# #296 The Connector — Andrew El-Khanagry

An episode of [Dental Leaders Podcast](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1482901418), 18 Jun 2025, 1 h 47 min.

Audio: https://anchor.fm/s/f47b45cc/podcast/play/104264454/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2025-5-17%2Fc542836b-1dbc-2344-4140-601a0fc19309.mp3

Andrew El-Khanagry's journey from anxious young associate to confident practitioner reveals the transformative power of purpose-driven dentistry. Five years out from dental school, this Egyptian-born dentist has navigated the challenges of perfecting his craft while building Mobile Smiles, a charity bringing dental care to underserved communities worldwide. Through candid conversations about clinical mistakes, the value of communication over technique, and finding balance between profit and purpose, Andrew shares insights that resonate with dentists at every stage of their careers. His story demonstrates how early setbacks can become catalysts for growth and why the best education sometimes comes from unexpected sources. In This Episode 00:01:45 - Podcast listening habits 00:03:10 - Early life in Egypt and England 00:04:25 - Language barriers and adaptation 00:06:25 - Career influences and family guidance 00:08:00 - Dental school at Birmingham 00:09:45 - Academic challenges and friendships 00:11:30 - First job and PhD experience 00:13:50 - Staying versus moving practices 00:15:15 - Clinical anxiety and perfectionism 00:18:25 - Transition to private practice 00:20:25 - Communication skills training 00:25:00 - Patient relationships and continuity 00:33:20 - Mobile Smiles charity foundation 00:36:20 - International dental missions 00:43:10 - Cost-effectiveness of charity work 00:48:45 - UK-based charity initiatives 00:53:15 - Purpose versus profit in dentistry 00:54:30 - Instagram as dental education 00:56:40 - Career direction and specialisation 01:04:30 - Blackbox thinking 01:11:05 - Best educational experiences 01:21:00 - Trust-building in private practice 01:33:30 - Fantasy dinner party 01:43:50 - Last days and legacy About Andrew El-Khanagry Andrew El-Khanagry is a general restorative dentist with a focus on prosthodontics, five years qualified from Birmingham Dental School. Born in Egypt and raised in Burton-on-Trent, he's the founder of Mobile Smiles, a UK-based charity providing dental care in underserved communities across Egypt, Namibia, Nigeria, and South America.

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