This week’s guest is someone who has continually pushed the boundaries of what dentistry can be – a clinician, an author, a leader, and an innovator – James Goolnik.

James is the recent founder of Optimal Dental Health inMarylebone, past president of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (BACD), head judge of the Private Dentistry Awards, and author of ‘Brush andKick Sugar’.

In this episode, Chris and Andy chat to James about hisearly years and the childhood influences that shaped his path, before moving on to discuss how he found dentistry and whether it was love at first sight or something he grew into over time.

James reflects on founding Bow Lane Dental Group tolaunching his latest venture, Optimal Dental Health.

He talks about his passion for changing the narrative aroundsugar and shares more on some of the insights that have shaped his book and led to his new practice model – one that integrates dentistry with nutrition, health coaching, myofunctional therapy, and psychotherapy.

He also chats about his trailblazing work in cognitivehealth. As the first and only UK dentist trained in the RECODE 2.0 Bredesen protocol for Alzheimer’s, James is leading the charge into new territory for the profession.

Topics:

-         Tell usabout your childhood.

-         Why dentistry?

-         Did you love it from dental school, or have you grown to love it?

-         What was your career path up to the point where you founded Bow LaneDental Group?

-         What was the inspiration for writing your book?

-         How has the food industry seduced us to love sugar so much?

-         What’s the safe alternative?

-         What was the inspiration for your latest venture, Optimal Dental Health?

-         How do the services offered join together to bring about optimal dentalhealth?

-         What are some of the high-level connections between the mouth and bodythat will come as a surprise to some?

-         Tell us about being the first and currently the only UK dentist to beRECODE 2.0 trained to use the Bredesen protocol to help treat Alzheimer’s andreverse cognitive decline.

-         What was the thinking behind this extension to your professionqualifications?

-         Is there a need to get more dental care professionals to ask more dietand lifestyle questions?