Dental Leaders Podcast

This week, Prav and Payman have the privilege of chatting with a giant of implantology and restorative dentistry.   The great Koray Feran shares insight into his exacting work ethic and reveals how polymathic status has helped secure his position at the very top.   Koray also talks about patient-clinician alignment, his thoughts on the bees, butterflies and leeches in practice, and much more.   Enjoy!   “Now for me, generalism is the new speciality.” Koray Feran In This Episode 00.36 - LCIAD 02.28 - Education and becoming polymathic 14.36 - Holistic planning - cost, benefits and considerations 24.42 - Trust and delegation 29.06 - Mistakes, patient alignment and psychology 33.31 - Associates & excellence 41.49 - Value and USPs 45.32 - Bees, butterflies and leeches 48.06 - Marketing 55.08 - Life outside the clinic 57.53 - Teaching vs clinical 59.34 - Last day on earth About Koray Feran Koray Feran graduated from Guy’s in 1989, where he stayed until 1991 on as house surgeon in prosthetic dentistry and oral and maxillofacial surgery.    From Guy’s, Koray went on to practice in North London while completing an MSc in periodontology, also from Guy’s.    In 1993, he gained a restorative dentistry fellowship from the Royal College of Surgeons in England and has since pursued a special interest in complex multidisciplinary restorative work.   In 2005, Koray founded the London Centre for Implant and Aesthetic Dentistry (LCIAD).   He is also a successful lecturer and dental educator. 

This week’s guest needs little in the way of introduction as Prav and Payman take a call from stateside and the legendary Dr Larry Rosenthal.   Larry talks about his rise to becoming one of the world’s best-known names and how a meeting with a bioengineer in his early career changed Larry’s life, in the process transforming the face of dentistry as we know it.   The trio talk ambition, happiness, success and what it means to rub shoulders with some of the world’s most influential people.    An episode not to be missed.   Enjoy!      “I didn't mean to transform the profession. I don't know if I did, I had some role in it, but I feel pretty good about it.” Larry Rosenthal   01.49 - Early years 06.18 - Porcelain laminates 16.47 - Innovation 20.26 - Rise to fame and life at the top 32.57 - Happiness and success 36.58 - When veneers fail 43.53 - The making of Mike Apa 54.57 - Zeitgeist  01.04.14 - Family and life in lockdown 01.10.37 - A day in the life 01.1404 - Larry’s last day   About Larry Rosenthal New Yorker Dr Larry Rosenthal is perhaps the world’s foremost dentist. Dr Rosenthal completed his residency at the Montefiore Hospital before graduating from New York University in 1972. He is director of the Aesthetic Continuum at the Advanced Aesthetic Program of the university’s Rosenthal Institute, as well as at The Palm Beach College and the FMC/Eastman Dental College of London.

While Prav washes his hair this week, Payman plays host to ambitious young dentists Hassan Asad and Sorabh Patel.   The pair may be relative newcomers to the profession, but they’re already making big waves.   In April, disheartened by the lack of support for new and younger dentists, Hassan and Sorabh set up the Deciduous Facebook group, which quickly grew to a membership of thousands.   Here Hassan and Sorabh talk about the group. They also relate some of the challenges faced by graduates and reluctantly let slip some of their big plans for the future.   Enjoy!     “We want our members to feel safe. To feel like they can post cases and ask and get advice, and ultimately not feel like a shark pit is out there to bite them.” Hassan Assad In This Episode 00.54 - Deciduous group 08.26 - Thoughts on careers 12.23 - Soft skills and support 21.44 - Leaving Iraq 24.34 - Gold standards and tales of the GDC 30.52 - The Deciduous team 39.31 - Life in practice 43.26 - Coping through COVID 49.46 - Ambition About Hassan and Sorabh Sorabh graduated from King’s College London and completed foundation training in Portsmouth. Hassan is a Leeds graduate, who found fame on social media as The Bearded Tooth Fairy.   In April 2020, Hassan and Sorabh founded the Deciduous Facebook group which now boasts over 2500 members. The group also has a growing presence on Instagram.

The energy is palpable this week as Prav and Payman welcome one of dentistry’s most recognisable voices.   Milad Shadrooh is perhaps better known as the Singing Dentist. In this episode he recounts his incredible journey from posting a single Facebook video to live TV appearances and worldwide fame.   Milad sheds some light on his study years and balancing his love of urban music with dentistry, and lets us in on his plans for the future.   Enjoy!   “Probably the biggest mistake was choosing dentistry in 1999 when I should have just stuck with the music, my friend! How did I overcome it? 15 years later, start singing about teeth.”   Milad Shadrooh In This Episode   00.42 - Early years and dental school 05.30 - DJ-ing, MC-ing, music and study 16.30 - Into work and into business 23.00 - Mentoring and ortho 30.39 - On making mistakes 35.32 - Fame 55.29 - Family life 58.27 - Being an influencer 01.10.05 - Entrepreneurship and other projects 01.14.15 - Dealing with dark days 01.25.45 - Legacy 01.26.29 - Trolls and haters 01.32.56 - Last day on earth About Milad Shadrooh Dr Milad Shadrooh graduated from London and St Barts in 2004.   He went on to practice at Chequers Dental Studio, which he later purchased.    Milad is perhaps best known as the Singing Dentist, whose viral pop parodies are enjoyed by millions of online viewers across the globe.

This week Prav and Payman connect with dentist and dentolegal professional, Dr Victoria Holden.   Victoria lets us in on life as a moderator on one of the UK’s busiest online dental forums and shares some of her experience working as a senior advisor with Taylor Defence Services - a legal defence company representing the dental profession.   The trio also discusses life under lockdown, women in dentistry and a whole host more.   Enjoy!   “What I tell my kids...Treat everybody equally...Don't just take, take, take, be a giver as well as a taker. And the final thing, always brush your teeth.” Vikki Holden In This Episode 00.38 - Life and lockdown 08.52 - Women in dentistry 16.03 - Law 27.29 - Workflows and running a practice 42.49 - Darkest days and silver linings 50.27 - Back to the beginning 01.04 - Regulation and litigation 01.10.18 - Last day and legacy About Victoria Holden Victoria graduated from Sheffield University in 1999 and went on to work in general practice. She has been a partner at The Briars Dental Centre in Newbury since 2007.   Victoria holds the MFGDP(UK) Diploma in Implant Dentistry and Fellowship of the Faculty of General Dental Practitioners from the Royal College of Surgeons of England.    She earned an LLM in medical law from Northumbria University and has acted as an expert witness in clinical negligence and fitness to practice cases.

This week, dentist Jimmy Palahey takes time out from his busy chain of Midlands practices to talk about the current state of play in COVID-era dentistry.   He shares some of his experiences as urgent dental care (UDC) provider throughout the worst days of the crisis and lets us in on how his mixed practice is balancing UDC with the demands of general post-lockdown operations.   Jimmy also lets us in on his thoughts about what’s next for the profession.   Enjoy!   “We're a pretty adaptable profession. And I think that we can adapt to whatever that gets thrown out...I think you just got to adapt to what's there.” Jimmy Palahey In This Episode  00.37 - The mixed model 04.52 - Urgent care 11.55 - Managing the new normal 20.12 - Thoughts on the future 32.24 - Silver linings About Jimmy Palahey Jimmy graduated from Leeds Dental Institute in 2004 and went on to practice in and around the East Midlands. He is currently clinical director of the JDSP group of clinics - an urgent dental care provider during the COVID crisis.   Jimmy is a Foundation trainer and member of the Royal College of Surgeons (England) and the British Dental Association. He is also chairman of Nottingham Local Dental Committee.

This week, we welcome British Association of Private Dentistry (BAPD) co-founder and British Association Cosmetic Dentistry (BACD) past president Dr Bertie Napier.   Bertie talks about his early years and dental training in apartheid-era South Africa, and the contrasts with life and practice in London.    Bertie also takes us through his involvement with the BACD and newly-formed BAPD.   He talks about his daughter’s decision to enter practice dentistry - how that has informed his views on women in the profession - and much more besides.   Enjoy!   “Do the right thing as though everyone is watching you, even when no one is watching you. You sleep better. The rewards follow.” Bertie Napier In This Episode 01.22 - Early years 15.26 - UK and SA 33.03 - Cosmetic dentistry 35.53 - On diplomacy and fairness 42.52 - Associations and ambition 53.09 - BAPD 01.07.01 - Looking back 01.10.17 - Women (and daughters) in dentistry 01.19.05 - Advice for future generations About Bertie Napier Dr Bertie Napier graduated from the University of Witwatersrand (Wits), South Africa in 1988 and moved to London in 1998.   With business partner Odette Lazarus, Bertie took over 19 Bell Street dental practice in Hertfordshire in 2002, where he continues to practice today.   Bertie has been closely involved with the BACD since its inception, serving as president and on the board of directors. He has recently been instrumental in the formation of the BAPD.    Bertie is also editor of the International Journal of Cosmetic Dentistry (IJDC).

This week, Prav and Payman explore the meaning of life, the universe and everything with implant dentist Dominc O’Hooley.    In a wide ranging conversation, exploring mortality, longevity, family and more, Dominic talks candidly about turning some of life’s challenges to his advantage.   He tells how a serious cycling accident became an opportunity for introspection and self-improvement, and how autism can give him a cognitive edge.   As someone who’s studied the COVID crisis in depth, Dominic also shares his thoughts on the current state of play and how things might play out for the dental profession.   Enjoy!   “I would have liked to have been a philosopher, with hindsight. A lot of time thinking, writing, being on my own, and irritating a lot of people with my writing.” Dominic O’Hooley In This Episode 01.13 - Early life and diagnosis 15.20 - Choosing dentistry 18.47 - Dental school 20.20 - Pressure 22.23 - Dominic’s accident 33.46 - On mortality 40.45 - A difficult decision 50.16 - Longevity 01.00.02 - Clinical error 01.02.25 - Love of language 01.06.41 - Lockdown and regulation 01.19.57 - Posterity About Dominic O’Hooley Leeds-born Dominic O’Hooley is an implant dentist with over a decade of experience in placement and restoration. He also carries out bone grafting, sinus surgery and bone regeneration.   Dominic enjoys close ties with the Association of Dental Implantology and the International team for Implantology.   He is a prolific lecturer and teacher for The Campbell Academy.   Dominic is also a widely-published author on dental subjects, whose articles regularly feature in dentistry.co.uk and other publications.

This week, Prav and Payman get wise to the world of Nikuj Sondagar and Saeid Haghri.   Nik and Saeid talk about their Wise 360  - a digital learning platform connecting dentists with training providers.   This relatively young pair has form - between them, they’ve already established several successful ventures including a dental social presence, marketing and development company and clever plaque-reduction tech.   They talk through the challenges of developing Wise 360 as excitement builds for the launch of the tech in a few weeks.   Enjoy!    “You get to a point where it's all about meeting the demand, demand, demand. And then you've met demand, what do you do after? You realise, I'm actually happy doing what I do.” Nikunj Sondagar In This Episode 00.49 - In the beginning 05.03 - Awards 07.54 - The Wise 360 concept 14.10 - Marketing and development 23.18 - Reviews 29.25 - Being in business 38.57 - Dental school and giving back 44.03 - The guide to purchasing a practice 51.51 - Why dentistry? 54.24 - Turning back time About Nikunj and Saeid Nikunj Sondagar and Saeid Haghri are founders of the Wise dental brand including Wise 360 - a digital platform connecting dentists with training providers.

Zaki Kanaan might have been a banker if it wasn’t for an embarrassing incident as a small child. But banking’s loss in dentistry’s gain. In this week’s show, master of implants Zaki talks Payman through his early move from war-torn Beirut to London.   Zaki talks life at boarding school and later Guy’s, and explains how fate appeared to play a guiding role in his development as a dentist.   Prav couldn’t be here this week, so Payman single-handedly steers the conversation over wide-ranging topics.    Enjoy!   “Life is like sliding doors. The film where you either enter the tube and your life goes in one direction or another. Life, for me, is like that.” Zaki Kanaan In This Episode 01.45 - Early years 14.42 - Good cop/bad cop 21.25 - On implantology 24.53 - Losing dad 28.32 - Chairman of the board 32.29 - Best bits 41.48 - Love and marriage 48.55 - From London to Weybridge 52.16 - On teaching & travel 01.01.49 - What motivates Zaki Kanaan? 01.03.11 - Legacy 01.07.10 - Mentors About Zaki Kanaan Zaki Kanaan achieved a Masters Degree from Guy’s and St Thomas in 2001 and went on to complete diplomas in sedation and hypnosis. He also became a Licentiate of the Faculty of Homeopathy.     He has pursued an interest in implantology which saw him become the first UK dentist to carry out the All-on-4 procedure on live TV.   Zaki is past president of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (BACD) and London Dental Fellowship and currently sits on the board of directors of the Association of Dental Implantology UK.   He also sits on the editorial board for the International Journal of Cosmetic Dentistry and is former editorial consultant for Dental Implant Summaries.   Zaki is a prolific figure on the international lecture circuit where he regularly delivers training on cosmetic and implant dentistry.    He has scooped a selection of top awards including UK Dentist of the Year2012. In 2015, Zaki was recognised for his outstanding contribution to dentistry at the Private Dentistry Awards. He is now on the awards’ judging panel and regularly features in industry lists of the UK’s most elite and influential dentists.