This month we talk to award winner Sam Jethwa about the experience of entering and winning at the Private Dentistry Awards, and what makes his practice successful.
How does it feel to have won a Private Dentistry Award?
It’s hard to describe.
The Private Dentistry Awards are the most prestigious awards in our industry, judged according to strict criteria.
To win two really big awards at the ceremony this year is momentous. It is a testament to my team, who work incredibly hard each day. They bring my vision and passion for our unique brand of dentistry to life for our patients.
We take patient care and world class aesthetic results seriously. This accolade has solidified the fact that we are doing the right thing, and a huge pat on the back for all of us.
How did it feel when your name was announced?
Ecstatic. Of course the 2020 awards could not go ahead in person. It was a shame but we understand why – and FMC arranged a fantastic virtual awards ceremony.
We had the whole team all from their homes, on a video call, and we watched the ceremony together.
I think we may have broken the internet when our name was announced each time as the winners to both awards, being nominated for many others were all special moments, and made 2020 just that little bit better, when everyone needed a pick me up.
What do you think have been the main benefits of entering the awards?
Recognition for everything that we have built in our clinic for our patients.
What we have done is to bring a brand and quality of dentistry to the south east that we feel is unique. Our patients see that, and entering and winning the awards gives our team and our patients that recognition that they have made the right choice to see us and be part of this vision of what Bespoke Smile is all about.
Have you entered before?
This is our first year entering the awards, as our practice was born in 2019.
What do you think the Private Dentistry Awards are doing to standards within the profession?
Without a doubt, pushing standards up.
There is a judging panel, and there is no bias. The winners are always deserving and the application process is rigorous.
All clinicians and practice owners involved in the awards strive for excellence.
Hope are you coping with lockdown and the COVID-19 crisis?
Our team have been so committed all through the lockdown, we learnt a lot as people and as a business.
I have always been an embracer of technology. Video conferencing has always been used with patients, but now since lockdown it’s a staple part of our practice workflow.
We bonded as a clinical and non-clinical team through virtual quizzes, and I ran some IG Lives for my followers to run through some smile design cases, and provide some smile makeover education for dentists and patients whilst they were at home.
We then made the practice as prepared as possible, and sourced everything we needed to keep our team and our patients safe.
Since June we have been working hard, and seeing patients for their smile transformations safely, and it is great to still be able to provide dentistry for people through this difficult time.
What advice with you give people who are thinking of entering the awards?
Do it.
Will you be entering the awards again this year?
Absolutely, and thank you to FMC for still pushing things forward despite the limitations of the pandemic.
Private Dentistry 2021 Awards
- Awards ceremony: Thursday 9 December
- Venue: TBC
- Website:www.theprivatedentistryawards.com.
This article first appeared in Private Dentistry magazine. You can read the latest issue here.
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