Two Reds are Better than One

In this episode of the Two Reds podcast, Chris Barrow is joined by Dr Paul Abrahams of Smile More Dental Care in London for a thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation about career longevity, practice ownership, innovation and exit strategy.

With Ashley Latter away in Australia, Chris and Paul take the opportunity to explore Paul's remarkable journey from an uncertain start in the early 1980s, through qualification at Guy's in 1989, to building and eventually selling a highly respected two-surgery private practice in St John's Wood.

Paul reflects on the early influence of retail training at Marks & Spencer, the importance of mentors, and the role played by his long-standing principal and friend in shaping both his career and his outlook. There is a strong message here for younger dentists about the value of guidance, patience and backing yourself when opportunities appear.

The conversation then moves into ownership. Paul shares the story of acquiring what was, in effect, a doer-upper squat in one of London's most affluent postcodes, and how he built that business steadily over more than two decades. Rather than chasing scale for its own sake, he chose to create what Chris describes as a successful lifestyle business, rooted in community, family patients and long-term trust.

There is also a fascinating discussion about innovation. Paul explains why he has always been drawn to new ideas, from cosmetic dentistry in the early days to digital scanning and chairside technology more recently. His view is simple, the only constant is change, and practices that stay curious tend to stay relevant.

Finally, Chris and Paul discuss the decision to sell into Dentex, the importance of timing, and the emotional reality of letting go. Paul offers a particularly valuable insight for anyone considering a sale, if you are not ready to give up control, you may not yet be ready to sell.

This is a warm, honest and intelligent conversation with one of dentistry's genuinely good people. For young owners, established principals and anyone thinking about what comes next, there is much to take away.

In the latest edition of Two Reds are Better than One, we woke up super early, to interview Franck Page, the owner of Coastal Dental Care in Australia's Gold Coast, and Julia Riese, the Group Director of Marketing & Operations.

Franck, who graduated in 1993, quickly became a part owner of a dental practice within a year. His passion for practice ownership has led him to expand his group to 17 offices, a wholesale dental business, two labs, 83 clinicians, and 300 staff members.

His innovative business model, which he discusses in detail, involves part ownership of practices with other clinicians. This approach not only provides capital for acquiring additional practices but also attracts top talent by giving clinicians a vested interest in the business.

In this insightful podcast, our listeners will discover:

The rationale behind Franck's business model of part ownership with clinicians and its successful implementation.

Insights from Julia and Franck on the importance of cultivating a strong company culture and ensuring each office has excellent practice managers and reception teams.

How attracting top-tier talent is essential for success.

Julia's four essentials framework from her book "Beyond Dentistry," which includes Team, Systems, Planning & Analysis, and Marketing.

The significance of meticulous attention to detail and how small daily changes can lead to significant results.

Strategies for managing the threat posed by large health companies encroaching on their business.

The necessity of delivering "The Ultimate Experience" to retain patients.



And much more.

In today's episode of our podcast, hosts Ashley and Chris had the distinct honour of interviewing the esteemed Dr. Howard Farran.

 Dr. Farran, DDS, MBA, is the visionary founder and owner of Dentaltown.com and Dentaltown magazine. With over three decades of experience practicing dentistry at Today's Dental in the Phoenix metropolitan area, he is a luminary in the field. Notably, in 2017, Incisal Edge magazine recognized him as one of the 32 most influential figures in dentistry.

Since 1990, Dr. Farran has been an international lecturer, renowned for his candid, humorous, and practical insights into the business of dentistry, often addressing the industry's most challenging topics. His unwavering dedication to empowering dentists to deliver faster, easier, higher-quality, and cost-effective dental care remains a driving force in his career. 

His acclaimed podcast series, "Dentistry Uncensored," has been a staple in the industry for decades, boasting over 1,500 episodes and more than 8 million downloads. Both Ashley and Chris have had the privilege of being guests on this influential podcast.

Dr. Farran's reach extends to hundreds of thousands of dentists worldwide, supported by a robust social media presence, including 300,000 followers on Facebook, 25,000 on Twitter, and 35,000 on LinkedIn, along with 250,000 registered members on Dentaltown.com.

In this episode, Dr. Farran shares his expert perspectives on several key topics, including:

The critical importance of maintaining laser focus on your business

Mastering your financial metrics

Building a network of powerful mentors to propel your career

Cultivating trust with patients and its long-term benefits for a dental practice

His insights on AI and its potential to revolutionize dental practices

His excitement about future developments in dentistry



Prepare to be inspired by the dynamic and insightful "Howard Farran Experience." If you haven't experienced Dr. Farran's unique perspective before, you're in for an enlightening experience.

In this end-of-year episode of Two Reds Are Better Than One, I'm joined by Ashley, speaking from a hotel in Vietnam with 10 days of rest behind him and a welcome pause before Christmas. We keep it informal, unscripted, and focused on what practice owners and teams need to be thinking about as 2026 approaches.
We touch first on the news cycle, including the government's announcement of a new NHS dental contract due to land in April, with the important caveat that at the time of recording there was no meaningful detail, so judgement needs to wait for the small print. The wider point is simple, next year will bring more change, not less, and practices will need to respond with clarity rather than hope.
The main theme is resilience through diversification. Ashley makes a point he's repeated for years, the most dangerous number in business is one. If you rely on one income stream, one lead source, one key person, or one system, you are exposed. NHS practices in particular need to grow private income alongside any contract dependency.
We also discuss the economic outlook and the reality that some patients will feel the pinch once the January bills arrive. That makes proactive communication vital. Value must be explained, not assumed, and marketing cannot be allowed to slide into "we used to do that". The habits that built your success must become your daily discipline again.
Finally, we talk about community. Both of us believe the most dangerous place to be in business is on your own. The practices that do best in uncertain times are those that stay connected, keep learning, and train their teams to deliver a consistent, world-class patient experience from first contact onwards.
A practical, straight-talking close to the year, and a reminder that 2026 will reward the practices that act, not the practices that wait.

In this episode of the Two Reds podcast, Chris Barrow and Ashley Latter are joined by Dutch dentist, entrepreneur, and educator Dr Casper Bots for a wide-ranging and inspiring conversation that bridges clinical practice, professional development, and personal wellbeing.

Casper splits his time between the Netherlands and Liverpool, where he practises at Dr Rez Dental. With a deep understanding of the structural differences between UK and Dutch dentistry — from fixed fees to delegated clinical workflows — Casper brings a refreshing international perspective to the table.

But this episode goes far beyond the mechanics of dentistry. What Casper shares is a compelling case for putting purpose, health, and values back at the centre of our careers. Drawing from his own journey, he explains how a sense of stagnation after 20,000 fillings prompted him to reimagine his role — not just as a dentist, but as a coach, a course creator, and a human being.

He now runs the Dentist Experience Master Course, a six-day personal development programme designed to help dentists reconnect with what matters: clarity of direction, personal vitality, and the courage to make meaningful changes.

Listeners will learn:

Why Dutch dentists are facing falling fees — and what UK dentists can learn from that

How to rediscover fulfilment when the daily grind takes over

The power of scheduling your wellbeing before your work

Why every dentist needs to create their own "life mood board"

How to avoid burnout and bore-out by knowing your core values



If you've ever felt stuck, tired, or unsure what's next, this conversation is a wake-up call — and an invitation to take back control of your career.

For more on Casper's work, visit: dentistexperience.com