niche?

-          What are the specific issues present in sports, from a dentistry perspective?

-          Tell us about being a practice owner for 18 years

-          Did you suffer ‘owner fatigue’?

-          How did you find the transition from owner to associate?

-          Explain about your dental connections in the US & how dental education in the US is different to the UK

-          Tooth Angel – what’s the story behind the brand and the inspiration?

In this special episode of the Dentology Podcast, hosts Andy and Chris dive into the 9 essential steps of selling a dental practice.

Deciding when to sell is one of the most emotional decisions for any practice owner. Years of hard work, investment, and personal sacrifice make this a significant and challenging choice.

Andy and Chris explore the critical steps in the selling process, offering their top tips and expert advice.

Selling a practice is a major decision. If you're considering it, don't miss this insightful episode.

In this week’s episode of Dentology, hosts Chris and Andy chat with Dr Neal Mehta, a dentist and the innovative founder of Locumloop, a recruitment app for locum dental nurses.

Neal talks about his childhood, family background, influence of his father, who is also a dentist and reflects on how his father’s enjoyment of the profession inspired him to follow in his footsteps.

Neal discusses the gaps he has observed in dental education today compared to when he was a student and highlights the new skills and knowledge that recent graduates possess which were not part of the curriculum during his time.

Neal talks about becoming a partner in two dental practices, and explains more about his decision to enter partnerships rather than starting a solo practice.

Finally, Neal discusses the inspiration behind Locumloop which was launched 18 months ago and its role in mitigating the ongoing recruitment issues within the dental nursing sector.

Topics:

- Tell us about your family background

- Your father is a dentist – was he the reason you decided to become a dentist?

- Would you recommend dentistry to your kids?

- What did you learn at dental school that is missing today?

- Are there things new graduates have which you didn’t when you qualified?

- Becoming a partner in 2 practices

- Was this a conscious decision to enter into partnership rather than go it alone?

- Locumloop – what was the spark to launch this app?

- Is there still a recruitment issue on the nursing side of dentistry?