This month, we hear from the founder of Vogue Dental, Aneka Khaira. She lists her plans for the future and we find out what Eagle Claw is.
Please introduce yourself.
Hey, my name is Aneka Khaira. I’m a cosmetic dentist at Harley Street Dental Studio and CEO of Vogue Dental.
I graduated in 2012 at the University of Birmingham where I thoroughly enjoyed each and every year.
I took part in the BDSA committee connecting dental students around the country and helped organise events.
My interest drew to cosmetic dentistry as an undergraduate. I always wanted to make things look beautiful, so designing smiles was a natural route.
As I attended the BACD conference and also volunteered as an undergraduate, I was fascinated by the world and possibilities of the aesthetic field.
I’ve mostly practised as a private dentist as I believe in quality and delivering the best standard of care.
When I moved to London, I joined as an associate at Harley Street Dental Studio, which is a multidisciplinary specialist practice. This enables me to practise what I love, which includes veneers, composite bonding, orthodontics and facial aesthetics.
I won Best Young Dentist of the Year in 2018 and have since been shortlisted for many more awards.
My next venture is the launch of the most state-of-the-art luxury practice in the UK – Vogue Dental in Chislehurst.
What inspired you to get into dentistry?
I was always keen on science at school with my strengths lying in chemistry and biology.
I initially pursued medicine; however, as soon as I did my work placement at a dental practice, I knew the combination of treating patients, being hands on and the dentist-patient relationship was so special, which stood out for me.
Dentistry has such a wide plethora of fields one can venture into and choose to specialise in.
You can decide to be based in primary or secondary care and finally, combining both science and art, I knew this was the career for me.
What is your most memorable experience in dentistry?
Changing lives.
There are so many patients who come to mind and being able to make a difference to someone’s life and make such a significant impact provides me with fulfilment and satisfaction.
During my earlier years, there was a young aspiring footballer with autism.
When first meeting me, we felt totally disconnected, there were no words exchanged or eye contact.
Caries was widespread, being a young teenage boy with a high sugar diet, and there was a lack of motivation when it came to oral hygiene.
Finally, a year later following regular three to six monthly check ups and treatment, I can proudly say the caries was controlled.
He was training and followed a more balanced low sugar diet, had great oral hygiene and we built up a great rapport.
A second patient also comes to mind who had such great dental anxiety she couldn’t step foot in the dental clinic. She was a young up-and-coming actress and felt her smile let her down.
The first time we met, she broke down and was in tears through most of the consultation.
Her journey was a smile makeover including whitening and veneers and she left the practice with the biggest smile.
Tell us something that no one else knows about you.
My uncle is a grandmaster in Kung Fu and I am trained in Eagle Claw, which is one of the most traditional forms of Chinese martial arts.
What is the most important thing that you’ve learned?
Treat patients, not mouths. Every patient who walks through the door, I want them to feel relaxed, respected and informed.
I feel so passionately about the work that I do and I want every patient to have the best. Sometimes it’s a journey, and we might not get there straight away. But that’s okay as long as they make the right clinical decision.
Secondly, a dental clinician can leave you feeling overwhelmed, stressed and deflated, but that’s ok because tomorrow’s another day.
This is a journey and you’re not meant to know everything on your first day as an associate.
Make the right choices, take your time and the rest will come.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Designing and creating beautiful smiles and still changing lives.
This was my ambition as an undergraduate and I am fortunate to be in that position currently.
I strive to be a better version of myself and continue to improve on my journey as a cosmetic dentist.
Also, I have a strong vision for the Vogue Dental brand to be iconic, cutting edge and successful.
I hope that it grows organically, playing a pivotal role within the local community and to be fortunate to give back to charities, local schools and hospitals.
Catch up with previous 90 seconds with…
- Shaz Memon
- Megan Loughran
- Bronagh Keane
- Mel Bastani
- Preetee Hylton
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