Conversations with Chris

A £4.58 million compensation award is enough to make any employer sit up and take notice. But what can dental practice owners learn from the decisions that led to it?In this episode of Conversations with Chris, Chris Barrow is joined by employment lawyer Sarah Buxton of Buxton Coates for a conversation about the risks, responsibilities and realities of managing a dental team.At the heart of the discussion is a council employee’s disability discrimination case that, as Sarah explains, resulted in a £4.58 million compensation award. Although the case took place outside dentistry, the circumstances will sound familiar to many practice owners: concerns about performance, a probationary period, sickness absence and an eventual dismissal. Sarah examines the procedural failings, documents created after the event and future losses that contributed to the outcome - and the lessons employers can take from it.The conversation also explores AI-generated grievances, supporting neurodivergent team members and the employment-law changes Sarah believes practice owners need to understand. Along the way, Chris shares what happened when his AI system and a practice manager’s AI system spent days exchanging emails about a problem that the two humans resolved in a five-minute conversation.In this episodeAI-generated grievances and patient complaints. Sarah discusses how to bring lengthy correspondence back to the real issues: what is the complaint, and what outcome is the person seeking? Chris and Sarah explore why more words do not necessarily lead to a better resolution.Why probation is not a risk-free period. The £4.58 million case provides the starting point for a discussion about fair procedures, timely performance records and giving employees an opportunity to respond before decisions are made.ADHD, neurodiversity and helping people do their best work. Chris shares his experience of coaching around ADHD, while Sarah discusses recognising potential disability-related issues, considering workplace adjustments and the role of occupational health advice.Changes in the employment-law landscape. Sarah outlines developments concerning tribunal claim time limits, qualifying service for unfair dismissal claims and employers’ responsibilities around third-party harassment - including behaviour involving patients, suppliers and others outside the team.Getting the foundations right before a dispute arises. The conversation closes with the importance of contracts, policies, procedures, training and access to qualified advice. Sarah also introduces the support available through Buxton Coates and its Oracle HR service.The key takeawayThis is not simply a story about an eye-watering compensation award. It is a reminder that good employment practices start long before a grievance, dismissal or tribunal claim.As Sarah puts it:“I do think the lesson is about having the correct foundations in place.”The aim is to create a working environment where people can perform well, concerns are handled fairly and practice owners have the right support when difficult decisions arise. Guest and resourcesSarah Buxton joins Chris from Buxton Coates. To contact Sarah and her team, or enquire about Oracle, visit buxtoncoates.com.Also mentioned in the conversation is Odd One Out, the book by ADHD coach Jennifer Koretsky.Enjoyed this episode? Share it with a fellow practice owner, practice manager or colleague who would benefit from the conversation.

You can find time for a clinical course, a team meeting and another conversation with your accountant. But when it comes to your own health, there never seems to be a spare hour. In this episode of Conversations with Chris, I’m joined by health and performance coach George Vernon to explore a problem familiar to many practice owners: knowing something needs to change, but struggling to make it happen.George’s route into dentistry began in a boxing gym. A shy eleven-year-old went on to compete in 33 fights, study sport and exercise science, complete a master’s degree in strength and conditioning, and work with elite athletes. Today, much of his coaching focuses on dentists and practice owners who want lasting improvements in their health, energy and performance.We discuss the familiar cycle of enthusiasm, unrealistic commitments and disappointment. You return from holiday, decide you’re never drinking again, promise to survive on celery until Christmas, and discover that your ambitious new regime doesn’t fit your actual life. George explains how he helps clients set expectations they can sustain and understand what drives their habits.His approach brings together five areas: systematic management, psychology, stress management, nutrition and physical training. We explore why he starts with time, values and recovery, and how accountability and regular adjustments help turn good intentions into repeatable routines.One phrase that will resonate with busy clinicians is “minimum effective dose”. George describes working with the time and circumstances a client actually has, identifying the few changes worth concentrating on, and building from there. A longer timescale can be a sensible choice if it allows someone to maintain progress without turning their life upside down.We also look at what coaching involves. George talks through onboarding, education, regular conversations and the process of identifying each person’s immediate constraints. His examples include exploring a practice owner’s feelings about selling her business and helping another client reconsider eating patterns that were leaving them exhausted at the end of the working day.That brings us to a question with relevance well beyond fitness: how do you help people change their behaviour?I ask George about the connection between influencing your own habits and becoming more effective at influencing others. We explore the potential for group programmes and training leaders to apply coaching principles within their businesses. These are ideas under discussion, with interesting possibilities for dentistry.You’ll hear about:Making health a priority alongside practice ownership.Connecting personal goals with the things you value most.Recognising how stress can shape everyday habits.Choosing realistic actions and reviewing what works.The relationship between personal wellbeing, leadership and performance.If your own health has slipped down the agenda, this conversation offers a useful starting point. George’s emphasis is on understanding your circumstances, learning the principles and making progress through consistent, manageable adjustments.Find George at georgevernon.co.uk, search George Vernon on LinkedIn, or find him on Instagram. If this episode brings someone to mind, please share it with them and start a conversation about it.

Chris Barrow has spent decades advising dental practice owners on building, growing and eventually selling their businesses. In this episode of Conversations with Chris, the tables have turned.For the first time, Chris interviews not simply a client, colleague or friend, but the man whose organisation acquired his business: Colin Campbell, founder of The Campbell Academy.Their conversation begins with the story behind the acquisition of Professional Coaching Services and the Extreme Business programme. Why did Colin want to bring Chris and the Extreme Business Community into The Campbell Academy? What made the relationship work? And what can dental practice owners contemplating their own eventual sale learn from their experience of due diligence, trust, shared values and the sometimes challenging process of integration?Chris and Colin also discuss one of the uncomfortable realities of selling a dental practice: accepting the highest offer may mean accepting that the new owner will change the culture, systems and values of the business you created.The conversation then looks forward.Chris and Colin explain their vision for business education within The Campbell Academy and introduce the new “ladder” of support available to independent dental practice owners: free educational resources, the six-week Digital Dental Entrepreneur Programme, the immersive five-day Dental Business Boot Camp, the Campbell Clubhouse and, ultimately, the Extreme Business Community.They also reveal some significant changes planned for Extreme Business in 2027, including a new one-day, two-room workshop format designed to give owners and their teams greater flexibility and access to clinical and business education.Underpinning everything is a shared belief that successful independent dentistry requires commercially successful, values-driven businesses.And a simple Campbell Academy ambition:To positively influence the lives of as many people as possible through the work they do and the example they set.

In this episode, Chris sits down with Simon Reynolds of Patient Plan Direct and Andy Sloan of Agilio to explore one of the more significant developments in the dental business landscape, Agilio’s acquisition of Patient Plan Direct. What follows is a thoughtful conversation about consolidation, strategy and the future direction of UK dentistry.Simon reflects on his own journey into the sector, from Yorkshire and university life to becoming deeply involved in the growth of Patient Plan Direct. He explains how the business carved out its place in a crowded market by offering a lower-cost, practice-branded plan solution, supported by strong technology and a clear understanding of what practices actually need.Andy then shares the thinking behind the acquisition. This was not simply a deal for the sake of scale, it was a strategic move to strengthen Agilio’s position in patient engagement and complete a wider vision for supporting the operational and commercial life of the modern dental practice.The discussion broadens into the state of the profession, with particular attention given to the continued shift from NHS to private dentistry. Simon outlines the growing momentum behind practice conversions, driven more by pressure than by ambition in many cases, while Andy highlights the increasing importance of governance, structure and quality in building a practice that is both resilient and valuable.The conversation also touches on artificial intelligence, not as a gimmick, but as a practical tool for improving decision making, reducing routine admin and supporting better systems. Finally, Chris, Simon and Andy consider the implications of CMA scrutiny, and why preparation, transparency and good management will matter more than ever.A lively and timely conversation about change, opportunity and the next chapter for dentistry.

In this episode of Conversations with Chris, I’m joined by Vaidas Varinauskas, PhD, implant dentist and oral surgeon based in Dublin, and clinical lead at Seapoint Clinic, one of the standout practices in Ireland.Vaidas shares a refreshingly honest back story, born and raised in Lithuania, shaped by an early sporting career as a national champion rower, and later by nine years in Kaunas Medical University, where he trained as an oral surgeon and completed a PhD in biomedical sciences. We talk about what it is really like to run a small practice as a clinical couple, the pressure it puts on family life, and why, after selling their practice and moving to Ireland, he chose the structure and support of a larger clinical team.We explore the shift to fully digital implant workflows, the impact on chair time, stress, and efficiency, and Vaidas’s view that AI will become a daily assistant in planning, diagnosis support, and clinical note taking, while the human side of care remains irreplaceable.A key clinical theme is the “zero bone loss” concept, developed by Professor Tomas Linkevicius. Vaidas explains why it matters, why adoption is still relatively limited, and what needs to change in mindset and lab collaboration to deliver predictable long-term outcomes. He also shares how important his relationship with his technician is, in his case literally a family member, and why the team around the clinician, particularly TCOs, skilled nurses and strong management, is critical in building patient confidence and handling financial conversations properly.We close with Vaidas’s advice to younger dentists, embrace digital, find a mentor, keep learning, and do not be afraid to ask questions, even after 20 years in practice.

In this episode of the Conversations with Chris podcast, Chris Barrow welcomes back Paul Graham, Managing Director of the Medical Division at Christie & Co, for a candid and optimistic state-of-the-nation conversation about the UK dental acquisitions market.With the Autumn Budget announcement just hours away, Chris and Paul discuss the resilience of the sector and share key insights into the evolving landscape of dental transactions. Paul highlights that Christie & Co is on track for its best month of 2025 in terms of completions, a sign that both buyers and sellers are adapting well to ongoing economic headwinds.They explore the return of corporate buyers after a period dominated by independent acquisitions, confirming that the multiples shared in Christie & Co’s September 2025 Dental Market Review remain accurate. There’s a clear sense of stabilisation in the market, with a renewed appetite from both ends of the spectrum.The pair also tackle the ongoing CMA investigation into private dentistry, with Paul offering a blunt and personal take on what he calls a “politically motivated” move. International comparisons feature heavily too, including European consolidation trends and Chris’s own experience in the fast-evolving Indian market.Looking ahead, Paul shares three essential priorities for practice owners and future sellers in 2025 and beyond: invest time in preparation, maintain clear and accurate data, and embrace AI and technology to stand out.Rounding off, Chris poses two classic questions: Why use a broker? And why Christie & Co? Paul’s answers are concise, confident, and compelling listening for any dental professional considering their next move.Listen now for insights that will help shape your strategy heading into 2026.

In this episode of Conversations with Chris, I’m joined by the inimitable Michael Bentley – coach, presenter, and recently-returned musical theatre performer – for a candid discussion on leadership, dentistry, and the art of performance, both on and off the stage.We begin with reflections on Michael’s return to the boards in Titanic: The Musical, a deeply emotional experience where he brought his full theatrical self to a cast of over 50, ranging from teenagers to septuagenarians. It’s a compelling metaphor for leadership: preparation, presence, and a show must go on mentality.The conversation then shifts to the state of UK dentistry in late 2025. Despite economic headwinds, Michael shares that many practices are still growing – investing in surgeries, expanding teams, and even acquiring. But with growth comes challenge, particularly around leadership and people. Managers are often overwhelmed, undefined in role, and under-trained. Michael argues that the future lies in recognising that leadership is not one role – it’s a set of capabilities that need to be distributed across the team.Michael also shares a critical insight: hesitation costs money. Practices that delay the “difficult decisions” – underperformance, culture drift, unclear expectations – pay the price in lost morale and retention.We close with a look to 2026, where Michael’s diary is already full with coaching, speaking, and a return to co-hosting live events with Laura Horton – launching a practical leadership programme for dental managers that promises to close the gap between theory and implementation.This one’s for owners and managers alike – and well worth sharing with your leadership team.Listen now – and if it resonates, pass it on.

In this episode I’m joined by Paige Abbs, Practice Manager at Woodborough House Dental Practice in Pangbourne, Berkshire. Paige arrived three years ago from a corporate operations background and has since made a marked impact on a large, multi-disciplinary private practice. We talk career pivots, culture, systems and why the right kind of structure liberates people to do their best work.Paige describes being recruited through networking rather than advertising — a reminder that, in 2025, great hiring is a relationship game. She shares why she instantly aligned with owners Nick Fahey and Sarah Fitzharris: a genuine, people-first culture coupled with a restless desire to keep improving.We explore the “two culture shocks”: swapping South London for rural Oxfordshire, and stepping from corporate life into dentistry. Her verdict? Clinical technology is world-class, but the business infrastructure lags. She argues for more scalable processes and questions legacy norms (such as hourly pay for qualified clinical support staff), not to corporatise the profession, but to value skill and create consistency.On leadership, Paige embraces my old triad — Mother Superior, Ward Matron and Sergeant Major — and explains why many practices over-index on kindness and under-deliver on boundaries. In a team of 40 with eight surgeries and 14 clinicians (GDPs, hygiene/therapy and specialists, with referrals), clarity of roles, simple rules and steady accountability prevent burnout and drift.We also look ahead. Paige sees AI as an Industrial Revolution-level shift: brilliant for contemporaneous notes, compliance and freeing clinicians’ time—provided we protect humanity in the patient journey.Her advice to practice managers for the next three years:Learn to have the difficult conversation — including with principals.Set boundaries and defend recovery time; model sustainable pace.Build trainable systems so knowledge outlives individuals.If you enjoy the conversation, please share the episode with a colleague who’d benefit. Thanks for listening.

In this insightful and candid episode of Conversations with Chris, Chris Barrow speaks with Fiona Teasdale, Practice Manager at Myton Park Dental Centre. Fiona shares her inspiring career journey—from her early days helping in her family's hotel business in Scarborough to leading a successful dental practice in the North East.Fiona discusses the transition from NHS to plan-based dentistry, the transformation she led upon joining Myton Park in 2023, and the challenges and rewards of implementing structured business systems in a previously manual environment. With a passion for leadership, team development, and business strategy, Fiona gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the evolving role of a modern practice manager.Chris and Fiona delve into topics such as leadership style, team cohesion, financial acumen, and the ongoing need for self-development and resilience in management roles. The episode offers both practical insights and emotional resonance for dental professionals—particularly practice managers navigating the complexities of their role.Key Topics Discussed:Fiona’s early work ethic shaped by her family’s hotel businessHer transition from retail into dental nursing and then into managementThe strategic and operational overhaul of Myton Park Dental CentreBuilding trust and buy-in from an existing team during periods of changeThe value of clear communication and training in driving performanceBalancing clinical independence with structured business oversightApprenticeships as a recruitment and development strategyThe challenges of HR and the emotional labour of leadershipThe power of vulnerability and authenticity in managementFiona’s ongoing commitment to personal growth and team empowermentNotable Quotes:“Even though it’s not my business, I treat it like it is—because I care deeply.” “A lot of people find it very difficult to let go. But if you get the right people and train them well, you don’t have to do it all yourself.” “We’re flying at the moment, and I feel very proud that I’ve had a small part to play in that.” – Fiona TeasdaleWho Should Listen:Dental practice managersDental business ownersAspiring leaders in the dental sectorTeam leads and senior nursesAnyone interested in resilient leadership and effective change management

In this latest episode, Chris Barrow welcomes Dr Alec Granville, co-owner of a thriving Dublin-based dental practice, for an inspiring and candid conversation. Alec, joined in life and business by his wife Hannah, shares the fascinating journey from financial mathematics in New York and oil trading in London, to co-founding a successful private dental practice in Ireland.Alec recounts the bold leap into dentistry at the age of 30, driven by a desire for autonomy and hands-on work. Together with Hannah, the couple navigated the turbulent waters of launching a squat practice during Ireland’s post-recession period. They took over an abandoned surgery, rebranded, and built from scratch, using flyer drops and community engagement to fill the appointment book.Their unique alternating-day clinical schedule offers a masterclass in work-life balance, allowing both to remain hands-on with their young family while growing the practice. The conversation explores how they expanded into a purpose-built, five-surgery facility and successfully integrated another local practice – all while pursuing postgraduate training in endodontics and implants.Chris and Alec delve into the operational structure of the practice, the impact of digital dentistry, and Alec’s optimistic view of future technology, including AI and robotics. The discussion highlights not just professional milestones, but a lifestyle built on considered choices, shared values, and long-term vision.Listeners will take away key insights on building a sustainable, family-focused dental business, the importance of partnership, and embracing change while maintaining quality and community roots.Tune in for an honest, insightful discussion filled with practical takeaways for dental professionals at any stage of their journey.