Kiran Shah shares his journey to opening successful squat practice Kalon Dental in Tunbridge Wells and the tools that helped along the way.
Why I chose Tunbridge Wells
In 2011, I moved to Tunbridge Wells for what I thought would be a temporary position before returning to London. But I quickly grew to appreciate the slower pace, the strong sense of community, and a role I genuinely enjoyed, caring for both NHS and private patients. Over time, it became clear: Tunbridge Wells was where I wanted to build my career and life.
Learning the basics of business
For seven years, I worked primarily as an NHS associate, but by 2018, I felt limited in the care I could provide. Moving to a private associate role at an independent practice was a turning point. The homely feel of the practice and the close patient relationships reinforced the idea that I could run my own clinic. This experience also introduced me to the business side of dentistry – patient acquisition, retention, and financial management.
At the same time, I had more exposure to practice ownership through consultants and mentors. Taking on additional responsibilities helped me develop the confidence and skills needed to run a business.
Making the move to my own practice
By the time COVID hit, I had built a strong patient base in Tunbridge Wells. Patients weren’t just coming to a practice; they were choosing to see me. That realisation confirmed I wanted my own clinic, but I wasn’t ready for a big financial risk.
An opportunity arose where I could run my own surgery within an existing practice – an empty room I was responsible for filling. This setup gave me hands-on experience in managing a practice without the full burden of ownership. Over the next couple of years, I explored practice ownership opportunities. There were near misses – a couple of opportunities weren’t quite right so I kept searching for the right fit.
Opening Kalon Dental
In early 2023, I found the ideal space – an empty room for lease within a building that housed an existing dental clinic. At first, I wasn’t sure it would be a long-term solution, but my growing patient base and strong social media presence made it viable. Renting one room kept costs low while allowing me to create a practice that reflected my vision.
Social media played a massive role in this transition. As an associate, I had built a strong personal brand through organic content, setting me apart from other clinics. By the time I opened Kalon Dental, I had an established reputation and a loyal patient base ready to follow me.
What some might have seen as a small start – one room instead of a full-fledged practice – turned out to be the smartest way to grow sustainably. I avoided overstretching financially and focused on high-quality care while gradually expanding.
The power of patient relationships
From the start, my philosophy was simple: build genuine connections with patients. Instead of chasing rapid growth, I prioritised a welcoming, trustworthy environment where patients felt valued. This approach fuelled Kalon Dental’s growth organically, with word-of-mouth referrals proving to be the best marketing strategy.
Thoughtful tech integration: solving a real problem
When I started Kalon Dental, I wasn’t looking for flashy tech. I wanted solutions that genuinely improved the patient experience and made running the practice smoother. One of the biggest challenges was keeping track of patient journeys while maintaining a personal touch. That’s where Practi came in.
We started with Practi in June 2024. The impact from before Practi to now is startling:
- My case acceptance rate jumped from 76% to 85%
- Consultation bookings grew by 10% because patients felt more confident booking once they knew finance options were available
- My team’s workflow became far more efficient, with less admin and less time spent chasing deposits.
Overcoming challenges along the way
Starting a squat practice came with its share of challenges – financial pressures, assembling the right team, and maintaining a steady patient flow. I had to make tough decisions on when to invest in new technology, how to scale operations, and how to differentiate Kalon Dental in a competitive market. But these challenges became opportunities to refine my approach and stay true to my core values.
The results speak for themselves
By focusing on long-term relationships and steady, sustainable growth, I’ve built a practice that’s not only financially successful but also deeply valued by its patients. My journey shows that practice ownership doesn’t have to be about rapid expansion or high-risk investments. Instead, trust, patience, and authenticity can lead to a thriving practice – one that grows at the right pace, in the right way.
This article is sponsored by Practi.
