Dental Leaders Podcast

In this episode of Dental Leaders, Payman welcomes Nyree Whitley, Chief Clinical Officer at mydentist, to discuss the realities of corporate dentistry, leadership, and the evolving role of clinicians in large-scale dental organisations. Nyree dispels common misconceptions about corporate dentistry, emphasising the balance between clinical freedom and structured support. She shares insights into the challenges of managing thousands of dentists, the importance of mentorship, and the shift toward large multi-chair supercentres. With a career spanning both clinical and executive roles, Nyree offers a candid look at the business of dentistry, the future of NHS and private care, and the changes shaping the next generation of dentists.In This Episode00:01:00 - Misconceptions about corporate dentistry00:02:30 - Clinical freedom vs. strategic partnerships in corporates00:05:00 - Compliance, autonomy, and decision-making within mydentist.00:07:40 - Balancing corporate goals with clinical priorities00:09:30 - Private equity misconceptions: “Buy one, get one free” on fillings?!00:14:15 - The reality of NHS patient numbers and service demand00:17:30 - The 50/50 NHS-private revenue split and future of NHS care00:21:15 - Recruitment challenges, overseas hiring, and finding the right dentists00:25:50 - The rise of multi-chair supercentres and the shift from small practices00:28:00 - Blackbox thinking: handling mistakes and improving patient care00:35:30 - Managing the pressures of large-scale corporate dentistry00:38:00 - Last days and legacy: Nyree’s reflections on career impact00:45:10 - Fantasy dinner party: who would Nyree invite?About Nyree WhitleyNyree Whitley is the Chief Clinical Officer at mydentist, overseeing clinical standards, development, and strategy for one of the UK’s largest dental groups. With a background in both clinical practice and executive leadership, she has played a pivotal role in shaping corporate dentistry, balancing the needs of clinicians with the operational goals of a nationwide brand. A passionate advocate for mentorship and professional growth, Nyree is committed to ensuring that dentists—whether newly qualified or experienced—have the right support, training, and opportunities to thrive.

Georgia Meacham opens up about her journey as a deaf model and actress, sharing her transformation from hiding her hearing aids to becoming a proud advocate for disability visibility. Through honest conversation with Rhona and Payman, Georgia reveals how embracing her identity has improved her mental health and inspired others. Her story touches on themes of authenticity, representation in media, and the importance of normalising difference in society.In This Episode00:01:35 - Early diagnosis and childhood experiences00:03:30 - Navigating mainstream education00:05:05 - Speech therapy and communication development00:07:00 - Family support and building confidence00:16:15 - Hidden struggles and career challenges00:25:10 - Mental health transformation00:31:00 - Discussion on privilege and responsibility00:41:35 - Breaking into modelling and managing rejection00:44:45 - Technology and accessibility in healthcare00:53:35 - Moments of feeling truly understood00:57:05 - Supporting the deaf community01:00:45 - Final thoughts on vulnerability and connectionAbout Georgia MeachamGeorgia Meacham is a model and actress who was diagnosed as deaf at 16 months old. Standing at six feet tall, she has worked in both commercial and catwalk modelling for nearly a decade. After years of hiding her hearing aids, Georgia has become a powerful advocate for disability visibility and mental health awareness, using her platform to inspire others to embrace their authentic selves.

In this deeply moving episode, Sharon Walsh shares her journey from being a successful private practice owner to experiencing a devastating personal and professional crisis that led to practice loss, divorce, alcoholism, and a seven-year GDC case.  With remarkable candour, she discusses her path to recovery, spiritual awakening, and finding meaning beyond material success.  Her story is one of resilience, acceptance, and the profound understanding that sometimes we must be completely broken to discover our true selves. In This Episode 00:01:05 - Career beginnings and building a private practice 00:03:40 - Practice dynamics and associate challenges 00:07:05 - Passion for dentistry and professional development 00:12:50 - The catalyst for breakdown 00:15:00 - Mental health crisis and practice loss 00:20:15 - Descent into alcoholism 00:24:25 - Marriage breakdown and personal struggles 00:47:50 - Homelessness and hitting rock bottom 00:49:20 - Recovery and spiritual awakening 00:56:35 - Blackbox thinking 01:00:50 - The loneliness of dentistry 01:06:10 - Fantasy dinner party guests 01:13:00 - Last days and legacy About Sharon Walsh Sharon Walsh is a dentist who built a successful private practice near Rochdale after transforming it from "a shed" into a beautiful, patient-focused space.  A passionate clinician with expertise in restorative dentistry and prosthodontics, she worked alongside some of UK dentistry's most respected figures.  After experiencing a life-altering crisis in 2017, she has emerged with a deeper understanding of life's purpose and now shares her story to help others facing similar challenges.

From fleeing revolution-era Iran to building an eight-surgery practice in Norwich, Fariba Zolfaghari shares her remarkable journey of resilience and reinvention.  Through arranged marriage, divorce, immigration, and starting over as a single mother, Fariba pursued her dental education in Sweden before establishing herself in the UK.  She opens up about overcoming personal and professional challenges, including a difficult business partnership dissolution and bankruptcy, to emerge stronger.  Today, she runs a thriving private practice while maintaining her passion for learning and digital dentistry. In This Episode 00:01:50 - Backstory 00:16:35 - Journey to Sweden as an asylum seeker 00:19:35 - Dental education while raising two children 00:41:35 - Starting practice in Norwich 00:46:35 - Business partnership challenges 00:57:25 - Navigating bankruptcy and rebuilding 01:08:55 - Converting to private practice 01:14:35 - Current practice focus and digital dentistry 01:31:40 - Black box thinking 01:37:35 - Fantasy dinner party guests About Fariba Zolfaghari Fariba is a dentist who qualified in Sweden in 1997 before moving to the UK, where she established her practice in Norwich in 2000.  She holds a master's degree in orthodontics from Warwick University and has grown her practice into an eight-surgery facility.  A champion of digital dentistry and continuing education, she focuses on orthodontics, cosmetic dentistry, and full-mouth rehabilitation while mentoring younger dentists.

Nutritional scientist Dr Federica Amati shares her journey from aspiring medical student to becoming head nutritionist at Zoe. She discusses the importance of evidence-based nutrition, the challenges of public health communication, and the complexities of dietary advice in the age of social media.  Through personal anecdotes and professional insights, Amati emphasises the value of consistent, varied eating patterns and the critical role of prevention in public health. In This Episode 00:00:25 - Introduction and early education background 00:01:25 - Medical school aspirations and pivot to biomedical sciences 00:08:25 - Career transition to public health and prevention 00:16:25 - Journey through hospitality and marketing in New York 00:21:45 - Return to academia and pursuing a PhD 00:23:15 - Balancing motherhood with academic pursuits 00:33:00 - Role at Zoe and nutrition science 00:39:45 - Mediterranean diet and carbohydrate quality 00:56:35 - Social media, nutrition misinformation, and professional responsibility 01:08:35 - Perspectives on weight loss medication 01:09:30 - Vision for the future of nutrition and public health About Federica Amati Dr Federica Amati is a nutrition scientist who holds a PhD in clinical medicine research and serves as the head nutritionist at Zoe. She combines her expertise in public health, medical science, and nutrition to promote evidence-based dietary advice. Currently, she holds a teaching role as the nutrition lead in the School of Medicine and works clinically as an AFN registered nutritionist.

Claire Nightingale, a consultant orthodontist and former practice owner, shares her remarkable journey through dentistry spanning over three decades.  From her early experiences as a patient that sparked her interest in dentistry, through to her recent venture into stand-up comedy, Claire offers candid insights into practice ownership, clinical excellence, and embracing change in orthodontics.  She discusses her transition from NHS to private practice, her pioneering adoption of Invisalign and digital dentistry, and her recent experience selling to a corporate group.  In This Episode 00:01:45 - Early career influences and becoming an orthodontist 00:04:15 - Digital dentistry adoption and Invisalign journey 00:09:35 - Evolution of aligner treatment 00:12:15 - NHS training challenges and future of orthodontics 00:33:25 - Practice ownership journey 00:42:10 - Keys to running a successful business 00:49:55 - Selling to a corporate group 01:04:35 - Women's Dentist Network 01:21:55 - Blackbox thinking 01:24:00 - Life after practice sale 01:57:15 - Stand-up comedy venture 02:02:15 - Fantasy dinner party guests 02:03:50 - Last days and legacy About Claire Nightingale Claire Nightingale is a consultant orthodontist at Watford General Hospital and private practitioner with over 25 years of specialist experience.  A pioneer in digital orthodontics and remote monitoring, she successfully built and sold Queensgate Orthodontics while maintaining her NHS consultant role. Claire is actively involved in the Women's Dentist Network and recently embarked on a new chapter combining expert witness work with stand-up comedy.

In this engaging episode, longtime dental industry professional Joe Lovett shares his journey from his early days at FMC Publications to founding his own consulting business, Catalyst.  He discusses the evolution of dental media, the importance of maintaining authentic relationships in business, and his passion for helping young dentists advance their careers.  Through candid stories and reflections, Joe offers insights into corporate culture, ethical business practices, and the changing landscape of dental industry networking.  In This Episode 00:03:05 - Fitness and mental health 00:07:40 - Business, sales and ethics 00:10:50 - Early career 00:24:30 - Fast Tracking Your Future 00:33:50 - Dental and social media 00:46:45 - Corporate culture 00:56:50 - Consulting and relationship building 01:17:35 - Career challenges and lessons learned 01:24:10 - Looking ahead 01:27:25 - Closing questions About Joe Lovett Joe Lovett is a prominent dental industry consultant and founder of Catalyst, specialising in helping international dental companies enter the UK market and mentoring the next generation of dental professionals.  With nearly two decades of experience in dental media and business development, beginning at FMC Publications in 2008, Joe has established himself as a trusted advisor and connector within the dental community.

After building a successful hospitality empire in London, including venues like Rum Kitchen and Island Poké, Alex Potter found himself feeling empty—despite external success.  A profound spiritual awakening led him to leave his business empire and divorce, embarking on a path of self-discovery through breathwork, plant medicine, and coaching.  Now, through his company Kaizn, he helps leaders reconnect with their authentic selves through innovative retreats and coaching programmes that blend ancient wisdom with modern practices. In This Episode 00:00:40 - Early life and acting career 00:05:35 - First entrepreneurial ventures in nightlife 00:23:00 - Building the hospitality empire 00:31:25 - Spiritual awakening through breathwork 00:39:35 - Transitioning away from business success 00:54:15 - Understanding Internal Family Systems 01:10:15 - Rites of passage 01:21:35 - The Kaizn approach to transformation 01:24:25 - Holistic healing versus traditional therapy 01:27:55 - Connecting with the inner child About Alex Potter A London native and former actor turned hospitality entrepreneur, Alex Potter built and ran multiple successful venues, including Rum Kitchen, Island Poké, and Ping.  After experiencing burnout and a spiritual awakening, he trained extensively in coaching, breathwork, and plant medicine.  Today, he runs Kaizn, an interdisciplinary coaching company specialising in transformative experiences and retreats.

Riaz Sharif shares his incredible journey from growing up in the foster care system to becoming a successful dental professional. He opens up about the challenges of his childhood as an orphan, his determination to pursue dentistry despite numerous setbacks, and his experiences studying abroad in Hungary and Slovakia.  In This Episode 00:01:55 - Backstory 00:08:35 - Boxing 00:13:45 - Study 00:19:00 - Personal challenges 00:24:25 - Return to the UK 00:29:10 -Social media presence and marketing 00:47:45 - Blackbox thinking 00:56:30 - Aspirations 01.03.40 - Fantasy dinner party 01:09:15 - Last days and legacy About Riaz Sharif Riaz Sharif is a UK-based dentist and finalist for multiple industry awards, including the Private Dentistry Awards. Riaz brings a unique perspective to dentistry shaped by his background in boxing and personal training, along with his commitment to mentoring the next generation of dental professionals.

In this solo episode of the Dental Leaders podcast, Prav Solanki reflects on the past year and shares his plans for 2025, focusing on personal growth, public speaking, and health and wellness. He discusses the challenges faced by dental practices in marketing and competition, emphasizing the importance of a robust sales process and conversion strategies. Prav highlights niche marketing opportunities, particularly for nervous patients and children's orthodontics, and predicts a positive trend in dental practice acquisitions for the coming year. He concludes with insights on evidence-based wellness and the importance of foundational health practices. In This Episode 00:00 - Planning for 202505:42 - Dental Marketing and Competition12:45 - Sales Process & Conversion Strategies19:03 - Niche Marketing26:37 - Future Trends in Dental Practice Acquisitions34:12 - Evidence-Based Wellness and Health Goals About Prav Solanki Prav Solanki is a marketing scientist and dental growth specialist who has supported countless dental professionals and organisations to achieve stellar growth. He is a co-owner and director of IAS Academy and founder of The Fresh, the UK's leading dental growth and marketing agency. His latest project, Leadflo, is described as the world's most advanced CRM for dental clinics.