In this episode of the Dentology Podcast, Chris and Andy chat to private cosmetic dentist Dr Riaz Sharif.

Riaz talks about his childhood and explains how early life
experiences have shaped the person he is today. From a challenging upbringing to boxing at the famous York Hall in Bethnal Green, Riaz reflects on how all these experiences have guided his decisions and career path so far.

He explains how dentistry wasn’t his first choice of career
and how he initially pursued biomedical sciences at the University of Birmingham before heading to Hungary to study dentistry.

He talks about some of the challenges and obstacles he’s
faced and the coping mechanisms he’s developed to use when trauma comes his way.

After qualifying as a dentist in Slovakia and moving back to the UK, Riaz shares his journey since qualifying, including his experience in the mentorship programme with MyDentist. He discusses the importance of
mentorship, fitness, health, and mindset, all factors which help him stay resilient and focused.

Looking ahead, Riaz talks about his future ambitions in
dentistry, including the possibility of owning his own practice one day.

Topics:

-  Tell us about your childhood

-  As a youngster you boxed, at the famous YorkHall in Bethnal Green – what was the appeal of boxing?

- You didn’t start out with dentistry in mind and
pursued biomedical sciences at the University of Birmingham - Was this a passion or just a degree?

- Heading to Hungary to study dentistry

- Do you seek out difficult things to prove yourself?

- What coping mechanisms do you use when trauma
comes your way?

- How long did it take you to qualify as a dentist?

- What’s your journey been like since qualifying?

- Tell us about the mentorship programme with MyDentist
– how has this helped you?

- How important has your own fitness, health and
mindset been to keep control of what you can been?

- What are your future ambitions in dentistry?

- Do you plan to own a practice one day?