Dental Leaders Podcast

Faced with a lack of clear advice, guidance and representation, dentists have taken the unprecedented step of forming a new association.   The British Association of Private Dentistry (BAPD) started out as an online grassroots movement in response to the COVID-19 crisis and quickly gained a huge following.   In the first of our topical buletin shows, Prav and Pay are joined by BAPD co-founders Jason Smithson and Bertie Napier, alongside implant dentist Dominic O’Hooley, who co-authored a report on AGPs and infection.   They talk about the science of transmission, the need for better industry representation and much more.   “One of the things I'll be looking for is a GDC that's by dentists for dentists. So that wet-finger dentists are integral and central to the regulatory process for dentists in the U.K. And I'll leave it at that.” Dominic O'Hooley   00.38 - Welcome to our guests 02.38 - Aerosols and viral transmission 10.02 - Precautions and public perception 21.02 - Airborne threat 27.04 - Dentists and infection rates 32.43 - The pathway back to work 37.59 - Private dentistry and representation 54.25 - Silver linings 1.00.41 - Back to work

  Social distancing prevented Prav and Payman from being together in person this week, but it didn’t stop our hosts hearing from three true dentistry leaders.   In this fascinating roundtable, Prof. Nairn Wilson makes a welcome return to the show, joined by Dr Anthony Kilcoyne and Prof. Mike Lewis.   The trio discuss their predictions for dentistry in the post-COVID landscape and talk about what role the profession might play in the nation’s recovery.     “People have heard me lecture in the past, heard me say: “Why aren't dentists used for things like winter flu vaccination and so on?  We are properly trained healthcare professionals.” Better us than the army doing this testing. These poor guys in the army that are recruited into this, they don't know one end of a swab from another…” Prof. Nairn Wilson    In this bulletin:   00.00 - Notes on a crisis 23.39 - Meet the guests 25.39 - Post-lockdown kickstart 33.51 - Corridors of power - a view from inside 43.24 - COVID and oral hygiene - the link 01.08.58 - Psychology and SOPs

This week, we caught up with dentist and pistonhead Neel Jaiswal. Neel talks about his early years and introduction to the craft, as well as his hopes for the future.   We also got to chat with Neel about one of his biggest passions - fast cars.   Recently, Neel has been dividing his time between clinical practice and work with Professional Dental Indemnity - an insurance company he set up to service dentists. Neel shares some of the unique insights he has gained through PDI, as well as his thoughts on some of the regulatory and legal challenges faced by today’s clinicians.   Enjoy!   “Look after your health, have the right people around you, do the right thing, support each other.” Neel Jaiswal   In this week’s episode       01.58 - Early years  17.16 - Passion for cars 32.32 - Private practice 38.24 - On Pankey, Spear and networking 42.09 - Ambience, communication and rapport - tips for practice 49.41 - Pet peeves and key mentors 53.49 - In ten years time 54.58 - Professional Dental Indemnity 01.08.00 - Highs and lows 01.13.14 - Spinning plates 01.16.30 - Health 01.17.56 - Legacy 01.19.09 - Complaints and the GDC 01.26.24 - Tips for a 20-year-old Neel   About Neel Jaiswal Following graduation from Birmingham University in 1996, Neel has practised in the UK and Australia    He has trained at the Eastman Institute, the Royal College of Surgeons and the Spear Dental Institute in Arizona, US.    Neel was UK director of the Dentinal Tubules, co-founder of the British Academy of Microscope Dentistry and founder of the Turbine social and educational events group for dentists.   Neel is now director of Professional Dental Indemnity insurance set up to serve the dental profession.

Over a 50-year career, self-proclaimed benevolent battle axe Jenny Pinder was instrumental in shaping the face of UK dentistry as we know it today.    We chat with Jenny about her family’s generational background in dentistry, which helped shape her reputation as an early champion of women in the profession.   Jenny also spills the beans on her time at the GDC and shares some insight on the unique approach to treating nervous patients for which she is renowned.   Enjoy!       “Being non-judgemental is very, very important. A lot of dentists think that people who don't go to the dentist don't care, but actually that's not true for a great many people.” Jenny Pinder   In this Week’s Episode   00:30 - On early years and gender 14.44 - Tales from the GDC 21.58 - Oh Canada! 23.58 - NHS dentistry 29.54 - Dental phobia 42.51 - Being in charge 49.41 - Retiring 55.18 - Mental Dental 01.01.46 - Jenny’s worst mistake 01.05.13 - Advice to dentists   About Jenny Pinder Jenny qualified in dentistry in 1971 and went on to practice in the City of London. She gained additional qualifications in psychology and developed an interest in treating anxious patients.   She was a founding member of Women in Dentistry and has spent time working with numerous professional dentistry bodies.   Jenny recently retired and now spends much of her time on professional ancestry research.. 

This week Payman finds himself without co-pilot Prav as he takes a therapist’s view with Vicky Wilson.   They chat about the lot of hygiene therapists andwhy they are not always pushed to their full potential within the practice. The pair also talk about how dentists and hygienists can integrate better.   Also up for discussion is Vicky’s thought on her decade in practice in Dubai, the challenges of establishing a hygienists association, and much more.   Enjoy!    “Frequently, I talk to dentists. They're so pro-therapist, they work with therapists, they absolutely love their therapist. Then, we speak about do you really get all the roles or duties that a therapist can carry out? And they say, ‘actually, if I'm really honest, maybe not.’" Vicky Wilson   In this week’s episode 00.30 - Formative years 09.59 - Hygiene and hard knocks 15.20 - Therapist and hygienist-led practice 20.41 - On opinion leadership 31.40 - A decade in Dubai 42.40 - Synergy in practice 54.32 - On Prav’s behalf   About Vicky Wilson Vicky Wilson began her journey as a dental hygiene therapist at the Eastman Dental Hospital in 2001. She spent a decade in practice in Dubai and has worked in the UK in both NHS and private practice.   Vicky now spends much of her time as in a consultancy role. She is also a prolific public speaker, researcher, writer and host of the Smile Revolution Podcast.

This week, Payman and Prav talked with Rahul Doshi, cosmetic pioneer and founder of the groundbreaking Perfect Smile Studios.   The trio talk about the science and art of cosmetic dentistry, what it takes to be a clinical leader, team building and more.   Rahul also talks about his decision to join Dentex, as well as the board of the British Association of Cosmetic Dentists (BACD.)   Enjoy!    Rather than being demotivated about, "I could've done X, I could've done Y." You’ve got to say, "Right, how do I play these cards now and do well with them?" Rahul Doshi   In this episode 00.18 - Changing lives, exceeding expectations 07.25 - Art Vs science 14.54 - Mentors and going it alone 20.20 - Highs, lows and love at first sight 25.00 - Partners in practice 31.29 - Leadership, team building, hiring and firing 40.24 - Teaching photography 48.52 - Cosmetics, occlusion & learning curves 51.02 - Buying out and selling up 54.19 - Dentex & a day in the life 01.01.52 - On family 01.03.40 - BACD 01.11.00 - Doing it all again (and coming up trumps)   About Rahul Doshi Rahul Doshi founded the high-end Perfect Smile Studios cosmetic dentistry clinic alongside wife Bavna in Hertfordshire in 1994.    In 2017, Rahul’s commitment to the profession was recognised at the Aesthetic Dentistry Awards with an accolade for his Outstanding Contribution to Dentistry.   He has now retired from clinical dentistry but continues to oversee the team at Perfect Smile Studios in a leadership role.

This week’s podcast had our hosts wishing they had more time. Prav and Payman chat with legend Linda Greenwall about the role of women in dentistry and her pragmatic approach to raising a family while in practice,   They also find out all about Linda’s charity work, and talk at length about why whitening may be one of the most neglected disciplines in all of dentistry.   Enjoy!    “No secrets. The secret is no secrets.” Linda Greenwall In this week’s episode 01.06 - Entering the family trade 03.55 - Women in dentistry 13.33 - On work-life balance 22.03  - What-ifs and creating a better now 36.42 - On whitening 59.26 - Looking back and speaking up 01.08.42 - Why no dentistry is the best dentistry 01.16.51 - Influence, leadership, vision and chill 01.28.56 - Linda Greenwall’s last day on earth About Linda Greenwall Third-generation dentist Linda Grenwall was born in Cape Town South Africa and graduated from Witwatersrand, Johannesburg in 1984.   She is a prolific lecturer on the international circuit on whitening and also runs a London-based multidisciplinary private practice.   Linda’s debut book, Bleaching Techniques in Restorative Dentistry won the award for Best New Dental Book 2001 and her latest book, Strategies for the Aesthetic Dental Practice was published recently by Quintessence.   Linda is founder and chair of the British Dental Bleaching Society (BDBS) which educates dentists on whitening and lobbies for science-based policy change.    In 2011, Linda launched the Dental Wellness Trust (DWT) charity, which raises awareness of oral health issues in less fortunate communities across the globe.

Dynamo, workaholic, insomniac, leader - all these terms and more apply to this week’s guest, Druh Shah.   The periodontist, educator and founder of Dentinal Tubules talks us through his early years and some of the formative experiences that were the making of one of dentistry’s true legends.   Druh also chats leadership, vision, values, overcoming adversity and much more.   Enjoy!   “Dentists were taught to deal with the tooth, the whole tooth, and nothing but the tooth. Ultimately...they think small, they think detailed, they think that bigger-picture thinking is missing. True leadership in dentistry's thinking leadership is, "here's a vision, let's go towards it."” Druh Shah   01.10 - Early life 10.25 - Work ethic and a message from Kenya 17.00 - Fighting hard, building opportunities 27.03 - On visionary thinking 31.45 - Leadership & disruption 34.38 - ‘Work-life’ balance - a misnomer? 40.28 - A day in the life 49.40 - Druh’s darkest day 59.16 - Love nor money 01.03.20 - A word for posterity  

About Anup Ladva   Talent is overrated. So says today’s guest, Dr Anup Ladva.   In this week’s episode, Anup talks us through turning around his bad-boy beginnings in Palmers Green to become owner of several successful clinics.    He also tells us about his love of tech, which he satisfies by helping clinics get started in digital dentistry - and by steering some exciting dental-tech startups.   Along the way, you’ll hear plenty of words of wisdom on management, motivation, running a practice and much more.   Enjoy!       In This Episode 0.58 - Mischief in Palmers Green 03:12 - Getting into dentistry 09.38 - Into practice 13.07 - Anud’s biggest influences 17:18 - Efficiency hacks 15:41 - Selecting practices and partners 33.10 - Getting kicked out of Tescos 37.57 - What’s important to Anup Ladva? 42.37 - Boards, bosses, buddies & bonuses 50.11 - Anup’s biggest mistake 58.37 - Digital dentistry 1.08.58 - Egg distribution 1.10.19 - Anup’s words of wisdom   About Dr Anup Ladva Since graduating from Kings College London in 2002, Anup has focused mainly on primary care dentistry.    He has developed special interests in occlusal rehabilitation and cosmetic dentistry and has trained in the US with MJDF and the Royal College of Surgeons. He is an examiner and clinical teacher at Kings College and a trainer for the eastern deanery.   Anup is a digital dentistry consultant who supports clinics to integrate new digital workflows. He is also an entrepreneur with involvement in new dental tech startups.

About This Episode   This week’s guest is proof that dentistry really does take all-sorts.    Former Green Beret Danny Watson was inspired to enter dentistry after witnessing military dentists at work in Afghanistan.   Against impressive odds, he secured a place at Manchester University and spectacularly burned his military bridges to attend.   Danny talks about his fortuitous first meeting with podcast host Prav, cross-fit, military life and his record-breaking highs and lows.      Enjoy!       So I phoned my missus on my 20-minute phone card...She was like, "You alright love? You okay?" I was like, “yeah all good...guess what..I want to be a dentist."  Danny Watson   In This Episode 0.34 - Early years 07.27 - Army days 14.59 - Discovering dentistry 21.25 - Getting started and burning bridges 26.01 - The military mindset 36.19 - Highs and lows 44.47 - Lambos & love at first sight 48.28 - On PT 53.47 - New challenges 57.08 - Last day on earth About Danny Watson Danny Watson graduated from Manchester University in 2018 and went on to practice at Manchester’s Kiss Dental.   Before becoming a dentist, Danny enjoyed a long and distinguished military career including service with the Green Berets and active service in Iraq and Afghanistan.   He is passionate about cross fit and personal training, and is the current world-record holder for the greatest distance travelled on the Concept-2 indoor rower in one minute.