This week, Prav and Payman explore the meaning of life, the universe and everything with implant dentist Dominc O’Hooley. In a wide ranging conversation, exploring mortality, longevity, family and more, Dominic talks candidly about turning some of life’s challenges to his advantage. He tells how a serious cycling accident became an opportunity for introspection and self-improvement, and how autism can give him a cognitive edge. As someone who’s studied the COVID crisis in depth, Dominic also sha...
Aug 12, 2020•1 hr 25 min
This week, Prav and Payman get wise to the world of Nikuj Sondagar and Saeid Haghri. Nik and Saeid talk about their Wise 360 - a digital learning platform connecting dentists with training providers. This relatively young pair has form - between them, they’ve already established several successful ventures including a dental social presence, marketing and development company and clever plaque-reduction tech. They talk through the challenges of developing Wise 360 as excitement builds for the lau...
Aug 05, 2020•58 min
Zaki Kanaan might have been a banker if it wasn’t for an embarrassing incident as a small child. But banking’s loss in dentistry’s gain. In this week’s show, master of implants Zaki talks Payman through his early move from war-torn Beirut to London. Zaki talks life at boarding school and later Guy’s, and explains how fate appeared to play a guiding role in his development as a dentist. Prav couldn’t be here this week, so Payman single-handedly steers the conversation over wide-ranging topics. En...
Jul 22, 2020•1 hr 11 min
Today’s guest says he doesn’t think of himself as being a leader. But a few minutes into the episode, and it’s clear we could all have something to learn from Vishsaal Shah. In 2017, an unsettling discovery at Visaal’s practice turned his world upside down, leading to regulatory investigations, lawsuits and more than a lifetime’s-worth of stress. In this episode, Visshal gives us the lowdown. He also fills us in on his early years in Kenya, and how an extraordinary approach to life, which put fr...
Jul 15, 2020•1 hr 24 min
This week, we welcome Sofina Ahmed. Things kick off with a conversation about how her father’s unconventional approach to business has informed her own entrepreneurial mindset. And what a mindset! Sofia talks about the highs and lows of expanding a single practice into a nationwide chain with a rapidity that would make most of us wince. Sofia also lets us in on why night time is the perfect time to practice, and how the idea became the cornerstone of her successful Night Dental brand. Enjoy! “Th...
Jul 09, 2020•1 hr 29 min
This week, our hosts checked in with dentist, trainer and mentor, Andrew Wallace. Andrew talks about his upbringing in Northern Ireland and lets Prav and Payman in on how an unusual odd-job helped him through university. He shares his thoughts on the highs and lows of practice ownership and gives some practical advice for leaders facing the pain of firing staff. No conversation with Andrew would be complete without touching on the dental training circuit, where Andrew is a familiar face thanks t...
Jul 01, 2020•1 hr 5 min
This week, Prav and Paiman get to sit down one of their dental heroes - Andrew Dawood. Andrew talks about early challenges setting up his West End practice and his thoughts on the pros and cons of investing in pioneering tech. The trio also talk about the virtues of independent practices and how using the highest quality implant materials doesn’t always translate to a quality experience for the patient. These are just a few of the topics touched on in a wide-ranging conversation with a true indu...
Jun 24, 2020•1 hr 5 min
In this bite-size episode, we welcome aboard old friend Richard Howarth. Richard fills us in on how he made a roaring success of his SmileStyle brand after disillusionment almost made him put down his handpiece for good. Richard also lets us know about why he eventually decided to exit the venture and fills us in on his latest incarnation as a PPE supplier and manufacturer who has literally turned the industry on its head. Enjoy! “I always say, I don't like big spiders. If you put me in a room w...
Jun 17, 2020•31 min
This week, Prav and Payman welcome their old friend Jason Smithson to the show. Jason talks about his modest Yorkshire upbringing and lets us in on how he almost chose a very different career path. Jason fills us in on how a lack of technical know-how almost stopped his lecturing career before it began, but didn’t stop him from becoming an early internet sensation. “Just be yourself, nobody will criticise you for being yourself. Everybody's got something to offer, offer what you feel is right......
Jun 12, 2020•1 hr 28 min
This week, Prav and Payan welcome rising social starlet Rhona Eskander to the show. Rhona talks about her mission to make dentistry accessible to all. Rhona discusses the pros and cons of Instagram and her relationships with some of the net’s biggest influencers. She also educates Prav on Nevada’s Burning Man Festival and talks about her experiences providing vital dental care for refugees. Enjoy! “I believe that we're all human beings and if we can't treat each other as humans, then you're not ...
Jun 03, 2020•1 hr 11 min
Many dentists feel they have been let down during the coronavirus crisis. Professional bodies were slow to speak up, delivering an ineffectual message to members when they finally did so. The profession has not benefited from the government’s package of financial support for small businesses and insurers have proved that policies aren’t always worth the PDFs they’re written on. This week, we meet Laith Abbas and Luke Thorley - two relative youngsters who are fighting back. They reveal why they a...
May 27, 2020•1 hr 9 min
In this week’s bulletin, Prav and Payman quiz Dr Christopher Orr on what practical steps dentists must take upon emerging from lockdown. Their wide-ranging discussion covers indemnity, protective measures and adopting a triage approach to inviting patients back to clinic. They also tackle the difference between NHS and private practices, and how regulators and dentists might improve their response, if the unthinkable were ever to happen again. “There's always been an element of risk in dentistry...
May 20, 2020•51 min
Mark Topley spent time as a primary school teacher, drum tech and roadie before setting his sights on coaching in corporate social responsibility. We are thankful he did. Mark talks us through his early work as CEO of Bridge2Aid, and how a financial fraud against the dental charity almost put a stop to its operations. Mark also talks us through his decision to step away from Bridge2Aid after a decade at the helm - and how that eventually led to the corporate responsibility coaching work for whic...
May 13, 2020•1 hr 14 min
Faced with a lack of clear advice, guidance and representation, dentists have taken the unprecedented step of forming a new association. The British Association of Private Dentistry (BAPD) started out as an online grassroots movement in response to the COVID-19 crisis and quickly gained a huge following. In the first of our topical buletin shows, Prav and Pay are joined by BAPD co-founders Jason Smithson and Bertie Napier, alongside implant dentist Dominic O’Hooley, who co-authored a report on A...
May 07, 2020•1 hr 6 min
Social distancing prevented Prav and Payman from being together in person this week, but it didn’t stop our hosts hearing from three true dentistry leaders. In this fascinating roundtable, Prof. Nairn Wilson makes a welcome return to the show, joined by Dr Anthony Kilcoyne and Prof. Mike Lewis. The trio discuss their predictions for dentistry in the post-COVID landscape and talk about what role the profession might play in the nation’s recovery. “People have heard me lecture in the past, heard m...
May 06, 2020•1 hr 22 min
This week, we caught up with dentist and pistonhead Neel Jaiswal. Neel talks about his early years and introduction to the craft, as well as his hopes for the future. We also got to chat with Neel about one of his biggest passions - fast cars. Recently, Neel has been dividing his time between clinical practice and work with Professional Dental Indemnity - an insurance company he set up to service dentists. Neel shares some of the unique insights he has gained through PDI, as well as his thoughts...
Apr 29, 2020•1 hr 28 min
Over a 50-year career, self-proclaimed benevolent battle axe Jenny Pinder was instrumental in shaping the face of UK dentistry as we know it today. We chat with Jenny about her family’s generational background in dentistry, which helped shape her reputation as an early champion of women in the profession. Jenny also spills the beans on her time at the GDC and shares some insight on the unique approach to treating nervous patients for which she is renowned. Enjoy! “Being non-judgemental is very, ...
Apr 23, 2020•1 hr 10 min
This week Payman finds himself without co-pilot Prav as he takes a therapist’s view with Vicky Wilson. They chat about the lot of hygiene therapists andwhy they are not always pushed to their full potential within the practice. The pair also talk about how dentists and hygienists can integrate better. Also up for discussion is Vicky’s thought on her decade in practice in Dubai, the challenges of establishing a hygienists association, and much more. Enjoy! “Frequently, I talk to dentists. They're...
Apr 16, 2020•1 hr 1 min
This week, Payman and Prav talked with Rahul Doshi, cosmetic pioneer and founder of the groundbreaking Perfect Smile Studios. The trio talk about the science and art of cosmetic dentistry, what it takes to be a clinical leader, team building and more. Rahul also talks about his decision to join Dentex, as well as the board of the British Association of Cosmetic Dentists (BACD.) Enjoy! Rather than being demotivated about, "I could've done X, I could've done Y." You’ve got to say, "Right, how do I...
Apr 08, 2020•1 hr 19 min
This week’s podcast had our hosts wishing they had more time. Prav and Payman chat with legend Linda Greenwall about the role of women in dentistry and her pragmatic approach to raising a family while in practice, They also find out all about Linda’s charity work, and talk at length about why whitening may be one of the most neglected disciplines in all of dentistry. Enjoy! “No secrets. The secret is no secrets.” Linda Greenwall In this week’s episode 01.06 - Entering the family trade 03.55 - Wo...
Apr 01, 2020•1 hr 34 min
Dynamo, workaholic, insomniac, leader - all these terms and more apply to this week’s guest, Druh Shah. The periodontist, educator and founder of Dentinal Tubules talks us through his early years and some of the formative experiences that were the making of one of dentistry’s true legends. Druh also chats leadership, vision, values, overcoming adversity and much more. Enjoy! “ Dentists were taught to deal with the tooth, the whole tooth, and nothing but the tooth. Ultimately...they think small, ...
Mar 25, 2020•1 hr 5 min
About Anup Ladva Talent is overrated. So says today’s guest, Dr Anup Ladva. In this week’s episode, Anup talks us through turning around his bad-boy beginnings in Palmers Green to become owner of several successful clinics. He also tells us about his love of tech, which he satisfies by helping clinics get started in digital dentistry - and by steering some exciting dental-tech startups. Along the way, you’ll hear plenty of words of wisdom on management, motivation, running a practice and much mo...
Mar 18, 2020•1 hr 14 min
About This Episode This week’s guest is proof that dentistry really does take all-sorts. Former Green Beret Danny Watson was inspired to enter dentistry after witnessing military dentists at work in Afghanistan. Against impressive odds, he secured a place at Manchester University and spectacularly burned his military bridges to attend. Danny talks about his fortuitous first meeting with podcast host Prav, cross-fit, military life and his record-breaking highs and lows. Enjoy! So I phoned my miss...
Mar 11, 2020•58 min
This week’s guest transcends the dental-leader label. A polymath and true giant of the field, Prof. Nairn Wilson takes us through the patents with which he helped turn ICI into one of dentistry’s leading players. And that was just the beginning. Prof. Wilson shares how his refusal to be pinned down led to the creation of one of the most varied and impressive CVs in all of dentistry. Enjoy! A guy came in and he said, "We've looked at you with amazement. You put the money in the bank. Last year we...
Mar 04, 2020•1 hr 32 min
Dental Practice Built By Nurturing Relationships If your marketing relies heavily on through word of mouth, even at this time of digital age; by no means, you touch everyone with what you do. This holds true for our guest today. Dr. Paul Abrahams is the owner of Smilemore Dental Care in St Johns Wood since 1993. A small private practice dedicated to providing high-quality dentistry with an emphasis on dedicated personal care and attention. Paul has wide experience in providing cosmetic dentistry...
Feb 26, 2020•1 hr 1 min
What would you do when your professional capacity as a dentist is being questioned? What if you are accused of doing something unethical against a patient? That is one thing that would shake you to the core. But this man’s response was of holding his ground and letting the truth unfold on its own and proved the accuser of maliciously inventing stories against him. This guest for today indeed went through this, but all's well that ends well. Sia Mirfendereski qualified from the Royal London Hospi...
Feb 19, 2020•57 min
"Become what you see in the world." As a crusader for veganism and animal rights, Keval has a great belief that this is the way to go to counter climate change and carbon footprint. The adage best personifies this guest for this episode. Keval Shah joined the practice in 2010. He graduated from Guy's King's and Thomas' Dental Institute in 2006 and worked in practice for a year before working as a Senior House Officer in Lincoln and Kettering in the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery department. This...
Feb 12, 2020•1 hr 15 min
Today’s guest is one of dentistry’s polarising figures. As a youngster, Liverpool lad Robbie Hughes made his living knocking teeth out in the ring. These days - although still a relative newcomer - he is one of cosmetic dentistry’s most-recognised faces. His Dental Excellence and Millionaire Smiles brands represent a paradigm shift in high-end dentistry. Love him or hate him, Robbie isn’t going anywhere just yet. In one of our most open and engaging podcasts so far, Robbie takes us from Wavertre...
Feb 06, 2020•1 hr 22 min
A rising star of a dentist is in the offing. The guest we have today is putting to good use what she has learned running a restaurant business in the dental field. The entrepreneurial side of it has worked to her advantage in dealing with her role as a dental practitioner. Dr. Elaine Mo is a general practitioner and a member of the Joint Dental Faculties of Royal College of Surgeons England. She has a wealth of knowledge in various aspects of Dentistry. With advanced training in Restorative Aest...
Jan 30, 2020•1 hr
For some people, dentistry runs in the blood. And that’s definitely true of today’s guest, Zainab Al-Mukhtar, for whom formative years spent watching mum practise made the dental clinic feel like a second home. Zainab talks about Instagram, motherhood and approaching cosmetic work as an artform. She also discusses the joy to be found in teaching others. Enjoy! “I want to continue doing what I'm doing, but just continue taking it to the next level each time. I am, where I am, really happy doing w...
Jan 23, 2020•55 min
