Manrina's Mentorship Podcast

From Four Rejections to Rediscovering Dentistry: Dr Baiju Kothari on Imposter Syndrome, Burnout and Saying Yes to Growth In Episode 21 of Manrina's Mentorship Podcast, Dr Manrina Rhode sits down with Dr Baiju Kothari, a Glasgow-based dentist with around 14 years in practice and one of the newest members of Manrina's Mentorship Programme. Baiju grew up in a big, close family in Harrow, was sent to boarding school in South India at the age of eight, and was rejected by four dental schools before Glasgow gave him a second chance. He talks openly about burning out seeing 30 patients a day in the NHS, the practice purchase that fell through in March 2020, and how imposter syndrome kept him away from the dental community, and off Instagram, for years. Since joining the Mentorship Programme, he has started to enjoy dentistry again. In this episode we discuss: growing up in Harrow and the story behind the name Baiju, being sent to boarding school in India at eight, with one phone call home a week, four dental school rejections and the life lesson in getting a second chance Glasgow, dental school friendships and a fusion wedding with kilts, a dhol player and a ceilidh NHS burnout, and wanting to do more artistic work. The practice purchase that Covid stopped, and why it was the right call, imposter syndrome, the "gremlin", and finally starting an Instagram page Marketing veneers in Glasgow, despite the stigma around them, and what the Mentorship Programme has changed for him. His parting advice: "What's the worst that's going to happen?" and the word "sonder" "What's the worst that's going to happen? Everyone's got so much on in their lives. They care about themselves more than they do you." Dr Baiju Kothari Follow Baiju: https://www.instagram.com/dr.baijukothari/ Want to learn from the best? Download Manrina's free eBook: https://www.drmr.academy/free-ebook Ready to take the next step? Explore our courses and Manrina's Mentorship Programme: https://www.drmr.academy Or get in touch directly: [email protected] Follow us on Instagram: @drmr_academy If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast and leave a rating. It helps more dental professionals find us.

Stop Discounting, Start Converting: Get your Dental Treatment Plans Accepted  Cut your fees by 10%, and you could be losing 30% of your bottom line. That's just one of the practical, slightly uncomfortable truths Ashley Latter shares in this episode of Manrina's Mentorship Podcast. Dr Manrina Rhode sits down with Ashley, the communication guru of UK dentistry, for a conversation 24 years in the making. Ashley shares how two dentists on a sales training course changed the direction of his career, why he decided to go all in on dentistry-specific training, and how word of mouth and a weekly newsletter (still going, 28 years later) built one of the most respected names in the profession. He also opens up about imposter syndrome, why dentists struggle to charge what they're worth, and shares the three tips that have shaped how thousands of dental professionals talk to their patients. Whether you're newly qualified or 20 years into practice, this episode is full of practical, immediately usable advice on communication, confidence, and consultation. In this episode we cover: How two dentists on a sales course led Ashley into dentistry-specific training Building a name through word of mouth and a weekly newsletter, before social media existed Why imposter syndrome and fee-discounting are so common in dentistry The story behind his three books, including his newly rewritten The Perfect Dental Consultation The "aeroplane" analogy: why dentists lose patients by focusing on technical detail instead of outcome Why you should treat every existing patient like a new one Being proud of your fees: why a 10% discount can cost you 30% of your profit How Ashley structures travel, exercise, and time with his wife around a demanding schedule His closing advice: keep learning, and find a mentor  Connect: Follow Manrina's Mentorship Podcast for more conversations with the people shaping dentistry If you're looking for a mentor, find out more about Manrina's Mentorship here. Join Ashley Latter's newsletter: www.ashleylatter.com

Shaz shares the story of how design found him at age eight, being caught using his older brother's Amstrad computer, and how that early encouragement shaped everything that followed: registering Digimax at 18, working alone from a converted garage for years, and eventually building one of the most recognised marketing agencies in dentistry. We talk about the bold, almost unbelievable story of how he landed his first major client, the harsh but formative feedback that changed how he thinks about marketing forever, and the moment he turned away £400,000 of non-dental business to go all in on dentistry. Shaz also opens up about Wells on Wheels, the charity he founded almost by accident, and the parenting philosophy behind his own fearlessness. In this episode we cover: Growing up in a design household and being caught designing on his brother's computer at age eight Learning Photoshop in real time and designing for real clients from age ten Registering Digimax at 18, and the awkward trip to open a business bank account Years of working alone from a converted garage, and the burnout that followed Why his brother's simple question about hiring changed the trajectory of his business The story behind the Digimax name, drawn in a maths class at 16 The bold approach that led to his biggest early client, and the overnight scramble to deliver His first dental client, a leaflet mistake, and the two weeks that changed how he sees marketing Turning away non-dental clients to go all in on dentistry in 2017 Writing Instagram for Dentists and stepping in front of the camera How Wells on Wheels started, and its impact: over 3,000 girls now attending school since 2019 His advice on what good marketing actually looks like, and building a business around freedom Topics discussed, in order: Baby Shaz: growing up in London with two older brothers who were designers The Amstrad computer, Letraset, and being "caught" designing at age eight Learning Photoshop and designing for real clients as a child and teenager Studying e-commerce at university and registering Digimax at 18 Years working alone from a converted garage, and the toll it took His brother's advice on hiring, and bringing on his first team member at 22 The story and meaning behind the name Digimax How Digimax evolved from graphic design into a full agency The story of approaching James Caan, the overnight design sprint, and landing the client His first dental client, a red leaflet mistake, and shadowing a practice for two weeks The realisation that dentistry sells transformation, not treatment Turning away £400,000 of non-dental business to commit fully to dentistry in 2017 Writing Instagram for Dentists and learning to be visible on camera How Wells on Wheels began, and the impact it's had since 2019 His advice on marketing, freedom, and building a business that gives you your life back Connect: Follow Manrina's Mentorship Podcast for more conversations with the people shaping dentistry Learn more about Shaz and what he does here: https://shaz.co.uk/ Explore Dr Manrina's courses and mentorship programme here: https://www.drmrlondon.co.uk/dental-courses-london Or get in touch directly: [email protected]

In this episode of Manrina's Mentorship Podcast, I'm joined by Dr. Nieves Ros, a Spanish-trained dentist, practice co-owner, and now principal at Smmmile, to talk about her journey from Valencia to the UK dental world. Nieves shares what it was really like moving countries to practise dentistry: the paperwork, the language barrier, and the moment she turned up to her first UK job only to be mistaken for a dental nurse. We talk about building a life abroad while staying close to family in Spain, meeting her husband through her brother, and stepping into practice ownership almost by accident. We also go deep on one of the hardest moments of her career: a medical emergency in the dental chair during the COVID emergency hub period, and how therapy helped her process it. Nieves closes with honest advice on why comparing yourself to other clinicians on social media is holding you back. In this episode we cover: - Growing up in Valencia and her (surprising) synchronised swimming background - Why she chose dentistry over pure biology - Studying dentistry in Spain and an Erasmus year in Poland - Arriving for her first UK dentist job, and being told there was no dentist position - Learning English on the job, patients, and strong regional accents - Becoming co-owner/principal at Smmmile - Training in veneers on the Designing Smiles course and joining the mentorship programme - The hardest day of her career: a cardiac emergency in the dental chair - Going to therapy, and why it was one of the best decisions she's made - Her advice on comparison culture in dentistry and social media Connect: Follow Manrina's Mentorship Podcast for more stories from dentists building their careers and practices. Want to learn from the best? Download Manrina's free eBook for dentists - practical insight on building a career in cosmetic dentistry: https://www.drmr.academy/free-ebook Ready to take the next step? Explore Manrina's courses and mentorship programme: https://www.drmrlondon.co.uk/dental-courses-london/ Or get in touch directly: [email protected]

From Poland to King's — Dr Nikola Kulik on Self-Belief, Independence, and Finding Your Path in Dentistry In this episode, Dr Manrina Rhode sits down with Dr Nikola Kulik, one of her youngest mentees and a recently qualified dentist who has already packed more into her early career than most do in a decade. Nikola grew up in Poland, won a biology competition at 15 that set her on an extraordinary path, and moved out of home to attend one of the country's top high schools before relocating to London alone at 19 to study dentistry at King's College London — arriving in the middle of a global pandemic. Now eight months into her dental foundation training in a high-needs area of East London, Nikola is simultaneously completing a Level 7 diploma in facial aesthetics, training in cosmetic dentistry through the Designing Smiles course, and building her personal brand through Manrina's Mentorship Programme. In this episode we discuss: - Growing up in Poland and the biology competition win that changed everything Moving to London alone at 19 during Covid lockdown and navigating loneliness and imposter syndrome - Why a volunteering trip to Sri Lanka at 18 led her to choose dentistry over medicine - The reality of dental foundation training and why she now believes it is essential - How the Designing Smiles course confirmed cosmetic dentistry is her path - What she has learned about personal branding, patient communication, and building a career with direction - Why she is pursuing a Level 7 diploma in facial aesthetics alongside her foundation year - Her advice on training your mind to work in your favour and doing the hard things "I'm just at the beginning of my journey, but I'm so grateful for the opportunity to learn from the best." — Dr Nikola Kulik Want to learn from the best? Download Manrina's free eBook for dentists — practical insight on building a career in cosmetic dentistry: https://www.drmr.academy/free-ebook Ready to take the next step? Explore Manrina's courses and mentorship programme: https://www.drmrlondon.co.uk/dental-courses-london/ Or get in touch directly: [email protected]

The Best Thing She Ever Did Was “Stop Trying to Be Good at Everything”. Some stories take a while to find their shape. This is one of them. Deirbhle, known to everyone as DD, is a super associate, a Manrina’s Mentorship Mentee, and someone who has lived a life. She grew up in Omagh during the Troubles. She navigated anti-Irish prejudice at dental school in Manchester. She cared for her Nanny through the early stages of dementia during her VT year. She hit a wall twice under NHS dentistry. She came out later in life. She recently became a guardian to her nephew alongside her wife Becky. And through all of it, she kept showing up, kept pushing, and kept quietly exceeding every expectation placed on her. In this conversation with Dr Manrina Rhode, DD talks about all of it. Where she came from, what nearly broke her, what finally gave her clarity, and why she is more excited about dentistry now than she has ever been. Her mother deserves her own episode. A GP, a university lecturer, a politician who received a legitimate death threat for her work on the Northern Ireland Policing Board, and the woman who sat her final medical VIVA exam heavily pregnant, with the same examiner delivering her baby a week later. DD grew up watching someone refuse, repeatedly and completely, to accept limitations. It left a mark. But ambition without direction is exhausting. DD spent sixteen years in NHS dentistry being exceptional at something that was slowly hollowing her out. She was signed off twice. She came close to leaving the profession entirely. Then Covid arrived, and instead of making things worse, it gave her the space to ask a question she had been avoiding: what do I actually want? The answer changed everything. This is a conversation about resilience that does not feel like a motivational talk. It feels like sitting with a friend who has been through it, come out the other side, and wants to save you some of the detours. If you are running on empty in your current role, if you have ever wondered whether there is a version of dentistry you would genuinely love, or if you just want to hear one of the most engaging and honest conversations we have recorded, this episode is for you. In this episode: Growing up in Omagh during the Troubles and what her mother was risking to help rebuild her community Dental school in Manchester, a near-fail by 0.6%, and the advice from the head of medicine that completely reframed her approach Sixteen years in NHS dentistry, two periods of being signed off, and how Covid became a turning point rather than a breaking point Coming out later in life and finding her people through women's football What Manrina's Mentorship Programme gave her that years of hard work alone could not The one piece of advice she would give every dentist who is putting pressure on themselves to be brilliant at everything DD is joining Designing Smiles later this year. She is just getting started. Watch this space.

Manrina's Mentorship Podcast | Ep 15 | From Poland to Prosthodontics: Dr Agata’s Journey of Resilience and Excellence In this inspiring episode of Manrina's Mentorship Podcast, Dr Manrina Rhode sits down with Dr Agata, a powerhouse dentist whose incredible work ethic, resilience, and pursuit of excellence has shaped her career and family life. From growing up under communism in Poland to building a successful dental practice in the UK while raising two children, Agata’s story is a masterclass in perseverance, skill, and mindful career growth. What You'll Discover: Resilience from Childhood: How growing up in 1970s Poland under a communist regime taught Agata to be resourceful, independent, and adaptable, and how these lessons still shape her mindset today. Navigating Education & Opportunity: Her journey through dental school in Poland, the challenges of limited specialisation opportunities, and how early international experiences, including fruit picking in the UK, built perspective and determination. Family as Motivation: The story of moving to the UK with her husband and young son, navigating language barriers, and ensuring her family thrived while pursuing their professional dreams. Becoming a Practice Owner: How Agata transitioned from private practice to buying her own dental practice in Torbay, the challenges of partnership, and her decision to embrace independence to grow her vision. The Power of Mentorship: Why joining Manrina’s mentorship program was a turning point in her career, providing guidance, community, and inspiration for clinical and business growth. Never Stop Learning: Despite her advanced career, Agata emphasises that it’s never too late to learn new skills, refine techniques, and seek out mentors who push you to the next level. Agata’s Advice for Dentists: Take your time to discover what you truly love in dentistry, don’t rush specialisation. Build a reputation in one place first; longevity and trust bring long-term success. Everything happens for a reason; patience and perspective are your allies in life and career. Whether you’re a newly qualified dentist, a practice owner, or someone looking to elevate your clinical skills while balancing family and life priorities, Agata’s journey offers proof that resilience, skill, and mentorship can create extraordinary results. Ready to take your practice and mindset to the next level? Email [email protected] or DM us on Instagram @‌drmr_academy!

In this heartwarming episode of Manrina's Mentorship Podcast, Dr Manrina Rhode sits down with Dr Guto Griffiths, a Welsh-speaking dentist whose commitment to family, community, and work-life balance shaped his entire career. From growing up on the beautiful South Wales coast to building a thriving cosmetic practice whilst raising three young children, Guto's story proves that success doesn't require sacrificing what matters most. What You'll Discover: The Pull of Home: How growing up bilingual in a close-knit Welsh community and watching his GP father prioritise family shaped Guto's core values - and why he chose dentistry over medicine for better work-life balance at just 17. When Tragedy Creates Opportunity: How a mentor's unexpected death led to opening a single-surgery practice as a squat, building it from scratch into a thriving three-surgery clinic over eight years. The Visual Learning Revolution: Why Designing Smiles was a game-changer for this self-described visual learner - and how following the exact protocol transformed his practice into three-quarters cosmetic work. Overcoming Camera Shyness: His honest journey from reluctantly starting Instagram to batch-filming excellent content that brings in consistent cosmetic consultations - taking six months just to post that first piece of content. Time Blocking Mastery: How he schedules his diary down to the minute with specific cosmetic consultation slots, prep slots, and utilises therapists to offload general dentistry whilst working just four days a week. Guto's Direct Advice: Get experience after graduating, find out what you like and don't like in dentistry, then follow your passion and what feels right. Dentistry is a long career - if you do something you enjoy day to day, it doesn't become work. Whether you're struggling with work-life balance, wondering how to transition to cosmetic dentistry whilst maintaining family priorities, or looking for permission to choose the lifestyle you want, Guto's thoughtful journey offers proof that you can have both excellence and balance.

In this inspiring episode of Manrina's Mentorship Podcast, Dr Manrina Rhode sits down with Dr Vicky Bu, DRMR's newest associate whose journey from China to London demonstrates the power of seizing opportunities and adapting fearlessly. From deciding at age 12 to become a dentist abroad to navigating motherhood whilst building her career, Vicky's story proves that being proactive creates possibilities. What You'll Discover: The Power of Clear Vision: How watching successful dentists in China at age 12 led Vicky to plan an international career - and why having mentors early shaped her entire trajectory. Adapting Through Change: Transferring from Leeds to King's, navigating COVID by taking an internship in Shanghai, and turning isolation into productive study time - Vicky's positive attitude transforms challenges into opportunities. Love and Life Changes: How meeting her husband led to marriage, pregnancy, and becoming a mother to seven-month-old Alex whilst managing major career decisions. The Business Pivot: Why she started a business before delivery but chose to pause it after becoming a mum - recognising that being a clinician, business owner, mother, and wife simultaneously is four full-time jobs. Future-Forward Thinking: Her exciting plans to pursue a PhD in anti-aging and longevity whilst raising seven-month-old Alex - bringing cutting-edge science to clinical practice. Vicky's Direct Advice: Be proactive - that's her advantage as a foreigner in the UK. You don't have as many opportunities compared to living in your own country, so you need to grab every opportunity yourself. Don't wait, don't overthink - just do it. Whether you're an international dentist navigating a new country, balancing motherhood with career ambitions, or wondering how to stand out in a competitive field, Vicky's journey offers inspiration on adaptability, focus, and the courage to seize every opportunity. 🎓 Ready to be more proactive in your career? 📩 Email [email protected] or DM us on Instagram @‌drmr_academy!

In this episode of Manrina's Mentorship Podcast, Dr Manrina Rhode sits down with the exceptional Dr Biraj Patel, an endodontist whose communication skills and patient care have set a new standard. From training in Texas to building a thriving London practice, Biraj's story reveals why technical excellence alone isn't enough - and how being genuinely interested in people transforms everything. What You'll Discover: The Communication Game-Changer: Why talking to patients during procedures and having broad interests in everything from finance to film creates exceptional patient experiences that keep them coming back. The American Training Advantage: How four and a half years in Texas taught him a completely different approach to pain management and patient communication that UK training doesn't cover. Building Without Chasing: Why working hard and providing exceptional care naturally builds your reputation - and why younger dentists rushing to the finish line are missing the point. The Referral Relationship: How treating every referring dentist as a team member and communicating before patients even leave the practice builds unshakeable professional relationships. Fatherhood's Purpose Shift: How having a son changed everything - from stepping back from international lecturing to re-evaluating what success really means. Biraj's Direct Advice: Work hard, build your reputation by providing excellent care, but don't chase money or status. Everything comes when you focus on doing good work. Dentistry isn't a race - it's a marathon. Enjoy the journey because there's always something new to learn. Whether you're building a referral base, wondering how to stand out in a competitive market, or simply want to become the clinician patients rave about, Biraj's approach to communication and patient care offers a masterclass in working smarter through genuine connection. 🎓 Ready to build your reputation through exceptional care? 📩 Email [email protected] or DM us on Instagram @drmr_academy!