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Bijal Sisodia-Shah gives her thoughts on the Private Dentistry Awards and how they’re impacting the dental profession.
How does it feel to have won an award?
It’s a great honour to be recognised for doing something you love. It’s therefore an achievement I will always cherish.
Did you enjoy the awards evening?
The awards evening felt like the mini Oscars of dentistry. It was a beautiful evening.
I felt very humbled to be in a room full of people who are also striving to make a difference in their professions. It was definitely a memorable night!
Why did you choose to enter the awards?
To be completely honest, I really wasn’t thinking of entering. It was my lovely practice manager and wonderful patient reviews that encouraged me to take the chance.
I certainly didn’t anticipate winning.
What do you think the awards are doing to the standards within the profession?
I’d like to think that the opportunity to make a difference to our patients is the real goal. Awards such as these simply encourage us to strive for excellence for the sake of our patients.
Why do you think you won?
This is a difficult question to answer. I don’t know! I know what amazing work my fellow colleagues are doing everyday.
Personally, I would like to think I won, because I demonstrated the impact I make as a dentist to the lives of my patients. I think there are always fears and anxieties that we have the opportunity to overcome. Finding the right tools, the right building blocks are important.
I help my patients overcome these in a variety of ways such as meditation, acupuncture etc. When a patient puts their trust in you as a person, in your abilities as their dentist – that’s where the real magic happens. And that is the real honour!
Have you noticed a difference in patient numbers/in the practice since winning the award?
A difference has been noticed. I think patients who are nervous really appreciate that they will see someone who empathises with their anxieties and also help overcome them.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Good luck to everyone this year!
To find out more about the Private Dentistry Awards and to enter for 2020, visit www.privatedentistryawards.co.uk.
