This month we talk to Alfonso Rao about his practice and winning a Private Dentistry Award.
Factfile
- Name: Alfonso Rao
- Practice: Queen Square Dental Clinic
- Location: Bristol
- Award won: Best Practice Principal.
Last year was probably one of the toughest years to be a practice principle. It has been a rollercoaster ride for everyone.
Thanks to the support of my family and my team we have been able to come out stronger. To be recognised as Best Practice Principal this year has been great achievement and recognition for all the hard work done.
How did it feel when your name was announced?
Alfonso Rao: It was a really pleasant surprise. There were a lot of really good colleagues nominated for the same category. So it has been a real privilege to be voted by the judges
What do you think have been the main benefits of entering the awards?
Alfonso Rao: We are just setting up a new ‘dental group’ Apollonia Clinics, so I hope that to be voted best practice principal will attract even more colleagues to consider to join our group as associates or partners. Our forte has always been the support of our team and this award is a prize that recognises our work.
Have you entered before?
Alfonso Rao: Queen Square Dental Clinic won Best Practice South West in 2017.
I have been shortlisted four times as Best Young Dentist and this year with the practice and my team, we were finalists on another three categories.
What do you think the Private Dentistry Awards are doing to standards within the profession?
Alfonso Rao: When you work in your own practice it’s difficult to evaluate your standards.
To compete and compare yourself with other excellent practices locally and nationally is really useful and stimulating.
Hope are you coping with lockdown and this COVID-19 crisis?
Alfonso Rao: Really well, we worked really hard to create in our practices the safest environment possible and to implement our SOP to protect patients and staff.
It has been really nice to see that existing patients, staff and new patients are recognised our effort.
What advice would you give people who are thinking of entering the awards?
Alfonso Rao: It’s a really nice process. When you’re preparing your entry you are already starting to self-evaluate your work. You can reflect on what worked well and what you can improve and this already is a really valuable aspect.
My advice is that it is worth a try. Don’t underestimate what are you doing for your team and your patients.
Will you be entering the awards again this year?
Alfonso Rao: Probably, we are considering getting each practice in our group to apply.
To find out more about the Private Dentistry Awards and to submit your entry, simply visit dentistry.co.uk/awards/private-dentistry-awards.
