Smile!
The face of dentistry has changed significantly in the last 50 years. Patients today expect more from their dentist than the "the drill and fill" approach of yesteryear. Dentistry now focuses on the prevention of tooth decay and the improvement of the look of our teeth. Indeed, the demand for cosmetic improvements has soared in the last five years, spurred on by the makeover programmes that fill our television screens. In this interview, Vatsal Amin of the Horsham based Carfax Dental Surgery shares his passion for dentistry and how he empowers his patients.

Why dentistry?
At about the time when I was applying for university, I completed an aptitude test. It revealed that my ideal career was dentistry, followed by medicine. Armed with that information, I researched dentistry with my tutor and in doing so, I saw that it would give me more independence than a career in medicine. I liked the fact that I could treat patients from start to finish without the need to refer them on.

What made you decide to work in Horsham and what is your operating ethos?
I started out in London where my learning curve and experience was great. It gave me an insight into what I could really excel at and what I enjoyed doing. I decided to start my own practice in Horsham, offering service-oriented private dentistry. It’s my personal belief that with the NHS there are too many rules that govern what you can and cannot do. I think that if you want to practise dentistry to a very high standard, then you have to establish a private practice. In Horsham I can really spend time with every single patient. If you set yourself out to offer a very high standard of care then you need to allow the time that is needed to make a full and correct diagnosis and then the time that is needed to communicate this to your patient. I call this communication process co-discovery. The end result is that my patient feels empowered to make decisions about their treatment plans. I know what's best for the mouth, but I only know what is best for my patient by working very closely with them through this process of co-discovery. A holistic approach runs through everything that I do.

Has dentistry changed in the time that you have been practising?
Dentistry today is about more than just filling teeth. It really focuses on prevention and aesthetics. Patients in general have healthier teeth. They want to raise the bar and have better-looking teeth in all respects… that means whiter, better proportioned and aligned teeth. Patients today are willing to invest in cosmetic dentistry to make them feel good and look good.

Why do patients come to you?
I see many patients who have gone through or who are about to go through a major life change...divorce, bereavement, a new career or important promotion, getting married or even reaching a milestone birthday. Most of my patients come to me through recommendation. Many patients can afford private dentistry but they are apprehensive about visiting a dentist or even changing from a dentist that they are not happy with. What usually happens is that they meet up with a friend and they like the look of their teeth, which leads to being recommended to me. Or it can be something as simple as a spouse comes to me for treatment, and I then treat their partner. I always have an informal first meeting with a new patient so there's no pressure and the patient realises that they are in control, and not me!

What gives you the most satisfaction?
It is the fact that with cosmetic dentistry the benefit to my patient is immediate. I will hand over the mirror and watch their reaction. The response is always fantastic. It also means a lot to me when a patient comes to me in some pain and you know that within a short space of time, you can alleviate that.

Which living person has most inspired you?
Soni, who just so happens to be my business partner. Initially, he was my benefactor and mentor. He is one of the most motivational people that I have ever met and he has a genuine passion and skill for dentistry. I always feel energised after spending time with him. We have now come full circle as Soni works with me in the highly specialised area of dental implants. He is definitely a leader and a pioneer in his field.

How can we look after our teeth in between visits to the dentist?
Healthy, good-looking teeth depend upon a diet that has a low frequency of sugar and acid. The golden rule is: never snack late at night. Brushing your teeth twice a day, four minutes each time is a must too. The national recommendation is one and a half to two minutes but I always brush for at least four minutes and I advise my patients to do the same!

The interview was conducted by Horsham based Chartered Marketer, Dee Blick, September 2007

Bid Those Gaps Farewell
Today, losing a tooth or indeed several doesn't mean that you have to either live with the gap or wear dentures. Advancements within the field of dentistry are giving patients more choice. Dental implants offer a safe, permanent and aesthetically pleasing alternative to simply putting up with second best when it comes to one of your very best assets, your smile. In this interview, leading dental implantologist Mukesh Soni explains more.

Q: What are dental implants?
Dental implants enable you to have one or more of your missing teeth replaced with permanent teeth that both look and feel like your own teeth. They are attached to small titanium screws that when placed in the jaw, act as anchors. With dental implants it's possible to replace every single one of your teeth or just one. That's generally good news for people who have suffered a physical trauma where their teeth have borne the brunt of their injuries. It's not a painful process because 90% of our patients are sedated whilst we are placing their implants. .

Q: How does missing teeth affect people?
What I have found is that when people have dentures or when they lose some of their teeth, they can become social recluses. The things that they may have taken for granted before losing their teeth, for example, kissing, eating, smiling and laughing, suddenly become obstacles because they are conscious of opening their mouth. What many people don't realise is that losing teeth affects the shape of their face. Cheeks become sunken and the lips lose their fullness. Once we have placed dental implants, the face is restored to its original shape. The joy on the face of your patient when they see themselves in the mirror is a sight to behold.

Q: How permanent are dental implants?
They need looking after in exactly the same way as your own teeth. They can last as long as 30 years but at least 15 years. It depends on the skill and experience of the dentist.

Q: How qualified must you be to place dental implants?
Legally, any dentist can place implants or restore teeth. However the General Dentistry Council and the Royal College of Surgeons frowns upon the weekend and one-day courses that currently enable any dentist to start placing implants.
As for me, I am grateful to have been mentored by the UK's leading implant luminary, Ashok Sethi and the grandfather of implant technology, Dr Hill Tatum. Because dental implants is the area that I focus on, I have studied for a diploma in dental implantology at the Royal College of Surgeons. In the last 14 years alone I have placed over 2500 dental implants.

Q: Who benefits from dental implants?
I treat people in their 40s right through to their 80s. People who don't want to wear dentures because they feel that they are missing out on fully enjoying the taste and texture of food. I also treat many people of all ages who have had a sporting accident or suffered another trauma resulting in the loss of teeth.

Q: How long does it take to place an implant?
Because I have been placing implants for 15 years, I can place them on the same day. people expect quick results and thankfully that is often possible. However, there are also cases where several treatments will be necessary. I always discuss this with a patient before embarking on any treatment.

Q: What brought you into dentistry?
When I was 13 I decided that I wanted to become a dentist. I studied dentistry at university and after becoming a principal of my very first practice, I began a tour of the USA and Europe. I wanted to study all of the cutting edge techniques in dentistry and I still have that desire to learn more today. I now have a state-of-the-art surgical Centre in Twickenham with a dedicated implant team that has been with me for 10 years. I met Vatsal Amin many years ago and I now offer consultations in Horsham. I consider it a real privilege that in some small way I can improve a patient’s self-esteem, simply by giving them back their natural smile.