Dental Leaders Podcast Prav Solanki & Payman Langroudi

We reach way back into the archives this week with a look back at one of Payman and Prav’s favourite conversations with Green Beret-turned-dentist, Danny Watson.

Danny looks back on his first meeting with Prav, recalls how seeing military dentists at work inspired him to join the profession, and discusses burning his military bridges in hot pursuit of his newfound passion.

Enjoy! 



In This Episode

0.34 - Early years

07.27 - Army days

14.59 - Discovering dentistry

21.25 - Getting started and burning bridges

26.01 - The military mindset

36.19 - Highs and lows

44.47 - Lambos & love at first sight

48.28 - On PT

53.47 - New challenges

57.08 - Last day on earth



About Danny Watson

Danny Watson graduated from Manchester University in 2018 and went on to practise at Manchester’s Kiss Dental.

Before becoming a dentist, Danny enjoyed a long and distinguished military career including service with the Green Berets and active service in Iraq and Afghanistan.

He is passionate about cross fit and personal training, and is the current world-record holder for the greatest distance travelled on the Concept-2 indoor rower in one minute.

Specialist orthodontist Annika Patek opens up about the challenges of dental study and practise for those who don’t fit the mould. 

The conversation delves into the challenges of being a career-focused woman in dentistry, including sacrificing family and relationships for speciality training. 

Annika discusses her experiences with marriage and motherhood while working as a specialist, the importance of mental resilience and camaraderie and support within the profession.

Enjoy!



In This Episode

00:02:25 - Backstoty

00:06:00 - Discovering dentistry

00:09:30 - Dental school

00:15:20 - General practice,  VT and specialist training

00:22:10 - Conformity and non-conformity

00:25:58 - Family, study, and careers

00:34:10 - Ortho training challenge

00:40:20 - GDPs and ortho

00:44:25 - Marriage and motherhood

00:52:30 - Ortho highs and lows

00:54:05 - Support and camaraderie

00:57:00 - Mental resilience

01:00:00 - Lingual Vs Invisalign



About Annika Patel

Annika gained a Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree and postgraduate Masters in Orthodontics from King’s College London.

She trained in maxillofacial and oral surgery and paediatric dentistry before completing specialist training in Orthodontics at Guy’s Hospital and the Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead. 

Annika has a keen interest in the intersection of science, orthodontics, and art.

Payman chats with the world-renowned professor Avijit Banerjee, who shares his journey in academia, discussing his research focused on applying scientific findings to patient care. 

As you’d expect from a polymathic mind like Prof. Banerjee's, the conversation ranges far and wide, covering challenges in dental education, the role of new technologies in diagnosis and the public's perception of fluoride.

Prof. Banerjee also wisdom on clinical judgement, patient communication, the value of documenting cases, and much more.

Enjoy! 



In This Episode

00:03:45 - Academia, research and curiosity

00:10:00 - Research, commercialisation and sharing 

00:18:15 - Recent studies 

00:28:11 - Oral health messaging

00:31:25 - Shift towards whole patient care and holistic dentistry in education

00:33:30 - Training: past, present, UK and abroad

00:42:20 - Advice for young dentists

00:43:20 - NHS funding 

00:48:10 - International teaching and research

00:55:40 - Minimally invasive dentistry 

01:16:40 - New technologies

01:20:10 - Danger of undertreatment

01:23:20 - Experimentation and evidence

01:26:05 - Bureaucracy and red tape 

01:28:05 - Misunderstanding and misinformation

01:34:00 - Fluoride and fissure sealants

01:44:10 - Black box thinking 

01:50:25 - Teaching style 

01:51:25 - Fantasy dinner party 

01:58:40 - Last days and legacy



About Professor Avijit Banerjee

Professor Avijit Banerjee, a global authority in minimally invasive dentistry, leads the Cariology & Operative Dentistry research program at King's College London Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences. 

He serves as Head of Conservative & MI Dentistry, Director of Education (UG), and Programme Director for the KCL distance-learning Masters in Advanced Minimum Intervention Dentistry.

Banerjee's research focuses on MI operative caries management and adhesive dental biomaterials, resulting in over 120 publications and £2.5 million in research funding. He collaborates with international Industry partners as an R&D KOL and is the primary author of the widely respected text, Pickard's Guide to Minimally Invasive Operative Dentistry.

Banerjee holds editorial positions in several prominent dental journals and maintains a specialist clinical practice in Restorative Dentistry, Prosthodontics & Periodontics. He currently serves as the President of the BDA Metropolitan Branch Section.

Simon Chard shares his journey through the challenges and triumphs of running a dental practice, his presidency of the BACD and thoughts on the potential of new technologies and methodologies in shaping the future of dentistry.

His passion for personal development, both for himself and his peers, shines through as he discusses the potential for dentistry to improve lives.

Enjoy!



In This Episode

02.00 - Entrepreneurial challenges

15:25 - Personal development

22:00 - Family time and personal values

29.05 - BACD presidency and future teaching ambitions

00.31.15 - Digital dentistry material science

00.33.05 - Well-being and personal development

00.49.00 - Innovation, change and dogma

01.00:00 - Relationships and personal and professional growth

01.02.05 - Future trends

01.07.40 - Black box thinking

01.10.25 - Fantasy dinner party

01.14.00 - Last Days and Legacy

 

About Simon Chard

Cosmetic dentist and former president of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Simon Chard, is passionate about using digital technology to simplify cosmetic and implant dentistry. He regularly teaches digital dentistry, dental photography and minimally invasive aesthetic techniques.

Reality star, TV presenter, and writer Amber Rose opens up about life as Love Island contestant and winner.

Amber shares the story of how she was cast on Love Island and how subsequent attention and criticism led to what she considers her lowest point.

Amber, always true to herself, shares her current career pursuits in entertainment, writing, and brand deals, the process of writing her first novel, and seeking opportunities that better align with her authentic self.

Enjoy!



In This Episode  

[00:02:05] Backstory

[00:10:25] Love Island

[00:30:00] Highs and lows

[00:36:50] Friendship

[00:39:40] ADHD

[00:50:50] Social media, societal pressures and mental health

[00:57:05] Authenticity 

[01:00:20] Career and plans

[01:05:35] Reality TV

[01:08:45] Longevity



About Amber Rose Gill

Amber Rose Gill is a TV personality and author famed for winning the fifth series of Love Island. In 2022, Amber released her debut romance novel, Until I Met You.

Payman chats with dental coach and communication expert Barry Oulton.

Barry shares his journey into dentistry, despite his artistic nature, and how his father influenced his career choice. 

He discusses his education in the UK and the US, overcoming limiting beliefs and the challenges of running a practice.

Enjoy!



In This Episode

[00:01:10] Backstory

[00:09:05] Study

[00:11:25] Journey to practice ownership

[00:15:40] Personal life and personal development

[00:28:40] Coaching greatness

[00:33:20] Limiting beliefs

[00:42:30] Patient journey and communication

[00:51:50] Blackbox thinking

[00:55:00] Practice management

[01:07:05] NHS to private transition

[01:09:40] State of the industry

[01:15:20] Fantasy dinner party

[01:17:15] Last days and legacy



About Barry Oulton

Dr Barry Oulton is a dentist, business owner, lecturer, coach, and mentor who has worked with Henry Schein, Septodont, DMG, S4S, Biohorizons, Bupa Dental, and Colosseum on B2B sales success in dentistry.