S07 E12: The tough dentist with the Gentle Touch
Release Date: 12/17/2024
S09 E04: The Reality of Leadership: Resilience, Belief and Better Conversations
Two Reds are Better than One
In this episode of the Two Reds podcast, Chris Barrow and Ashley Latter park the polished version of business life and talk about the real world instead. Ashley joins the conversation after a brutal few days, with serious water damage at his training centre, a lost weekend of clearing up, and another demanding week of travel and delivery ahead. It is an honest reminder that leadership often means carrying on when you are tired, frustrated and running on reserve. Ashley shares his main lesson from Australia. The clinicians who use digital scanners most consistently tend to do the most...
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S09 E03: Paul Abrahams on ownership, innovation, and knowing when to let go
Two Reds are Better than One
In this episode of the Two Reds podcast, Chris Barrow is joined by Dr Paul Abrahams of Smile More Dental Care in London for a thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation about career longevity, practice ownership, innovation and exit strategy. With Ashley Latter away in Australia, Chris and Paul take the opportunity to explore Paul’s remarkable journey from an uncertain start in the early 1980s, through qualification at Guy’s in 1989, to building and eventually selling a highly respected two-surgery private practice in St John’s Wood. Paul reflects on the early influence of retail...
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S09 E02: From One Practice to Seventeen: The Coastal Dental Growth Model
Two Reds are Better than One
In the latest edition of Two Reds are Better than One, we woke up super early, to interview Franck Page, the owner of Coastal Dental Care in Australia's Gold Coast, and Julia Riese, the Group Director of Marketing & Operations. Franck, who graduated in 1993, quickly became a part owner of a dental practice within a year. His passion for practice ownership has led him to expand his group to 17 offices, a wholesale dental business, two labs, 83 clinicians, and 300 staff members. His innovative business model, which he discusses in detail, involves part ownership of practices with other...
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S09 E01: The Howard Farran Experience
Two Reds are Better than One
In today's episode of our podcast, hosts Ashley and Chris had the distinct honour of interviewing the esteemed Dr. Howard Farran. Dr. Farran, DDS, MBA, is the visionary founder and owner of and Dentaltown magazine. With over three decades of experience practicing dentistry at Today’s Dental in the Phoenix metropolitan area, he is a luminary in the field. Notably, in 2017, Incisal Edge magazine recognized him as one of the 32 most influential figures in dentistry. Since 1990, Dr. Farran has been an international lecturer, renowned for his candid, humorous, and practical insights...
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S08 E12: Create your own economy in 2026: why the “used to” practices will struggle, and what to do instead
Two Reds are Better than One
In this end-of-year episode of Two Reds Are Better Than One, I’m joined by Ashley, speaking from a hotel in Vietnam with 10 days of rest behind him and a welcome pause before Christmas. We keep it informal, unscripted, and focused on what practice owners and teams need to be thinking about as 2026 approaches. We touch first on the news cycle, including the government’s announcement of a new NHS dental contract due to land in April, with the important caveat that at the time of recording there was no meaningful detail, so judgement needs to wait for the small print. The wider point is...
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S08 E11: From Burnout to Balance – Dr Casper Bots on Rediscovering Joy in Dentistry
Two Reds are Better than One
In this episode of the Two Reds podcast, Chris Barrow and Ashley Latter are joined by Dutch dentist, entrepreneur, and educator Dr Casper Bots for a wide-ranging and inspiring conversation that bridges clinical practice, professional development, and personal wellbeing. Casper splits his time between the Netherlands and Liverpool, where he practises at Dr Rez Dental. With a deep understanding of the structural differences between UK and Dutch dentistry — from fixed fees to delegated clinical workflows — Casper brings a refreshing international perspective to the table. But...
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S08 E10: White Space, Wealth & Winning Mindsets: Surviving the Economic Squeeze
Two Reds are Better than One
In this month’s episode of The Two Reds are Better than One Podcast, we’re tackling what’s on everyone’s mind right now — the economy. With the UK budget announcement just around the corner and practice owners already seeing more white space in their diaries, it’s clear things are tightening up out there. Patients are thinking twice, delaying treatment, and it’s becoming harder to keep things moving at the same pace as before. But it’s not all doom and gloom. In this episode, we share some practical strategies to help you not just survive, but thrive through the months...
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S08 E09: Surviving to Thriving - How to prosper in a tough economy
Two Reds are Better than One
In this episode of "Two Reds are Better than One" podcast, Chris and Ashley explore a variety of customer service experiences from their travels, highlighting both excellent and poor examples. These stories offer valuable lessons for dentists and practice owners. The insights shared in this episode are so impactful that everyone in the practice should listen. In this episode, you will discover: Chris's Experience at Bupa: Chris recounts his experience when attending a health screening at Bupa, where the response was less than satisfactory. This underscores the critical role of...
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S08 E08: The Perfect Dental Consultation
Two Reds are Better than One
In this month's episode of The Two Reds are Better than One podcast, Ashley and I take a rare opportunity to record without a guest. Instead, we open the doors to a candid conversation about two themes that sit at the heart of every successful dental practice: building teams and conducting consultations. We begin with a brief detour into football – reflecting on Manchester United’s opening game of the season and drawing parallels between rebuilding a football squad and rebuilding a dental team. The lesson? Culture eats strategy for breakfast, whether you’re on the pitch or in...
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S08 E07: From Barnsley to the Boardroom: Dean Hallows on 40 Years in Dentistry and the Future of Innovation
Two Reds are Better than One
In this episode, Chris and Ashley are joined by a true industry heavyweight: Dean Hallows, Managing Director of Dental Directory and a 40-year veteran of the UK dental industry. Recording from three corners of Europe - Cheshire, Sardinia, and sunny Essex - the conversation ranges from the accidental beginnings of Dean’s career in 1986 to his leadership role today, overseeing one of the UK’s most recognised dental supply businesses. This candid, insightful chat covers everything from mentorship and market evolution to the real-world implications of AI in dentistry, what leaders should be...
info_outlineToday we’re thrilled to introduce you to Amber Aplin, owner of "The Gentle Touch" dental practice in Kelso, Scotland. Amber’s journey is anything but ordinary—born in Australia, raised in the UK, and spending 16 years in Army dentistry before carving out her niche as a practice owner. Her story is one of transformation, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
In this episode, Amber shares:
Her Unique Career Path: From growing up in a military family to studying at Newcastle University and thriving in Army dentistry, Amber’s experiences have shaped her philosophy and leadership style.
The Gentle Touch Philosophy: Discover how her practice focuses on patient experience, a "gentle" approach, and a culture of shared values that keeps her team motivated and thriving—think high standards, consistent branding, and even team trips abroad!
Innovative Dentistry: Amber is a pioneer in biomimetic dentistry, offering longer appointment times for tooth preservation and patient-focused in-house finance options that make advanced care accessible.
Future-Focused Growth: Hear about her plans to expand the practice, take on mentorship opportunities, and embrace a balanced lifestyle as she transitions to fewer clinical days.
If you’re curious about how to combine cutting-edge techniques with a personal touch—or you’re looking for inspiration to elevate your own practice—this episode is for you.