Dental Leaders Podcast

The energy is palpable this week as Prav and Payman welcome one of dentistry’s most recognisable voices.   Milad Shadrooh is perhaps better known as the Singing Dentist. In this episode he recounts his incredible journey from posting a single Facebook video to live TV appearances and worldwide fame.   Milad sheds some light on his study years and balancing his love of urban music with dentistry, and lets us in on his plans for the future.   Enjoy!   “Probably the biggest mistake was choosing dentistry in 1999 when I should have just stuck with the music, my friend! How did I overcome it? 15 years later, start singing about teeth.”   Milad Shadrooh In This Episode   00.42 - Early years and dental school 05.30 - DJ-ing, MC-ing, music and study 16.30 - Into work and into business 23.00 - Mentoring and ortho 30.39 - On making mistakes 35.32 - Fame 55.29 - Family life 58.27 - Being an influencer 01.10.05 - Entrepreneurship and other projects 01.14.15 - Dealing with dark days 01.25.45 - Legacy 01.26.29 - Trolls and haters 01.32.56 - Last day on earth About Milad Shadrooh Dr Milad Shadrooh graduated from London and St Barts in 2004.   He went on to practice at Chequers Dental Studio, which he later purchased.    Milad is perhaps best known as the Singing Dentist, whose viral pop parodies are enjoyed by millions of online viewers across the globe.

This week Prav and Payman connect with dentist and dentolegal professional, Dr Victoria Holden.   Victoria lets us in on life as a moderator on one of the UK’s busiest online dental forums and shares some of her experience working as a senior advisor with Taylor Defence Services - a legal defence company representing the dental profession.   The trio also discusses life under lockdown, women in dentistry and a whole host more.   Enjoy!   “What I tell my kids...Treat everybody equally...Don't just take, take, take, be a giver as well as a taker. And the final thing, always brush your teeth.” Vikki Holden In This Episode 00.38 - Life and lockdown 08.52 - Women in dentistry 16.03 - Law 27.29 - Workflows and running a practice 42.49 - Darkest days and silver linings 50.27 - Back to the beginning 01.04 - Regulation and litigation 01.10.18 - Last day and legacy About Victoria Holden Victoria graduated from Sheffield University in 1999 and went on to work in general practice. She has been a partner at The Briars Dental Centre in Newbury since 2007.   Victoria holds the MFGDP(UK) Diploma in Implant Dentistry and Fellowship of the Faculty of General Dental Practitioners from the Royal College of Surgeons of England.    She earned an LLM in medical law from Northumbria University and has acted as an expert witness in clinical negligence and fitness to practice cases.

This week, dentist Jimmy Palahey takes time out from his busy chain of Midlands practices to talk about the current state of play in COVID-era dentistry.   He shares some of his experiences as urgent dental care (UDC) provider throughout the worst days of the crisis and lets us in on how his mixed practice is balancing UDC with the demands of general post-lockdown operations.   Jimmy also lets us in on his thoughts about what’s next for the profession.   Enjoy!   “We're a pretty adaptable profession. And I think that we can adapt to whatever that gets thrown out...I think you just got to adapt to what's there.” Jimmy Palahey In This Episode  00.37 - The mixed model 04.52 - Urgent care 11.55 - Managing the new normal 20.12 - Thoughts on the future 32.24 - Silver linings About Jimmy Palahey Jimmy graduated from Leeds Dental Institute in 2004 and went on to practice in and around the East Midlands. He is currently clinical director of the JDSP group of clinics - an urgent dental care provider during the COVID crisis.   Jimmy is a Foundation trainer and member of the Royal College of Surgeons (England) and the British Dental Association. He is also chairman of Nottingham Local Dental Committee.

This week, we welcome British Association of Private Dentistry (BAPD) co-founder and British Association Cosmetic Dentistry (BACD) past president Dr Bertie Napier.   Bertie talks about his early years and dental training in apartheid-era South Africa, and the contrasts with life and practice in London.    Bertie also takes us through his involvement with the BACD and newly-formed BAPD.   He talks about his daughter’s decision to enter practice dentistry - how that has informed his views on women in the profession - and much more besides.   Enjoy!   “Do the right thing as though everyone is watching you, even when no one is watching you. You sleep better. The rewards follow.” Bertie Napier In This Episode 01.22 - Early years 15.26 - UK and SA 33.03 - Cosmetic dentistry 35.53 - On diplomacy and fairness 42.52 - Associations and ambition 53.09 - BAPD 01.07.01 - Looking back 01.10.17 - Women (and daughters) in dentistry 01.19.05 - Advice for future generations About Bertie Napier Dr Bertie Napier graduated from the University of Witwatersrand (Wits), South Africa in 1988 and moved to London in 1998.   With business partner Odette Lazarus, Bertie took over 19 Bell Street dental practice in Hertfordshire in 2002, where he continues to practice today.   Bertie has been closely involved with the BACD since its inception, serving as president and on the board of directors. He has recently been instrumental in the formation of the BAPD.    Bertie is also editor of the International Journal of Cosmetic Dentistry (IJDC).

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 shares his thoughts on the current state of play and how things might play out for the dental profession.   Enjoy!   “I would have liked to have been a philosopher, with hindsight. A lot of time thinking, writing, being on my own, and irritating a lot of people with my writing.” Dominic O’Hooley In This Episode 01.13 - Early life and diagnosis 15.20 - Choosing dentistry 18.47 - Dental school 20.20 - Pressure 22.23 - Dominic’s accident 33.46 - On mortality 40.45 - A difficult decision 50.16 - Longevity 01.00.02 - Clinical error 01.02.25 - Love of language 01.06.41 - Lockdown and regulation 01.19.57 - Posterity About Dominic O’Hooley Leeds-born Dominic O’Hooley is an implant dentist with over a decade of experience in placement and restoration. He also carries out bone grafting, sinus surgery and bone regeneration.   Dominic enjoys close ties with the Association of Dental Implantology and the International team for Implantology.   He is a prolific lecturer and teacher for The Campbell Academy.   Dominic is also a widely-published author on dental subjects, whose articles regularly feature in dentistry.co.uk and other publications.

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 launch of the tech in a few weeks.   Enjoy!    “You get to a point where it's all about meeting the demand, demand, demand. And then you've met demand, what do you do after? You realise, I'm actually happy doing what I do.” Nikunj Sondagar In This Episode 00.49 - In the beginning 05.03 - Awards 07.54 - The Wise 360 concept 14.10 - Marketing and development 23.18 - Reviews 29.25 - Being in business 38.57 - Dental school and giving back 44.03 - The guide to purchasing a practice 51.51 - Why dentistry? 54.24 - Turning back time About Nikunj and Saeid Nikunj Sondagar and Saeid Haghri are founders of the Wise dental brand including Wise 360 - a digital platform connecting dentists with training providers.

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.    Enjoy!   “Life is like sliding doors. The film where you either enter the tube and your life goes in one direction or another. Life, for me, is like that.” Zaki Kanaan In This Episode 01.45 - Early years 14.42 - Good cop/bad cop 21.25 - On implantology 24.53 - Losing dad 28.32 - Chairman of the board 32.29 - Best bits 41.48 - Love and marriage 48.55 - From London to Weybridge 52.16 - On teaching & travel 01.01.49 - What motivates Zaki Kanaan? 01.03.11 - Legacy 01.07.10 - Mentors About Zaki Kanaan Zaki Kanaan achieved a Masters Degree from Guy’s and St Thomas in 2001 and went on to complete diplomas in sedation and hypnosis. He also became a Licentiate of the Faculty of Homeopathy.     He has pursued an interest in implantology which saw him become the first UK dentist to carry out the All-on-4 procedure on live TV.   Zaki is past president of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (BACD) and London Dental Fellowship and currently sits on the board of directors of the Association of Dental Implantology UK.   He also sits on the editorial board for the International Journal of Cosmetic Dentistry and is former editorial consultant for Dental Implant Summaries.   Zaki is a prolific figure on the international lecture circuit where he regularly delivers training on cosmetic and implant dentistry.    He has scooped a selection of top awards including UK Dentist of the Year2012. In 2015, Zaki was recognised for his outstanding contribution to dentistry at the Private Dentistry Awards. He is now on the awards’ judging panel and regularly features in industry lists of the UK’s most elite and influential dentists.

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 friends and family firmly front and centre, has helped him through the many highs and lows.   Enjoy!      “If you constantly compete with others you become bitter, but if you compete with yourself you become better.” Visshal Shah In This Episode 01.22 - Early years 16.43 - Odd jobs 28.31 - Graduation 35.16 - Into practice 42.41 - Give and take 53.05 - A life-changing discovery 01.22.37 - Vissaal’s advice About Vishaal Shah Vishaal graduated from St Bartholomew's and The Royal London School of Medicine in 2003 and went on to spend seven years as an associate.   In 2020, he purchased a practice in Hoddesdon, which he transferred into the popular Dentality brand.   Vishaal has lectured for the BACD and BDA and has gained a Postgraduate Certificate in Education from the University of Bedfordshire. He is now an honorary clinical lecturer for undergraduates at St Mary’s and is working towards a Masters in Implant Dentistry at Edge Hill University.

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!   “The kind of dentistry I've done and the kind of business I've done is one that has actually helped our community and helped people, and I have made that kind of difference.”   Sofina Ahmed  In This Episode 01.19 - Back story 11.30 - Night Dental concept 14.28 - Ethics, growth, positioning 20.50 - On management 29.13 - Covid & dynamism 35.05 - Ideas & execution 44.04 - Entrepreneurship, family & gender 48.44 - Highs and lows  55.51 - A day in the life 01.04.04 - Advice to young dentists & mental health 01.25.31 - Legacy About Sofina Ahmed Sofina graduated from Birmingham University in 2006 and quickly realised she wanted her own practice.   She went on to set up the Night Dentist providing out-of-hours treatment in Birmingham. The concept proved extremely popular and the chain now has a presence across much of the UK.

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 to his work with IAS Academy. He lets us in on his hectic travel schedule and shares tips for perfect presentation delivery.   Enjoy!   “The only reason that I feel I can stand up and talk about anything is because I'm passionate about it. When you have a passion for something it makes it much easier to talk about. Still that first couple of moments on the stage is challenging.”  Andrew Wallace In This Episode 02.02 - School, university, bouncing 16.51 - Transition and training 27.51 - Tech and diagnosis 33.15 - Practice ownership, hiring and firing 41.09 - Running with ideas 46.36 - Clinical errors 48.44 - Dealing with nerves 53.12 - Work-life balance 57.50 - Darkest days and future days 01.03.31 - Last day on earth About Andrew Wallace Andrew Walace is one of Northern Ireland’s foremost orthodontists. He gained his Master of Clinical Dentistry in 2015 from King’s College London in 2015 and in the same year achieved full membership of the Faculty of General Practice for the Royal College of Surgeons.   Andrew is a prolific international lecturer on alignment and NI’s principal trainer for the Inman Aligner and ClearSmile straighteners. He also runs regular introductory talks and study clubs relating to orthodontics.   Andrew has been owner of Lisburn’s Bachelors Walk Dental practice since 2004 and is the current vice president of the European Society of Aesthetic Orthodontics.