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 the challenges of managing thousands of dentists, the importance of mentorship, and the shift toward large multi-chair supercentres. With a career spanning both clinical and executive roles, Nyree offers a candid look at the business of dentistry, the future of NHS and private care, and the changes shaping the next generation of dentists.

In This Episode

00:01:00 - Misconceptions about corporate dentistry

00:02:30 - Clinical freedom vs. strategic partnerships in corporates

00:05:00 - Compliance, autonomy, and decision-making within mydentist.

00:07:40 - Balancing corporate goals with clinical priorities

00:09:30 - Private equity misconceptions: “Buy one, get one free” on fillings?!

00:14:15 - The reality of NHS patient numbers and service demand

00:17:30 - The 50/50 NHS-private revenue split and future of NHS care

00:21:15 - Recruitment challenges, overseas hiring, and finding the right dentists

00:25:50 - The rise of multi-chair supercentres and the shift from small practices

00:28:00 - Blackbox thinking: handling mistakes and improving patient care

00:35:30 - Managing the pressures of large-scale corporate dentistry

00:38:00 - Last days and legacy: Nyree’s reflections on career impact

00:45:10 - Fantasy dinner party: who would Nyree invite?

About Nyree Whitley

Nyree Whitley is the Chief Clinical Officer at mydentist, overseeing clinical standards, development, and strategy for one of the UK’s largest dental groups. With a background in both clinical practice and executive leadership, she has played a pivotal role in shaping corporate dentistry, balancing the needs of clinicians with the operational goals of a nationwide brand. A passionate advocate for mentorship and professional growth, Nyree is committed to ensuring that dentists—whether newly qualified or experienced—have the right support, training, and opportunities to thrive.

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, and the importance of normalising difference in society.

In This Episode

00:01:35 - Early diagnosis and childhood experiences

00:03:30 - Navigating mainstream education

00:05:05 - Speech therapy and communication development

00:07:00 - Family support and building confidence

00:16:15 - Hidden struggles and career challenges

00:25:10 - Mental health transformation

00:31:00 - Discussion on privilege and responsibility

00:41:35 - Breaking into modelling and managing rejection

00:44:45 - Technology and accessibility in healthcare

00:53:35 - Moments of feeling truly understood

00:57:05 - Supporting the deaf community

01:00:45 - Final thoughts on vulnerability and connection

About Georgia Meacham

Georgia Meacham is a model and actress who was diagnosed as deaf at 16 months old. Standing at six feet tall, she has worked in both commercial and catwalk modelling for nearly a decade. After years of hiding her hearing aids, Georgia has become a powerful advocate for disability visibility and mental health awareness, using her platform to inspire others to embrace their authentic selves.

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 resilience, acceptance, and the profound understanding that sometimes we must be completely broken to discover our true selves.

In This Episode

00:01:05 - Career beginnings and building a private practice

00:03:40 - Practice dynamics and associate challenges

00:07:05 - Passion for dentistry and professional development

00:12:50 - The catalyst for breakdown

00:15:00 - Mental health crisis and practice loss

00:20:15 - Descent into alcoholism

00:24:25 - Marriage breakdown and personal struggles

00:47:50 - Homelessness and hitting rock bottom

00:49:20 - Recovery and spiritual awakening

00:56:35 - Blackbox thinking

01:00:50 - The loneliness of dentistry

01:06:10 - Fantasy dinner party guests

01:13:00 - Last days and legacy

About Sharon Walsh

Sharon Walsh is a dentist who built a successful private practice near Rochdale after transforming it from "a shed" into a beautiful, patient-focused space. 

A passionate clinician with expertise in restorative dentistry and prosthodontics, she worked alongside some of UK dentistry's most respected figures. 

After experiencing a life-altering crisis in 2017, she has emerged with a deeper understanding of life's purpose and now shares her story to help others facing similar challenges.

From fleeing revolution-era Iran to building an eight-surgery practice in Norwich, Fariba Zolfaghari shares her remarkable journey of resilience and reinvention. 

Through arranged marriage, divorce, immigration, and starting over as a single mother, Fariba pursued her dental education in Sweden before establishing herself in the UK. 

She opens up about overcoming personal and professional challenges, including a difficult business partnership dissolution and bankruptcy, to emerge stronger. 

Today, she runs a thriving private practice while maintaining her passion for learning and digital dentistry.

In This Episode

00:01:50 - Backstory

00:16:35 - Journey to Sweden as an asylum seeker

00:19:35 - Dental education while raising two children

00:41:35 - Starting practice in Norwich

00:46:35 - Business partnership challenges

00:57:25 - Navigating bankruptcy and rebuilding

01:08:55 - Converting to private practice

01:14:35 - Current practice focus and digital dentistry

01:31:40 - Black box thinking

01:37:35 - Fantasy dinner party guests

About Fariba Zolfaghari

Fariba is a dentist who qualified in Sweden in 1997 before moving to the UK, where she established her practice in Norwich in 2000. 

She holds a master's degree in orthodontics from Warwick University and has grown her practice into an eight-surgery facility. 

A champion of digital dentistry and continuing education, she focuses on orthodontics, cosmetic dentistry, and full-mouth rehabilitation while mentoring younger dentists.

Nutritional scientist Dr Federica Amati shares her journey from aspiring medical student to becoming head nutritionist at Zoe.

She discusses the importance of evidence-based nutrition, the challenges of public health communication, and the complexities of dietary advice in the age of social media. 

Through personal anecdotes and professional insights, Amati emphasises the value of consistent, varied eating patterns and the critical role of prevention in public health.

In This Episode

00:00:25 - Introduction and early education background

00:01:25 - Medical school aspirations and pivot to biomedical sciences

00:08:25 - Career transition to public health and prevention

00:16:25 - Journey through hospitality and marketing in New York

00:21:45 - Return to academia and pursuing a PhD

00:23:15 - Balancing motherhood with academic pursuits

00:33:00 - Role at Zoe and nutrition science

00:39:45 - Mediterranean diet and carbohydrate quality

00:56:35 - Social media, nutrition misinformation, and professional responsibility

01:08:35 - Perspectives on weight loss medication

01:09:30 - Vision for the future of nutrition and public health

About Federica Amati

Dr Federica Amati is a nutrition scientist who holds a PhD in clinical medicine research and serves as the head nutritionist at Zoe. She combines her expertise in public health, medical science, and nutrition to promote evidence-based dietary advice. Currently, she holds a teaching role as the nutrition lead in the School of Medicine and works clinically as an AFN registered nutritionist.

Claire Nightingale, a consultant orthodontist and former practice owner, shares her remarkable journey through dentistry spanning over three decades. 

From her early experiences as a patient that sparked her interest in dentistry, through to her recent venture into stand-up comedy, Claire offers candid insights into practice ownership, clinical excellence, and embracing change in orthodontics. 

She discusses her transition from NHS to private practice, her pioneering adoption of Invisalign and digital dentistry, and her recent experience selling to a corporate group. 

In This Episode

00:01:45 - Early career influences and becoming an orthodontist

00:04:15 - Digital dentistry adoption and Invisalign journey

00:09:35 - Evolution of aligner treatment

00:12:15 - NHS training challenges and future of orthodontics

00:33:25 - Practice ownership journey

00:42:10 - Keys to running a successful business

00:49:55 - Selling to a corporate group

01:04:35 - Women's Dentist Network

01:21:55 - Blackbox thinking

01:24:00 - Life after practice sale

01:57:15 - Stand-up comedy venture

02:02:15 - Fantasy dinner party guests

02:03:50 - Last days and legacy

About Claire Nightingale

Claire Nightingale is a consultant orthodontist at Watford General Hospital and private practitioner with over 25 years of specialist experience. 

A pioneer in digital orthodontics and remote monitoring, she successfully built and sold Queensgate Orthodontics while maintaining her NHS consultant role.

Claire is actively involved in the Women's Dentist Network and recently embarked on a new chapter combining expert witness work with stand-up comedy.

In this engaging episode, longtime dental industry professional Joe Lovett shares his journey from his early days at FMC Publications to founding his own consulting business, Catalyst. 

He discusses the evolution of dental media, the importance of maintaining authentic relationships in business, and his passion for helping young dentists advance their careers. 

Through candid stories and reflections, Joe offers insights into corporate culture, ethical business practices, and the changing landscape of dental industry networking. 

In This Episode

00:03:05 - Fitness and mental health

00:07:40 - Business, sales and ethics

00:10:50 - Early career

00:24:30 - Fast Tracking Your Future

00:33:50 - Dental and social media

00:46:45 - Corporate culture

00:56:50 - Consulting and relationship building

01:17:35 - Career challenges and lessons learned

01:24:10 - Looking ahead

01:27:25 - Closing questions

About Joe Lovett

Joe Lovett is a prominent dental industry consultant and founder of Catalyst, specialising in helping international dental companies enter the UK market and mentoring the next generation of dental professionals. 

With nearly two decades of experience in dental media and business development, beginning at FMC Publications in 2008, Joe has established himself as a trusted advisor and connector within the dental community.

After building a successful hospitality empire in London, including venues like Rum Kitchen and Island Poké, Alex Potter found himself feeling empty—despite external success. 

A profound spiritual awakening led him to leave his business empire and divorce, embarking on a path of self-discovery through breathwork, plant medicine, and coaching. 

Now, through his company Kaizn, he helps leaders reconnect with their authentic selves through innovative retreats and coaching programmes that blend ancient wisdom with modern practices.

In This Episode

00:00:40 - Early life and acting career

00:05:35 - First entrepreneurial ventures in nightlife

00:23:00 - Building the hospitality empire

00:31:25 - Spiritual awakening through breathwork

00:39:35 - Transitioning away from business success

00:54:15 - Understanding Internal Family Systems

01:10:15 - Rites of passage

01:21:35 - The Kaizn approach to transformation

01:24:25 - Holistic healing versus traditional therapy

01:27:55 - Connecting with the inner child

About Alex Potter

A London native and former actor turned hospitality entrepreneur, Alex Potter built and ran multiple successful venues, including Rum Kitchen, Island Poké, and Ping. 

After experiencing burnout and a spiritual awakening, he trained extensively in coaching, breathwork, and plant medicine. 

Today, he runs Kaizn, an interdisciplinary coaching company specialising in transformative experiences and retreats.

Riaz Sharif shares his incredible journey from growing up in the foster care system to becoming a successful dental professional. He opens up about the challenges of his childhood as an orphan, his determination to pursue dentistry despite numerous setbacks, and his experiences studying abroad in Hungary and Slovakia. 

In This Episode

00:01:55 - Backstory

00:08:35 - Boxing

00:13:45 - Study

00:19:00 - Personal challenges

00:24:25 - Return to the UK

00:29:10 -Social media presence and marketing

00:47:45 - Blackbox thinking

00:56:30 - Aspirations

01.03.40 - Fantasy dinner party

01:09:15 - Last days and legacy

About Riaz Sharif

Riaz Sharif is a UK-based dentist and finalist for multiple industry awards, including the Private Dentistry Awards. Riaz brings a unique perspective to dentistry shaped by his background in boxing and personal training, along with his commitment to mentoring the next generation of dental professionals.

In this solo episode of the Dental Leaders podcast, Prav Solanki reflects on the past year and shares his plans for 2025, focusing on personal growth, public speaking, and health and wellness.

He discusses the challenges faced by dental practices in marketing and competition, emphasizing the importance of a robust sales process and conversion strategies.

Prav highlights niche marketing opportunities, particularly for nervous patients and children's orthodontics, and predicts a positive trend in dental practice acquisitions for the coming year. He concludes with insights on evidence-based wellness and the importance of foundational health practices.

In This Episode

00:00 - Planning for 2025
05:42 - Dental Marketing and Competition
12:45 - Sales Process & Conversion Strategies
19:03 - Niche Marketing
26:37 - Future Trends in Dental Practice Acquisitions
34:12 - Evidence-Based Wellness and Health Goals

About Prav Solanki

Prav Solanki is a marketing scientist and dental growth specialist who has supported countless dental professionals and organisations to achieve stellar growth.

He is a co-owner and director of IAS Academy and founder of The Fresh, the UK's leading dental growth and marketing agency.

His latest project, Leadflo, is described as the world's most advanced CRM for dental clinics.