FMC events director Leanna Ellis visits Tom and Tony from Start Smiling Dental Practice to hear about their journey into dentistry, and the story behind their award-winning practice.
Both Tom Sealey and Tony Aneiros were drawn to dentistry by their love of science and art, which has shaped their careers.
Tom, inspired by the blend of these disciplines, particularly enjoys restorative and aesthetic dentistry, spending meticulous hours on smile makeovers. He says: ‘I’ll spend all day on a smile makeover, tweaking things… when I go to bed at night, I’m really happy.’ Tony, on the other hand, finds his passion in implant dentistry, merging his love for engineering and precision.
Their practice, Start Smiling, has become a haven for nervous patients, with a reputation built on empathy and meticulous care. The pair discussed the importance of building strong relationships with their patients, particularly those who are nervous or phobic.
They said: ‘We have patients travel from all over the country… we’ve created an environment that puts people at ease.’ This patient-centred approach has earned them numerous awards, including recognition for their work with nervous patients.
The 2024 Dentistry Awards
Every year, The Dentistry Awards brings the dental profession together to celebrate outstanding achievements in the field. Known as ‘dentistry’s biggest party’, The Dentistry Awards is the largest dental awards ceremony in the UK. From dentists to dental technicians, there is an award to suit every dental professional.
After a fantastic evening of celebration in 2023, the awards are returning once again for 2024. The ceremony will take place on 13 September 2024.
For more details, and to secure your tickets, call 01923 851736 or visit dentistry.co.uk/awards/the-dentistry-awards/.
Striving for excellence
Tom and Tony emphasise that these accolades are not just about the recognition but about the continuous improvement they inspire. Each case is treated with the potential to be award-worthy, pushing them to strive for excellence and refine their skills.
Tom shared how entering these competitions has driven him to continually improve. He said: ‘Every case that I see, I’m thinking to myself, this could be an award entry case… it just becomes your lifestyle.’
They also attribute their success to a team-wide culture of understanding and support, which helps patients feel at ease throughout their treatment journeys. This holistic approach extends beyond dentistry, creating long-lasting relationships with their patients, who often remain with the practice for extended periods.
Raising the bar
For Tom and Tony, entering award competitions isn’t about the glory; it’s about challenging themselves and raising the bar in patient care. Each win drives them to refine their skills and explore new techniques, ensuring their practice remains at the forefront of dental excellence.
In addition, Tony added that entering the awards is a great way to socialise and network. He said: ‘It can be quite a lonely place in dentistry sometimes, if you’re not mixing it up a little bit or you’re in practice.’
Beyond the accolades, they emphasised the importance of the entire team in their success. ‘We might be the ones holding the handpieces, but that’s a very small part of the journey,’ Tom explained, highlighting the collaborative effort required to deliver top-notch care.
Outside of dentistry, Tom has a unique interest in magic, a skill he developed during lockdown, while Tony enjoys golfing and spending time with his family.
Leanna wraps up the interview with some light-hearted questions, revealing Tom’s fear of heights and Tony’s newfound wariness of swimming in the sea, influenced by his children’s curiosity about sharks.
Watch the full interview above to find out more!
For more information, visit dentistry.co.uk/awards/the-dentistry-awards.
