Dental Leaders Podcast

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 excellenc...

Steffen Decker shares his journey from adult orthodontics to a focus on paediatric and interceptive orthodontics, emphasising the importance of early intervention. He discusses the benefits of clear aligners for young children, how early treatment impacts overall health, and his belief in a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to airway health. Steffen also reflects on the changes in orthodon...

Polly Bhambra, co-owner of the Tri Dental group, shares her journey from dental nurse to overseeing ten dental practices in the West Midlands. She discusses the importance of empowering dental nurses, creating a respectful work environment, and the challenges and rewards of managing a large team. Polly also talks about her family’s entrepreneurial background and the balancing act of building a den...

James Morrison shares his journey from NHS dentistry to becoming a private cosmetic dentist in Bristol. He discusses the shift to cosmetic work during COVID-19, challenges in managing patient expectations, and insights on the evolving role of social media in dentistry. James opens up about his rare muscular condition and how it influenced his approach to work-life balance. He also shares valuable...

Rhona and Payman chat with Angus Pringle, a specialist orthodontist with a deep interest in mental health and suicide prevention.  Angus shares his personal experiences with losing his brother to suicide. He discusses the importance of mental health awareness in the dental profession, touching on the need for compassion, open dialogue, and better support systems within the dental community and bey...

Former BACD president Andrew Chandrapal discusses his journey in dentistry, from his early days balancing dental school with music aspirations to becoming a respected clinician and educator.  He shares insights on the value of humility in dentistry, the impact of social media on patient expectations, and the significance of building trust with patients.  He also reflects on his experiences with th...

Payman Langroudi sits down with Dr. Zohaib Ali, a specialist prosthodontist and leader in the bio-emulation movement in the UK.  They discuss Dr. Ali's journey in dentistry, his experiences with various dental techniques and technologies, and his thoughts on education and patient care.  The conversation covers everything from the challenges of NHS dentistry to the importance of clear communication...

Dr Devinia Lavan-Iswaran (known as Coco) shares her inspiring journey from surviving domestic abuse to rediscovering herself and thriving as a dentist and mentor.  She discusses her multicultural upbringing, experiences in boarding school, and how she rebuilt her life and career after leaving an abusive marriage.  Coco offers insights into resilience, the importance of self-worth, and her passion...

Payman Langroudi meets Awaz Sharief, a young dentist with a special interest in minimally invasive endodontics.  Awaz shares her journey, personal challenges, and innovative approach to minimally invasive endodontics treatments.  The conversation covers clinical techniques, personal growth, faith, and the importance of emotional awareness. In This Episode 00:02:24 - Pulpotomy approach 00:05:35 - B...

In this insightful episode, Dru Shah, a specialist periodontist and founder of the Dentinal Tubules network, discusses the state of dental education, personal growth, and the challenges facing the dental profession.  He shares his views on leadership, the importance of trust in dentistry, and the need for a more patient-centric approach. Dru also touches on broader societal issues, including multi...

Rhona and Payman chat with Levi Levenfiche, co-founder of PerfectTed, Europe's first matcha-powered energy drink company. Levi shares his entrepreneurial journey, discussing the challenges of starting a business with family members, the impact of appearing on Dragon's Den, and the rapid growth of PerfectTed.  The conversation covers various aspects of running a start-up, from product devel...

Payman Langroudi chats with Giovanni Martino, a young Italian dentist practising in the UK. Giovanni shares his journey from studying dentistry in Italy to working in the NHS and private practice in the UK. Giovanni discusses the importance of continuing education, challenges and opportunities in dentistry and how his musical background has influenced his approach to dentistry. In This Episode 00:...

Payman Langroudi chats with May Firoozmand, a young dentist who recently qualified from Bulgaria. May shares her journey into dentistry, her experiences studying abroad, and her perspective on life and service shaped by her Baha'i faith. The conversation covers topics ranging from her dental education in Bulgaria to her charitable work and future aspirations in dentistry. In This Episode 00:02...

Dr Tara recounts her journey from a conservative upbringing to becoming a leading voice in sexual education and empowerment.  The professor and sex expert shares her personal experiences with marriage, divorce, and finding a fulfilling relationship, while also delving into topics such as sexual mindfulness, the impact of cultural norms on relationships, and the complexities of infidelity.  Enjoy!...

Payman meets Kunal Thakker, the founder of Tooth Club, a rapidly growing dental practice group in the UK. Kunal shares his journey from a career in banking to disrupting the dental industry, discussing his approach to creating a patient-centric experience, scaling a dental business, and the challenges of maintaining quality while expanding.  He offers insights into his marketing strategies, recrui...

Payman Langroudi chats with Mark Allan, General Manager of Bupa Dental Care. Mark shares insights into leading one of the UK’s largest private healthcare organisations, discusses current challenges and opportunities in the dental industry, and offers valuable leadership advice.  The conversation touches on corporate dentistry, talent acquisition, the importance of listening to frontline staff, and...

Manrina Rhode recounts her journey from practice fresh from dental school in high-end London clinics to owner and CEO of the upscale DRMR practice and medical skincare line. She discusses her experiences in cosmetic dentistry, teaching, product development, and practice management. Dr. Rhode also opens up about personal challenges, including divorce and loss, and how these experiences have shaped...

This week, we take a walk into the archives with a look back at an early conversation with a true dental leader. Andy Moore discusses balancing his stellar career with a healthy, happy home life, reveals the story behind his architecturally stunning practice, and gives a peek into hanging out with Richard Branson and Larry Page.  Enjoy!   In This Episode 02:12 – The perfect environment for practic...

In this solo episode of the Dental Leaders podcast, Prav discusses the importance of humanising the sales process in dentistry.  He touches on the need to move away from rigid, formulaic approaches and instead focus on connecting with patients as one would with friends or family.  Prav provides practical advice on handling conversations about treatment costs, addressing patient concerns, and secur...

Adam Marsh and Ala Rozwadowska, the creators of Dental Audio Notes (DAN), an AI-based platform for recording and managing dental patient consultations. Adam and Ala discuss the importance of capturing emotions and sentiment in patient interactions and share their vision for revolutionising communication in dentistry.  The conversation delves into the technical aspects of their AI-powered software,...

This episode of Mind Movers features Sonia Szamocki, founder of 32Co clear aligner training startup Sonia shares her journey from studying medicine at Oxford University to becoming an entrepreneur in the healthcare tech space. The conversation covers Sonia's early life and education, her time at Oxford, and her transition from practising medicine to consulting at Boston Consulting Group.  Soni...

Payman chats with Instagram favourite Teki Sowdani, who shares his journey from his initial work experience to his time at Sheffield University.  He discusses growing up in Essex with Iraqi parents, and how this shaped his perspective. Teki also discusses his meteoric career progression, and rise to prominence on social media, and his journey into practice ownership.  He candidly discusses the pro...

This episode of Mind Movers features Hunter Michael Shepard, a recovery advocate and content creator who shares his personal journey through addiction and recovery. Hunter discusses his early experiences with drugs, starting at age 12 with Adderall, alcohol, and marijuana.  The conversation covers Hunter's rock-bottom moments and the impactful words that led to recovery. him to seek treatment...

Prav chats with Todd Williams, an expert in customer service and leadership training. Todd shares his unique journey from growing up around older adults to working in healthcare, then transitioning to the luxury hotel industry with Four Seasons, and finally applying his expertise to dentistry.  He shares strategies for breaking down barriers, authentically engaging with people, and bringing out th...

Payman and Rhona chat with award-winning facial aesthetician and dentist Dr Yusra Al-Mukhtar.  Yusra touches on her experiences growing up in the UK as a Muslim woman and the impact of her father's return to Iraq after the war. She also explains the rationale behind her move from dentistry to facial aesthetics and shares thoughts on consent and ethics in aesthetic procedures. Yura also discuss...