Dental Leaders Podcast

Dentist and legal expert Simon Thackeray discusses his route from NHS to private practice, his involvement in dental politics, and his role as a founder member of BAPD (British Association of Private Dentistry).  He offers valuable insights into the challenges faced by private dentists during COVID-19 and shares candid thoughts about the profession's future direction.  The discussion covers everything from practice management and patient care to broader societal issues affecting dentistry. In This Episode 02:00 - Backstory 03:35 - BAPD formation 07:45 - COVID - international approaches 13:35 - NHS dentistry 21:25 - Class and social mobility 31:30 - Legislation and governance 42:10 - Young dentists and private practice 52:15 - Career and practice ownership 54:35 - From NHS to private practice 1:14:00 - Commoditisation and ethics 1:21:45 - Education and public messaging 1:26:35 - Blackbox thinking 1:32:00 - Closing questions About Simon Thackeray Simon Thackeray is a prominent private dentist based in Mansfield who holds a master's degree in law and serves as a founder member of the British Association of Private Dentists (BAPD), which he helped establish during the COVID-19 pandemic. After qualifying in 1991, he worked in several NHS practices before purchasing his own practice and transitioning to fully private care in 2006.

Dental students Lwai Almasri and Saif Mukadam discuss their journeys into dentistry, their experiences at King's College London, and their creation of the UK Dental Students network.  The conversation covers Saif's unique path from professional football to dentistry, the challenges of dental school, and their ambitious plans for organising a "Top 50 Dental Students" event.  They provide valuable insights into modern dental education, including the impact of online learning and the competitive nature of dental school. In This Episode 01:30 - Backstory 05:15 - Student life 16:45 - Family background 19:25 - Living in London 24:15 - UK Dental Students Network 31:25 - Clinical experience 55:25 - Top 50 Dental Students plans1: 20:00 - Goals and aspirations 1:34:35 - Family and siblings About Lwai Almasri and Saif Mukadam Lwai Almasri is a third-year dental student at King's College London whose parents are both dentists. Saif Mukadam took an unconventional path to dentistry, first pursuing a career as a professional footballer at Walsall FC for two years before joining King's College London as a dental student, where he and Lwai co-founded the UK Dental Students network, now the largest community of dental students in the country.

Rhona Eskander and Payman chat with Adeola Gboyega, a renowned makeup artist and beauty expert with over a decade of industry experience.  The conversation delves deep into representation in the beauty industry, mental health challenges content creators face, and the evolution of social media's impact on business.  Adeola shares her journey from traditional education to becoming a successful makeup artist and content creator while discussing important topics like the pay gap for black creators and the importance of authenticity in building a community. In This Episode 00:01:45 - Backstory 00:03:30 - Early career 00:04:55 - Beauty standards 00:09:30 - Social media and the beauty industry 00:11:20 - Reflections on Black Lives Matter 00:12:25 - Ethnicity and pay gaps 00:15:00 - Nigeria and Nollywood 00:20:35 - Therapy and mental health 00:36:05 - The beauty industry 00:42:35 - Content creation 00:52:15 - Future plans and closing thoughts About Adeola Gboyega Adeola Gboyega is a seasoned makeup artist and beauty expert with over a decade of industry experience. She is known for her skin-first philosophy and collaborations with prominent beauty brands, including Bobbi Brown and Pat McGrath.  As a successful content creator and beauty educator, she has built a devoted community of "glow getters".

Emerging dental leader Yewande Oduwole shares her inspiring journey from Nigeria to becoming an award-winning dentist in the UK. She opens up about her challenging childhood, faith-driven approach to life, and her mission to increase representation in dentistry through social media and the Black Dental Network.  The conversation spans her innovative approach to dental practice, her social media influence, and her experiences with brand partnerships while touching on valuable clinical insights and lessons learned from early career challenges. In This Episode 00:01:50 - Backstory 00:24:45 - Dental school 00:27:55 - Building a personal brand 00:29:25 - Early work 00:34:00 - Foundation training 00:39:35 - Current practice 00:52:35 - Social media 00:56:00 - Brand partnerships and ambassador roles 01:05:55 - Blackbox thinking 01:15:35 - The Black Dental Network About Yewande Oduwole Yewande Oduwole is an award-winning dentist and influential voice in UK dentistry. She is known for her work in increasing representation within the profession through social media and as a core member of the Black Dental Network. A graduate of Peninsula Dental School, she has established herself as a respected clinician at Two Green Dental while also serving as a brand ambassador and mentor. 

Anushika Brogan, owner of Damira Dental Studios with 42 practices and over 200 dentists, shares her remarkable journey from a single practice owner to one of the UK's most successful dental entrepreneurs.  She discusses her business philosophy, leadership approach, and personal experiences while offering valuable insights into managing a large dental organisation.  The conversation touches on both professional challenges and personal growth, including her experiences with divorce, parenthood, and maintaining a work-life balance. In This Episode: 00:03:25 - Leadership styles and staff management 00:13:35 - Managing a large group 00:21:20 - Work-life balance 00:29:15 - Management challenges 00:39:45 -Practice acquisition 00:49:50 - Growth and expansion 01:01:05 - Relationships, family and culture 01:16:55 - Mental health and personal growth 01:25:35 - Closing questions About Anushika Brogan Anushika Brogan is one of the UK's leading dental entrepreneurs and the owner of Damira Dental Studios, a network of 42 dental practices across the south of England. 

In this deeply personal episode of Mind Movers, hosts Rhona Eskander and Payman Langroudi speak with makeup artist Cinta Miller.  The conversation explores Cinta's remarkable journey through profound personal losses, including the death of her mother and sister, a life-changing diagnosis at age 32, and her path to resilience.  Despite facing significant challenges, Cinta shares how she maintained a positive outlook while building a successful career in the beauty and music industry. The discussion touches on themes of grief, authenticity, gratitude, and finding joy in life's ordinary moments. In This Episode 00:01:45 - Career and backstory 00:21:25 - Loss and grief 00:30:35 - Travel and transformation 00:43:35 - Early menopause 00:54:50 - Egg donation and preservation 01:00:35 - Relationship and marriage 01:03:00 - Industry insight 01:14:00 - Finding joy and positivity About Cinta Miller Cinta Miller is a globally recognised makeup artist with over 25 years of experience working with celebrity clients in music, television, and fashion. Beyond her successful beauty career, she has expanded into music management, leveraging deep industry knowledge and relationships built from working with artists from the ground up throughout their careers.

Veteran dentist Mark Becker looks back on a 30+ year career in dentistry. Mark recounts following in his father's footsteps to establishing a chain practices across London—and the challenges of transitioning from NHS to private care along the way. He also discusses the evolution of dental technology and his approach to patient care and practice management while sharing candid reflections on the challenges and rewards of the profession. In This Episode 00:02:10 - Backstory 00:04:35 - Dental school and early career 00:07:35 - Family experience 00:13:45 - Early work experience 00:15:30 - Practice ownership 00:17:05 - Group ownership 00:23:10 - Patient communication 00:31:35 - Dental technology 00:38:15 - Location strategies 00:44:45 - Managing staff and building teams 00:49:10 - Blackbox thinking 01:00:05 - Treatment planning 01:13:45 - Cosmetic dentistry and teeth whitening 01:21:15 - Mental health in dentistry 01:23:35 - Last days and legacy About Mark Decker Mark Becker is a veteran UK dentist with over three decades of experience, following in the footsteps of his father who ran one of the first multi-practice dental chains in South Africa. After studying at Leeds University in the late 1980s, he has owned and operated several practices across London, including ventures in Ruislip and the West End, and now runs a modern private practice in Brent Cross Shopping Centre.

Hygienist Zara Shirvani discusses her unconventional journey from genetics via acting to dental hygiene.Zara geeks out on guided biofilm therapy and discusses her unique approach to patient care. She shares insights on the importance of dental teams working together, her experience across multiple practices, and her views on evolving hygiene techniques. The conversation also explores her Iranian heritage, future career aspirations, including facial aesthetics, and her perspectives on professional development in dentistry.In This Episode00:01:00 - Introduction and backstory00:14:30 - Studying at Eastman00:18:30 - The hygienist’s experience00:26:30 - Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT)00:36:30 - Iran00:41:35 - Working with dental nurses and practice dynamics00:51:50 - Blackbox thinking01:11:35 - Patient education and oral hygiene01:19:55 - Future career plans01:24:10 - Career and people skills01:26:15 - Fantasy dinner party guests and adviceAbout Zara ShirvaniZara Shirvani is a London-based dental hygienist who graduated from the Eastman Dental Institute in 2019 after studying genetics at Swansea University. She works across multiple private practices, is an ambassador for guided biofilm therapy, and is currently pursuing training in facial aesthetics.

Alex Hadley reflects on his journey from NHS dentistry to a thriving private practice, sharing insights on transitioning between roles, managing complex implant cases, and building patient trust through strong communication.  He highlights the importance of mentorship, the challenges of balancing work across multiple practices, and the impact of entering private dentistry on professional growth. Enjoy! In This Episode 00:01:10 - Introduction and background 00:03:15 - Mentors and early experiences 00:07:30 - NHS challenges 00:11:50 - Transition to private dentistry 00:18:30 - Managing multiple practices 00:25:00 - Insights on implant dentistry 00:32:10 - Value of mentorship 00:42:35 - Approach to complex cases 00:57:00 - Challenges in patient communication 1:11:40 - Future plans and teaching aspirations 01:37:10 - Reflections and advice About Alex Hadley Alex Hadley is a private dentist with expertise in restorative and implant dentistry.

Dooroo Ihm shares his journey from growing up in South Korea to practising dentistry across Europe and eventually settling in London. He discusses his unique career path, the value of listening to patients, and the importance of patient-first care. Dooroo also reflects on navigating different healthcare systems, the challenges of moving internationally, and his passion for both technical excellence and patient communication. Enjoy! In This Episode 00:00:05 - Patient communication & first impressions00:01:15 - Introduction and background00:02:00 - Comparing South Korean and UK dentistry00:03:30 - High-tech approaches in South Korea00:06:00 - Moving to Germany for school00:12:00 - Studying dentistry in Hungary00:18:05 - Starting work in Ireland00:23:15 - Lessons from a mentor in Ireland00:28:10 - Transitioning to practice in London00:32:25 - Specialising in endodontics00:35:50 - Studying periodontics at Eastman00:42:00 - Reflecting on patient care and ethics About Dooroo Ihm Dooroo Ihm is a London-based dentist known for his expertise in endodontics and periodontics. Originally from South Korea, Dooroo has practised in several countries, developing a patient-first philosophy and commitment to comprehensive care.