From Drills to Directorship: What Dental School Didn’t Teach Me About Running Two Mixed Practices

By Dr Shraddha Innani

When I graduated from dental school, I felt ready to diagnose, drill, and deliver the highest standard of care. But nothing in our training prepared me for the complexities of running a dental practice, let alone two. Over nearly a decade of being a Clinical Director, I’ve learned that being a great clinician is only one piece of the puzzle. To build a thriving, sustainable business, you must grow into a leader, strategist, mentor, and sometimes, an all-out fixer in chief. My journey into ownership wasn’t just a professional milestone, it was a personal one too. I acquired my very first practice when my daughter was just one year old. Picture this: sleepless nights, nappy changes, and nap schedules… all while trying to figure out CQC protocols, rota gaps and how to manage a team who’d soon become my extended family. I had serious “Can I really do this?” moments. I was juggling mum life, boss life, wife life, and now, the responsibility of every single patient who walked through our doors. It was giving main character energy, but not always the glamorous kind.

What I’ve realised since then is that the mess and magic of it all is where growth happens. Every challenge pushed me to evolve. Every setback made me sharper. Every win (big or small) reminded me why I started.

And while there’s no exact blueprint for success, there are lessons that keep you grounded and growing. Owning and operating two mixed (NHS and Private) practices has taught me that every business is unique. What works in one setting may not translate in another. Patient demographics, team dynamics, and service delivery models vary and so must your approach. There is no one-size-fits-all formula. This realization forced me to think bigger, lead smarter, and remain agile.

Here are three of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned on this journey, lessons I hope will inspire other female dentists stepping into leadership.

The Real Flex? Crystal Clear Communication

Clear, intentional communication is the backbone of any well-run practice. It sets the tone for your culture, builds trust, and ensures that everyone moves in the same direction. Misunderstandings are inevitable, but their impact can be minimised if your team knows they can talk to you, and more importantly, that you will listen.

As a leader, your words carry weight. How you deliver them, whether in moments of celebration or challenge, shapes the atmosphere of your practice. Be clear. Be kind. Be consistent. When your team knows where they stand and what’s expected, they respond with clarity and confidence of their own.

Invest in You. Inspire the Crew

One of the most fulfilling aspects of leadership is witnessing others grow. Invest in your team not just through training, but through mentorship. Get to know their strengths, their aspirations, and their untapped potential. Create opportunities for them to shine in ways that align with their personal goals and the practice’s vision. Leadership isn’t about control, it’s about cultivating an environment where everyone can bring their best. Feedback, praise, and accountability should go hand-in-hand. When your team feels seen and supported, they don’t just perform better, they take ownership of their role in your shared success.

Where Belonging Isn’t Buzzword – It’s Real

A positive work culture doesn’t happen by chance, it is built with intention. Beyond clinical excellence, people want to feel like they’re part of something meaningful. When your team feels emotionally connected, supported, and genuinely valued, they bring more heart to their work.

Celebrate birthdays. Acknowledge personal milestones. Host informal gatherings. It’s the small, human moments that weave connection into the daily grind. When people feel like they belong, they stay committed. They care deeper. They go the extra mile, not because they have to, but because they want to.

To the Next Generation of Female Leaders in Dentistry

The transition from clinician to business owner is challenging and often isolating. But it is also deeply empowering. If you’re standing at the edge of leadership, know that you’re more capable than you think.

You don’t need to have all the answers to get started. You need courage, conviction, and a willingness to fail and learn along the way.

Dental school gave us the tools to care for patients. The journey beyond teaches us how to care for our teams, our businesses, and ourselves. And in that journey, there is so much room for women to lead boldly, authentically, and on their own terms.

So to every woman reading this who’s questioning whether she’s ready, capable, or strong enough, know that you are. Leadership doesn’t require perfection; it asks for purpose, persistence, and heart. You don’t need to have it all figured out, just the courage to begin. We rise not by having all the answers, but by lifting each other as we learn. The path may not be easy, but it is absolutely worth it!

You’ve got this.