Dental Leaders Podcast

Anushika Brogan, owner of Damira Dental Studios with 42 practices and over 200 dentists, shares her remarkable journey from a single practice owner to one of the UK's most successful dental entrepreneurs.  She discusses her business philosophy, leadership approach, and personal experiences while offering valuable insights into managing a large dental organisation.  The conversation touches on both professional challenges and personal growth, including her experiences with divorce, parenthood, and maintaining a work-life balance. In This Episode: 00:03:25 - Leadership styles and staff management 00:13:35 - Managing a large group 00:21:20 - Work-life balance 00:29:15 - Management challenges 00:39:45 -Practice acquisition 00:49:50 - Growth and expansion 01:01:05 - Relationships, family and culture 01:16:55 - Mental health and personal growth 01:25:35 - Closing questions About Anushika Brogan Anushika Brogan is one of the UK's leading dental entrepreneurs and the owner of Damira Dental Studios, a network of 42 dental practices across the south of England. 

In this deeply personal episode of Mind Movers, hosts Rhona Eskander and Payman Langroudi speak with makeup artist Cinta Miller.  The conversation explores Cinta's remarkable journey through profound personal losses, including the death of her mother and sister, a life-changing diagnosis at age 32, and her path to resilience.  Despite facing significant challenges, Cinta shares how she maintained a positive outlook while building a successful career in the beauty and music industry. The discussion touches on themes of grief, authenticity, gratitude, and finding joy in life's ordinary moments. In This Episode 00:01:45 - Career and backstory 00:21:25 - Loss and grief 00:30:35 - Travel and transformation 00:43:35 - Early menopause 00:54:50 - Egg donation and preservation 01:00:35 - Relationship and marriage 01:03:00 - Industry insight 01:14:00 - Finding joy and positivity About Cinta Miller Cinta Miller is a globally recognised makeup artist with over 25 years of experience working with celebrity clients in music, television, and fashion. Beyond her successful beauty career, she has expanded into music management, leveraging deep industry knowledge and relationships built from working with artists from the ground up throughout their careers.

Veteran dentist Mark Becker looks back on a 30+ year career in dentistry. Mark recounts following in his father's footsteps to establishing a chain practices across London—and the challenges of transitioning from NHS to private care along the way. He also discusses the evolution of dental technology and his approach to patient care and practice management while sharing candid reflections on the challenges and rewards of the profession. In This Episode 00:02:10 - Backstory 00:04:35 - Dental school and early career 00:07:35 - Family experience 00:13:45 - Early work experience 00:15:30 - Practice ownership 00:17:05 - Group ownership 00:23:10 - Patient communication 00:31:35 - Dental technology 00:38:15 - Location strategies 00:44:45 - Managing staff and building teams 00:49:10 - Blackbox thinking 01:00:05 - Treatment planning 01:13:45 - Cosmetic dentistry and teeth whitening 01:21:15 - Mental health in dentistry 01:23:35 - Last days and legacy About Mark Decker Mark Becker is a veteran UK dentist with over three decades of experience, following in the footsteps of his father who ran one of the first multi-practice dental chains in South Africa. After studying at Leeds University in the late 1980s, he has owned and operated several practices across London, including ventures in Ruislip and the West End, and now runs a modern private practice in Brent Cross Shopping Centre.

Hygienist Zara Shirvani discusses her unconventional journey from genetics via acting to dental hygiene.Zara geeks out on guided biofilm therapy and discusses her unique approach to patient care. She shares insights on the importance of dental teams working together, her experience across multiple practices, and her views on evolving hygiene techniques. The conversation also explores her Iranian heritage, future career aspirations, including facial aesthetics, and her perspectives on professional development in dentistry.In This Episode00:01:00 - Introduction and backstory00:14:30 - Studying at Eastman00:18:30 - The hygienist’s experience00:26:30 - Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT)00:36:30 - Iran00:41:35 - Working with dental nurses and practice dynamics00:51:50 - Blackbox thinking01:11:35 - Patient education and oral hygiene01:19:55 - Future career plans01:24:10 - Career and people skills01:26:15 - Fantasy dinner party guests and adviceAbout Zara ShirvaniZara Shirvani is a London-based dental hygienist who graduated from the Eastman Dental Institute in 2019 after studying genetics at Swansea University. She works across multiple private practices, is an ambassador for guided biofilm therapy, and is currently pursuing training in facial aesthetics.

Alex Hadley reflects on his journey from NHS dentistry to a thriving private practice, sharing insights on transitioning between roles, managing complex implant cases, and building patient trust through strong communication.  He highlights the importance of mentorship, the challenges of balancing work across multiple practices, and the impact of entering private dentistry on professional growth. Enjoy! In This Episode 00:01:10 - Introduction and background 00:03:15 - Mentors and early experiences 00:07:30 - NHS challenges 00:11:50 - Transition to private dentistry 00:18:30 - Managing multiple practices 00:25:00 - Insights on implant dentistry 00:32:10 - Value of mentorship 00:42:35 - Approach to complex cases 00:57:00 - Challenges in patient communication 1:11:40 - Future plans and teaching aspirations 01:37:10 - Reflections and advice About Alex Hadley Alex Hadley is a private dentist with expertise in restorative and implant dentistry.

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 excellence and patient communication. Enjoy! In This Episode 00:00:05 - Patient communication & first impressions00:01:15 - Introduction and background00:02:00 - Comparing South Korean and UK dentistry00:03:30 - High-tech approaches in South Korea00:06:00 - Moving to Germany for school00:12:00 - Studying dentistry in Hungary00:18:05 - Starting work in Ireland00:23:15 - Lessons from a mentor in Ireland00:28:10 - Transitioning to practice in London00:32:25 - Specialising in endodontics00:35:50 - Studying periodontics at Eastman00:42:00 - Reflecting on patient care and ethics About Dooroo Ihm Dooroo Ihm is a London-based dentist known for his expertise in endodontics and periodontics. Originally from South Korea, Dooroo has practised in several countries, developing a patient-first philosophy and commitment to comprehensive care.

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 orthodontics, advocating for education, and the significance of functional occlusion. Enjoy! In This Episode 00:00:05 - Combining orthodontic techniques00:01:00 - Introduction and background00:03:15 - Partnering with restorative dentists00:05:40 - Shifting focus to children’s orthodontics00:09:25 - Clear aligners for kids00:14:15 - Health benefits of early orthodontics00:19:50 - Changes in orthodontics00:22:35 - Addressing airway and sleep issues00:28:10 - Key growth markers in kids00:34:00 - Training dentists on early intervention00:43:05 - Preventing alignment issues early About Steffen Decker Steffen Decker is a renowned orthodontist known for his work in paediatric and interceptive orthodontics. Originally trained in adult orthodontics, he now focuses on early intervention for children and collaborates with other health professionals to improve airway health. Steffen is passionate about functional occlusion and advocates for greater education in the field.

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 dental group while raising a family. Enjoy! In This Episode 00:00:05 - Introduction and background00:01:10 - Empowering dental nurses00:04:00 - Career progression and training for staff00:07:45 - Managing change and overcoming resistance00:13:00 - Ideal practice model for growth00:17:45 - Handling a large team00:20:00 - Hiring and firing strategies00:25:30 - Supporting associates00:30:00 - Family influences and work-life balance00:34:00 - Expansion plans and building a legacy About Polly Bhambra Polly Bhambra is a co-owner of Tri Dental, a group of ten practices in the West Midlands. Starting her career as a dental nurse, Polly now leads a large team, focusing on growth, staff development, and patient care. She is known for her commitment to creating a respectful and empowering workplace.

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 tips on patient communication and his streamlined consultation process. Enjoy! In This Episode 00:01:10 - Introduction and background00:01:45 - Transition to cosmetic dentistry00:02:55 - Handling patient expectations00:03:45 - Differences in patient demographics00:06:15 - Impact of social media00:09:00 - Streamlined consultations00:20:15 - Adjusting work-life balance00:35:30 - Discovering muscular dystrophy symptoms00:37:00 - Diagnosed with muscular dystrophy00:41:00 - Navigating physical limitations in dentistry00:42:05 - Growing the practice via Instagram01:02:35 - Fantasy dinner party guests01:05:10 - Reflections and advice About James Morrison James Morrison is a Bristol-based cosmetic dentist specializing in composite bonding and Invisalign treatments. Transitioning from NHS to private practice, he leverages social media to connect with patients and continues to excel despite facing personal health challenges.

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 beyond. In This Episode 00:02:35 - Cycling challenge 00:05:25 - Safe spaces 00:07:45 - Suicide, stigma, and mental health 00:26:25 - GDC and mental health 00:34:15 - Perfectionism 00:41:35 - Politics and management 00:43:55 - Supporting patients 00:48:45 - Mental health language and conversations 00:56:35 - The orthodontist’s perspective 00:58:25 - Empathy and non-judgmental approaches 01:04:35 - Egos and opinions About Angus Pringle Angus Pringle is a specialist orthodontist and mental health advocate practising in Winchester.