The TechDental Podcast

In this episode, Dr Randeep Singh Gill sits down with Rasnaam Singh Tiwana, founder of Dentstock, to unpack how data, automation and AI are reshaping procurement, decision-making and operational efficiency in independent dental practices.Rasnaam shares the origin of Dentstock, built during the chaos of post-COVID supply chain disruption, and explains why procurement has remained overlooked for decades. He breaks down how practices routinely overspend, how small data points lead to huge operational wins, and why predictive, transparent, supplier-agnostic procurement is becoming a strategic superpower for the next generation of dental owners.This conversation goes deep into AI as a founder tool, the mindset required to build in the cognitive age, and what independents can learn from the corporate DSO playbook without losing their identity.What we coverWhy procurement has been overlooked and misunderstoodHow Dentstock helps practices save 15–25% on costsOperational blind spots in independent practicesHow small data points lead to large financial gainsThe rise of AI as a “co-pilot” in dental operationsHow to respect clinical freedom while improving efficiencyWhy corporates win on systems and dataHow independents can close the gap without losing cultureThe founder mindset needed to innovate in difficult timesRasnaam’s take on the future of procurement and automationKey insightsMost practices don’t know what they spend or whyCost control isn’t a spreadsheet task; it’s operational intelligenceAI is best used as an advisor, not an autonomous agentTransparency is the new currency in procurementCommunity-driven intelligence beats traditional supplier repsClinical freedom + data-driven decision-making = competitive advantageGuest Bio: Rasnaam Singh TiwanaRasnaam is the founder of Dentstock, a UK-based group purchasing and procurement optimisation company helping independent practices achieve DSO-level operational intelligence. He brings experience from clinical practice, health-tech and community leadership and is passionate about transparency, cost control and modernising dental operations.Connect with RasnaamWebsite: https://www.dentstock.co.ukLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dentstockConnect with TechDentalWebsite: https://www.techdental.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/techdentalmediaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-techdental-podcastEmail: info@techdental.comIf you enjoyed this episodePlease follow, rate and review The TechDental Podcast on Apple Podcasts. It helps more dental innovators find conversations like this.

Why fear something when it could be your biggest advantage? In this episode of The TechDental Podcast, Dr Randeep sits down with Sophie Lovett and Ashley King from Pearl AI, the world’s leading dental AI diagnostics company, to explore how technology is transforming patient trust, clinical accuracy, and global compliance. What You’ll Learn:How AI improves diagnostic accuracy while strengthening patient relationshipsThe critical role of trust, regulation, and transparency in AI adoptionWhy education—not resistance—is key to responsible AI integrationHow to introduce AI into your practice ethically and effectivelyThe leadership lessons behind Pearl’s global growthWhy the future of dentistry is collaborative, not automatedAbout the Guests:Sophie Lovett is the International Channel Sales Manager at Pearl AI, working with dental practices and partners across Europe to implement AI-driven diagnostic solutions. With a background in logistics and finance, Sophie bridges the gap between technology and patient care, helping clinicians integrate innovation responsibly.Ashley King is the Head of International Partnerships at Pearl AI, leading the company’s global expansion and compliance efforts. With experience in healthcare technology startups, Ashley specialises in aligning AI innovation with ethical, regulatory, and clinical standards to improve patient outcomes worldwide.If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.

Dentistry is changing not only through digital tools but through a shift in how clinicians and founders think about time, trust, and technology.In this bonus conversation, Dr Randeep Singh Gill and serial entrepreneur Sergey Osipov, founder of Placy, go deeper into what AI means for the real world of practice building. Sergey draws on his experience in real estate and tech to explain how automation is transforming entire sectors, while Dr Randeep connects those lessons to the dental profession.They discuss how AI can reallocate human potential, moving team members from repetitive administrative work to strategic, revenue-driving roles. Both agree the true challenge is not replacing people, but helping them trust AI enough to use it fully.Dr Randeep also shares a behind-the-scenes look at building DentCFO, his AI-powered financial intelligence platform designed to give independent dental practices the same insights and capabilities as large corporate groups. He opens up about investing his own savings, working with fractional teams, and navigating compliance and scalability challenges in healthcare tech.They also touch on what success and sustainability mean for founders today, the long, often misunderstood journey of entrepreneurship, and how AI might shorten that path without stripping away the human element that makes it worthwhile.This is a rare and honest exchange between two founders at the frontier of AI, leadership, and trust.Bonus Episode Highlights00:02:10 Automation and the “High-Friction, Low-Judgement” RuleSergey describes how AI is transforming real estate by automating repetitive tasks. He introduces his concept of “high-friction, low-judgement jobs”—routine, manual actions like sending links or handling listings—which are the first to be automated. His perspective illustrates how industries beyond dentistry are preparing for similar workforce shifts.00:04:59 Founding Dent CFO: Building AI from the Ground UpDr Randeep shares his entrepreneurial journey behind DentaCFO, an AI-powered financial platform for dental practices. After a neck injury ended his clinical career, he channelled his industry knowledge into building a truly AI-first product from scratch, prioritising scalability, GDPR compliance, and robust data security. His story highlights resilience and the power of turning adversity into innovation.00:10:40 The True Cost of Building an MVPDrawing on his own startup experience, Sergey reveals the steep costs of developing an MVP (minimum viable product), estimating that even early-stage prototypes can exceed €500,000–€1 million. He notes that investors primarily back people rather than ideas at this stage, as tangible products barely exist. His comments emphasise the gap between AI hype and the financial realities of building real, scalable solutions.00:14:15 The Long Game of EntrepreneurshipReflecting on startup culture, Dr Randeep discusses how entrepreneurship is often romanticised as a quick win, when in reality, building something meaningful takes time and trust. He highlights the importance of nurturing markets, educating users, and earning credibility—reminding aspiring founders that sustainable success is a marathon, not a sprint.00:16:11 The Evolution of Start-Ups: From Servers to “LEGO-Style” CompaniesSergey compares launching a startup twenty years ago with today’s streamlined process. He recalls when founders had to manually configure servers and emails, whereas now platforms like Google Workspace and AWS make setup almost instantaneous. He celebrates the new “fractional approach”—assembling a company like LEGO using affordable, modular tools—which has democratised entrepreneurship.

As industries built on trust begin to intersect with artificial intelligence, new questions emerge about what should be automated and what must remain human. In this episode of The TechDental Podcast, Dr Randeep Singh Gill speaks with Sergey Osipov, co-founder of Placy AI and one of Europe’s most seasoned tech entrepreneurs, to explore how automation is redefining both real estate and dentistry. Drawing on his experience building and exiting multiple companies, including a billion-dollar prop-tech IPO, Sergey explains how AI agents are changing the way businesses operate, recovering up to 30% of lost leads, improving front-desk efficiency, and creating the transparency modern clients expect.Sergey shares why trust remains the greatest barrier to AI adoption and why simply adding tools will not deliver transformation. Together, they outline what an AI-ready business looks like: clear systems, measurable data, and a culture that balances automation with empathy. For dental leaders, this episode offers a grounded roadmap for building scalable, tech-enabled practices that keep the human touch at the centre of care.What You’ll Learn:How AI agents are redefining customer experience across real estate and healthcareWhy up to 30 per cent of leads are lost, and how automation can close that gapWhat it means to build a truly AI-ready practice rather than add another toolHow trust, transparency, and data discipline drive sustainable adoptionThe difference between replacing people and reallocating human focusWhy leadership mindset, not technology, determines the success of automationHow human connection remains the foundation of every future-proof businessAbout the Guest:Sergey Osipov is a seasoned technology entrepreneur and co-founder of Placy AI, a company transforming real estate through intelligent automation. With over twenty years of experience building and scaling tech ventures, Sergey has led companies across ad-tech, digital marketing, and prop-tech. He co-founded Cian, one of Europe’s largest real estate platforms, which achieved a $1.1 billion IPO on the New York Stock Exchange. Known for his ability to anticipate and act on industry shifts, Sergey has a track record of turning emerging technologies into practical, high-impact businesses. At Placy AI, he focuses on creating AI-powered agents that enhance efficiency, capture missed opportunities, and redefine how traditional service industries operate. Driven by curiosity and precision, Sergey continues to explore how human intelligence and artificial intelligence can work together to build smarter, more scalable enterprises.If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.

Most dental students are focused on passing exams. Afeef Hadi is building platforms, hosting events, and leading teams while still in his second year at King’s College London. In this exclusive TechDental bonus episode, he explains the philosophy and systems behind that output, from moving the clock off his screen to enter 12-hour deep-work sessions, to switching between Einstein’s “objective time” and Bergson’s “experiential time” to stay both productive and fulfilled.Afeef also discusses his med-tech projects, including an AI-driven ambulatory blood pressure monitor, and how these experiences inform his vision for applying AI across both the clinical and business sides of dentistry. He sees AI not just in radiograph analysis but in treatment planning, phone systems, and business functions where young professionals can leverage technology to make smarter decisions earlier.Networking is another cornerstone of his approach. Having logged over 400 high-quality conversations, Afeef explains why the key to connection is understanding intention, not ticking off contacts. He also shares why dentistry can and should grow to the scale of pharmacy and veterinary medicine, with greater consolidation, investor appetite, and specialist hubs worldwide.This is a candid, behind-the-scenes look at how one young leader is reframing time, technology, and networks to shape the future of dentistry.About the GuestAfeef Hadi is a second-year dental student at King’s College London and co-founder of The Young Dentist, a fast-growing platform designed to bridge the gap between dental school and real-world practice. Beyond his studies, Afeef has led international med-tech projects, won innovation challenges, and hosted over 400 networking conversations to understand how health, business, and technology intersect. He has held leadership roles from Director of Finance at a Young Enterprise UK finalist company to coordinating international teams on AI-powered solutions. Afeef is passionate about helping young clinicians develop the non-clinical skills, from branding to business thinking, that will define the next generation of dental professionals.

Many dental students graduate highly skilled in clinical techniques but underexposed to the wider realities of business, technology and communication that shape modern practice. While education has advanced, too few opportunities exist for young clinicians to learn the professional and entrepreneurial skills needed to lead with confidence.In this episode of The TechDental Podcast, host Dr Randeep Singh Gill speaks with Afeef Hadi, co-founder of The Young Dentist and one of the most promising emerging voices in UK dentistry. Now in his second year at King’s College London, Afeef is already helping students bridge the gap between dental school and real-world practice through community, collaboration and technology. He shares how his experience developing an AI-powered documentation concept, MedEcho, shaped his belief that innovation can enhance patient care, and why communication, branding and networking are fast becoming core skills for the next generation of clinicians. From his reflections on student life at King’s to the growing appetite for technology among young professionals, Afeef offers a grounded perspective on how the future of dentistry is being built by those still in training.What You’ll Learn:Why The Young Dentist was created and the gap it addresses between education and practiceHow AI and digital innovation are helping shape the next generation of cliniciansThe role of communication and ethical selling in building patient trustHow networking and personal branding accelerate early career growthWhy non-clinical skills are as essential as clinical competenceWhat dental schools can learn from entrepreneurial thinkingHow curiosity and community are transforming the path from student to professionalAbout the Guest: Afeef Hadi is the co-founder of The Young Dentist, a fast-growing platform helping dental students and young professionals bridge the gap between education and real-world practice. A second-year dental student at King’s College London, Afeef is already recognised as one of the most promising emerging voices in UK dentistry, combining curiosity, communication and innovation to inspire his generation of clinicians. His early career includes co-developing MedEcho, an AI-powered documentation concept designed to streamline NHS note-taking and save clinical time. Beyond dentistry, Afeef has held leadership roles in student enterprise, reaching the UK finals of Young Enterprise and earning national recognition for sustainability and business innovation. He also holds Bronze, Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards. Through The Young Dentist, Afeef champions the non-clinical skills that define modern dentistry in communication, technology and community. His work connects students, educators, and industry leaders, showing that the next generation of clinicians can lead with clarity and confidence long before graduation.If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.

Adrian Dray, UK Director of Partnerships at CareStack and a compliance expert, shares insights on the evolving landscape of partnerships in dentistry. He emphasizes the shift from trade shows to digital platforms for relationship-building, likening modern supplier-DSO interactions to dating. Adrian highlights critical compliance measures, including managing ransomware risks and understanding hidden data liabilities. He also explores the implications of AI in dentistry, advocating for its benefits while underscoring the necessity of maintaining human interactions in patient care.

In a captivating conversation, Adrian Dray, UK Director of Partnerships at CareStack, shares his expertise in dental tech and compliance. He reveals how outdated systems hinder growth and create compliance risks for practices. Adrian discusses the advantages of CareStack’s cloud-native platform, which streamlines operations and enhances patient retention. He emphasizes the importance of tracking new patient call conversions and explains how AI telephony can expose gaps in growth. Insightful and practical, this talk is a must-listen for dental professionals seeking to scale.

Most dental practices talk too much about treatments and tools and too little about transformation. Patients don’t want to hear about steps or features; they want outcomes: being able to eat their favourite foods again, spending less time in the chair, and feeling confident with their smile. In this bonus episode, Bogomil Stoev shares why practices that focus on the emotional side of dentistry build stronger trust and win more patients.From AI’s role in managing reminders and scheduling, to the rising importance of reviews, online trust signals, and micro-content, Bogomil outlines what the next five to ten years of patient acquisition will really look like. He cautions against the “move fast and break things” mindset, reminding dental leaders that credibility is fragile, once trust is lost, opportunities vanish.Listeners will also hear Bogomil’s practical advice for dentists feeling overwhelmed by tools: audit where your best patients come from, focus on one reliable channel, and double down until it works before expanding. He closes by sharing personal influences, including Robert Cialdini’s Influence, why “Commenter AI” is the tool he can’t work without, and which entrepreneurs he’d shadow for a day.About the GuestBogomil Stoev is the Founder of The Strategic Kreator, where he helps consultants and experts turn LinkedIn into a scalable lead engine. He is also the Co-Founder and CMO of Commenter AI, an AI-powered platform designed to streamline visibility and engagement, and the Co-Owner of St Apolonia Dental Clinic in Bulgaria. With more than 19 years in marketing and two successful exits, Bogomil brings a uniquely pragmatic perspective on how dental practices and the B2B brands that serve them can combine AI efficiency with trust-driven systems to scale sustainably.

AI-powered chatbots and voice assistants are revolutionising dental practice operations, offering a balanced approach to automation while maintaining patient care and security.In this bonus episode of The TechDental, host Dr Randeep interviews Josh Peach, founder of Thread Automations, exploring how dental practices can effectively implement AI communication tools while addressing security concerns and practical implementation strategies.What You'll Learn:- How to ensure patient data security and confidentiality when implementing AI communication tools- The "Start Small" approach to testing AI solutions in dental practices without overcommitting- Why piloting chatbots can lead to 40% more leads and 50% more out-of-hours bookings- How to balance automated responses with human interaction for optimal patient experience- The step-by-step process for validating AI responses with dental professionals- How to measure AI implementation success through reduced administrative burden and increased appointment bookings- The framework for transitioning from basic website chatbots to more complex AI solutions- Why accountability and persistence are crucial for entrepreneurial success in dental tech- How to leverage ChatGPT and modern AI tools to enhance dental practice operations- The importance of thorough testing and iteration in implementing AI solutions for dental practicesAbout the GuestJosh Peach is the founder of Thread Automations, a pioneering technology company specialising in AI-powered chatbots and voice automation solutions for dental practices. Fresh out of university, Josh has developed innovative systems that help dental practices streamline their patient communication, appointment booking, and FAQ management. His expertise lies in creating secure, practice-specific AI solutions that enhance operational efficiency while maintaining patient confidentiality. In this bonus episode, Josh shares valuable insights on implementing AI automation in dental practices, addressing safety concerns, and offering practical strategies for practices looking to test AI solutions without overcommitting. His work helps dental practices capture more leads, reduce administrative burden, and provide 24/7 patient support through intelligent automation.