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.
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#298 All-In — Mahsa Balaie
Mahsa Balaie embodies the truth that sometimes life's biggest detours lead to its greatest destinations. From engineering to Spain, from associate to practice owner, her journey reveals the power of diving in completely when opportunities arise. Through personal struggles, professional challenges, and the complexities of balancing motherhood with business ownership, Mahsa demonstrates that success isn't about avoiding difficulties—it's about swimming through them with determination. Her story resonates with anyone juggling multiple life transitions whilst building something meaningful, proving that the most common stories in dentistry are often the most inspiring ones.In This Episode00:02:15 - Half marathon metaphor and life philosophy 00:04:30 - Fitness transformation journey00:08:20 - Health wake-up call and surgery 00:13:30 - All-in personality and engineering background 00:16:35 - Mental health struggles and Spain escape 00:19:35 - Learning Spanish and dental assisting 00:22:30 - Materials engineering experience 00:26:25 - University pathway and parental guidance 00:29:15 - Valencia dental school experience 00:34:45 - Spain versus UK dentistry comparison 00:38:10 - Clinical development and treatment philosophy 00:43:35 - Meeting husband and family planning 00:48:10 - Practice acquisition and patient communication 00:50:05 - Business ownership challenges 00:53:25 - Maternity leave difficulties and staff management 00:58:10 - Hiring and firing experiences 01:06:30 - Team building and staff incentives 01:13:45 - Blackbox thinking 01:24:25 - Fantasy dinner party01:26:45 - Last days and legacyAbout Mahsa BalaieMahsa Balaie is a general dentist and practice owner in Tunbridge Wells. After completing a dental materials engineering degree, she studied dentistry at the University of Valencia, working as a dental assistant whilst learning Spanish. Following five years as an associate in Portsmouth, she purchased her current practice, where she focuses on aesthetic dentistry whilst balancing the demands of motherhood and business ownership.
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#297 Six Pack — Solmaz Samae
Doctor Solmaz Samae embodies the power of authenticity in dentistry—someone who speaks her truth with refreshing honesty. From building a successful business empire in Iran to studying dentistry in Latvia at 30, her unconventional journey reveals what happens when passion meets persistence. Now practising across multiple settings whilst building a thriving YouTube presence, Solmaz demonstrates that happiness in dentistry comes from genuinely caring about the patient experience. Her candid reflections on everything from charity work motivations to the challenges of mixed NHS-private practice offer valuable insights for dentists navigating their own paths to contentment and success.In This Episode00:01:40 - Current life satisfaction 00:02:40 - Six-pack goal and fitness routine 00:05:35 - Working across multiple practices 00:10:40 - Corporate versus independent experiences 00:16:05 - Communication versus clinical skills 00:20:15 - YouTube content creation journey 00:23:25 - Persian content and safety concerns 00:28:15 - Facial aesthetics expertise 00:31:05 - Hair loss treatments and personal experience 00:34:50 - Treatment philosophy and patient selection 00:40:45 - Blackbox thinking 00:46:35 - Turbulent journey to dentistry 00:53:50 - Business ventures in Iran 00:55:45 - Studying dentistry in Latvia 01:00:30 - Advantages and challenges of studying abroad 01:11:00 - Vision for dream practice 01:16:25 - Charity work in refugee camps 01:22:25 - Fantasy dinner party 01:24:30 - Last days and legacyAbout Solmaz SamaeDoctor Solmaz Samae is an aesthetic dentist and facial aesthetics practitioner working across multiple practices in London. After building successful businesses in Iran, she pursued dentistry at RSU in Latvia, graduating in 2018. She combines clinical practice with content creation through her Persian YouTube channel and runs a facial aesthetics clinic on Harley Street with her sisters.
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Mind Movers #46 — Lalalaletmeexplain
This compelling episode features Lala, the anonymous voice behind "Lalalaletmeexplain" - a former social worker turned influential author who's helped thousands recognise red flags and find their worth. Rhona and Payman explore deeply personal territory as Lala shares her childhood trauma, decade-long career in child protection, and the systemic failures she witnessed firsthand. The conversation weaves through heavy topics, including misogyny, male influencers like Andrew Tate, and the recent concerning developments in UK abortion rights. What emerges is a raw, unflinching look at how childhood experiences shape our adult relationships, why anonymity can be liberating, and how society's treatment of vulnerable people - from social workers to women seeking healthcare - reveals our collective blind spots.In This Episode00:02:45 - The birth of anonymity 00:04:40 - Why hiding can mean truth-telling 00:09:10 - When dads abandon and mothers struggle 00:15:15 - Forgiving the unforgivable 00:24:15 - From personal pain to professional purpose 00:28:40 - When systems fail the vulnerable 00:42:35 - Blackbox thinking 00:59:55 - Misogyny as cultural DNA 01:11:55 - The Andrew Tate problem 01:15:00 - When women turn on women 01:32:05 - Justice on trial 01:38:45 - Tracking women's bodies 01:47:15 - Healing through words 01:52:35 - Moving trauma through movementAbout LalaLala is a former social worker who spent over a decade in safeguarding, witnessing firsthand the realities of domestic abuse and child protection. She's now a best-selling author and one of the most important voices online when it comes to love, abuse, power and patriarchy. Operating anonymously through her platform "Lalalaletmeexplain," she helps people recognise red flags, establish boundaries, and understand their worth through truth and lived experience.
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#296 The Connector — Andrew El-Khanagry
Andrew El-Khanagry's journey from anxious young associate to confident practitioner reveals the transformative power of purpose-driven dentistry. Five years out from dental school, this Egyptian-born dentist has navigated the challenges of perfecting his craft while building Mobile Smiles, a charity bringing dental care to underserved communities worldwide. Through candid conversations about clinical mistakes, the value of communication over technique, and finding balance between profit and purpose, Andrew shares insights that resonate with dentists at every stage of their careers. His story demonstrates how early setbacks can become catalysts for growth and why the best education sometimes comes from unexpected sources.In This Episode00:01:45 - Podcast listening habits 00:03:10 - Early life in Egypt and England 00:04:25 - Language barriers and adaptation 00:06:25 - Career influences and family guidance 00:08:00 - Dental school at Birmingham 00:09:45 - Academic challenges and friendships 00:11:30 - First job and PhD experience 00:13:50 - Staying versus moving practices 00:15:15 - Clinical anxiety and perfectionism 00:18:25 - Transition to private practice 00:20:25 - Communication skills training 00:25:00 - Patient relationships and continuity 00:33:20 - Mobile Smiles charity foundation 00:36:20 - International dental missions 00:43:10 - Cost-effectiveness of charity work 00:48:45 - UK-based charity initiatives 00:53:15 - Purpose versus profit in dentistry 00:54:30 - Instagram as dental education 00:56:40 - Career direction and specialisation 01:04:30 - Blackbox thinking 01:11:05 - Best educational experiences 01:21:00 - Trust-building in private practice 01:33:30 - Fantasy dinner party 01:43:50 - Last days and legacyAbout Andrew El-KhanagryAndrew El-Khanagry is a general restorative dentist with a focus on prosthodontics, five years qualified from Birmingham Dental School. Born in Egypt and raised in Burton-on-Trent, he's the founder of Mobile Smiles, a UK-based charity providing dental care in underserved communities across Egypt, Namibia, Nigeria, and South America.
The Dental Leaders podcast takes you on a behind the scenes journey with emerging leaders in dentistry. Success leaves clues, and these conversations uncover the depth, detail, and backstory behind our guests.
The show is hosted by dental entrepreneurs Payman Langroudi & Prav Solanki. Let the conversation flow.
Find out more at https://www.dentalleaders.co.uk/
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