The award-winning cosmetic dentist and BBC Apprentice 2025 candidate on his career, TV experience, and the controversy that made headlines.
Dr. Jana is no stranger to high-pressure environments—whether it’s performing intricate cosmetic dental procedures, building a business, or standing before Lord Sugar in the boardroom. As an accomplished dentist and entrepreneur, he’s spent years perfecting smiles, but in 2025, he took on an entirely new challenge: competing in BBC’s The Apprentice.
Now, after making the bold decision to walk away from the show, Dr. Jana reflects on his journey—his rise in dentistry, his experience on reality TV, and the lessons he’s learned along the way.
A Journey of Resilience and Hard Work
Dr. Jana’s path to success wasn’t handed to him—it was built on the values of perseverance and dedication, instilled by his parents. Coming from humble beginnings, his family’s story is one of resilience.
“Both my parents were working manual labour jobs—16-hour shifts, every day. I didn’t see much of them growing up, but everything they did was to give us the best future.”
Determined to honour their sacrifices, he pursued a BSc in London before moving to Spain to study dentistry. His passion for aesthetic and restorative dentistry led him to earn a PhD diploma in London, and today, nearly six years into his career, he operates his own practice on Harley Street—one of London’s most prestigious medical hubs.
Beyond his clinical work, Dr. Jana is also a lecturer at Oxford, where he educates future dentists on digital health and clinical entrepreneurship. His dedication has earned him multiple accolades, including the Best Young Dentist London Award in 2021 and 2024.
Stepping into the Spotlight: The Apprentice Experience
For Dr. Jana, joining The Apprentice wasn’t about fame—it was about business.
“I saw my colleague Paul on the previous season, and he did a great job. It made me realise—if I’m starting my own business, what better way to get exposure and bring in more patients?”
However, his time on the show was cut short—not by elimination, but by choice. While many contestants compete fiercely to secure Lord Sugar’s investment, Dr. Jana made the unexpected decision to step away.
“I just didn’t feel like I connected with Lord Sugar in that way. I thought to myself… would we really work well together as business partners? And the answer was no.”
For him, the decision was about staying true to his vision, even if it meant walking away from a £250,000 investment.
Navigating Public Scrutiny
With a growing public profile comes increased scrutiny—something Dr. Jana learned firsthand. A comment he made during his time on The Apprentice sparked criticism, with the tabloids calling out his use of outdated terminology of the word.
Looking back, he acknowledges the mistake.
“I should have done my research before using the word. The correct term is ‘person of colour,’ and I should have said that.”
While the backlash could have been overwhelming, Dr. Jana remained focused, choosing not to engage with negativity.
As a South Asian professional in a high-profile industry, he’s aware that criticism often comes with increased visibility, but he refuses to let it dictate his path.
“People will always have opinions, but I know who I am. My focus is on my career, my passions, and the people who genuinely support me.”
The Future of DenStudio
Beyond his time on TV, Dr. Jana’s biggest focus is growing DenStudio—his high-end cosmetic dental clinic.
His vision? To expand DenStudio across the UK, offering patients high-quality treatments without needing to go abroad for procedures. He’s also developing a new line of innovative dental products, with a strong emphasis on affordability and effectiveness—including a “white teeth or your money back” guarantee.
For Dr. Jana, this is more than just business—it’s about shaping the future of cosmetic dentistry.
Balancing Life and Ambition
While his career keeps him busy, Dr. Jana’s personal life remains just as fulfilling. He is happily married to a fellow medical professional, a doctor, which brings a unique understanding of each other’s demanding schedules.
Despite the challenges of juggling business, education, and public life, he remains grounded in his purpose: to push boundaries, inspire others, and build a legacy that goes beyond dentistry.
Cover Story with Dr Jana Denzel
Creative Direction, Styling and Interview by @anishavasanicreates
Hair and Makeup by @saima_akram_academy
Photography by @omjphotography
Shoot Assistant @sareenav21
Outfits by @bibiman__
Watch the full interview here:
