Dental Leaders Podcast
The Dental Leaders podcast takes you on a behind the scenes journey with emerging leaders in dentistry. Success leaves clues, and these conversations uncover the depth, detail, and backstory behind our guests. The show is hosted by dental entrepreneurs Payman Langroudi & Prav Solanki. Let the conversation flow.
Episodes
#346 First Principles — Henry Totterdell
What happens when a mechanical engineer spends a decade fixing factories, then walks away from it all to start dental school at 34? Henry Totterdell joins Payman to tell that story. He talks about the years spent solving problems on aircraft carriers and chemotherapy production lines, the slow-burning itch to do something with his hands, and why he finally took the plunge. Along the way they get i
#345 Do the Thing — Ali Al-Hassan
Ali Al-Hassan is the walking embodiment of work hard, play hard — a young dentist who's gone from associate to super associate, practice co-owner and globe-trotter, all while building a following that brings patients straight to his chair. In this episode, he and Payman get into what really separates an ordinary associate from a "super" one: bringing in your own patients, owning your fees, and tre
#344 The Package Deal — Ashley King & Sophie Lovett
Ashley King and Sophie Lovett run the international side of Pearl, the AI company that reads dental radiographs — and they turn up as a self-confessed package deal. The chat starts with what the tech actually does (a second opinion for clinicians, and a way to help patients finally see what's going on in their own mouths), but it doesn't stay there for long. Payman, Ashley and Sophie get i
#343 Serendipity — Tara Renton
Professor Tara Renton OBE brings four generations of dental history — and a career built on curiosity rather than ambition — to her conversation with Payman. From navigating undiagnosed dyslexia and a father who begged her not to follow him into dentistry, to becoming the first female chair of oral surgery at King's College London, her story is one of serendipity, resilience, and an almost obs
#342 Looking for the Edge — Mike Gray
Mike Gray's path to dentistry was anything but straightforward — and that's precisely what makes this conversation so compelling. A former semi-professional mountain biker who raced the World Series across three disciplines, a musician who once had the head of Universal Publishing sitting in his living room in rural Wales, and a dentist who spent years doing everything he could to avoid de
#341 Underestimated — Rawa Jawad Quinn
Rawa Jawad Quinn is a dentist-turned-tech founder whose restless energy and refusal to be underestimated have shaped every chapter of her career. In this episode, she tells Payman about growing up in Chelsea after her Iraqi family fled Kuwait with nothing, studying in Liverpool, and working across 16 dental practices before channelling her frustrations into Medicube — a consent and patient communi
#340 Exit at the Peak — Andy Acton
Andy Acton returns to the Dental Leaders hot seat for a proper deep-cut conversation about the business of owning a dental practice — from first purchase right through to the exit. Payman and Andy cover the current market (spoiler: banks still love dentists, and buyers far outnumber sellers), before getting into the real meat of the episode: owner fatigue. Andy breaks down the five categories of b
Mind Movers #49 — Vanita Rattan
In this lively and layered episode of Mind Movers, Vanita Rattan joins Rhona and Payman to talk about medicine, entrepreneurship, motherhood and the sheer force of personality it takes to build something different. She traces her path from UCL medical school to formulating skincare for skin of colour, then opening clinics around the world before Covid forced a brutal pivot into social media and di
#339 Crack On — Ali Hashemizadeh
At just 27, Ali Hashemizadeh is doing things most dentists twice his age haven't managed — two private associate roles, a growing reputation as an endodontist, and the kind of self-awareness that usually takes a decade to develop. In this episode, Payman sits down with the Newcastle-based, Aberdeen-raised, Iranian dentist to trace the path from a rocky first year on the NHS to finding his feet
#338 Show, Don’t Tell — Grant Goodstein
Grant Goodstein isn't a dentist — and that might be exactly why this episode is so refreshing. An American tech exec turned practice owner, Grant moved to London for love (a Hannah Montana-inspired trip to LA, a dating app, and a last-minute Vegas concert, if you can believe it) and ended up buying a mixed NHS practice in Fulham with his wife, Leah. What follows is a masterclass in what happen
#337 Extraordinary Experiences — Mehy Lo Presti
Mehy Lo Presti joins Payman on the podcast for a wide-ranging conversation that's equal parts origin story and quiet manifesto. Raised in the heartland of La Mancha by a Palestinian father and Italian mother, Mehy arrived in London in 2015 with barely any English, no NHS number, and — as it turns out — very little interest in following the conventional path. He's since built a reputation n
#336 Boss Moves: Doing Good by Doing Well — Andy Sloan
Prav is back in the host's chair for a conversation that's quite literally close to home — Andy Sloan is his boss. Andy is the MD of Agilio, the dental software and compliance platform, and a man who has overseen well over a hundred practice acquisitions throughout his career. But before any of that, he was a council house kid from the Wirral, running paper rounds at 14, pulling pints at 1
#335 Hard Reset — Zain Remy
This week, Payman sits down with Zain Remy, a Newcastle-based practice owner whose path to dentistry was anything but straightforward. After missing out on dental school the first time round, Zain took the pharmacology route, grafted his way through eight years of study, and eventually qualified from King's College London in 2016. What followed was a decade of pivotal decisions — a golden hand
#334 A Little Jesus — JW Oliver
This week, Payman chats with JW Oliver — serial entrepreneur, author, philanthropist, and the man behind Support DDS, the largest dental insourcing company in the US. JW's story begins well below the poverty line in Texas and winds through dental equipment, bankruptcy, and a fateful meeting at a Christian marriage conference that led him to Zimbabwe — and ultimately to building a 1,700-strong
#333 The Four Pillars — Mike Hesketh
What happens when a Royal Marine Commando dentist who spent six months being ambushed on every patrol in Helmand Province turns his hand to building dental businesses? You get Mike Hesketh: serial practice owner, consultant, and one of the more quietly formidable figures in UK dentistry. In this episode, Payman sits down with Mike to trace a story that runs from a North Wales council estate and th
Mind Movers #48 — Neelima Patel
Mind Movers is back — and what a return. Rhona is fresh from maternity leave (and a rather eventful ICU stay) and she's brought a guest who needs little introduction: cosmetic dentist Neelima Patel, known to fans of Married at First Sight UK as the woman who handled an absolute car crash of a match with extraordinary grace. This episode covers a lot of ground. From Neelima's route into den
#332 Action, Result — Bilal Ahmed
Most dentists are brilliant clinicians and hopeless with numbers — and Bilal Ahmed has built a career filling exactly that gap. A chartered accountant and tax adviser who stumbled into the dental world through his wife's professional circle, Bilal brings a corporate finance sharpness to a profession that's long been underserved by the accounting industry. In this episode, Payman and Bilal
#331 The Minefield — Nasser Syed & Chez Bright
Nasser Syed is a man who doesn't really do stillness. With a background in oral surgery and conscious sedation, he's pivoted from five clinical days a week to running a growing group of practices, training dentists, and launching a brand new facility hire venture aimed at super associates who'd rather focus on their dentistry than deal with the headaches of practice ownership. Joining
Everyone Else Is Taken - NAIL-IT with Payman Langroudi
What happens when you turn the microphone on the man who's spent years behind it? In this episode of the NAIL-IT podcast, Rana and Bav get Payman Langroudi — host of Dental Leaders and Clinical Director at Enlighten — firmly in the hot seat. It's a wide-ranging, refreshingly candid conversation that moves from the origins of Enlighten and the relentless pursuit of world-class quality to th
#330 Analytics and Aortas — Daniel Jones
Payman chats with Daniel Jones, the Cambridge-educated entrepreneur who's bringing analytical rigour to dental practice management. Daniel shares the dramatic health journey that redirected his path from investment banking into healthcare innovation, revealing how a near-miss diagnosis of a life-threatening heart condition shaped his mission. The conversation explores the technical challenges of b
#329 Sandhurst to Scotland — Amber Aplin
Payman chats with Amber Aplin, who's carved out something genuinely different in the Scottish Borders. From military dentist to biomimetic practice owner, Amber's journey takes in Germany, Iraq, private equity, and ultimately building a practice that puts prevention and patient education at its core. She talks candidly about the realities of military life, the loneliness of early practice ownershi
#328 No Ego Zone — Payvand Menhadji
This week Payman chats with Payvand Menhadji, a newly qualified specialist periodontist who's navigating the delicate balance between clinical excellence and impending motherhood. At 30 weeks pregnant, Payvand reflects on her journey from general dentist to specialist—driven by a competitive streak and a love for surgical challenge that emerged during her VT year. The conversation weaves through e
#327 Start, Scale Exit & Life — Prav Solo
In this solo episode, Prav Solanki shares a no-nonsense reflection on business, health, family and personal discipline as he looks ahead to 2026. After a turbulent end to the year involving a family health scare, he talks through the non-negotiables shaping his daily life, from strength and cardio to carving out space for strategy. But the real centrepiece is business — specifically his Start, Sca
The Horton Hangout — Laura Horton & Leanna Best
The tables turn this week as Payman hangs out with Laura and Leanna on The Horton Hangout. What starts as a chat about the challenges of being interviewed rather than interviewing quickly evolves into something deeper—an honest exploration of ambition, sacrifice, and what it means to build something meaningful whilst trying to hold onto the people you love. From managing business partnerships and
#326 True Kindness — Niki Keyhani
This week, Payman chats with Niki Keyhani, a newly qualified specialist prosthodontist who's already built something remarkable. Seven years out from qualification, she's opened a squat practice, completed her specialist training at King's, and somehow managed to do both simultaneously during a pandemic. What really stands out isn't just the clinical achievement—it's the way sh
#325 Clinical Psychology — Richard Porter
Richard Porter joins Payman to explore the meeting point of clinical dentistry and psychology. From his early struggles adapting to London dental school after growing up in rural Kent, to his current work exploring personality psychology and emotional intelligence in practice, Richard challenges conventional thinking about what makes a truly skilled dentist. He argues that feelings are the currenc
#324 Course Correction — Zaid Esmail
In this episode, orthodontist Zaid Esmail opens up about what really matters in patient care—and it's not just straight teeth. From calling every patient the week after fitting braces to navigating the tension between NHS pragmatism and private practice perfectionism, Zaid reveals why communication trumps technique every time. He shares the terrifying moment a patient swallowed a spring mid-tr
Mind Movers #47 - Anne-Sophie Flury
This expansive and deeply reflective episode features Anne-Sophie Flury — neuroscientist, psychology graduate, former PhD researcher, and wellness educator — whose work bridges hard science with lived human experience. Known online as “Coochie by Gucci,” Anne-Sophie brings rare honesty and intellectual clarity to conversations about the brain, trauma, intuition, and emotional agency.Rhona and Paym
#323 Driven — Chiara Burgio
Chiara Burgio's path to dentistry started with a Parisian psychoanalyst and a ten-minute stare. What followed was an international training odyssey—from Madrid to Milan, Brazil to NYU—that shaped her approach to aesthetic dentistry. In this conversation, she opens up about the pull of digital workflows, the art of composite layering, and what it really means to work alongside someone like Chri
#322 100 Practices — Deepa Patel
In this episode of Dental Leaders, Payman chats with Deepa Patel, a locum dentist with the unique experience of working inside over 100 different practices. Having held every role from nurse and receptionist to practice manager before qualifying, Deepa shares why the happiest practices aren't always the most high-tech, and why the most profitable dentists aren't always the most skilled.The
#321 All In — Adeel Ali
This week, Payman sits down with Adeel Ali, an implantologist who's taken the kind of risks most dentists only talk about. Seven years qualified and he's already built multiple UK practices, mastered full-arch implantology including zygomatics, and most recently moved his family to Qatar to open a clinic from scratch—all whilst flying back every three weeks to maintain UK commitments. The
#320 The Student President — Fabian Farbahi
In this Dental Leaders episode, Payman sits down with Fabian Farbahi, a 22-year-old Sheffield dental student who's already mastered something most people spend decades learning: the power of genuine conversation. Fabian spends 3.5-hour train journeys striking up chats with strangers because he's fascinated by people's stories—the same curiosity that drove him to become president of She
#319 The Network Effect — Nikhil Sethi
Nik Sethi returns to the podcast four years after his first appearance alongside brother Sanjay, and what's changed reads like a masterclass in professional evolution. Now president of BAAD and founder of the Elevate education platform, Nik's story isn't about flashy techniques or groundbreaking discoveries—it's about something far more valuable. He's built his success on a sim
#318 The Pivot — Randeep Singh Gill
When a slipped disc ends your dental career at its peak, what comes next? Randeep Singh Gill's story isn't about endings—it's about radical reinvention. A digital dentistry enthusiast whose career was built on precision and routine, Randeep found himself confronting an identity crisis when chronic neck pain forced him away from practice. But here's where it gets interesting: instea
#317 Foundation Friends — Alisha Sagar and Natalie Gabrawi
Best friends Alisha Sagar and Natalie Gabrawi met at King's dental school and have remained inseparable ever since. In this episode, they share their journey from different backgrounds—Alisha's upbringing in Zambia and Natalie's roots in a medical family—to navigating their foundation years together. Their paths are diverging professionally, with Alisha drawn to implants and oral surge
#316 Beyond the Boxes — Aditi Bhalla
Aditi Bhalla's story reads like a cautionary tale about high achievement. A specialist prosthodontist who ticked every box—academic success, specialist training, teaching positions—she found herself breaking down in surgery in 2018, asking the question so many high achievers eventually face: is this it? After developing De Quervain's tenosynovitis from repetitive movements and stress, Adit
#315 Fighting Forward — Alex Buciu
Alex Buciu's story reads like something from another era. From endodontics in Romania to amalgams in Northern Ireland, his path through dentistry mirrors a deeper journey through loss, resilience and reinvention. When your mum dies at 14 and you're watching it happen, something shifts inside. When you arrive in a new country with £3,100 in your pocket—half of it borrowed—you learn what mat
#314 The Fire Within — Sanaa Harroussi
There's something about meeting someone who's truly hungry to learn. Payman spotted it straight away when Sanaa Harroussi walked into his Mini Smile Makeover course—that rare fire in the belly. But here's the thing: Sanaa's journey from Rabat to Paris to West London isn't just about collecting qualifications. It's about a woman who aced the ORE first time, built a fifteen-y
#313 Breaking Kayfabe — Alif Moosajee
What happens when a complaint over a scale and polish changes everything? For Alif Moosajee, a GDC investigation became the catalyst that transformed him from a dentist flying under the radar into the owner of Oakdale, one of Leicester's most distinctive private practices. This conversation charts his path from undergraduate struggles with imposter syndrome through the crucible of regulatory s
#312 The Functionalist — Raj Ahlowalia
Raj Ahlowalia's remarkable 33-year journey in a single practice reveals what true dedication to the craft looks like. From almost missing university entirely to becoming an internationally recognised authority on functional occlusion, his story challenges everything we think we know about dental careers. The son of a polyglot interpreter who hitchhiked from India to the UK, Raj stumbled into d
#311 Rebuilding — Ashkan Pitchforth
Ashkan returns to reveal how Southcliffe Dental transformed from near-bankruptcy to unprecedented profitability through a revolutionary therapist-led model. From losing half his body weight to facing GDC proceedings, he opens up about the personal costs of rapid expansion and the dark period when £4 million in clawbacks nearly destroyed everything. His ex-wife's intervention during his lowest
#310 The Long Road Home — Sara Khandan and Mahan Mohaghegh
Two Iranian dentists who took the scenic route to British dentistry, Sara Khandan and Mahan Mohaghegh's story reads like a masterclass in adaptability. From Tehran to Debrecen University in Hungary, then straight into the UK without ever having set foot in the country before, their journey showcases both the challenges and rewards of international dental careers. Now transitioning from NHS to
#309 Against the Odds — Kash Qureshi
From knife crime in East London to owning one of the capital's most successful dental laboratories, Kash Qureshi's story is one of remarkable transformation. At just 15, a violent altercation became the catalyst that changed everything, pushing him from a dangerous path towards an apprenticeship that would define his future. Now owner of Swiss Dent and a thriving denture clinic, Kash shares the ra
#308 On the Rocks — Shameek Popat
Shameek Popat takes us on a remarkable journey from his early days as a Ugandan-born dentist to becoming a serial entrepreneur disrupting the oral care industry. After 23 years of successful practice ownership, Shameek sold to Portman Dental and launched Tooth Angel, a luxury, eco-friendly oral care brand that's challenging the sustainability narrative in dentistry. Now he's back with Disruptive S
#307 Risky Kiss — Dev Patel and Kailesh Solanki
This fly-on-the-wall conversation between Kailesh Solanki and Dev Patel, founder and CEO of Dental Beauty Partners (DBP), captures the remarkable 20-year journey of Kiss Dental, from a risky startup in a Flixton suburb to an eight-clinic powerhouse.Kailesh Solanki reveals how he mortgaged himself to the eyeballs at just two years post-graduation, survived near-bankruptcy, weathered a catastrophic
#306 Building Together — Gauri Pradhan & Shivani Bhandari
Two remarkable women share their extraordinary journey from India to building three thriving NHS practices in the UK. Gauri Pradhan and Shivani Bhandari discuss their innovative therapist-led model that's revolutionising NHS dentistry, creating happy workplaces where staff genuinely want to be. From navigating the brutal ORE exam process to developing a groundbreaking patient app, they reveal
#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
#304 Bashing the Gnash — Hap Gill
Hap Gill takes us on a fascinating journey from his early days "bashing the Nash" to becoming a pioneer in comprehensive dentistry and communication. With characteristic honesty, he shares how a transformative experience at the Pankey Institute opened his eyes to occlusion and patient care, whilst his unexpected background as a dating coach revolutionised his approach to patient communic
#303 The Force — Mahmoud Ibrahim
Mahmoud Ibrahim, known as the "Occlusion Ninja," transforms the complex world of occlusion into practical, everyday dentistry wisdom. From nearly abandoning his dental career to becoming one of the UK's most sought-after occlusion educators, Mahmoud shares his journey of obsessive learning and the simple truth that changed everything: occlusion is just force management. He reveals co
#302 Kiran Malviya - Respect, Rebellion, and the Queen of Hearts
In this powerful episode of the Dental Leaders Podcast, Prav sits down with Kiran Malviya, Vice President of Enterprise Solutions at Straumann Group EMEA.Kiran’s story is one of quiet defiance, cultural grace, and relentless ambition.From a traditional Indian upbringing in Nagpur to global leadership at Philips and now Vice President of Enterprise Solutions at Straumann Group EMEA, Kiran has walke
#301 Incidental — Chris O'Connor
Chris O'Connor opens up about his journey from academic burnout to building Incidental, sharing hard-won insights about workaholic tendencies, clinical mastery, and the realities of running a dental supply business. This episode explores the darker side of perfectionism, the complexity of clinical decision-making, and how childhood experiences shape professional drive. O'Connor discusses everythin
#300 Breakfast with Rob van Geffen – Leadership, Legacy and Letting Go
Prav returns to host this deeply personal conversation with Rob van Geffen, Chief Marketing Officer at Straumann, who shares his extraordinary journey from a carefree childhood in the Netherlands to leading one of dentistry's most influential organisations.In this deeply personal conversation, Rob explores how energy shapes every interaction, why vulnerability became his greatest leadership st
#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, rigor
#298 All-In — Mahsa Balaie
Mahsa Balaie embodies the truth that sometimes life's biggest detours lead to its greatest destinations. From engineering to Spain, from associate to practice owner, her journey reveals the power of diving in completely when opportunities arise. Through personal struggles, professional challenges, and the complexities of balancing motherhood with business ownership, Mahsa demonstrates that success
#297 Six Pack — Solmaz Samae
Doctor Solmaz Samae embodies the power of authenticity in dentistry—someone who speaks her truth with refreshing honesty. From building a successful business empire in Iran to studying dentistry in Latvia at 30, her unconventional journey reveals what happens when passion meets persistence. Now practising across multiple settings whilst building a thriving YouTube presence, Solmaz demonstrates tha
Mind Movers #46 — Lalalaletmeexplain
This compelling episode features Lala, the anonymous voice behind "Lalalaletmeexplain" - a former social worker turned influential author who's helped thousands recognise red flags and find their worth. Rhona and Payman explore deeply personal territory as Lala shares her childhood trauma, decade-long career in child protection, and the systemic failures she witnessed firsthand. The
#296 The Connector — Andrew El-Khanagry
Andrew El-Khanagry's journey from anxious young associate to confident practitioner reveals the transformative power of purpose-driven dentistry. Five years out from dental school, this Egyptian-born dentist has navigated the challenges of perfecting his craft while building Mobile Smiles, a charity bringing dental care to underserved communities worldwide. Through candid conversations about clini
#295 The Introverted Influencer — Sonia Rajput
Sonia Rajput shares her journey from being a self-described introvert from Birmingham to becoming a dentist at two of London's most prestigious dental practices. Throughout the conversation, she reveals how she balanced ambition with prioritising work-life balance, leveraging social media to advance her career despite her natural introversion. Sonia offers valuable insights into building a pri
Mind Movers #45 — Stina Sanders
Stina Sanders, a former dating app co-founder turned therapist and mental health advocate, joins Rhona and Payman for a raw conversation about love, trauma, and the difference between chaos and genuine connection. From selling her relationship-focused business Huggle to studying therapy after her own healing journey, Stina unpacks why we mistake dysfunction for passion, how trauma bonds keep us st
#294 The Human Connection — Moj Dehghanpour
In this captivating episode of Dental Leaders, Payman sits down with Dr Moj Dehghanpour, a dentist whose journey from immigrant child to practice owner embodies resilience and entrepreneurial spirit. From navigating tough comprehensive schools to founding the premium Your Dental Wellness practices, Moj shares how his background shaped his ability to connect with patients across social divides. Thr
#293 Faith, Purpose, and Business — Alan Clarke
In this captivating conversation, Payman welcomes Alan Clarke, the innovative founder of Paste Dental in Belfast and creator of Paste Presents. Alan shares his journey from growing up in Northern Ireland to developing a global mindset through international experiences. Throughout the episode, he discusses building a lifestyle dental brand, his groundbreaking international dental mastermind events,
#292 The Endless Pursuit — Richard Lee
Payman welcomes renowned restorative aesthetic dentist Richard Lee to the Dental Leaders podcast. Richard shares his journey from an unintentional entry into dentistry to becoming one of the UK's top cosmetic clinicians. With refreshing candour, he discusses the endless pursuit of excellence, his formative education under mentors like Chris Orr, and his approach to balancing artistry with practica
#291 The Tooth Angel — Anni Seaborne
Payman speaks with Anni Seaborne, Head of General Dentistry at Bupa. Anni shares her unconventional journey from international childhood to sports dentistry, including her work with elite athletes and Formula One teams. The conversation weaves through her transition into corporate leadership, her honest reflections on being fiercely competitive, and how she balances multiple career paths while nav
Mind Movers #44 – Julius Cowdrey
In this emotionally rich and refreshingly candid episode of Mind Movers, Julius Cowdrey joins Rhona and Payman to explore everything from public vulnerability to private pain.Once a singer-songwriter and Made in Chelsea star, Julius opens up about chasing validation, generational trauma, the pressure to provide, and the chaos of early success.Now a transformational coach, he reflects on the person
#290 Magic and Mountains — Martin and Vinnie Attariani Part 2
In the second part of this enlightening conversation, Martin and Vinnie Attariani dive deeper into their professional lives and personal passions. They discuss their experiences as judges for dental awards, their perspectives on industry recognition, and Martin's surprising side career as a professional magician.The conversation explores their charitable endeavours, reflections on effective al
#289 Magic and Mountains — Martin and Vinnie Attariani Part 1
In this deeply personal first part of a two-part interview, Payman Langroudi sits down with the dental power couple Martin and Vinnie Attariani. They share their remarkable journey to the UK - Martin's harrowing escape from Iran as a 14-year-old refugee to Sweden, and Vinnie's move from Canada to the UK through an arranged marriage at 17. The conversation explores their paths into dentistr
#288 Crisis Mode — Mumta and Amit Jilka
Prav sits down with husband-and-wife team Drs Mumta and Amit Jilka, the owners of Abbey House Dental. From humble beginnings working in corner shops to building a successful multi-practice dental business, the Jilkas share their inspiring journey of entrepreneurship, resilience, and growth. They candidly discuss how their business flourished organically before adopting a more strategic approach, i
#287 Beauty and the Biz — Dev Patel
Prav Solanki returns as host to interview Dev Patel, CEO of Dental Beauty Partners, about growing and scaling dental practices. This episode effectively distills the regular conversations Prav and Dev have about practice growth, offering listeners a fly-on-the-wall experience of their candid discussions. Dev shares his straightforward approach to practice growth, emphasising the importance of lead
#286 The Cultural Architect — Kaival Patel
Payman chats with Kaival Patel, the dynamic force behind Kana Health Group. Kaival opens up about his journey from an enthusiastic associate dentist to the leader of a thriving dental empire comprising five large practices and 130 staff members. With refreshing candour, he shares the challenges of creating a positive culture, the emotional lows of practice ownership, and his innovative approaches
Mind Movers #43 — Jacqueline Hurst
In this powerful episode of Mind Movers, Rhona and Payman speak with Jacqueline Hurst, one of the UK's leading life coaches and mindset experts. Jacqueline shares her remarkable journey from addiction, anorexia and self-destruction to becoming a force for change who has helped thousands transform their lives. With raw honesty, she explains how she hit rock bottom at 25, found recovery, and develop
#285 Beyond the Apex — Ammar Al Hourani
In this captivating episode of Dental Leaders, Payman sits down with specialist endodontist Ammar Al Hourani. Born in Syria and raised in Scotland, Ammar shares his journey from reluctant dental student to passionate endodontics specialist. The conversation weaves through his life-changing experiences in refugee camps, the challenges of specialist training, and his current success running courses
#284 From Physio to Fillings — Sam Cope
In this Dental Leaders episode, Payman sits down with Sam Cope, a dentist whose journey to dentistry began in physiotherapy. Known for his focus on minimally invasive cosmetic dentistry, Sam discusses the habits that keep his clinical days finely tuned, the influence of mentors, and his obsession with detail. He reflects on how his background in physio shaped his approach to patient care, back hea
#283 The Psychology of Perio — Sarovi Davda
Sarovi Davda, a general dentist with a special interest in periodontics, joins Payman for an insightful conversation about the evolution of periodontal treatment and the art of balancing professional expertise with personal growth. From her journey through dental school to establishing herself as a medico-legal expert witness, Sarovi shares candid reflections on career choices, parenthood, and div
#282 Michelin-Star Dentistry — Bhavnish Waghela
In this captivating episode, Payman Langroudi sits down with Bhavnish Waghela, owner of Natural Smiles practices in Leicester and Corby. Bhavnish shares his journey from NHS to private dentistry, discussing his philosophy of "Michelin-starred dentistry" and how his faith has guided significant business decisions. With refreshing candour, he explores the challenges of opening squat practi
#281 Door Knocking — Sarina Kiani
In this captivating conversation, young dentist Sarina Kiani shares her journey from GSK dental rep to working in two of London's most prestigious practices. Her remarkable story is one of resilience, authenticity and quiet confidence. From knocking on 120 practice doors to secure her first private position to navigating challenges as a newly qualified dentist in high-end clinics, Sarina offers re
Mind Movers #42 — Phillipa Kaye
In this compelling episode of Mind Movers, Rhona Eskander sits down with Dr Philippa Kaye, a GP, author, and menopause expert who's become a powerful voice in medical communication. Their honest conversation traverses the landscape of women's health, from medical misogyny to the science of menopause. Dr Kaye shares her personal cancer journey with raw vulnerability, offering profound insig
#280 From Therapy to Leadership – A mydentist Perspective
Payman chats with three dental professionals from mydentist—Claire Stenhouse, Parin Shah, and Alyssia Willis—each offering a unique perspective on working within a corporate dental environment. Claire shares how she expanded her role as a hygiene therapist into whitening and restorative procedures, while Parin reflects on her journey from owning a practice in India to adapting to the UK system. Al
#279 The Corporate Clinician — Nyree Whitley
In this episode of Dental Leaders, Payman welcomes Nyree Whitley, Chief Clinical Officer at mydentist, to discuss the realities of corporate dentistry, leadership, and the evolving role of clinicians in large-scale dental organisations. Nyree dispels common misconceptions about corporate dentistry, emphasising the balance between clinical freedom and structured support. She shares insights into th
Mind Movers #41 — Georgia Meacham
Georgia Meacham opens up about her journey as a deaf model and actress, sharing her transformation from hiding her hearing aids to becoming a proud advocate for disability visibility. Through honest conversation with Rhona and Payman, Georgia reveals how embracing her identity has improved her mental health and inspired others. Her story touches on themes of authenticity, representation in media,
#278 The Naked Soul — Sharon Walsh
In this deeply moving episode, Sharon Walsh shares her journey from being a successful private practice owner to experiencing a devastating personal and professional crisis that led to practice loss, divorce, alcoholism, and a seven-year GDC case.
With remarkable candour, she discusses her path to recovery, spiritual awakening, and finding meaning beyond material success.
Her story is one of res
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