#301 Incidental — Chris O'Connor

Shameek Popat takes us on a remarkable journey from his early days as a Ugandan-born dentist to becoming a serial entrepreneur disrupting the oral care industry. After 23 years of successful practice ownership, Shameek sold to Portman Dental and launched Tooth Angel, a luxury, eco-friendly oral care brand that's challenging the sustainability narrative in dentistry. Now he's back with Disruptive Smiles, partnering with renowned educators to bring premium composite materials to UK dentists. This conversation reveals a man who's never lost his childhood curiosity, whether he's crafting whisky blends, designing sustainable toothbrushes, or simply asking the big questions about contentment versus pleasure.In This Episode00:02:35 - Philosophy and losing senses 00:05:10 - Personal adaptability 00:07:40 - Contentment versus pleasure 00:09:10 - Beauty in imperfection 00:11:40 - Tooth Angel sustainability mission 00:16:50 - Research-backed product development 00:20:15 - Manual versus electric preference 00:24:30 - Dentist-made products 00:34:25 - Investment and funding strategy 00:50:35 - Uganda origins and Idi Amin 00:53:15 - Education journey to Manchester 00:57:50 - Dental school with Avi Banerjee 01:00:30 - Early practice ownership 01:04:30 - Kois transformation 01:15:20 - Team retention philosophy 01:20:10 - Whisky passion projects 01:24:00 - Practice sale emotions 01:26:40 - Disruptive Smiles launch 01:35:40 - Blackbox thinking 01:47:00 - Fantasy dinner partyAbout Shameek PopatShameek Popat is a Kois-trained dentist who spent 23 years building and running successful practices before selling to Portman Dental. He's the founder of Tooth Angel, a luxury eco-friendly oral care brand, and co-founder of Disruptive Smiles, which distributes premium composite materials alongside clinical education. Born in Uganda and educated across three continents, Shameek brings a unique global perspective to everything he creates.

This fly-on-the-wall conversation between Kailesh Solanki and Dev Patel, founder and CEO of Dental Beauty Partners (DBP), captures the remarkable 20-year journey of Kiss Dental, from a risky startup in a Flixton suburb to an eight-clinic powerhouse.Kailesh Solanki reveals how he mortgaged himself to the eyeballs at just two years post-graduation, survived near-bankruptcy, weathered a catastrophic flood, and built one of the UK's most respected dental brands. The discussion explores his unique VT scheme that's producing the country's top-earning young dentists, the partner model that's breaking industry boundaries, and why keeping things "stupid and simple" might just be the secret sauce to sustainable growth.In This Episode01:15 - Starting Kiss Dental in 2005 02:15 - Taking the entrepreneurial leap after graduation 03:05 - Going fully private from day one 05:15 - Team as the key to longevity 06:30 - Most difficult periods in business 07:40 - Near bankruptcy from marketing spend 09:25 - Brother Prav's marketing transformation 11:40 - Vision for multiple practices and branding 14:15 - Growth expectations versus reality 20:05 - The VT scheme philosophy 21:25 - Partner model development 25:10 - Expansion plans26:30 - Five-year aspirations for 15+ clinics 28:15 - VT scheme versus traditional associates 35:25 - Two-year VT program structure 41:55 - Biggest hurdle: the 2012 flood disaster 46:50 - COVID and the 2020 rebrand 50:25 - Technology, passion and innovation 53:45 - Advice for young dentistsAbout Kailesh Solanki and Dev PatelKailesh Solanki is the founder and CEO of Kiss Dental, which he established in 2005 at just 25 years old after completing his dental training. Having built the practice from a single Flixton clinic to eight locations across the North West, he's become recognised for his innovative VT training scheme and partner model. His approach combines high-end private dentistry with accessible suburban locations, creating one of the UK's most successful dental brands over the past two decades.Dev Patel is the founder and CEO of Dental Beauty Partners (DBP), a UK-based dental group that has grown rapidly by acquiring and partnering with dental practices to scale their businesses through a people-focused investment approach. DBP operates a large network of dental practices across the UK and is known for its partnership-based corporate model.

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 Episode00:01:05 - Practice ownership journey and location in Cheltenham00:03:20 - Family background in dentistry and choosing oral surgery00:06:25 - Decision to move from India to the UK00:09:25 - Shivani's path from dentist to dental nurse to management00:12:15 - Team culture and treating staff like family00:20:45 - First practice acquisition during COVID00:28:15 - Innovative therapist-led NHS model00:35:20 - Making NHS dentistry work profitably00:50:00 - DPS UK app development and technology innovation00:58:45 - Blackbox thinking - learning from clinical mistakes01:08:20 - ORE exam struggles and eventual success01:26:20 - Future expansion plans and business philosophy01:34:40 - Fantasy dinner party guests01:37:15 - Last days and legacy adviceAbout Gauri Pradhan & Shivani BhandariGauri 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 Episode00:01:35 - First job realities and the deep end experience00:02:20 - What surprised him most about practice life00:05:05 - NHS time pressures and appointment constraints00:08:25 - Amalgam versus composite: the material debate00:09:05 - Communication as half the job00:15:15 - Persian philosophy and karma beliefs00:18:30 - Religious perspectives and greater powers00:23:05 - A-levels disappointment and plan B moments00:28:40 - Spanish warmth and cultural connection00:36:05 - Barcelona application process00:42:30 - Language barriers and learning curves00:53:50 - Blackbox thinking00:59:40 - Corporate practice experience with Bupa01:12:30 - Patient reviews and building reputation01:16:15 - Manifestation and goal achievement01:27:10 - Favourite periodontics lecture01:34:15 - Fantasy dinner partyAbout Patric SarabyPatric 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 Episode00:01:45 - Early career struggles and "bashing the Nash"00:05:00 - Discovery of the Pankey Institute00:07:00 - 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 father00:11:45 - Privilege and parenting perspectives00:17:40 - Career advice: Communication trumps clinical skills00:23:25 - Dating coach secrets applied to dentistry00:34:35 - Team management crisis: Three resignations in one week00:40:30 - Blackbox thinking00:49:45 - Clinical stories and treatment philosophy00:57:20 - Occlusion aha moments: Anterior guidance revelation01:06:25 - Biggest case: RTA patient reconstruction01:11:05 - Best lecture ever01:16:25 - Fantasy dinner party01:21:40 - Last days and legacyAbout Hap GillHap 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 Episode00:02:15 - Force management fundamentals00:08:25 - Bruxism00:18:20 - Restorations00:27:25 - Last tooth syndrome00:32:05 - Basic occlusal examination00:35:15 - Lab communication secrets00:42:20 - Awakenings, revelations, obsessions00:49:20 - Mentors and Jaz01:16:40 - Course development01:32:35 - Blackbox thinking01:38:55 - Ethics and motivation01:42:00 - Inspirational lectures, courses and papers01:51:05 - Fantasy dinner party01:54:40 - Last days and legacyAbout Mahmoud IbrahimMahmoud 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 Episode00:00:05 - Potential vs performance00:05:25 - Childhood in Nagpur, India00:08:25 - Traditional Indian upbringing and gender roles00:11:05 - Early rebellion and feminist poetry00:16:20 - Arranged marriage system in India00:18:55 - Reverse engineering her marriage proposal00:21:45 - Philosophy on love and marriage00:24:00 - Dental school admission in India00:27:20 - Joint family dynamics and restrictions on working00:33:15 - Strategic navigation of family expectations00:36:05 - Financial challenges and seven-year plan00:39:10 - Decision to pursue MBA00:42:30 - Meeting her mentor at Philips00:44:25 - MBA experience and personality transformation00:48:35 - Move to Delhi and Phillips career00:51:00 - Learning sales and finding her niche00:57:45 - Leadership philosophy and authenticity01:08:25 - Cultural differences between Philips and Straumann01:13:25 - Player learner culture at Straumann01:15:20 - Work-life balance and working patterns01:18:10 - Challenges of being a woman leader01:22:55 - Future career aspirations01:26:55 - Transition from Philips to Straumann01:28:10 - Advice to younger self01:28:35 - The tattoo stories01:32:50 - Current living arrangement with husband01:39:15 - Definition of success01:45:15 - Last days and legacy01:47:35 - Fantasy dinner partyAbout Kiran MalviyaKiran 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 Episode00:01:00 - 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 legacyAbout Chris O'ConnorChris 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 Episode00:00:05 - 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 partyAbout Robert van GeffenRobert 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 Episode00:01:25 - 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 awakening00:16:35 - 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 legacyAbout Kiran ShanklaKiran 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.