As the Dental Practice Accelerator draws to a close, Hannan and Daniel Saleem reflect on an extraordinary journey of growth, learning and transformation.
At the start of the Dental Practice Accelerator Programme, Hannan and Daniel were seeking clarity and direction. Their goal was to establish a clear roadmap for the growth and improvement of their practice. They hoped to gain actionable steps from seasoned mentors – Justin Leigh, Sandeep Kumar, Sameer Patel and Shaz Memon – uncovering the ‘secret sauce’ behind their successes. And that’s exactly what they achieved; a framework of insights and strategies that have enabled them to envision the future of their practice with newfound clarity.
Overcoming challenges
Like any transformative journey, the programme posed its fair share of challenges. Hannan and Daniel had to balance the demands of scaling their business while maintaining day-to-day operations. They faced the complexities of expanding chairtime, managing resources, and renegotiating staff expectations without disrupting patient care. T
hese challenges were particularly pronounced in the context of adapting an existing practice rather than starting from scratch. As Hannan explained, they had to ‘unpack’ entrenched issues and ‘repack’ them into a sustainable, efficient structure.
The journey of overcoming these hurdles was anchored in transparent communication, strong leadership, and a culture of constant improvement. The programme mentors – Justin, Sandeep, Sameer and Shaz – played a vital role in reshaping their approach to leadership and management. Insights from these experts enabled Hannan and Daniel to focus on their priorities, engage their team, and build a practice rooted in shared values. The emphasis on feedback – both from patients and the team – emerged as a key driver in navigating changes successfully.
Biggest wins
Reflecting on their accomplishments, Hannan and Daniel highlighted their strongest wins – increased patient engagement, team cohesion, newfound clarity, and an aligned direction for their practice. They’ve built a fantastic team and instilled a culture of growth and accountability. Additionally, their practice’s transformation has gained external recognition, as they became finalists for Most Improved Practice – London at the 2024 Private Dentistry Awards.
‘Our biggest win? Clarity,’ Daniel affirmed. ‘We now have a clear vision of where we’re heading, and that’s an invaluable outcome.’
The mentors
The programme’s mentors became pivotal figures in Hannan and Daniel’s journey, offering expertise and inspiration across multiple facets of their business and personal growth.
Described as a game-changer, Justin Leigh’s lessons fundamentally altered how Hannan approaches team management and leadership: ‘Justin has completely changed my leadership approach. I find that the team are much more engaged. I’ve been able to get them to become more accountable and also hold me accountable at the same time. The guidance and advice that he provides me around the business, has also really helped me in my day-to-day life, and really changed who I am.’
A guiding light in marketing and patient engagement, Shaz Memon’s advice revolutionised their approach to reaching and interacting with their audience. Daniel explained: ‘Shaz is an absolute pillar of the dental industry. The way he thinks about businesses within the dental industry is unlike anyone I’ve ever seen.
‘His ideas, and his ability to come up with strategies is phenomenal, and he gives us really actionable and impressive advice that we’ve used in some of our marketing, our website, and even just the way we interact with patients. It’s really changed the game for us.’
Sandeep Kumar’s knack for prioritising and streamlining operations empowered the Saleems to tackle challenges head-on and focus on what truly mattered. Hannan said: ‘The way I’ve seen Sandeep operate his business and his network is really impressive. It’s definitely something I aspire to be. He has this really good approach of whittling down the problems to the key priorities and then pushing me to focus on those. Before this programme I would get lost in the weeds but Sandeep really helped me knuckle down on what I really needed to focus on and what the main priorities were.’
With his commitment to delivering outstanding dental care in a harmonious working environment, Sameer Patel inspired Hannan and Daniel to balance business growth with their core mission of exceptional patient outcomes. Daniel: ‘Samir is a fantastic leader and dentist, his ability to create a culture within his team that is high achieving and to motivate them, I think that’s really something that we would love to rub off on us and we can start instilling in our team as well.’
Surprises along the way
One of the most unexpected yet rewarding aspects of the programme was the sense of community within the dental world. Daniel expressed his astonishment at the openness and generosity of other professionals in sharing their expertise and experiences: ‘What really stood out was the willingness of everyone to help each other succeed. It didn’t feel competitive; it felt collaborative,’ Daniel remarked.
Innovations and growth: the highlights
The practice has embraced significant changes, including:
- Technology integration: the adoption of the Itero Scanner has revolutionised workflows, creating a more interactive and engaging patient experience
- Brand overhaul: from the logo to the website, the rebranding captures the essence of their family’s journey and vision
- Operational excellence: streamlined processes and clearly defined roles have empowered their team, enhanced customer service, and freed up time to focus on growth
- Patient-centred care: a renewed emphasis on patient relationships has deepened trust and loyalty, earning heartfelt praise from long-term clients.
This spirit of collaboration and mutual encouragement was a revelation, transforming the often-perceived competitive industry into a supportive network. Through the programme, they connected with peers, FMC, Align, and other key players, widening their horizons and establishing lasting relationships. This camaraderie has reshaped their view of the profession, transforming competition into collective empowerment.
Building on a legacy
Hannan and Daniel’s journey is deeply connected to their family’s legacy. Their story spans decades – a tale of resilience that began with their parents’ dream and continues to inspire today. In 2010, their parents took the courageous step of opening a squat practice in what was once a convenience store. ‘It was a massive risk,’ Hannan recounts, ‘but it was the start of something extraordinary.’
Building upon their parents’ work, Hannan and Daniel have embarked on a mission to transform and modernise the practice. The Dental Practice Accelerator programme has played a pivotal role in this evolution, equipping them with tools, strategies, and a newfound sense of direction.
One of the most significant updates has been in the practice’s branding and identity. Rather than outsourcing to external firms, Daniel took it upon himself to create a brand that reflects the heart of their story. ‘Our family’s journey is embedded in every aspect of the practice,’ he explains. This authenticity resonates deeply with their patients, many of whom have remained loyal for over 14 years – some even traveling from distant locations to continue receiving care at London Dental Centre.
A vision transformed
Hannan and Daniel entered the Dental Practice Accelerator Programme with a desire for clarity and hope for stability. They sought actionable insights from mentors and hoped to unveil the strategies that could set their business apart. This aspiration was met and exceeded, as the programme provided them not only with strategic guidance but also with the confidence to dream bigger than they had before.
The mentors have been integral to this transformation. Justin’s leadership guidance has not only shaped how Daniel manages his team but also influenced his interactions with family and friends. ‘Justin has changed my life,’ Hannan says, ‘from how I handle difficult conversations to fostering engagement both personally and professionally.’ Shaz’s marketing expertise, Sandeep’s operational insights, and Sameer’s clinical excellence have all contributed to a practice that is more efficient, innovative, and patient-focused than ever before.
Now, they aim of boundless growth – adding more chairs, onboarding new staff, and expanding their reach. While the journey ahead involves continuous acceleration, they are confident in their ability to steer the practice toward even greater heights. ‘Previously, our vision was to simply stabilise the practice,’ said Daniel. ‘Through this process, we’ve completely reimagined what we can achieve.’
A year of growth
Reflecting on the past year, it’s clear that the Dental Practice Accelerator programme has been an invaluable experience. Hannan and Daniel have not only achieved their initial goal of clarity and actionable steps but also discovered the power of community and the resilience needed to overcome operational hurdles.
As the programme concludes, they are excited to carry forward the lessons learned, the relationships built, and the vision solidified. Hannan concluded: ‘All my expectations have been exceeded. The position we are in now is completely different to where we were when we started and it fills me with joy. I’m also very grateful for the team at Align for how much support they’ve given me, and also to the mentors, Shaz, Justin, Sandeep and Sameer, have been completely instrumental to the practice’s development and my personal development. It’s been a really life-changing experience.’
If you would like to accelerate your practice and clinical growth, Align Technology can help you get to the next level, leveraging the Invisalign system, Itero intraoral scanners, and the Align Digital Platform.
For more information about its education and growth support programmes visit www.invisalign.co.uk/gp/become-a-provider.
