WI or AI: Humans over Data

📰 NAIL-IT News | October Edition

Hi there,

October marked both National Emotional Wellness Month and World Mental Health Day—but let’s be honest: a single day or campaign isn’t enough.

In a profession as demanding as dentistry, mental and emotional health isn’t a luxury—it’s leadership. And it’s time we treated it that way.

This month at NAIL-IT In Dentistry, we’ve been shining a spotlight on the tools, training, and real-life conversations that help you embed wellbeing into how you lead, perform, and grow - without the burnout, guilt, or overwhelm.

This month has been an amazing example of what happens when wellbeing and leadership truly connect - through real people, real progress, and powerful ripple effects across our profession.

Here’s a roundup of what’s been happening:

🎥 BDA Webinar – Performance-Driven Leadership for Wellbeing

I had the pleasure of delivering a live webinar for the BDA this month, focusing on how leadership is one of the most powerful tools to create wellbeing - not stress. We covered how optimal performance prevents burnout and transforms team dynamics.

🔁 Missed it? You can still catch the replay here.

🎓 A Coaching & Mentoring Cohort Graduates… and Transforms

We closed the final module for our latest cohort in the PG Diploma in Coaching, Mentoring, and Education. Many started the course thinking it would be a tick-box exercise. What they didn’t expect was how much fun they’d have—and how life-changing it would be, professionally and personally.

This is the transcendence of leadership—where knowledge becomes empowerment, and empowerment creates impact.
I’m so proud that some of these exceptional coaches and mentors will now join our NAIL-IT Faculty, teaching others how to grow too.

Congratulations to you all. 💫

🤖 Dental Update Webinar: WI vs AI (with the Chief Dental Officer)

Alongside Jackie Cooper and Jason Wong (CDO), we introduced the concept of Wellbeing Intelligence (WI)—a term I coined to describe the emotional, relational, and energetic awareness that drives true leadership.

While AI may power systems, WI powers people. It was a thought-provoking session—thank you to everyone who joined us.

🎥 Replay available here.

🌱 Training the Next Generation: Foundation Dentists

Another round of high-energy, high-impact training sessions—this time for new Foundation Dentists across the UK. We focused on the importance of wellbeing and burnout prevention from day one, equipping young professionals with emotional tools, leadership skills, and practical ways to manage pressure.

A huge thank you to everyone who brought such openness and curiosity. You made it a joy to teach—and you’re just getting started. 🙌

🧠 In-Practice Support: Culture, Confidence, and Conflict Resolution

Throughout October, we’ve been working closely with dental teams to integrate leadership and wellbeing into everyday practice - not just policies.

From crisis and conflict management to change leadership and tailored team coaching, we’ve helped practice managers and leads grow in confidence and capability.

💡 Did you know?
✔ Practices with wellbeing frameworks see a 5x ROI
✔ CQC now expects practices to show evidence of their approach to team wellbeing
✔ You don’t need to reinvent the wheel.
Start with the NAIL-IT Essential Wellbeing Pack

🎙️ NAIL-IT Podcast: Leadership Lessons from the Top

This month, we were joined by two exceptional guests:
🎤 Cat Edney, aka The Modern Therapist – on perseverance, personal growth, and adapting with purpose.
🎤 Neil Carmichael, Executive Chair of the Association of Dental Groups – on policy, systems thinking, and leadership that moves professions forward.

As always, our guests share their favourite quote, their biggest lesson, and the NAIL-IT pillar they rely on most.
👉 Watch, listen & subscribe here
🎬 Clips also available on Instagram: @nailit_podcast

🧠 This Month’s Training Focus:

Mental Health = Better Business

Let’s move past the idea that mental health is separate from performance.
It’s not.
👉 Mental health drives retention, engagement, decision-making, energy, and productivity.

We’re proud to be part of the movement redefining success - not just in numbers, but in people.

If you’re not already integrating wellbeing into your leadership strategy, start here:
👉 Explore the Essential Team Wellbeing Pack
👉 Discover our Transformational Memberships and Training

💬 Final thought…

Leadership is no longer about what you know—it’s about how you grow.
And mental health isn’t something to be “aware of”—it’s something to embed, support, and protect.

Let’s keep moving forward—together.

With purpose,
Dr Rana Al-Falaki
Founder, NAIL-IT in Dentistry | NAIL-IT Leadership | BREATHE