Dental Leaders Podcast

Prav Solanki returns as host to interview Dev Patel, CEO of Dental Beauty Partners, about growing and scaling dental practices. This episode effectively distills the regular conversations Prav and Dev have about practice growth, offering listeners a fly-on-the-wall experience of their candid discussions. Dev shares his straightforward approach to practice growth, emphasising the importance of leadership, financial literacy, and a patient-first mindset. They discuss everything from evaluating practice potential and understanding financial statements to employee relationships and investment strategies. The episode builds toward an exciting announcement about a new joint venture that promises to transform how practice owners approach business growth: https://www.startscaleexit.co.ukIn This Episode00:02:40 - Practice-growth mindset 00:04:35 - Growth & NHS00:09:00 - Improving patient journey and experience 00:12:30 - Due diligence and practice acquisitions 00:14:15 - Investing in people vs investing in premises 00:17:15 - Financial literacy and business training00:33:10 - Investing in tech00:36:35 - Sales and practice profitability 00:39:10 - Revenue growth with cost control 00:41:25 - Leadership and transparency00:44:55 - Modern vs traditional leadership approaches00:47:20 - Big announcementAbout Dev PatelDev Patel is the CEO of Dental Beauty Partners, a dental group with 57 practices across the UK. With over 15 years of experience in practice acquisitions and growth, Dev has developed a reputation for rapidly scaling dental businesses through strategic partnerships and a people-focused investment approach. His expertise lies in identifying growth opportunities, streamlining operations, and creating sustainable business models in dentistry.

Payman chats with Kaival Patel, the dynamic force behind Kana Health Group. Kaival opens up about his journey from an enthusiastic associate dentist to the leader of a thriving dental empire comprising five large practices and 130 staff members. With refreshing candour, he shares the challenges of creating a positive culture, the emotional lows of practice ownership, and his innovative approaches to team building and referral marketing. What truly shines through is Kaival's passion for developing people and creating workplaces where positivity becomes the foundation for success.In This Episode00:01:40 - Practice culture and family vibe across multiple locations 00:04:15 - North Star: Establishing positivity and respect as core values 00:09:50 - Evolution vs. revolution in practice acquisitions 00:12:35 - Growing as a leader and management evolution 00:16:30 - The Kana Cup: Points for positivity team system 00:19:20 - Handling resistance to new ideas 00:24:20 - Hiring for attitude over skill 00:30:15 - Business structure and organisation 00:40:35 - Pursuing peace vs. potential 00:53:05 - Creating a referral centre 00:57:45 - The hamper drop: Innovative referral marketing 01:04:00 - Career evolution and identity crisis 01:14:15 - Fantasy dinner party 01:28:55 - Last days and legacyAbout Kaival PatelKaival is the co-director of Kana Health Group, which operates five large dental practices with 28-29 chairs across Milton Keynes, employing approximately 130 team members. Originally from a family of Ugandan Asian immigrants who valued education above all, Kaival transitioned from clinical dentistry to business leadership after experiencing eye health issues during COVID. Together with his wife Serena, he has developed the Kana Academy, an educational institution providing high-quality dental training in Milton Keynes.

In this powerful episode of Mind Movers, Rhona and Payman speak with Jacqueline Hurst, one of the UK's leading life coaches and mindset experts. Jacqueline shares her remarkable journey from addiction, anorexia and self-destruction to becoming a force for change who has helped thousands transform their lives. With raw honesty, she explains how she hit rock bottom at 25, found recovery, and developed her no-nonsense approach to mindset work. The conversation explores how our thoughts create our feelings, the importance of self-awareness, and why finding inner peace has become Jacqueline's definition of success after 22 years of sobriety.In This Episode00:01:35 - Introduction and background 00:03:35 - Early struggles with addiction 00:05:25 - Parenting impact without blame 00:10:00 - Mindset management philosophy 00:22:15 - Fight or flight responses 00:29:10 - Rock bottom and turning point 00:30:10 - Recovery through meetings00:39:35 - Thought patterns vs feelings 00:49:10 - Relationships and emotional intelligence 00:53:25 - Common limiting beliefs 00:55:40 - Self-awareness techniques 01:00:00 - Peace as true success 01:08:15 - Last days and legacyAbout Jacqueline HurstJacqueline Hurst is one of the UK's leading life coaches, a mindset expert and author of "How to Do You". After overcoming severe addiction issues and hitting rock bottom at age 25, she transformed her life and has now been clean for 22 years. Her straight-talking approach has helped over 9,000 clients break free from limiting beliefs and take control of their minds.

In this captivating episode of Dental Leaders, Payman sits down with specialist endodontist Ammar Al Hourani. Born in Syria and raised in Scotland, Ammar shares his journey from reluctant dental student to passionate endodontics specialist. The conversation weaves through his life-changing experiences in refugee camps, the challenges of specialist training, and his current success running courses in the UK and India. Throughout the discussion, Ammar offers valuable clinical insights on everything from diagnosis to obturation while reflecting on the importance of listening to one's gut instinct in both clinical practice and life.In This Episode00:01:55 - Scottish upbringing and cultural identity 00:04:55 - Path to dentistry 00:14:45 - Refugee camp experiences 00:22:25 - Endodontic specialisation journey 00:27:35 - Imposter syndrome and building a practice 00:33:50 - Endodontic diagnosis tips 00:36:15 - Access cavity preparation 00:38:05 - Irrigation techniques 00:41:35 - File systems and obturation 00:45:40 - Coronal seal importance 00:49:50 - Managing cracked teeth 00:55:00 - Internal whitening techniques 01:03:40 - NHS dentistry challenges 01:08:40 - Continuing education courses01:28:10 - Blackbox thinking 01:36:45 - Fantasy dinner partyAbout Ammar Al HouraniAmmar Al Hourani is a specialist endodontist based in London. Originally from Syria but raised in Scotland, he completed his specialist training at Liverpool after working in various clinical settings. He now divides his time between clinical practice at multiple locations and teaching through "The Endo Guy," offering courses in both the UK and India.

In this Dental Leaders episode, Payman sits down with Sam Cope, a dentist whose journey to dentistry began in physiotherapy. Known for his focus on minimally invasive cosmetic dentistry, Sam discusses the habits that keep his clinical days finely tuned, the influence of mentors, and his obsession with detail. He reflects on how his background in physio shaped his approach to patient care, back health, and long-term sustainability in dentistry. The conversation ranges from composite techniques and mental health to happiness, burnout, and redefining success. Honest, introspective, and often unexpectedly profound, this is an episode that challenges what it means to thrive in modern dentistry. In This Episode00:01:00 – Daily habits and preparation00:13:00 – Mentorship and clinical growth00:25:00 – Blackbox thinking: Mistakes & lessons00:35:00 – From physio to dentistry00:47:00 – Adversity and inner drive00:58:00 – Mental health and fulfilment01:10:00 – Dentistry, stress and back pain01:23:00 – Work-life balance philosophy01:36:00 – Living below your means01:48:00 – Fantasy dinner party guestsAbout Sam CopeSam Cope is a minimally invasive cosmetic dentist based at Love Teeth, known for his highly refined clinical systems and patient-focused care. Originally trained as a physiotherapist, he transitioned into dentistry after discovering a passion for aesthetic and restorative treatment. Sam combines his love for detail with a strong belief in reflection, mentorship, and doing fewer things, better.

Sarovi Davda, a general dentist with a special interest in periodontics, joins Payman for an insightful conversation about the evolution of periodontal treatment and the art of balancing professional expertise with personal growth. From her journey through dental school to establishing herself as a medico-legal expert witness, Sarovi shares candid reflections on career choices, parenthood, and divorce. Her passion for periodontics combines technical skill with psychological understanding, emphasising how patient motivation transforms treatment outcomes. Throughout the episode, Sarovi's spiritual outlook provides a refreshing perspective on finding meaning in dentistry and life beyond clinical practice.In This Episode00:01:40 - Practice limitation to periodontics and medico-legal work00:05:35 - Childhood and education journey 00:09:35 - Balancing career with parenthood 00:10:25 - Navigating divorce and personal growth 00:17:45 - Dental school experiences 00:26:20 - Discovering a passion for periodontics 00:32:50 - Clinical prognosis in periodontics 00:39:00 - Interdental brushing vs flossing debate 00:43:50 - Medico-legal expert witness work 00:51:20 - Preventing periodontal litigation 01:14:15 - Blackbox thinking01:27:50 - Fantasy dinner party 01:32:45 - Last days and legacyAbout Sarovi DavdaSarovi Davda is a general dentist whose practice is now completely limited to periodontics and medico-legal expert witness work. After completing her MSc in Restorative Dental Practice at the Eastman, she developed her expertise in periodontics under the mentorship of respected periodontists Phil Ower and Graham Smart. Sarovi divides her time equally between clinical periodontics and serving as an independent expert witness, bringing her evidence-based approach to both areas of her practice.

In this captivating episode, Payman Langroudi sits down with Bhavnish Waghela, owner of Natural Smiles practices in Leicester and Corby. Bhavnish shares his journey from NHS to private dentistry, discussing his philosophy of "Michelin-starred dentistry" and how his faith has guided significant business decisions. With refreshing candour, he explores the challenges of opening squat practices, his evolution as an implantologist, and the importance of balancing professional success with family life. Through personal anecdotes and professional insights, Bhavnish reveals how his cultural heritage and spiritual beliefs have shaped his approach to dentistry and practice ownership.In This Episode00:01:00 - Practice ownership00:03:15 - Michelin-starred dentistry philosophy00:05:30 - Patient experience and team training00:08:45 - Transitioning from NHS to private practice00:10:45 - Squat practice challenges00:15:35 - Community connections in Leicester00:17:35 - Faith's influence on business decisions00:24:45 - Questioning faith during difficult times00:27:15 - Work-life balance philosophy00:30:05 - Early life and dental education00:35:35 - First job experiences00:40:00 - Journey into implantology00:46:35 - Surgical temperament in implantology00:51:50 - Soft tissue management in implants00:56:00 - Digital guided surgery adoption01:01:40 - All-on-four marketing approach01:02:30 - Blackbox thinking01:09:10 - Associate selection and management01:18:20 - Future plans and potential retirement01:20:35 - Fantasy dinner party01:25:25 - Last days and legacyAbout Bhavnish WaghelaBhavnish Waghela is the owner of Natural Smiles dental practices in Leicester and Corby. With nearly 30 years in dentistry, he transitioned from NHS to private practice, focusing primarily on implant and restorative dentistry. Deeply connected to his Hindu faith and Indian heritage, Bhavnish balances his professional life with community involvement and family priorities.

Sarina Kiani shares her inspiring journey from dental rep to a young dentist in prestigious London practices. She emphasizes resilience and the power of authentic connections in building a successful career. From knocking on doors to secure her first job to navigating challenges as a new dentist, her story resonates with insights on mental wellbeing and personal growth. Sarina's philosophy encourages finding joy in small moments and embracing authenticity, making for a refreshing conversation about dentistry and self-worth.

In this compelling episode of Mind Movers, Rhona Eskander sits down with Dr Philippa Kaye, a GP, author, and menopause expert who's become a powerful voice in medical communication. Their honest conversation traverses the landscape of women's health, from medical misogyny to the science of menopause. Dr Kaye shares her personal cancer journey with raw vulnerability, offering profound insights on resilience and self-discovery. The discussion challenges societal stigmas and highlights how historical biases continue to shape women's healthcare experiences today.In This Episode00:01:40 - Early life and medical career 00:03:35 - The power of medical communication 00:06:35 - Comparing dentistry and medicine as career paths 00:12:40 - Medical misogyny and gender health gap 00:21:05 - The origin of "hysteria" and medical sexism 00:24:20 - Mind-body connection in medicine 00:29:05 - Psychedelic medicine research 00:33:55 - Personal cancer journey 00:43:15 - Cancer rates and prevention 00:47:40 - The pursuit of happiness vs. suffering for goals 00:49:45 - Weight loss medications in society 00:55:50 - Body image and societal standards 01:05:25 - Menopause science and education 01:09:10 - Factors affecting menopause timingAbout Dr Philippa KayeDr Philippa Kaye is a practising GP, author, and prominent medical communicator who specialises in women's health and menopause education. With her background from Cambridge and King's College London, she divides her time between clinical practice and media work, where she translates complex medical information into accessible language for millions through television appearances and books including "The Science of Menopause."

Payman chats with three dental professionals from mydentist—Claire Stenhouse, Parin Shah, and Alyssia Willis—each offering a unique perspective on working within a corporate dental environment. Claire shares how she expanded her role as a hygiene therapist into whitening and restorative procedures, while Parin reflects on her journey from owning a practice in India to adapting to the UK system. Alyssia discusses her transition from dental nursing to therapy and the opportunities available within corporate dentistry. The discussion covers corporate autonomy, misconceptions about working in a large organisation, handling patient complaints, career growth, and the evolving role of therapists. The trio also discuss clinical mistakes, managing work-life balance, and their thoughts on the future of corporate dentistry.In This Episode00:01:00 - Introduction to corporate dentistry00:12:30 - Expanding hygiene therapist roles00:25:10 - Parin’s move from India00:37:45 - Balancing NHS and private00:48:30 - Blackbox thinking: Clinical mistakes01:00:15 - Handling difficult patients01:12:50 - Corporate dentistry evolution01:25:20 - Private vs corporate careers01:38:15 - Career impact and legacy01:50:30 - Fantasy dinner party guestsAbout Claire Stenhouse, Parin Shah & Alyssia WillisClaire Stenhouse is a hygiene therapist at mydentist in Skegness, where she has expanded her role beyond hygiene to include whitening and restorative treatments.Parin Shah is a dentist who originally ran her own practice in India before moving to the UK. She shares insights on adapting to a new healthcare system and working within corporate dentistry.Alyssia Willis transitioned from dental nursing to therapy, demonstrating the career growth opportunities within mydentist. She is passionate about expanding the therapist’s role and mentoring others in the field.