
Dental Leaders Podcast #339 Crack On — Ali Hashemizadeh
At just 27, Ali Hashemizadeh is doing things most dentists twice his age haven't managed — two private associate roles, a growing reputation as an endodontist, and the kind of self-awareness that usually takes a decade to develop.
In this episode, Payman sits down with the Newcastle-based, Aberdeen-raised, Iranian dentist to trace the path from a rocky first year on the NHS to finding his feet in private practice.
Ali talks candidly about the complaint that rocked him early in his career, the perspective shift it forced, and why he's genuinely glad it happened. It's a conversation about curiosity, resilience, and the quiet power of just cracking on.
In This Episode
00:00:50 – Introduction: Ali Hashemizadeh
00:03:45 – Lifelong learning
00:07:25 – The future of dental events
00:14:30 – Optimism as a work philosophy
00:15:35 – NHS complaint, first job
00:19:40 – Resilience and perspective
00:21:10 – Going private early
00:22:25 – Becoming the endo guy
00:25:55 – Generalist or specialist?
00:26:50 – The disease of the twenties
00:28:30 – Iranian roots in Aberdeen
00:38:15 – Foundation year in London
00:40:55 – Outdoor pursuits and Ironman training
00:46:10 – CBCT and safe-ended files
00:50:05 – Endo, implants and aesthetics under one roof
00:52:00 – Treatment coordinators and ethical selling
00:57:15 – The value of mentorship
00:59:00 – Networking and landing the jobs
01:02:55 – The two practices compared
01:07:35 – Lucas Lassman and the most inspiring lecture
01:10:40 – Dental resources: YouTube and Instagram
01:15:10 – Being Mortal and Man's Search for Meaning
01:16:30 – Modern Wisdom and guilty pleasures
01:22:35 – Ten-year plan
01:27:40 – Fantasy dinner party
About Ali Hashemizadeh
Ali Hashemizadeh is a 27-year-old private associate dentist working across two practices in the northeast of England — Middleton Saint George Dental in Darlington and Ken Harris's clinic in Sunderland — where he has developed a particular focus on endodontics. Born and raised in Aberdeen to Iranian parents, he qualified from Newcastle University and completed his foundation year in London before heading back north.
