In this episode, Chris sits down with Simon Reynolds of Patient Plan Direct and Andy Sloan of Agilio to explore one of the more significant developments in the dental business landscape, Agilio’s acquisition of Patient Plan Direct. What follows is a thoughtful conversation about consolidation, strategy and the future direction of UK dentistry.Simon reflects on his own journey into the sector, from Yorkshire and university life to becoming deeply involved in the growth of Patient Plan Direct. He explains how the business carved out its place in a crowded market by offering a lower-cost, practice-branded plan solution, supported by strong technology and a clear understanding of what practices actually need.Andy then shares the thinking behind the acquisition. This was not simply a deal for the sake of scale, it was a strategic move to strengthen Agilio’s position in patient engagement and complete a wider vision for supporting the operational and commercial life of the modern dental practice.The discussion broadens into the state of the profession, with particular attention given to the continued shift from NHS to private dentistry. Simon outlines the growing momentum behind practice conversions, driven more by pressure than by ambition in many cases, while Andy highlights the increasing importance of governance, structure and quality in building a practice that is both resilient and valuable.The conversation also touches on artificial intelligence, not as a gimmick, but as a practical tool for improving decision making, reducing routine admin and supporting better systems. Finally, Chris, Simon and Andy consider the implications of CMA scrutiny, and why preparation, transparency and good management will matter more than ever.A lively and timely conversation about change, opportunity and the next chapter for dentistry.

<description>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Chris sits down with Simon Reynolds of Patient Plan Direct and Andy Sloan of Agilio to explore one of the more significant developments in the dental business landscape, Agilio’s acquisition of Patient Plan Direct. What follows is a thoughtful conversation about consolidation, strategy and the future direction of UK dentistry.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Simon reflects on his own journey into the sector, from Yorkshire and university life to becoming deeply involved in the growth of Patient Plan Direct. He explains how the business carved out its place in a crowded market by offering a lower-cost, practice-branded plan solution, supported by strong technology and a clear understanding of what practices actually need.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Andy then shares the thinking behind the acquisition. This was not simply a deal for the sake of scale, it was a strategic move to strengthen Agilio’s position in patient engagement and complete a wider vision for supporting the operational and commercial life of the modern dental practice.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The discussion broadens into the state of the profession, with particular attention given to the continued shift from NHS to private dentistry. Simon outlines the growing momentum behind practice conversions, driven more by pressure than by ambition in many cases, while Andy highlights the increasing importance of governance, structure and quality in building a practice that is both resilient and valuable.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The conversation also touches on artificial intelligence, not as a gimmick, but as a practical tool for improving decision making, reducing routine admin and supporting better systems. Finally, Chris, Simon and Andy consider the implications of CMA scrutiny, and why preparation, transparency and good management will matter more than ever.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;A lively and timely conversation about change, opportunity and the next chapter for dentistry.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

In this episode, Chris sits down with Simon Reynolds of Patient Plan Direct and Andy Sloan of Agilio to explore one of the more significant developments in the dental business landscape, Agilio’s acquisition of Patient Plan Direct. What follows is a thoughtful conversation about consolidation, strategy and the future direction of UK dentistry. Simon reflects on his own journey into the sector, from Yorkshire and university life to becoming deeply involved in the growth of Patient Plan Direct....

Conversations with Chris

#23 Plans, pressure and the private pivot - an interview with Simon Reynolds and Andy Sloan

In this episode of Conversations with Chris, I’m joined by Vaidas Varinauskas, PhD, implant dentist and oral surgeon based in Dublin, and clinical lead at Seapoint Clinic, one of the standout practices in Ireland.Vaidas shares a refreshingly honest back story, born and raised in Lithuania, shaped by an early sporting career as a national champion rower, and later by nine years in Kaunas Medical University, where he trained as an oral surgeon and completed a PhD in biomedical sciences. We talk about what it is really like to run a small practice as a clinical couple, the pressure it puts on family life, and why, after selling their practice and moving to Ireland, he chose the structure and support of a larger clinical team.We explore the shift to fully digital implant workflows, the impact on chair time, stress, and efficiency, and Vaidas’s view that AI will become a daily assistant in planning, diagnosis support, and clinical note taking, while the human side of care remains irreplaceable.A key clinical theme is the “zero bone loss” concept, developed by Professor Tomas Linkevicius. Vaidas explains why it matters, why adoption is still relatively limited, and what needs to change in mindset and lab collaboration to deliver predictable long-term outcomes. He also shares how important his relationship with his technician is, in his case literally a family member, and why the team around the clinician, particularly TCOs, skilled nurses and strong management, is critical in building patient confidence and handling financial conversations properly.We close with Vaidas’s advice to younger dentists, embrace digital, find a mentor, keep learning, and do not be afraid to ask questions, even after 20 years in practice.

<description>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of Conversations with Chris, I’m joined by Vaidas Varinauskas, PhD, implant dentist and oral surgeon based in Dublin, and clinical lead at Seapoint Clinic, one of the standout practices in Ireland.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Vaidas shares a refreshingly honest back story, born and raised in Lithuania, shaped by an early sporting career as a national champion rower, and later by nine years in Kaunas Medical University, where he trained as an oral surgeon and completed a PhD in biomedical sciences. We talk about what it is really like to run a small practice as a clinical couple, the pressure it puts on family life, and why, after selling their practice and moving to Ireland, he chose the structure and support of a larger clinical team.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We explore the shift to fully digital implant workflows, the impact on chair time, stress, and efficiency, and Vaidas’s view that AI will become a daily assistant in planning, diagnosis support, and clinical note taking, while the human side of care remains irreplaceable.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;A key clinical theme is the “zero bone loss” concept, developed by Professor Tomas Linkevicius. Vaidas explains why it matters, why adoption is still relatively limited, and what needs to change in mindset and lab collaboration to deliver predictable long-term outcomes. He also shares how important his relationship with his technician is, in his case literally a family member, and why the team around the clinician, particularly TCOs, skilled nurses and strong management, is critical in building patient confidence and handling financial conversations properly.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We close with Vaidas’s advice to younger dentists, embrace digital, find a mentor, keep learning, and do not be afraid to ask questions, even after 20 years in practice.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

In this episode of Conversations with Chris, I’m joined by Vaidas Varinauskas, PhD, implant dentist and oral surgeon based in Dublin, and clinical lead at Seapoint Clinic, one of the standout practices in Ireland. Vaidas shares a refreshingly honest back story, born and raised in Lithuania, shaped by an early sporting career as a national champion rower, and later by nine years in Kaunas Medical University, where he trained as an oral surgeon and completed a PhD in biomedical sciences. We tal...

#22 Zero Bone Loss, Digital Workflows and the Future of Implant Dentistry

In this episode of the Conversations with Chris podcast, Chris Barrow welcomes back Paul Graham, Managing Director of the Medical Division at Christie &amp; Co, for a candid and optimistic state-of-the-nation conversation about the UK dental acquisitions market.With the Autumn Budget announcement just hours away, Chris and Paul discuss the resilience of the sector and share key insights into the evolving landscape of dental transactions. Paul highlights that Christie &amp; Co is on track for its best month of 2025 in terms of completions, a sign that both buyers and sellers are adapting well to ongoing economic headwinds.They explore the return of corporate buyers after a period dominated by independent acquisitions, confirming that the multiples shared in Christie &amp; Co’s September 2025 Dental Market Review remain accurate. There’s a clear sense of stabilisation in the market, with a renewed appetite from both ends of the spectrum.The pair also tackle the ongoing CMA investigation into private dentistry, with Paul offering a blunt and personal take on what he calls a “politically motivated” move. International comparisons feature heavily too, including European consolidation trends and Chris’s own experience in the fast-evolving Indian market.Looking ahead, Paul shares three essential priorities for practice owners and future sellers in 2025 and beyond: invest time in preparation, maintain clear and accurate data, and embrace AI and technology to stand out.Rounding off, Chris poses two classic questions: Why use a broker? And why Christie &amp; Co? Paul’s answers are concise, confident, and compelling listening for any dental professional considering their next move.Listen now for insights that will help shape your strategy heading into 2026.

<description>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of the Conversations with Chris podcast, Chris Barrow welcomes back Paul Graham, Managing Director of the Medical Division at Christie &amp;amp; Co, for a candid and optimistic state-of-the-nation conversation about the UK dental acquisitions market.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;With the Autumn Budget announcement just hours away, Chris and Paul discuss the resilience of the sector and share key insights into the evolving landscape of dental transactions. Paul highlights that Christie &amp;amp; Co is on track for its best month of 2025 in terms of completions, a sign that both buyers and sellers are adapting well to ongoing economic headwinds.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They explore the return of corporate buyers after a period dominated by independent acquisitions, confirming that the multiples shared in Christie &amp;amp; Co’s September 2025 Dental Market Review remain accurate. There’s a clear sense of stabilisation in the market, with a renewed appetite from both ends of the spectrum.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The pair also tackle the ongoing CMA investigation into private dentistry, with Paul offering a blunt and personal take on what he calls a “politically motivated” move. International comparisons feature heavily too, including European consolidation trends and Chris’s own experience in the fast-evolving Indian market.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Looking ahead, Paul shares three essential priorities for practice owners and future sellers in 2025 and beyond: invest time in preparation, maintain clear and accurate data, and embrace AI and technology to stand out.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Rounding off, Chris poses two classic questions: Why use a broker? And why Christie &amp;amp; Co? Paul’s answers are concise, confident, and compelling listening for any dental professional considering their next move.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Listen now for insights that will help shape your strategy heading into 2026.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

In this episode of the Conversations with Chris podcast, Chris Barrow welcomes back Paul Graham, Managing Director of the Medical Division at Christie &amp; Co, for a candid and optimistic state-of-the-nation conversation about the UK dental acquisitions market. With the Autumn Budget announcement just hours away, Chris and Paul discuss the resilience of the sector and share key insights into the evolving landscape of dental transactions. Paul highlights that Christie &amp; Co is on track for...

#21 A conversation with Paul Graham (Christie & Co)

In this episode of Conversations with Chris, I’m joined by the inimitable Michael Bentley – coach, presenter, and recently-returned musical theatre performer – for a candid discussion on leadership, dentistry, and the art of performance, both on and off the stage.We begin with reflections on Michael’s return to the boards in Titanic: The Musical, a deeply emotional experience where he brought his full theatrical self to a cast of over 50, ranging from teenagers to septuagenarians. It’s a compelling metaphor for leadership: preparation, presence, and a show must go on mentality.The conversation then shifts to the state of UK dentistry in late 2025. Despite economic headwinds, Michael shares that many practices are still growing – investing in surgeries, expanding teams, and even acquiring. But with growth comes challenge, particularly around leadership and people. Managers are often overwhelmed, undefined in role, and under-trained. Michael argues that the future lies in recognising that leadership is not one role – it’s a set of capabilities that need to be distributed across the team.Michael also shares a critical insight: hesitation costs money. Practices that delay the “difficult decisions” – underperformance, culture drift, unclear expectations – pay the price in lost morale and retention.We close with a look to 2026, where Michael’s diary is already full with coaching, speaking, and a return to co-hosting live events with Laura Horton – launching a practical leadership programme for dental managers that promises to close the gap between theory and implementation.This one’s for owners and managers alike – and well worth sharing with your leadership team.Listen now – and if it resonates, pass it on.

<description>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Conversations with Chris&lt;/em&gt;, I’m joined by the inimitable Michael Bentley – coach, presenter, and recently-returned musical theatre performer – for a candid discussion on leadership, dentistry, and the art of performance, both on and off the stage.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We begin with reflections on Michael’s return to the boards in &lt;em&gt;Titanic: The Musical&lt;/em&gt;, a deeply emotional experience where he brought his full theatrical self to a cast of over 50, ranging from teenagers to septuagenarians. It’s a compelling metaphor for leadership: preparation, presence, and a show must go on mentality.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The conversation then shifts to the state of UK dentistry in late 2025. Despite economic headwinds, Michael shares that many practices are still growing – investing in surgeries, expanding teams, and even acquiring. But with growth comes challenge, particularly around leadership and people. Managers are often overwhelmed, undefined in role, and under-trained. Michael argues that the future lies in recognising that leadership is not one role – it’s a set of capabilities that need to be distributed across the team.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Michael also shares a critical insight: hesitation costs money. Practices that delay the “difficult decisions” – underperformance, culture drift, unclear expectations – pay the price in lost morale and retention.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We close with a look to 2026, where Michael’s diary is already full with coaching, speaking, and a return to co-hosting live events with Laura Horton – launching a practical leadership programme for dental managers that promises to close the gap between theory and implementation.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This one’s for owners and managers alike – and well worth sharing with your leadership team.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Listen now – and if it resonates, pass it on.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

In this episode of Conversations with Chris, I’m joined by the inimitable Michael Bentley – coach, presenter, and recently-returned musical theatre performer – for a candid discussion on leadership, dentistry, and the art of performance, both on and off the stage. We begin with reflections on Michael’s return to the boards in Titanic: The Musical, a deeply emotional experience where he brought his full theatrical self to a cast of over 50, ranging from teenagers to septuagenarians. It’s a com...

#20 Conversations with Chris: Michael Bentley on Leadership, Theatrical Lessons, and 2026

In this episode I’m joined by Paige Abbs, Practice Manager at Woodborough House Dental Practice in Pangbourne, Berkshire. Paige arrived three years ago from a corporate operations background and has since made a marked impact on a large, multi-disciplinary private practice. We talk career pivots, culture, systems and why the right kind of structure liberates people to do their best work.Paige describes being recruited through networking rather than advertising — a reminder that, in 2025, great hiring is a relationship game. She shares why she instantly aligned with owners Nick Fahey and Sarah Fitzharris: a genuine, people-first culture coupled with a restless desire to keep improving.We explore the “two culture shocks”: swapping South London for rural Oxfordshire, and stepping from corporate life into dentistry. Her verdict? Clinical technology is world-class, but the business infrastructure lags. She argues for more scalable processes and questions legacy norms (such as hourly pay for qualified clinical support staff), not to corporatise the profession, but to value skill and create consistency.On leadership, Paige embraces my old triad — Mother Superior, Ward Matron and Sergeant Major — and explains why many practices over-index on kindness and under-deliver on boundaries. In a team of 40 with eight surgeries and 14 clinicians (GDPs, hygiene/therapy and specialists, with referrals), clarity of roles, simple rules and steady accountability prevent burnout and drift.We also look ahead. Paige sees AI as an Industrial Revolution-level shift: brilliant for contemporaneous notes, compliance and freeing clinicians’ time—provided we protect humanity in the patient journey.Her advice to practice managers for the next three years:<ul><li>Learn to have the difficult conversation — including with principals.</li><li>Set boundaries and defend recovery time; model sustainable pace.</li><li>Build trainable systems so knowledge outlives individuals.</li></ul>If you enjoy the conversation, please share the episode with a colleague who’d benefit. Thanks for listening.

<description>&lt;p&gt;In this episode I’m joined by &lt;b&gt;Paige Abbs&lt;/b&gt;, Practice Manager at &lt;b&gt;Woodborough House Dental Practice&lt;/b&gt; in Pangbourne, Berkshire. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Paige arrived three years ago from a corporate operations background and has since made a marked impact on a large, multi-disciplinary private practice. We talk career pivots, culture, systems and why the right kind of structure liberates people to do their best work.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Paige describes being recruited through networking rather than advertising — a reminder that, in 2025, great hiring is a relationship game. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;She shares why she instantly aligned with owners Nick Fahey and Sarah Fitzharris: a genuine, people-first culture coupled with a restless desire to keep improving.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We explore the “two culture shocks”: swapping South London for rural Oxfordshire, and stepping from corporate life into dentistry. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Her verdict? Clinical technology is world-class, but the business infrastructure lags. She argues for more scalable processes and questions legacy norms (such as hourly pay for qualified clinical support staff), not to corporatise the profession, but to value skill and create consistency.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;On leadership, Paige embraces my old triad — Mother Superior, Ward Matron and Sergeant Major&lt;b&gt; &lt;/b&gt;— and explains why many practices over-index on kindness and under-deliver on boundaries. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In a team of 40 with eight surgeries and 14 clinicians (GDPs, hygiene/therapy and specialists, with referrals), clarity of roles, simple rules and steady accountability prevent burnout and drift.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We also look ahead. Paige sees AI as an Industrial Revolution-level shift: brilliant for contemporaneous notes, compliance and freeing clinicians’ time—provided we protect humanity in the patient journey.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Her advice to practice managers for the next three years:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Learn to have the difficult conversation — including with principals.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Set boundaries and defend recovery time; model sustainable pace.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Build trainable systems so knowledge outlives individuals.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you enjoy the conversation, please share the episode with a colleague who’d benefit. Thanks for listening.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

In this episode I’m joined by Paige Abbs, Practice Manager at Woodborough House Dental Practice in Pangbourne, Berkshire.  Paige arrived three years ago from a corporate operations background and has since made a marked impact on a large, multi-disciplinary private practice. We talk career pivots, culture, systems and why the right kind of structure liberates people to do their best work. Paige describes being recruited through networking rather than advertising — a reminder that, in 202...

Conversations with Chris

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