Dr Alexanne Martin shares her journey into dentistry, finding the right support to grow from being a graduate to an award-winning clinician.
Choosing a career in dentistry is about more than clinical skills, it’s also about finding a practice that supports long-term fulfilment, growth and balance.
Dr Alexanne Martin, recently awarded Young Dentist of the Year at mydentist CLINCON25, explores her personal journey and how dentistry remains a compelling career choice for the next generation.
Where Alexanne’s journey into dentistry began
Discussing how she found her passion in dentistry, Alexanne comments: ‘I wanted a science based career that would let me build a full life that felt balanced and genuinely enjoyable, and that is exactly what dentistry offers.
‘Qualifying as a dentist felt like an ultimate aspiration and I can honestly say I adore my job. It doesn’t feel like work, it feels like something really fun I get to do from nine to five. Dentistry constantly challenges me in the best possible way – managing increasingly complex treatment plans is so satisfying and it’s so lovely to look back and think how far I’ve come since graduation.’
Alexanne continues: ‘Like most young dentists, one of my biggest hurdles after qualifying was confidence. Dentistry involves making so many decisions every day, and it’s hard to not second-guess yourself in the beginning, but when you learn to trust yourself, things get much easier.’
Choosing the right place to work and practice
‘When it came to choosing where to work after foundation training, mydentist stood out early on. I was drawn to the financial stability of the employed regional contract, which enabled me to save money to go travelling. When I returned, I moved to a new city without any insider knowledge of local practices and so, I went back to mydentist because it felt safe and I knew the standards would be consistent. It was clearly a great decision as I am still at the same practice six years later – and the company has gone from strength to strength since.
‘A big part of what kept me practising at mydentist is the investment the business makes in its people. The training and development opportunities I’ve had have been incredible and really supported my transition from new graduate to established associate. As I now step into restorative training, my practice has gone above and beyond for me – investing in new equipment and materials so I can immediately try new techniques. Feeling trusted and backed by the company has provided such a stable platform for my growth.’
Since then, Alexanne has gone on to win the ‘Young Dentist of the Year’ award at CLINCON25 – mydentist’s bi-annual clinical conference. Commenting on her success, she said: ‘This was an incredibly special moment for me. Reading the nominations from colleagues made me feel truly valued, and being able to attend the awards ceremony and share the win with my nurse and practice team was unforgettable.
‘The support from family, friends and patients has been overwhelming. It’s been a great reminder of how meaningful this profession can be – I’m so grateful for all the support and recognition from mydentist.’
What it takes to succeed in dentistry today
When asked what skills are crucial to a successful career in dentistry, Alexanne shares: ‘Beyond clinical skills, communication is everything. Being able to manage conflict, explain treatment options and confidently discuss costs is essential. Patients are people and taking time to build relationships makes the challenging parts of the job so much easier – and makes my day much more enjoyable.’
The future of the industry
‘In terms of the future, digital dentistry is so exciting. The investment mydentist has made in digital technology is enormous, and being able to scan every patient and have that visual aid to explain to them what is happening in their mouth and what we can do about it genuinely elevates both patient care and job satisfaction.’
Advice for tomorrow’s dentists
Alexanne concludes: ‘I think my best career advice would be to prioritise investment in yourself through clinical training, self-development and rest. Regularly take time to recharge, reflect and make sure you are on the right path for you… preferably on a beach! Dentistry is an incredible career and has given me the life I once imagined as a teenager – mydentist has played a huge part in making that possible and I am so grateful for everything they have done for me.’
Looking ahead, mydentist is leaning into the digital future of dentistry to help its clinicians and teams grow and thrive. From AI and voice-based note taking to online booking and widespread use of intraoral scanning, technology is transforming how the provider delivers care – continuously evolving clinical workflows to improve collaboration, efficiency and, most importantly, patient experience.
After installing more than 750 intraoral scanners across its 500+ practices, mydentist is planning a further rollout to give clinicians access to more than double the market average. This investment is freeing up valuable time, reducing the number of appointments needed for treatments, and enabling more predictable outcomes, particularly for high-demand procedures such as clear aligners, implants and restorative dentistry.
To find out more about the roles currently available at mydentist, visit: www.mydentist.co.uk/careers/dentist-jobs/early-career-opportunities.
This article is sponsored by mydentist.
