When the Drill Goes Silent: Transitioning from Dentistry to Full-Time Business Leadership

David Adderson • October 28, 2024

Discover the unexpected source that helped a small business owner overcome burnout. It's not what you think. Stay tuned for the surprising twist!

I think the biggest thing is, if something's not going very well, you know, you pick it out early doors, you figure out why. And yes, it might make a month or two to make changes to impact that, but at least it's a month or two and not a year or two

My special guest is Kaival Patel

Kaival Patel, the visionary owner and director of Kana Health Group, brings a fresh and innovative approach to dentistry and business management. With a strong emphasis on patient experience and empowerment, Kaival's journey from a childhood fascination with teeth to co-founding the group alongside his wife, Shreena, showcases his unwavering commitment to excellence. Shaped by his family's immigrant background and strong work ethic, Kaival's unique insights into the dental industry and business ownership offer a wealth of knowledge for fellow entrepreneurs and small business owners in the dental field. His expertise and experiences provide a compelling narrative, shedding light on the importance of balancing clinical expertise with strategic business management for a successful dental practice.

This is Kaival Patel's story:

Kaival Patel's foray into the dental field was subtly influenced by his family's tenacity and resolve. Growing up in a loving yet financially modest household, he witnessed his parents' unwavering work ethic and determination to provide a better future for their children. This upbringing instilled in him a deep-rooted appreciation for stability and security, laying the groundwork for his eventual career choice. Despite initially considering alternative paths, Kaival's childhood intrigue with teeth and dentistry gradually became a defining factor in his professional journey. The echoes of his family's resilience continue to resonate in his approach to business and patient care, underscoring the profound impact of familial values on his career trajectory.

In this episode, you will be able to:

Mastering the Journey of Starting a Dental Practice: Unlock the secrets to a successful launch and growth of your dental practice.
Unravelling the Impact of Family Background on Career Choice: Explore the surprising influence of family history on your dental career path.
Navigating the Expansion of Your Dental Practice Business: Discover the strategies to scale and grow your dental practice effectively.
Elevating the Importance of Patient Experience in Dentistry: Transform your practice by creating exceptional patient experiences that keep them coming back.
Transitioning from Clinical Dentistry to Business Management: Uncover the keys to smoothly shift from focusing on patients to managing the business side of your dental practice.

Importance of Knowing the Numbers

Understanding the financial aspects of a dental practice is crucial for long-term success and growth. Monitoring key performance indicators, managing cash flow, and analyzing profitability metrics are vital for informed decision-making and strategic planning. Knowing the numbers allows practice owners to identify trends, address financial challenges proactively, and optimize the practice's financial health. 2nd paragraph: Kaival Patel emphasizes the importance of knowing the numbers in the dental industry. By focusing on proactive financial management and profitability rather than just turnover, he demonstrates a strategic approach to running a successful practice. Patel's emphasis on timely financial analysis aligns with the necessity of understanding the financial aspects of the business to drive growth and sustainability. By prioritizing financial literacy and proactive financial planning, he ensures that Kana Health Group remains financially healthy and well-positioned for future expansion.

Building a Health Group Practice

Transitioning from a single practice to a health group practice involves strategic planning, operational efficiency, and team collaboration. Building a health group practice requires establishing standardized processes, promoting a cohesive organizational culture across multiple locations, and effectively managing resources. Expanding a practice into a health group involves scaling the business while maintaining quality patient care and operational excellence. 2nd paragraph: Kaival Patel's journey of transforming Kana Health Group into a health group practice demonstrates the dedication and vision required to expand a dental practice. Through strategic growth initiatives, including the establishment of a teaching academy and postgraduate education programs, Patel expands the scope of services offered by the practice. His focus on building a sustainable and integrated health group aligns with the goal of providing comprehensive care across different specialities and locations. By investing in the growth and development of the practice, Patel showcases a proactive approach to building a thriving health group practice.

Establishing the Brand Identity

Establishing a strong brand identity is essential for differentiation and recognition in the competitive dental industry. A unique brand identity helps attract the right audience, build trust with patients, and communicate the values and mission of the practice. Using a personalised approach that reflects the founders' story and values can resonate with patients and create a memorable brand. 2nd paragraph: Kaival Patel's journey into entrepreneurship with Kana Health Group showcases the significance of establishing a personalized brand identity. Naming the practice after a combination of his and his wife's names adds a personal touch that reflects their commitment to the business. By focusing on positivity and respect as guiding principles, Patel ensures that the brand identity aligns with the values and culture of the practice. This approach not only differentiates Kana Health Group but also resonates with patients seeking a unique and authentic dental experience.

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

Listen to the podcast The Diary of a CEO hosted by Steven Bartlett for more insightful discussions on business and life.
Explore AI software tools for dentistry, such as AI-powered dental imaging software, to enhance diagnostic capabilities and improve patient care.
Consider investing in dental education and training programs, such as postgraduate diplomas in aesthetic and restorative dentistry, to further develop clinical skills and expertise.
Explore the concept of creating a positive and empowering work culture within dental practices, focusing on team development and patient experience.
Consider using business coaching services to gain valuable insights and guidance in managing and growing a dental practice.

Timestamped summary of this episode:
00:00:10 - Introduction and Business Overview
The podcast introduces Kaival Patel, owner of Kana Health Group, discussing the group's core beliefs and growth since its founding in 2015.

00:01:22 - Journey to Dentistry
Kaival shares his childhood upbringing, his parents' influence on education, and his decision to pursue dentistry at the University of Manchester.

00:04:46 - Buying the First Dental Practice
Kaival discusses the challenges of buying his first dental practice and the lessons learned from the experience, emphasizing the importance of postgraduate education and finding a practice to implement their specialized skills.

00:08:39 - Managing Disagreements and Business Coaching
Kaival explains how he and his wife, Shreena, resolve disagreements, the importance of dedicated business meetings, and the role of their business coach, Debbie Lewis, in providing a different perspective and tough love.

00:11:26 - Staff Management and Business Growth
Kaival shares his approach to hiring based on attitude, the significance of systems and processes, and the impact of the entrepreneur program with NatWest on their business mindset. He also discusses the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and his decision to shift focus from clinical dentistry to business.

00:13:54 - Establishing the Brand Identity
Kaival discusses the decision to grow the group and establish a brand identity for Kana Health Group, emphasizing positivity and respect as the core values.

00:15:12 - Importance of Mentorship
Kaival acknowledges the influence of mentors in different stages of his life, highlighting the guidance received from his parents and other mentors in both clinical and business aspects.

00:18:25 - Transition from Dentist to Business Owner
Kaival shares his experience of transitioning from clinical dentistry to focusing solely on the business side, highlighting the challenges and identity crises he faced, and emphasizing the importance of patient experience.

00:21:25 - Expanding Dental Practices
Kaival discusses the challenges of replicating the patient experience in acquired practices, emphasizing the importance of building rapport with patients and maintaining consistency in the quality of care across all locations.

00:25:43 - Enhancing Patient Experience
Kaival highlights the focus on enhancing patient experience through renovating practices, investing in technology, and creating a welcoming environment, emphasizing the impact of small details such as smell and reception experience on patient perception.

00:26:44 - Importance of Positive Experiences in Dentistry
Kaival emphasizes the importance of creating positive experiences for patients in dental practices. He draws inspiration from the film "Molly's Game" and emphasizes the impact of making people feel valued.

00:27:56 - Creating a Multi-Sensory Experience
Kaival discusses the importance of engaging all the senses in creating a positive experience for patients in dental practices. He mentions the impact of smell, touch, sight, and sound in enhancing the overall patient experience.

00:30:47 - Building a Positive Team Culture
Kaival shares insights into how he fosters a positive team culture in his dental practices. From using positive language to implementing initiatives like the Kana Cup, he emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive and enjoyable work environment.

00:35:37 - Learning from Mistakes
Kaival reflects on the challenges he faced in the early stages of owning a dental practice, highlighting the importance of having a clear purpose and vision. He emphasizes the need to be confident in driving necessary changes and learning from past mistakes.

00:36:32 - The Impact of Existing Owners
Kaival discusses the impact of having existing owners in a practice and the challenges they can pose when trying to implement changes. He shares the importance of having a clear direction and purpose when taking over a practice.

00:39:14 - Building a Health Group Practice
Kaival discusses his journey of acquiring dental practices and transitioning them into a health group practice. He also talks about the challenges and rewards of starting an academy to upskill his team.

00:42:04 - Importance of Knowing the Numbers
Kaival emphasizes the essentiality of knowing the numbers in business, especially in dentistry. He highlights the significance of timely management accounts and the impact of understanding the story behind the numbers.

00:45:01 - Leaving a Legacy
Kaival shares his desire to leave a lasting impact on the dental industry and the business world. He discusses the importance of creating a positive memory and the aspiration for his children to be proud of their parents' accomplishments.

00:49:42 - Considerations for Selling the Business
Kaival reflects on the possibility of selling the business and the factors that would influence such a decision. He emphasizes the importance of enjoying the journey and not selling until the business is no longer enjoyable.

00:51:33 - Embracing AI in Dentistry
Kaival discusses his openness to incorporating AI technology in dentistry, citing its potential to reduce human error and enhance diagnostic capabilities. He highlights a specific AI software that aids in identifying and highlighting issues in dental X-rays.

00:52:23 - Embracing AI in Dentistry
Kaival discusses the importance of using AI as an adjunct in dentistry to help with human error and improve diagnostic accuracy. He shares his plan to implement AI tools in his practice to aid in reading X-rays and emphasizes the need for balance between AI assistance and clinical inspection.

00:53:33 - Impact of AI on Future Dentists
The conversation shifts to concerns about new dentists becoming too reliant on AI for diagnosis, potentially affecting their training and clinical skills. Kaival highlights the importance of maintaining a balance between using AI as a tool and developing the ability to diagnose and inspect independently.

00:55:07 - Reflecting on Missed Opportunities
Kaival reflects on a missed opportunity in his career, sharing his regret about not investing enough time and resources into an educational app he developed as an associate dentist. He acknowledges the importance of learning from failure and the impact it had on his approach to future endeavours.

00:57:13 - Overcoming Dark Moments
David shares personal experiences of feeling burnout and the pivotal role his business partner, Catherine, played in pulling him out of tough times. He emphasizes the significance of having a support system to recognize and address mental health challenges, both in business and personal life.

01:03:28 - Closing Remarks and Contact Information
The conversation concludes with Kaival expressing gratitude for the opportunity to be on the podcast. He shares his preferred contact methods, inviting listeners to reach out for further questions or advice

Connect with me here:

https://www.facebook.com/https://www.facebook.com/YoutopiaSolutions
https://www.youtopia.co.uk/
https://www.twitter.com/https://www.twitter.com/HelloYoutopia
https://www.linkedin.com/https://www.linkedin.com/company/youtopia-solutions-ltd/
https://www.youtube.com/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQh2hMYBVGc7dEnAH9TkXOw

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Unlock Smarter Spending for Better SEND Outcomes – Part 2

By David Adderson • July 14, 2025

In Part 1 of this series, Dr Anita Devi opened the conversation on the rising complexity of SEND and the need for intentional, values-driven provision. Her reflections focused on inclusive leadership, purposeful commissioning, and the principle that less can often be more . In this second part, I’d like to continue the conversation — but from a financial perspective. My name is Katherine Robertson. I’ve spent over 10 years working with organisations across sectors including the education sector, helping them to navigate their finances confidently and strategically. What I’ve learned over that time is simple: money follows priorities — but only when we lead with clarity . And now, with SEND needs rising faster than school income, we must work smarter than ever with the resources we have. 🎯 From Stockpiling to Strategic Spending In 2024, the Department for Education wrote to 64 academy trusts, concerned that some were holding onto reserves more than 100% of their annual income . These aren’t just large numbers — they are untapped opportunities. Of course, we know why these reserves exist: financial uncertainty, poor capital funding, and the understandable desire to protect future viability. But if money meant for today’s pupils is held for tomorrow’s problems , we risk doing a disservice to the very learners we aim to support. That’s why we’re asking an important question: Can schools and trusts use their reserves to strengthen inclusion and SEND support now, without compromising their long-term financial security? Our answer is yes — with the right approach. 🧩 Applying Financial Wisdom to Inclusive Practice We are not advocating reckless spending or draining reserves dry. On the contrary, we work with leaders to build a clear, defensible strategy for using reserves wisely , backed by robust modelling, compliance with DfE guidance, and an unwavering focus on improving outcomes for children with SEND. Together with Dr Anita Devi, we bring dual lens: educational insight and financial clarity. Here’s how we help to: ● Identify untapped funding within existing reserves ● Co-develop an evidence-led SEND investment plan ● Align to DfE expectations on reserve levels and financial health ● Build the narrative for governors, trustees, auditors and regulators ● Support ongoing evaluation to ensure value for money and impact It’s not about spending more. It’s about spending better . 🔄 Releasing Funds. Reinforcing Purpose. SEND needs are not going away — and nor are the financial pressures. But when finance and inclusion experts work together, we can unlock solutions that support both pupil outcomes and institutional resilience . With careful planning, strategic reserve use can: ● Fund early intervention ● Invest in staff development ● Improve provision infrastructure ● And reduce future costs from reactive SEND placements or escalation It’s a long-term gain — and a value-led approach to financial governance. 💬 Let’s Continue the Conversation If you’re sitting on reserves and wondering how best to use them — or if you’re just ready to rethink how your SEND resources are working for you — we’re here to help. We offer a tailored advisory service that helps schools and trusts plan, invest and lead with both head and heart. 📩 Reach out at SEND_Finance@youtopia.co.uk to book a preliminary conversation. Because sometimes, the smartest way to save — is to spend with purpose. Author: Katherine Robertson Strategic Finance Expert and Education Consultant In partnership with Dr Anita Devi – Leading SEND Specialist

Unlock Smarter Spending for Better SEND Outcomes

By David Adderson • July 4, 2025

Inclusion is desirable, yet it is complex. In this two-part blog, we begin to unravel the challenges of increasing needs in education and diminishing resources. In this article, Dr Anita Devi explores some of the many challenges Educators in England currently face. Her intent is to extend perceptual thinking from problem to solution. In Part 2, Katherine Robertson will unpick some of the financial levers for consideration. I have worked in the education sector for a fair few decades now. Am I showing my age? Possibly, but also my experience and out of that experience is born wisdom. Wisdom is applied knowledge with the benefit of lived experience and hindsight. To broaden our thinking, I have decided to focus on three areas: Rising needs in the classroom – ensuring each child receives an educational experience that is progressive, whilst meeting their needs Less is more – applying a structured and systematic approach to providing support for special educational needs and disability (SEND) Commissioning with purpose – intentionally involving others, when needed. Since the increase in needs always outmatches the rise in resource funding, sadly we will always be in a deficit. This is not about being despondent, but hopeful through responsive and creative solutions. In many life situations, we face elements of the unknown and so we put in place checks and balances to ensure we maintain stability. If our own personal finances were continuously in the red, we would be faced with three options: Reduce spending Increase income Look for alternatives In the education world whilst options 1 and 2 may be possible to some degree, it is restricted and ultimately option 3 has been our default; especially if we are to adhere to the core principles of The Salamanca Statement (1994) and more closely to home, The Children and Families’ Act 2014. Rising need in the classroom Those who lead on inclusion and /or SEND need to simplify systems to ensure those learners who require additional and adaptive provision receive it. I have expanded more on this in a July 2023 booklet, which you can download here . If as a leader, you understand the fundamentals of an inclusive provision framework, you can reduce the paper trail to make it purposeful, without compromising on keeping a diligent paper trail of evidence. This will also ensure you know whether what is in place is having an impact or not. SEND: It is time to lead differently . Less is more There are a number of core decisions to be made when additional provision is put in place. For example, in or out of the classroom? How long is the defined additional support required and most importantly what is the expected outcome from the additional support? For far too long, we have assumed the ‘forever’ model when it comes to interventions or additional support. We have often omitted to discern short-term from long-term, as well as factor in the negative impact of too many interventions simultaneously. Short-term interventions, if assessed and targeted well can (in many instances) provide the learner with new skills and/or increased independence. This is a desirable outcome, as none of us is truly seeking to create a dependency model. Equally, administering too many interventions simultaneously takes away from the exploratory nature of interventions i.e. what’s working and what needs to change. We have indeed moved away from the ‘medical model’, however, some of the basic principles still need to be considered. In response to a medical condition, a doctor would not prescribe multiple medications or remedies simultaneously. Due care and consideration would be given to the negative interactive impact of one solution upon another. We need to apply a similar approach to inclusion and SEND. This is not denying that a child may have multiple needs, but sometimes it is about focusing on one thing at a time. Commissioning with Purpose This has been a bugbear of mine since 2018 , if not before! As a previous SEND Advisory Teacher, I was always intentional about ‘adding value’ to what is already in place in any setting. As a previous Senior Leader / SENCO, I was always intentional about securing services that provided ‘value for money’. I’ve worked with The Audit Commission on this and The National Audit Office, not to mention Business Managers and local authorities. I would also encourage readers to explore their ‘decommissioning process’. As a long-standing Education Change Consultant, my team & I always write our exit plans before we go into support. This is regardless of whether we are working in the UK or overseas. I am continuously amazed how many schools/colleges rely on the same service for years, even if there is no impact evidence of change through the input they are buying in. Over the years, training head teachers at national conferences, I have always advocated ‘procurement with precision’. Even at local authority level, I think provision would be better if Porter’s Forces were applied during the annual review of an EHCP in regard to placement choices, especially non-maintained Independent schools (NMIs). Supplier power through exuberant price hikes, in a time when there is a shortage of places, is both immoral and financially unsustainable. This is just the start of the conversation, but with a few systemic tweaks – schools and colleges can begin to look differently at provision. Still meeting the needs of children and young people but reducing the strain on financial resources and human manpower. Do get in touch if you would like to find out more. Author: Dr Anita Devi dr. h.c. Dr Anita Devi , leading SEND specialist, and Katherine Robertson , strategic finance expert, have joined forces to offer a new advisory service for schools and colleges . This service is designed to provide strategic financial governance of SEND provision, focusing on efficiency, effectiveness, and value for money . We help you explore financially sustainable solutions that support early intervention, improve outcomes, and make the most of every pound spent, without compromising on quality. If you're ready to rethink how SEND resources are used in your setting, contact us for a preliminary conversation at SEND_Finance@youtopia.co.uk 📢 And keep an eye out for our upcoming blog