Combining dentistry with facial aesthetics
A journey in appreciating how facial aesthetics can go hand-in-hand with dental care
After qualifying from the University of Glasgow in 2007, I started in general Practice and from 2009-2020 I ran my own dental practice; a three-surgery mixed practice on the outskirts of Glasgow.
Patient care has always been the cornerstone of my practice, and I was delighted when we won Practice of the Year at the Scottish Dental Awards, an award based solely on patient testimonials. Fittingly, 20 years previously, the award for Best Patient Care was also won by my father when he owned the practice. I enjoyed helping new graduates in the role of VT Trainer and found the mentoring aspect of this very rewarding. It is wonderful to see new clinicians grow in terms of skills and confidence throughout their year with me.
Continuing professional development and enhancing my skills is something I’ve always enjoyed, and I am currently completing a postgraduate diploma in Restorative and Aesthetic Dentistry in London. I have always had a keen interest in facial aesthetics and in 2019, after careful selection of a course provider, I completed my foundation training. It was important to me that I was trained by a medic and that only other medical professionals were being trained.
Dentistry and facial aesthetics go hand in hand, I have found. Subtle enhancements to the face can help complete a smile makeover, using toxin to alleviate pain from bruxism for a patient can give them great relief, replacing lost volume or improving skin integrity can make a huge difference to your patients’ self-esteem.
Dental surgeons are uniquely placed to carry out facial aesthetics due to the in-depth training in facial anatomy, physiology and pharmacology received at university. Training to restore both function and aesthetics in the head and neck region gives dentists an appreciation of the correct facial proportions and facial balance, which is an essential skill when carrying out assessments for injectable treatments.
I joined Inspired Cosmetic Training as the Training Manager in 2023 and it is a role I absolutely love. I spend three days a week in general practice. Adding aesthetics to my practice has led to me having a much more enjoyable day carrying out the type of dentistry I enjoy along with medical cosmetic treatments. I cannot stress highly enough how adding new treatments to mypractice has changed things for the better.
I spend one-to-two days a week in my role as Training Manager where I keep presentations and coursework up to date, make educational content for delegates, carry out mentoring and shadowing sessions, and, along with a team of other medical professionals, carry out the hands on clinical teaching days. I have found that during these hands-on sessions dentists are, overall, very confident when injecting since they are used to carrying out injections in the mouth day in, day out.
The upcoming Scottish Aesthetic Conference is the only conference in Scotland purely for medical professionals. It caters to medics at all stages of their aesthetic journey; from someone who has thought about starting in aesthetics but has not taken the leap yet, to experienced, advanced injectors. There are lectures from key opinion leaders in the field, breakout sessions on current ‘hot topics’, various trade exhibitors and, new this year, the Aesthetic Entrepreneur’s Den with prizes of £1,500 and £5,000 available to win.
Find out more about The Scottish Aesthetic Conference on 22 March at the Hilton Glasgow