Two Reds Are Better Than One

In this episode of "Two Reds are Better than One" podcast, Chris and Ashley explore a variety of customer service experiences from their travels, highlighting both excellent and poor examples. These stories offer valuable lessons for dentists and practice owners.  The insights shared in this episode are so impactful that everyone in the practice should listen. In this episode, you will discover: Chris's Experience at Bupa: Chris recounts his experience when attending a health screening at Bupa, where the response was less than satisfactory. This underscores the critical role of the 'Front of House' in your dental practice, often referred to as the 'Managing Director of First Impressions.' Ashley's Chicago Story: Ashley shares a story from his recent trip to Chicago, illustrating a conversation with a hotel employee that emphasises the importance of teamwork. Ashley’s Three Lessons: Ashley offers three key lessons on navigating a challenging economy while maintaining a positive mindset. Chris's Tre

In this month's episode of The Two Reds are Better than One podcast, Ashley and I take a rare opportunity to record without a guest. Instead, we open the doors to a candid conversation about two themes that sit at the heart of every successful dental practice: building teams and conducting consultations. We begin with a brief detour into football – reflecting on Manchester United’s opening game of the season and drawing parallels between rebuilding a football squad and rebuilding a dental team. The lesson? Culture eats strategy for breakfast, whether you’re on the pitch or in the practice. The centrepiece of our discussion is Ashley’s brand-new book, The Perfect Dental Consultation: The Eight Essential Steps to Increasing Treatment Plan Acceptance. I make no apology for saying it is his best work in print to date. The book is not only a step-by-step guide to consultation success but also a manual on mindset, success habits and the importance of team involvement. We unpack the eight stages of a perfect con

In this episode, Chris and Ashley are joined by a true industry heavyweight: Dean Hallows, Managing Director of Dental Directory and a 40-year veteran of the UK dental industry. Recording from three corners of Europe - Cheshire, Sardinia, and sunny Essex - the conversation ranges from the accidental beginnings of Dean’s career in 1986 to his leadership role today, overseeing one of the UK’s most recognised dental supply businesses. This candid, insightful chat covers everything from mentorship and market evolution to the real-world implications of AI in dentistry, what leaders should be listening for, and why selling consumables isn't just about revenue; it’s about hospitality. If you're a dental practice owner, manager, or supplier, this episode delivers practical wisdom and behind-the-scenes insight you won't find elsewhere. You’ll learn: How Dean transitioned from engineering apprentice to industry MD The vital difference between hearing and listening as a leader Why AI will support — not replac

In this captivating episode, Ashley and Chris sit down with Dr. Jit Hindocha, Principal Dentist at Total Dental Care, celebrating 40 remarkable years in dentistry (1985–2025). Born in Uganda, Jit shares his powerful story of arriving in England at just 10 years old after his family was expelled by Idi Amin, losing everything but holding onto determination and resilience. In this episode you'll learn about: Jit’s early years in Leicester—living with 11 family members in a 3-bedroom house, hustling with part-time jobs, and how his family’s perseverance shaped his work ethic and career mindset. How Jit continually reinvented his career every decade: Building four dental practices from scratch in the 1980s. Serving as a Vocational Trainer and Advisor at local and national levels, influencing dental regulation and quality. His tenure with the GDC, including the insightful story of hosting an innovative live CPD event simulating a GDC hearing. Jit’s pioneering journey into digital dentistry with

After receiving incredible feedback from our listeners, we invited Steve Tangney back for Part Two! If you haven't listened to Part One yet, be sure to check it out here. There, Steve shared his valuable strategies on how to create a world-class team. The exciting news is that we have another inspiring interview for you. This time, Steve focuses on how his practice effectively attracts new patients. He shares numerous ideas that you can implement no matter where you are based. In this interview, you will discover: How doing the right thing by your patients and being authentic is key to growth. How Steve cements himself within his community, including sponsorship of sports teams. How Steve effectively asks for referrals and Google reviews, and how he overcomes the barriers to asking. Why daily engagement with professional content on social media is essential, rather than making random posts. How a simple four-word banner outside his practice brought in many new patients. How he is building a sp

Steve Tangney qualified in 2008 and moved from his hometown of Cork to work in London. During a period of travelling, he met the love of his life – now his wife – on the Gold Coast, where he also worked for a while. While his time there was influential, it was his experience at Avenue Dental on the Sunshine Coast (Sunny Coast) that made the biggest impact on his professional outlook. The owner’s focus on cultivating a superb team culture stood out to Steve as the secret to their success. In 2017, Steve seized the opportunity to purchase a dental practice in Batemans Bay, a short plane journey from Sydney. (It is well worth listening to this podcast to discover how this opportunity came about.) At the start of his venture in 2017, Steve's practice had just two chairs and a team of five. Fast forward to today, and he proudly owns three locations with a team of 36 dedicated professionals. Steve's expansion story is rooted in his commitment to fostering an environment where team members can truly flourish and

In this insightful interview, Chris and Ashley reconnect with Karl Walker Finch, the proud owner of a dental practice in the Kirklees area of Yorkshire. For the second time, we delve into Karl’s remarkable journey. Setting an ambitious goal, Karl aimed to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of his practice. Astonishingly, he achieved a reduction of over 35% in just the first year! But that’s not all—his practice is now proudly climate-positive. Karl speaks with such passion that you’ll be motivated to bring similar changes to your own practice. Here's what you'll discover in this podcast: Engaging the team: Learn how Karl successfully involved his team in this project, boosting their motivation and commitment. Tree-planting for referrals: Discover the unique initiative of planting a tree for every new patient referral. The 'One Idea a Week' concept: Explore how ensuring accountability with weekly ideas has led to consistent progress. Focusing on key areas: Understand how concentrating on thr

After graduating in 2012, Gareth Edwards spent the first 5 years of his dental career by treating patients in Middleton, North Manchester. He then embarked on an 18-month journey through Asia and South America, dedicating time not only to traveling but also to reading a diverse range of books. In 2019, Gareth returned to Bournemouth, his hometown, and formed a partnership with Zak Kara. Sharing similar philosophies about dentistry and business, they initially took over a three-surgery practice. However, they quickly outgrew it and moved into a larger, purpose-built clinic, giving birth to Smile Stories. Their philosophy was centered around creating an experience "nothing like your old dentist." Gareth generously shares here the secrets that make Smile Stories a success. In this podcast, you'll discover: How Smile Stories has become a unique dental practice by fostering lifelong patient relationships, incorporating innovative design, and utilising comprehensive digital dentistry. You'll also learn about

In this exciting episode of Two Reds Are Better Than One, Chris Barrow and Ashley Latter share their personal and professional aspirations for 2025 within the dental industry. From digital workflows and AI to personal communication mastery, this conversation is packed with insights to help dental professionals navigate the evolving landscape with confidence and agility. Key Takeaways: Digital Dentistry Advancements:Chris and Ashley highlight the game-changing impact of intraoral scanning, treatment planning software, and 3D printing. AI is poised to revolutionise all areas of dental operations, making this an exciting time for forward-thinking practices. Adapting to Change:The importance of staying agile and innovative cannot be overstated. Chris encourages listeners to “fail fast” and adapt quickly to market trends and new technologies, creating resilience regardless of external economic conditions. Personal Communication is Key:Despite rapid technological advancements, Ashley and Chris agree that em

Today we’re thrilled to introduce you to Amber Aplin, owner of "The Gentle Touch" dental practice in Kelso, Scotland. Amber’s journey is anything but ordinary—born in Australia, raised in the UK, and spending 16 years in Army dentistry before carving out her niche as a practice owner. Her story is one of transformation, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. In this episode, Amber shares: Her Unique Career Path: From growing up in a military family to studying at Newcastle University and thriving in Army dentistry, Amber’s experiences have shaped her philosophy and leadership style.   The Gentle Touch Philosophy: Discover how her practice focuses on patient experience, a "gentle" approach, and a culture of shared values that keeps her team motivated and thriving—think high standards, consistent branding, and even team trips abroad!   Innovative Dentistry: Amber is a pioneer in biomimetic dentistry, offering longer appointment times for tooth preservation and patient-focused in-house finan

Anushika Brogan is the owner of Damira Dental Group. After graduating from Kings, Anushika was destined to be an entrepreneur. She quickly purchased her first dental practice in 2003, and Damira was born. Since then, she has expanded the group to 42 locations throughout the UK, including brand new practices specialising in facial aesthetics. She is also the only female CEO of a dental corporate in the UK. You might think that managing a thriving Dental group would keep her busy, especially since she operates without a COO or CFO. However, Anushika still finds time to do a full day of dentistry every week. In this podcast, she shares why she prioritises this and why it's so important to her. In this episode of "Two Reds are Better than One," you will discover: How Anushika achieves fantastic balance in her life and the role discipline plays in it How she maintains a strict fitness regime that will inspire you—hint: she wakes up at 4:30 am every weekday The lessons she learned from a messy divorce and

Dr. Katie Blake is co-founder with her husband Alex of Blake Dental, in the small market town of Witham, Essex, mid-way between Chelmsford and Colchester.   Katie has a special interest in dental implants, not only delivering to their own patients but working in other practices, lecturing, training and mentoring.   Alex is a former maths teacher, who has become the Business Manager.   They have also created a strong senior management team within the practice, through internal development and promotion.   In this entertaining conversation, Katie shares with us stories of her childhood, living with entrepreneurial parents, forming her own proto-business as a child (hence the title - you’ll realise), and then volunteering for work experience at a family friend’s nearby dental practice after he suggested to her parents that a career in dentistry would be a good choice.   We follow Katie to University, into hospital to become a maxillofacial first-responder to trauma injuries and then into Ownership.   She will sh

Imagine opening a Practice with no social media, prohibited from advertising, not allowed to have a website, plus you are timing this at the start of one of the worst recessions the country has ever known.   These were the circumstances faced by Dr. Kieran Daly when he opened his squat Practice in North Dublin during 2007.     Fast forward today, 17 years  after opening the doors, his Practice employs over 50 people and has expanded to a multi disciplinary Practice, treating patients with Implants, Orthodontics, Perio, Endo, and Restorative dental treatments, taking referrals from dentists all over Ireland. His journey is nothing short of remarkable.   Kieran never stands still, he is constantly developing himself both personally, and technically, he is the only Irish Orthodontist that is certified by the European Board of Orthodontics & The Angle Society of Europe. He is a leader in his field.    In this podcast you will learn; When Kieran opened his Practice, he was not allowed to have a website or al

Our second conversation with Dr. Marina Rhode, Founder of DRMR In our first conversation with Manrina we explored the influences from her early life that formed her philosophy and then travelled with her through 18-years as a London-based "career associate", working with some of the top names in the capital. We now explore the vision for and creation of her own clinic and brand - DRMR: How she used pen and paper to jot down ideas during her associate years and developed a vision of the practice that she wanted to own; The search for premises that would “fit the bill” and how she responded when told that her dream premises wouldn’t be suitable; The 18-month build project and why her attention to detail and obsession with perfection became a reality - a clinic of great beauty; The biggest challenge of the first two years - building a team. In the final part of our conversation, we discuss The Manrina Rhode Mentorship Programme, launching on 1st September 2024 and the difference Manrina intends to

In this episode, we interview Manish Chitnis to discuss his dental practice management software, DenTTrack, a task management software that provides clarity on who does what in a dental practice, including training for each task. Manish explains the importance of internal marketing and utilising the patient database to drive new patients amidst current market conditions. There are two main survivor groups in dentistry: high-end practices focused on excellent patient experiences, and high-volume, low-cost providers. DenTTrack Software Task Management: Provides checklists of tasks for each role, ensuring the team knows exactly what to do. Training Included: Offers training on how to complete each task. Growth and Legacy: Aimed at practices wanting to grow and create a legacy business. Contact: Reach out to Manish directly to explore if DenTTrack is suitable for your practice. Current Market Conditions New Patient Numbers: Experiencing a dip in new patient numbers and demand for high-end treatm

It’s a delight this month to listen to the founder of a Champions League dental practice in the beautiful Lake District - Neil Cooper has been a friend and a client of both of us for many years. Here, we delve into Neil’s childhood fascination with how things work and an early dedication to a career in dentistry, based on his experiences as a child patient. Following Neil to school, university, early days as a VT and associate, we then discover what happened when he caught the Ownership bug and used a unique approach to become co-purchaser of an antiquated practice on Kendal High Street. It’s now a 7-surgery clinic with a brilliant team, providing the highest complexity of dentistry. Throughout his career, Neil has always responded to the phrase “that will never work here”, with a determination to prove the critics wrong. As you listen, you will also hear about Bex Cooper and the contribution she has made to the development of the business since the pandemic. It’s a fantastic story about a fantastic prac

An interview with Dengro CEO - Neil Stephen   Listeners - if you think this month’s podcast is an advert for Dengro - think again.   CEO Neil Stephen has a fascinating CV, including starting and selling a number of international tech businesses over the years, as well as running The London Olympic Beach Volleyball competition in 2012.   He “gets” business and speaks with the authority of having worn all the t-shirts in business development over the years.   In our conversation we discuss:   Why a fascination for building teams led him into the tech sector; His previous life in business and how he ended up as CEO of Britain’s most popular Dental CRM company; Top tips for start ups - whether tech or dental; More top tips when you come to sell your business and when (and when not) to take on investors; Probably the clearest explanation of the benefits of CRM that you will ever hear; Crossing the implementation gap - how to get your team to buy into and start using new technology; What’s coming - where A.I and

This week we interviewed David Taylor, an ex Dale Carnegie International Master Trainer & Leadership Trainer, who shares the benefits of developing a Monthly Action Plan. Many Dental Practices report that finding the right people, retaining them and the paying their true worth challenging, this concept can help in all three areas and can make the Dental Practice a much more productive and a happier environment On this podcast you will discover; What is an 'Action Monthly Plan' and the benefits it brings to the Dental Practice  How to conduct an accountability meeting with your team Hear some example of how it raises the performance of your team and how they get really excited about being part of something bigger How to have challenging conversations with your team and associates without creating a toxic atmosphere The Wall flower concept and how it changed the direction of Chris, Ashley and Dave's career for the better and how you can have the same impact with your team Recite o

If you want to be inspired by the potential of a career in dentistry, no matter what your age or background, listen to the journey of one of the UK’s most interesting dental practice owners. As a child, Manrina Rhode wanted to become an actress, but an enlightened Headmistress saw the opportunity of combining art and science and encouraged her to study dentistry. The UK dental community (and her patients) can be glad that she did.  Right at the start of her career, she secured a position with Dr. Surinder Hundle at Lund Osler, one of whose clinics was based in Harvey Nicholls, London - innovative in its time. Surinder, famous as an original participant in the TV show "10 Years Younger" opened up opportunities that you can only dream of (learn how Manrina beat her competition to get this job). After several years at Lund Osler, she worked for Tim Bradstock-Smith - The London Smile Clinic.  Along the way, she ran a Music Label in Atlanta, that is another story you need to hear.   In the last 2 years, she h

If you walk round Manchester city centre, you will often see the above statement, ' WE DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY HERE'  which glorifys Manchester's achievements in the world and why Mancuncians are different. We have tweaked the above statement slightly for our guest today and you will see why when you listen to the interview.  Born in Glasgow, Lawrence decided to take some time out to travel the world and then visited Sydney 11 years ago to do some dentistry for several months. He ended up staying and now Lawrence is partner in Spa Dental  Dentist in Sydney CBD | Spa Dental Sydney CBD and three other Practices around Sydney. He is in the top five producers of Invisalign in the whole of Australia and as you listen to Lawrence you will clearly see how obsessive he is about the 'Patient Journey' and how they stand out from a very crowded market place. Have a pen and note pad to make lots of notes, this interview is full of gems.  You will discover;  How his practice and his team obsess about customer servic