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 how genuine friendship and shared values can build something remarkable. Their refreshing take on NHS dentistry challenges every assumption about what's possible in modern practice.

In This Episode

00:01:05 - Practice ownership journey and location in Cheltenham

00:03:20 - Family background in dentistry and choosing oral surgery

00:06:25 - Decision to move from India to the UK

00:09:25 - Shivani's path from dentist to dental nurse to management

00:12:15 - Team culture and treating staff like family

00:20:45 - First practice acquisition during COVID

00:28:15 - Innovative therapist-led NHS model

00:35:20 - Making NHS dentistry work profitably

00:50:00 - DPS UK app development and technology innovation

00:58:45 - Blackbox thinking - learning from clinical mistakes

01:08:20 - ORE exam struggles and eventual success

01:26:20 - Future expansion plans and business philosophy

01:34:40 - Fantasy dinner party guests

01:37:15 - Last days and legacy advice

About Gauri Pradhan & Shivani Bhandari

Gauri Pradhan is a qualified oral surgeon who moved from India to the UK, eventually transitioning to general dentistry after completing her ORE qualification. 

Shivani Bhandari made the bold decision to pivot from dentistry to practice management after working as a dental nurse with Oasis. Together, they own three mixed practices in the Bristol and Cheltenham area, pioneering an innovative therapist-led model that's making NHS dentistry both profitable and enjoyable for their teams.

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 observations that'll make you think twice about British attitudes to success, and insights on why communication trumps technical skill, Patric offers a masterclass in adaptation and resilience. 

His story isn't just about dentistry—it's about the immigrant mentality that drives excellence, the power of manifestation, and why sometimes the best path forward isn't the one you originally planned.

In This Episode

00:01:35 - First job realities and the deep end experience

00:02:20 - What surprised him most about practice life

00:05:05 - NHS time pressures and appointment constraints

00:08:25 - Amalgam versus composite: the material debate

00:09:05 - Communication as half the job

00:15:15 - Persian philosophy and karma beliefs

00:18:30 - Religious perspectives and greater powers

00:23:05 - A-levels disappointment and plan B moments

00:28:40 - Spanish warmth and cultural connection

00:36:05 - Barcelona application process

00:42:30 - Language barriers and learning curves

00:53:50 - Blackbox thinking

00:59:40 - Corporate practice experience with Bupa

01:12:30 - Patient reviews and building reputation

01:16:15 - Manifestation and goal achievement

01:27:10 - Favourite periodontics lecture

01:34:15 - Fantasy dinner party

About Patric Saraby

Patric is an Iranian-born dentist who qualified from Barcelona after initially being rejected from UK dental schools. He currently works at a Bupa practice in Bournemouth, balancing NHS and private work whilst navigating his first year in practice. Coming from a dental family and speaking multiple languages, he brings a unique international perspective to UK dentistry.

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 communication.

From team management crises to clinical breakthroughs, Hap reveals the mindset shifts that transformed both his practice and his patients' lives, proving that being brave enough to step outside your comfort zone can lead to extraordinary results.

In This Episode

00:01:45 - Early career struggles and "bashing the Nash"

00:05:00 - Discovery of the Pankey Institute

00:07:00 - First day revelation: "Design your ideal day"

00:08:40 - Born brave or shaped by upbringing?

00:09:20 - Growing up in Hounslow with teacher father

00:11:45 - Privilege and parenting perspectives

00:17:40 - Career advice: Communication trumps clinical skills

00:23:25 - Dating coach secrets applied to dentistry

00:34:35 - Team management crisis: Three resignations in one week

00:40:30 - Blackbox thinking

00:49:45 - Clinical stories and treatment philosophy

00:57:20 - Occlusion aha moments: Anterior guidance revelation

01:06:25 - Biggest case: RTA patient reconstruction

01:11:05 - Best lecture ever

01:16:25 - Fantasy dinner party

01:21:40 - Last days and legacy

About Hap Gill

Hap Gill qualified as a dentist in 1991 and spent his early years working in NHS practice before discovering comprehensive dentistry through the Pankey Institute. Based in Richmond, he runs a private practice focused on restorative dentistry, occlusion, and exceptional patient communication. Known for his innovative approach to treatment planning and team management, Hap combines clinical excellence with business acumen, drawing from diverse experiences including an unexpected stint as a dating coach.

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 common mistakes that plague restorative work, explains why your composite veneers might be chipping, and discusses his partnership with Jaz Gulati in revolutionising dental education. 

This conversation blends technical excellence with honest reflections on clinical errors, the pursuit of perfection, and finding meaning in both success and failure.

In This Episode

00:02:15 - Force management fundamentals

00:08:25 - Bruxism

00:18:20 - Restorations

00:27:25 - Last tooth syndrome

00:32:05 - Basic occlusal examination

00:35:15 - Lab communication secrets

00:42:20 - Awakenings, revelations, obsessions

00:49:20 - Mentors and Jaz

01:16:40 - Course development

01:32:35 - Blackbox thinking

01:38:55 - Ethics and motivation

01:42:00 - Inspirational lectures, courses and papers

01:51:05 - Fantasy dinner party

01:54:40 - Last days and legacy

About Mahmoud Ibrahim

Mahmoud Ibrahim is a general dentist and renowned occlusion educator, widely known as the "Occlusion Ninja" from his collaborations with Jaz Gulati. Based in Birmingham, he's transformed from someone who initially wanted to escape dentistry into one of the UK's most respected voices in occlusal education. He co-created the popular OB (Occlusion Basics) course and runs the Bulletproof and Unshakeable live courses, focusing on making complex occlusal principles accessible for everyday dental practice.

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 walked a path few would dare to take.

In this deeply personal episode of the Dental Leaders Podcast, Kiran shares how she navigated an arranged marriage, strict family expectations, and the joint family system - not by fighting back, but by playing the long game with dignity and respect, guided by the strong values instilled in her by her parents.

We explore how she built a thriving dental practice, pursued a full-time MBA with a 7-year-old at home, and entered the corporate world with no prior experience - ultimately landing in high-impact leadership roles on the global stage.

She opens up about love, motherhood, leadership, ambition, and the deep meaning behind her tattoos.

A raw, thoughtful, and truly original conversation.

In This Episode

00:00:05 - Potential vs performance

00:05:25 - Childhood in Nagpur, India

00:08:25 - Traditional Indian upbringing and gender roles

00:11:05 - Early rebellion and feminist poetry

00:16:20 - Arranged marriage system in India

00:18:55 - Reverse engineering her marriage proposal

00:21:45 - Philosophy on love and marriage

00:24:00 - Dental school admission in India

00:27:20 - Joint family dynamics and restrictions on working

00:33:15 - Strategic navigation of family expectations

00:36:05 - Financial challenges and seven-year plan

00:39:10 - Decision to pursue MBA

00:42:30 - Meeting her mentor at Philips

00:44:25 - MBA experience and personality transformation

00:48:35 - Move to Delhi and Phillips career

00:51:00 - Learning sales and finding her niche

00:57:45 - Leadership philosophy and authenticity

01:08:25 - Cultural differences between Philips and Straumann

01:13:25 - Player learner culture at Straumann

01:15:20 - Work-life balance and working patterns

01:18:10 - Challenges of being a woman leader

01:22:55 - Future career aspirations

01:26:55 - Transition from Philips to Straumann

01:28:10 - Advice to younger self

01:28:35 - The tattoo stories

01:32:50 - Current living arrangement with husband

01:39:15 - Definition of success

01:45:15 - Last days and legacy

01:47:35 - Fantasy dinner party

About Kiran Malviya

Kiran Malviya is Vice President of Enterprise Solutions at Straumann Group EMEA, where she is known for her decisive leadership, empathy, and ability to inspire cross-functional teams.

She spent over a decade at Philips, leading across sales, marketing, and business development, with a strong focus on global key accounts and digital transformation.

Originally trained as a dentist in India, she transitioned into the corporate world after earning her MBA from the Indian School of Business, and now leads with a powerful blend of strategy, heart, and authenticity.

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 everything from innovative matrixing techniques to the emotional toll of litigation, offering a brutally honest perspective on modern dentistry practice.

In This Episode

00:01:00 - Newcastle move

00:01:45 - PhD research

00:03:00 - Clinical trials

00:11:15 - Career transition

00:15:10 - Workaholic tendencies

00:16:45 - Family background

00:21:25 - Workflow obsession

00:24:30 - Russian sanctions

00:26:30 - Founding Incidental

00:31:05 - Clinical weaknesses

00:36:25 - Patient experience

00:42:35 - Customer relationships

00:47:05 - Marketing approach

00:54:10 - Teaching philosophy

00:57:10 - Product development

01:02:30 - Regulatory challenges

01:04:20 - Parenting struggles

01:07:15 - Rubber dam techniques

01:12:35 - Matrix systems

01:19:50 - Blackbox thinking

01:25:25 - Complex cases

01:32:35 - Pricing structure

01:42:35 - Best lecture

01:46:50 - Future aspirations

01:48:15 - Fantasy dinner party

01:50:25 - Last days and legacy

About Chris O'Connor

Chris O'Connor is a dentist, dental supplier, and product developer based in Newcastle. He co-founded Incidental, a dental supply company known for innovative matrixing solutions and educational courses. A former clinical academic, Chris spent eight years at Newcastle Dental Hospital conducting research and teaching before transitioning to practice and business.

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 strength, and how a men's group 19 years ago transformed his approach to fatherhood and business. 

He reveals the challenges of letting go, both as a parent and leader whilst maintaining the authentic connections that drive Straumann's family culture. This isn't just a story about climbing the corporate ladder; it's about discovering that true leadership starts with understanding yourself.

In This Episode

00:00:05 - Children as mirrors of our bright and dark sides

 00:06:10 - Father's death and the gift of presence

 00:09:00 - Father Fire: men's emotional development

 00:13:45 - Everything is energy philosophy

 00:19:10 - Leading through energy and memorable experiences

 00:26:25 - Vulnerability as leadership strength

 00:28:15 - Letting go of sons

 00:38:10 - Career journey from trenches to boardroom

 00:55:05 - Blackbox thinking

 01:01:35 - Joining the Straumann family

 01:28:20 - Culture as competitive advantage

 01:33:40 - Play learner philosophy

 01:35:40 - Physical fitness and morning routines

 01:44:00 - Last days and legacy

 01:51:45 - Fantasy dinner party

About Robert van Geffen

Robert van Geffen is the Chief Marketing Officer at Straumann, where he leads a global marketing and commercial excellence team of more than 100 people. Together, they animate the heartbeat of the customer journey and create smiles and confidence for millions of customers worldwide.

A proud father of three sons, Rob combines sharp business acumen with a deep belief in emotional and energetic intelligence. His leadership is rooted in authenticity and guided by heart-led values that bring out the best in people and performance alike.

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.

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 isn't about avoiding difficulties—it's about swimming through them with determination. 

Her story resonates with anyone juggling multiple life transitions whilst building something meaningful, proving that the most common stories in dentistry are often the most inspiring ones.

In This Episode

00:02:15 - Half marathon metaphor and life philosophy

00:04:30 - Fitness transformation journey

00:08:20 - Health wake-up call and surgery

00:13:30 - All-in personality and engineering background

00:16:35 - Mental health struggles and Spain escape

00:19:35 - Learning Spanish and dental assisting

00:22:30 - Materials engineering experience

00:26:25 - University pathway and parental guidance

00:29:15 - Valencia dental school experience

00:34:45 - Spain versus UK dentistry comparison

00:38:10 - Clinical development and treatment philosophy

00:43:35 - Meeting husband and family planning

00:48:10 - Practice acquisition and patient communication

00:50:05 - Business ownership challenges

00:53:25 - Maternity leave difficulties and staff management

00:58:10 - Hiring and firing experiences

01:06:30 - Team building and staff incentives

01:13:45 - Blackbox thinking

01:24:25 - Fantasy dinner party

01:26:45 - Last days and legacy

About Mahsa Balaie

Mahsa Balaie is a general dentist and practice owner in Tunbridge Wells. After completing a dental materials engineering degree, she studied dentistry at the University of Valencia, working as a dental assistant whilst learning Spanish. Following five years as an associate in Portsmouth, she purchased her current practice, where she focuses on aesthetic dentistry whilst balancing the demands of motherhood and business ownership.

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 that happiness in dentistry comes from genuinely caring about the patient experience. 

Her candid reflections on everything from charity work motivations to the challenges of mixed NHS-private practice offer valuable insights for dentists navigating their own paths to contentment and success.

In This Episode

00:01:40 - Current life satisfaction

00:02:40 - Six-pack goal and fitness routine

00:05:35 - Working across multiple practices

00:10:40 - Corporate versus independent experiences

00:16:05 - Communication versus clinical skills

00:20:15 - YouTube content creation journey

00:23:25 - Persian content and safety concerns

00:28:15 - Facial aesthetics expertise

00:31:05 - Hair loss treatments and personal experience

00:34:50 - Treatment philosophy and patient selection

00:40:45 - Blackbox thinking

00:46:35 - Turbulent journey to dentistry

00:53:50 - Business ventures in Iran

00:55:45 - Studying dentistry in Latvia

01:00:30 - Advantages and challenges of studying abroad

01:11:00 - Vision for dream practice

01:16:25 - Charity work in refugee camps

01:22:25 - Fantasy dinner party

01:24:30 - Last days and legacy

About Solmaz Samae

Doctor Solmaz Samae is an aesthetic dentist and facial aesthetics practitioner working across multiple practices in London. After building successful businesses in Iran, she pursued dentistry at RSU in Latvia, graduating in 2018. She combines clinical practice with content creation through her Persian YouTube channel and runs a facial aesthetics clinic on Harley Street with her sisters.