The Big Interview: Dr Thang D. Nghiem

Created on 22nd May 2009

Cosmetic Surgery & Aesthetics Magazine interviews dentist Dr Thang D. Nghiem of London-based UltraSmile*, winner of the UK's Private Practice of the Year at the Private Dentistry Awards

What made you choose a career in cosmetic dentistry?

I have always been a perfectionist in everything I do and have an eye for detail. Cosmetic dentistry appeals to me because it allows me to indulge in my passion: transforming an average smile into a perfect one. I am also drawn to the intricate nature of what I do which I find both challenging and stimulating.

What is the most satisfying aspect to your work?

Visualising what a patient desires in their ideal smile and delivering it. I am very methodical in my approach to perfecting a smile. There is a formula to creating a stable, healthy and beautiful smile, but the trick is knowing how to apply it to the many different arrangements of teeth that exist.

It is very satisfying when you succeed in doing this. I find even the smallest adjustment to the shape of a tooth can have a huge impact on a patient's smile and self confidence.

What is the most popular treatment you offer?

Teeth whitening. More and more people are realising that a smile makeover does not necessarily involve getting a full mouth of crowns or veneers. Teeth whitening is such a simple procedure that patients often have it done during their lunch break. The effects are immediate.

People are traditionally nervous of dentists; what do you do at your practice to combat patient nerves?

We try our best not to make patients feel like they are at the dentist. There are no pictures of teeth on the walls and the atmosphere in the waiting room is one of calm and tranquillity.

Consultations are held in a dedicated room away from the surgeries and anything clinical looking. Everything we do is carefully explained to the patient, so that there are no surprises.

We also offer our patients the latest in pain-free dental technology and our dentist chairs are equipped to provide maximum patient comfort. Injections are administered painlessly via a device called The Wand and early tooth decay is treated with The Healozone which requires neither drilling nor local anaesthetic.

If that doesn't work, patients have access to a large selection of dvds and music to take their mind off the dentistry. We even have the facilities to offer a head massage.

Our award for the UK's Best Patient Care reflects our commitment to providing every patient with not just a pain-free dental visit, but also an enjoyable one.

What makes your practice stand out from other dental practices?

Our total commitment to patient care and comfort. It is no secret that every successful practice needs to have the right team, the right equipment, a comfortable working environment and dentists who are committed to providing the very best dentistry for their patients.

At UltraSmile*, we go the extra mile. We have a wonderful, professional team of nurses and receptionists who are highly qualified and passionate about providing first-class customer care.

Our dentists are some of the most highly trained dentists in the UK and regularly travel abroad in search of new techniques and knowledge. This ensures that we continue to offer patients the very best treatment available anywhere in the world. The practice is equipped with the latest in dental technology and the atmosphere is more spa-like than clinical.

Winning the awards for UK's Private Practice Of The Year, UK's Best Patient Care, UK's Most Attractive Practice and Best Use Of Science and Technology is testament to our commitment to patient care and comfort.

Professionally, what are you most proud of?

Winning the biggest award in dentistry, the UK's Private Practice Of The Year, and sharing that success with my brother who designed and manages the practice. I am also proud to have trained with some of the world's most distinguished dentists.

What is your view on the rise in dentists offering aesthetic treatments?

I think those who are committed to offering aesthetic treatments understand that the challenges faced by cosmetic dentists are not confined to the issue of how to make teeth look beautiful, but are more to do with how to make beautiful teeth healthy, long lasting and stable in the way they function and interact with one another.

Cosmetic dentistry these days should really be referred to as functional cosmetic dentistry. As long as dentists contemplating a career in cosmetic dentistry have a good understanding of this I don't see there is any issue.

In fact, an understanding of the relationship between aesthetics and function can help enormously when applied to general dentistry and can only serve to raise the standard of general dental care in the UK.

What new and upcoming procedures and treatments are you most excited about?

Prepless veneers. Modern porcelain veneers are becoming thinner and stronger than they used to be which means that it is now possible to improve a person's smile without the need to drill away healthy enamel. What's also appealing is that the preparation for these veneers often requires no injections.

What do you think is the future of cosmetic dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry in the UK has come a long way. The standard of treatment has risen a great deal as has our understanding of materials and techniques. The introduction of invisible orthodontic appliances, such as Invisalign and the Inman aligners, and now prepless veneers means that our attitude towards cosmetic dentistry is changing and cosmetic dentists are today adopting a more minimally invasive approach to enhancing a person's smile.
CS&AM