A NEW CONCEPT IN DENTAL PRACTICE: SMILE ON CLINICS

SMILE ON CLINICS

Not too keen on your next dentist appointment? A new network of dental practices is revolutionising treatments for patients – you’ll actually enjoy visiting their clinics!

WORDS JACQUELINE O’NEILL

Smile On Clinics comprise of a network of premium dental practices across the Central Coast, Hunter Valley and Sydney regions. With their flagship clinic, Mingara Dental, located in Tumbi Umbi, and other clinics including Tailored Teeth in Burwood as well as practices in Avoca Beach, Bonnells Bay, Empire Bay, Saratoga and Warnervale, Smile On Clinics’ approach to dentistry is gaining momentum. Focusing on putting patients at the centre of their own dental journeys, Smile On Clinics have developed a model for their business that looks after both patients and dentists, ensuring that every clinician is invested in their patients for the long term. The group’s two founding clinicians, Dr Ned Restom and Dr David Bassal, sat down with us recently at their Mingara clinic to chat about their careers so far, their passions within the field of dentistry, and how Smile On Clinics are different to any dental clinic you may have experienced before.

ABOUT DR NED AND DR DAVID

After graduating from the University of Sydney in 2004, Ned worked in rural practice for two years before moving to the Central Coast in 2006 and promptly falling in love with everything that the beautiful region has to offer. He founded Avoca Beach Dental in 2010 with a mission to provide comprehensive, high-quality dental services to the Central Coast, and has a particular passion for cosmetic dentistry and implantology. Ned is also one of the founding members of the Australasian Implant Academy, which provides specialist education to dentists by engaging top lecturers from around Australia and the rest of the world. David trained on the Gold Coast at Griffith University and shares Ned’s commitment to continuing education, co-founding the Australasian Implant Academy. His expertise lies in cosmetic and functional smile rehabilitation using the latest in predictive smile design techniques. His entrepreneurial and personable nature has led him to provide an allround exceptional dental experience, founding Warnervale Dental in 2018 and Mingara Dental later in 2020 with Ned and general manager Claudine Restom-Narciss. He is passionate about digital dentistry and modern techniques that enable minimally invasive treatment, exceptional patient comfort and predictable results.

WHY DENTISTRY?

For both Ned and David, dentistry is about relationships and trust as much as it is about teeth. “We don’t just do day-to-day dental, we perform a lot of ‘terminal dentition’ work – on people who have lost teeth, function and aesthetic value,” says Ned. “We see patients who don’t like to smile, and they aren’t comfortable socialising, eating or drinking with friends. Our work has the power to change how someone sees themselves. Smiling and being more social can impact an individual’s mental health in such positive ways.” For David, it’s about watching Smile On Clinics grow, too. “We’re building practices, mentoring staff and passing on the knowledge that we have learned to the new dentists coming through.”

SMILE ON CLINICS ARE DIFFERENT

At Smile On Clinics, patient experience is the key focus. Whether patients are in for routine care, like a scale and clean, or want to transform their smiles, every patient is well looked after. With dedicated consultation spaces and large screens in every treatment room, the priority is that patients are comfortable. “We know that more than 50 per cent of patients have some kind of anxiety about going to the dentist,” explains David. “A large number of our treatments require action from both us and the patient, and for our best chance at success, we need communication and trust.” Building rapport in a consultation room first, then discussing expectations and the treatment plan, ensures that patients are as relaxed as possible. Depending on their treatment, patients can also often visualise the outcome of their treatment plan with the aid of the many technologies. Local business figure John Singleton has recently come onboard to support Smile On Clinics in their long-term vision for dentistry on the Central Coast and beyond. “John’s support further extends our model, and brings additional knowledge to our mission,” says David.

WHAT IS DIGITAL SMILE DESIGN (DSD)?

In the past, patients have had minimal control of the outcome when requesting a ‘new smile’ from their clinician. Using modern technology, orthodontic treatments and dental prosthetics are created with measurements taken from digital 3D scans and coupled with the patient's vision of their ideal smile. At Smile On Clinics, the Digital Smile Design algorithm gives patients the ability to visualise an ‘architectural plan’ of their new look. This technology can create the ‘perfect’ natural smile specific to each patient – because no smile is the same. “We collaborate with the patient and change the size, width, colour or texture of teeth as part of the design, while being able to inform the patient of any positives or drawbacks of these changes,” Ned explains. “The final design is an exact representation of what the patient receives, and we can even create a 3D-printed example for the patient to try.”

INVISALIGN, VENEERS AND TEETH ON IMPLANTS®

Your final Digital Smile Design is the result of one or more treatments that Smile On Clinics have to offer. Sometimes, you’ll need orthodontics such as Invisalign, which straighten your smile without braces to improve the function and appearance of your teeth. You can improve the colour of your teeth, reshape them and hide imperfections with veneers, which are very thin, custom-made shells added to the front of each tooth. Veneers are crafted from either porcelain or composite resin, depending on your needs. Once affixed, they appear natural-looking and perfectly complement your facial features. If you have missing, decayed or chipped teeth, TEETH ON IMPLANTS® can also help you smile again. This treatment offers permanent replacement teeth that look, feel and function just like natural teeth. They are perfectly aligned, and the shade is customised to match your existing teeth. With minimal maintenance and only a single-visit procedure required, TEETH ON IMPLANTS® also help to prevent further bone loss associated with missing teeth.

BECOMING A PATIENT

At Smile On Clinics, it’s clear that all patients are considered patients for life. It’s a long-term relationship, and Ned and David spent a good part of our time together explaining how good oral health and a great smile have countless positive effects on patients’ overall health – whether physical, mental or otherwise. Smile On Clinics are currently welcoming new patients (including us, immediately after we sat down with them – we were genuinely that impressed). Payment options are available depending on individual treatments, and Smile On Clinics work with several private health funds. To find a clinic near you or book an appointment, head to their website at smileon.com.au.

THE BIG PICTURE

Do you need impressive new brand images? Claire Miles from Oak Street Collective Co is your go-to personal branding photographer on the Central Coast.

Personal branding photography gives you a chance to showcase your business through professional and stunning photos that represent your brand. Claire has worked with many businesses, both locally and overseas, to help them create a personal brand that not only showcases their unique talents but helps attract their ideal clients. Claire has a number of amazing locations she can use to run a branding photo shoot, or she can come to your home, office or preferred outdoor space. And if the whole notion of having your photo taken makes you queasy, don’t worry! Claire’s specialty is making her clients feel confident and at ease in front of the camera so you can truly enjoy the experience and get the branding photos that you deserve. If you’re looking for a complete branding package to take your business to the next level, then contact Claire at Oak Street Creative Co: call 0412 091 439, email hello@oakstreetimages.com.au, see oakstreetcreativeco.com.

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