#299 The ICON — Kiran Shankla

Kiran Shankla's journey reveals the transformative power of persistence paired with strategic self-reflection. 

From a sports-loving teenager who initially resisted academic pressure to a multi-award-winning dentist specialising in minimally invasive techniques, her story demonstrates that success often comes through consistent effort rather than natural talent. 

Through setbacks in Australia, rigorous postgraduate training at the Eastman, and building expertise in ICON treatment, Kiran shows how embracing continuous learning and maintaining perspective can lead to both professional achievement and personal contentment. 

Her approach to balancing clinical excellence with work-life harmony offers valuable insights for dentists navigating their own career paths.

In This Episode

00:01:25 - Awards motivation and tactics

00:07:40 - Award application strategies

00:11:30 - Childhood ambition and sporting background

00:14:25 - Grammar school decisions and academic awakening

00:16:35 - Career-defining phone call about dentistry

00:18:10 - University challenges and determination

00:21:45 - Foundation training in Slough

00:26:25 - Australia adventure and reality check

00:31:05 - Eastman Masters journey

00:38:10 - Patient communication and treatment planning

00:42:15 - Key opinion leader opportunities

00:50:40 - Continuing education philosophy

00:55:20 - ICON treatment expertise

01:07:00 - Blackbox thinking

01:16:35 - Fantasy dinner party

01:18:30 - Last days and legacy

About Kiran Shankla

Kiran Shankla is a multi-award-winning general dentist with a Masters in Restorative Dentistry from UCL Eastman. Based in Reading, she works across multiple practices focusing on minimally invasive restorative dentistry. She serves as a Key Opinion Leader for DMG and SDI, with a focus on ICON infiltration therapy and teaching dentists across the UK whilst maintaining a commitment to high-quality patient care.