#305 El Dentista — Patric Saraby

Fresh from Barcelona's dental schools and thrust into the realities of UK practice, Patric Saraby brings a refreshing perspective on what it truly means to start a dental career. 

This Iranian-born, multilingual dentist shares his journey from A-level disappointment to Spanish success, and now to the coalface of NHS dentistry in Bournemouth. 

With brutal honesty about clinical mistakes, cultural observations that'll make you think twice about British attitudes to success, and insights on why communication trumps technical skill, Patric offers a masterclass in adaptation and resilience. 

His story isn't just about dentistry—it's about the immigrant mentality that drives excellence, the power of manifestation, and why sometimes the best path forward isn't the one you originally planned.

In This Episode

00:01:35 - First job realities and the deep end experience

00:02:20 - What surprised him most about practice life

00:05:05 - NHS time pressures and appointment constraints

00:08:25 - Amalgam versus composite: the material debate

00:09:05 - Communication as half the job

00:15:15 - Persian philosophy and karma beliefs

00:18:30 - Religious perspectives and greater powers

00:23:05 - A-levels disappointment and plan B moments

00:28:40 - Spanish warmth and cultural connection

00:36:05 - Barcelona application process

00:42:30 - Language barriers and learning curves

00:53:50 - Blackbox thinking

00:59:40 - Corporate practice experience with Bupa

01:12:30 - Patient reviews and building reputation

01:16:15 - Manifestation and goal achievement

01:27:10 - Favourite periodontics lecture

01:34:15 - Fantasy dinner party

About Patric Saraby

Patric is an Iranian-born dentist who qualified from Barcelona after initially being rejected from UK dental schools. He currently works at a Bupa practice in Bournemouth, balancing NHS and private work whilst navigating his first year in practice. Coming from a dental family and speaking multiple languages, he brings a unique international perspective to UK dentistry.