//KUNAL THAKKER - BUILDING TOOTH CLUB E186

Podcasts
Written By Michelle Hyde
 

In this episode of the Dentology podcast, Kunal Thakker, CEO and founder of Tooth Club, shares more on his entrepreneurial journey in dentistry.

He discusses the influence of his upbringing, the lessons learned from his career to date, and his transition from a high-pressure investment banking career to building a dental group.

He discusses the complexities of growing a dental business while maintaining a strong company culture and emphasises the importance of kindness in leadership, the challenges of outgrowing team members, and the unique perspective he brings as a non-dentist owner.

Finally, he considers where he sees dentistry going over the next 5-10 years and shares insights on learnings from influential figures and the importance of industry success stories.

 

Topics:

-          Can you tell us about your upbringing and early family life?

-          Working in investment banking - did your education route lead you down this path?

-          How did this world set you up for starting a dental group?

-          Are there core behaviours that universally apply and things all business owners could learn from this sector?

-          What did the plan look like for Tooth Club before you started?

-          What do you have to obsess about when scaling a business?

-          Who was kind to you when you first came into dentistry?

-          Where do you see dentistry going over the next 5-10 years?

-          How do you balance work and business commitments?

-          What is non-negotiable in your personal diary?

-          If you got your time again, would you do Tooth Club differently?

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//KUNAL THAKKER - BUILDING TOOTH CLUB E186
//KUNAL THAKKER - BUILDING TOOTH CLUB E186

In this episode of the Dentology podcast, Kunal Thakker, CEO and founder of Tooth Club, shares more on his entrepreneurial journey in dentistry.

He discusses the influence of his upbringing, the lessons learned from his career to date, and his transition from a high-pressure investment banking career to building a dental group.

He discusses the complexities of growing a dental business while maintaining a strong company culture and emphasises the importance of kindness in leadership, the challenges of outgrowing team members, and the unique perspective he brings as a non-dentist owner.

Finally, he considers where he sees dentistry going over the next 5-10 years and shares insights on learnings from influential figures and the importance of industry success stories.

 

Topics:

-          Can you tell us about your upbringing and early family life?

-          Working in investment banking - did your education route lead you down this path?

-          How did this world set you up for starting a dental group?

-          Are there core behaviours that universally apply and things all business owners could learn from this sector?

-          What did the plan look like for Tooth Club before you started?

-          What do you have to obsess about when scaling a business?

-          Who was kind to you when you first came into dentistry?

-          Where do you see dentistry going over the next 5-10 years?

-          How do you balance work and business commitments?

-          What is non-negotiable in your personal diary?

-          If you got your time again, would you do Tooth Club differently?

//ANDY & CHRIS - MONEY MAKES THE WORLD GO ROUND E185
//ANDY & CHRIS - MONEY MAKES THE WORLD GO ROUND E185

In this episode, Andy and Chris delve into the critical role of money in the dental profession, emphasising the importance of understanding cash flow versus profit.

They discuss common misconceptions among dentists regarding financial management and the necessity for financial literacy to ensure the sustainability of dental practices.

The conversation highlights the need for dentists to analyse their financial data regularly and to be comfortable discussing money within their teams.

//SIMON CHARD - EVOLVING: PARLA AND THE THE DENTAL GROWTH RETREAT E184
//SIMON CHARD - EVOLVING: PARLA AND THE THE DENTAL GROWTH RETREAT E184

In this episode of the Dentology podcast, Dr. Simon Chard returns to discuss his journey with Parla, a sustainable oral care brand, and the challenges and triumphs of being a startup founder.

He reflects on his experience on Dragon's Den, the importance of sustainability in the dental industry, and the connection between oral health and overall wellness.

Simon talks about what has happened with Parla in the past two years (he was a previous guest with us back in March 2023) and chats about plans for the future.

He also explains about the Dental Growth Retreat aimed at addressing mental health issues in dentistry, what drove him to lead this initiative and what the inaugural event was like.

Topics:

-          Update us on Parla

-          Your experience on Dragon’s Den: Do you still stand by your decision to not take the money?

-          You are now a Cert B business - to the uninitiated what does this mean?

-          What else has happened at Parla in the past 2 years?

-          Is the mainstream competition catching up?

-          Does the life of a founder always feel like ground zero or do to feel the gains?

-          Tell us about the Dental Growth Retreat

-          What drove you to lead this initiative?

-          What was the inaugural event like?

-          How do you keep in touch with your own risk of burnout?

//YEWANDE ODUWOLE - FROM CHALLENGES TO TRIUMPHS E183
//YEWANDE ODUWOLE - FROM CHALLENGES TO TRIUMPHS E183

In this episode of the Dentology podcast, Dr. Yewande Oduwole shares her inspiring journey into dentistry with hosts Andy and Chris.

She discusses the influence of her family, her academic achievements, and the challenges she faced in her pursuit of a dental career.

She talks about her time at dental school, her student scholarship from the Afro-Caribbean Dental Association and how this then led her to embarking on a project in Ghana to provide free dental care and oral health education to communities, schools and orphanages.

She also talks about clinical work and the support she now does with the dental student community.

Finally, she shares her secrets to successfully balancing her clinical work alongside her growing social media presence and considers her aspirations for the future.

Topics:

-          Have you always been ultra-positive and was this instilled in you as a child?

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

-          How was this in terms of helping you build resilience for what can be a brutal world?

-          Which dental school did you go to and did you enjoy the experience?

-          Tell us about your student scholarship from the Afro-Caribbean Dental Association in your third year of dental school.

-          Tell us about the project in Ghana to provide free dental care and oral health education.

-          Was something missing from your dental school experience that led you down a path of giving back to the student community?

-          How disruptive was Covid for you as someone just finishing their training?

-          What does your typical week look like now?

-          How has social media helped you connect with patients and the profession?

-          Any downsides?

-          What does the future hold for you – ambitions on the business side of dentistry? Ownership?

//CAT EDNEY - THE MODERN THERAPIST E182
//CAT EDNEY - THE MODERN THERAPIST E182

This week Chris and Andy chat to Cat Edney, multi award winning Dental Therapist, about her career journey becoming a dental therapist.

Cat explains more about the training she undertook to qualify, how a therapist role differs to a hygienist, and the current challenges and barriers faced in the profession.

She talks about access to dental training opportunities, the creation of her course, 'The Modern Therapist’, a hands-on course designed to inspire, support and drive dental therapy in practice, and how the UK compares with other countries in Europe and further afield.

Finally, she chats about the challenges dental therapists face in practice, including barriers to ownership and access to funding, and whether it is popular career choice and given the recognition to the extent it should.

 

Topics:

-          What’s your family tree? Where did your childhood take place?

-          When did you know that dentistry was a career path for you?

-          Did you consider other options?

-          How do you qualify as a dental therapist?

-          How is a therapist different from a hygienist?

-          Do you earn more money than a hygienist?

-          Can you own a practice as a therapist?

-          What treatments can you deliver that routinely dentists do?

-          Has it been easy for you to get recognition in dentistry and do practices (generally) value therapists and maximise their skills in practice?

-          What does work in a direct access dental therapy led role look like in practice and how does it benefit the business and patients?

-          Tell us about your course, The Modern Therapist.

-          How do we compare with our European friends or countries further afield?

-          Is it becoming a more popular career choice or it is still not being recognised to the extent that it should be?

-          If you could go back in time, where would you go, and would you change anything?

//ANUSHIKA BROGAN - THE POWER OF MENTORSHIP E181
//ANUSHIKA BROGAN - THE POWER OF MENTORSHIP E181

In this episode, Chris and Andy talk to Anushika Brogan about her journey growing up on the Isle of Sheppey to becoming the CEO and founder of Damira, a successful dental practice group.

Anushika shares her journey of overcoming personal and professional challenges, including navigating a difficult divorce while expanding her business, her initial career path in pharmacy and how a transformative work experience in dentistry solidified her passion for the field.

She talks about the growth of Damira, challenges faced along the way, why it’s important to build a strong organisational culture and the importance of mentorship.

She also reflects on the lessons learned from her experiences and her aspirations for the future.

Topics:

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

-          You started out on the pharmacy route but then switched to dentistry – what was the reason for this?

-          Did work experience play a part in this decision and is something that is available at Damira today?

-          Tell us about Damira.

-          How do you ensure the right culture, behaviours and ethos is delivered consistently across so many sites and people?

-          You say that Damira is all about support – what’s the balance between support for your team and support for patients?

-          If you could go back in time, where would you go, and would you change anything?

-          Do you find it easy to switch off from work?

-          Which is the critical skill to master as an entrepreneur?

-          What does success look like for you?

-          How much of your personality drives the culture today?

//ANDY & CHRIS - COMMUNITY MATTERS E180
//ANDY & CHRIS - COMMUNITY MATTERS E180

In this episode, Andy and Chris explore the isolating nature of the dental profession and emphasise the importance of community and support among dentists.

They discuss the mental health challenges faced by dentists, the need for open communication about both successes and failures, and the role of professional networks in fostering collaboration and growth.

The conversation highlights how sharing experiences can lead to a more supportive environment, ultimately benefiting the entire profession.

//KIRSTY & JIM HAGUE - BUIILDING A FAMILY BUSINESS E179
//KIRSTY & JIM HAGUE - BUIILDING A FAMILY BUSINESS E179

In this episode of Dentology, Chris and Andy chat with Kirsty and Jim Hague, founders of Hague Dental. 

They chat about their backgrounds, how they ended up working in dentistry, setting up their business together and the dynamics of running a family business.

They share insights on the challenges of growing a business, how the business has evolved since the early days, and the importance of investing in quality staff.

They also talk about their design philosophy in creating dental practices that prioritise aesthetics and comfort for both staff and patients and explain how dental practice design has changed over the years.

Topics:

-          How did you meet and what’s your own family tree look like?

-          How did you end up in dentistry?

-          How do you manage the on/off switch of business when you get home?

-          What was Hague Dental like in the early days?

-          How has the company evolved?

-          What were the pain points in growing in the early days?

-          What extra challenges have you had in growing your business to this size?

-          Which are the most fun and the most challenging parts of what you do?

-          Is the traditional dental practice model still fit for purpose or are we entering a new breed of practice and owner?

-          Is equipment more or less reliable than it was in the past?

-          If a dentist is considering a new project, how soon should they engage with someone like yourselves?

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

//JAMES HUNTER - FILLING THE GAP IN AFRICA E178
//JAMES HUNTER - FILLING THE GAP IN AFRICA E178

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?

//SARIKA SHAH - FLOURISHING E177
//SARIKA SHAH - FLOURISHING E177

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?

 
Michelle Hyde
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//ANDY & CHRIS - MONEY MAKES THE WORLD GO ROUND E185