Describe one of your regular weeks- How do you manage to juggle all your duties?
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I really love hill walking so I try to climb atleast 3 times a week- I wake up at 3:30am and me and my walking group climb on average 10km- see the sunrise on top of these ranges and come back in time for work/clinic at 9am. I set aside my Mondays and Wednesday's to complete my research for my Phd. Tuesdays, Thursday afternoon and Friday morning are spent at the university lecturing. In the meantime my staff are preparing for a huge patient turnover from Thursday to Saturday.
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Having been exposed to dentistry in the UK, what do you think is the main difference between the UK and Trinidad?
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Trinidad is one of the wealthiest island in the Caribbean- people often need to have £5000 off the bat for orthodontic treatments. In terms of general dentistry, Trinidad has 50/50 public and private sector- Government health centres carry out extractions and root canals and university dentistry is not free although they do pay a much lower price. Also clinics in Trinidad have more of an open floor plan where the consultations room is private but there can be like 5 chairs all placed on one floor in a single room.
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What factors were you considering when you opened your clinic in 2010?
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I had actually done the research as to what I would need to open the clinic way before I was an orthodontist. I observed every little detail when I gave my time for free with the 2 orthodontists I worked with straight out of dental school. From this experience, I managed to break down items into what I thought would be absolutely essential to the clinic and what I could do without. I made a sensible choice into where to spend- I realised that as I was starting out, I didnt really need all the computerised systems that were a large part of the expenses. The plan was to gradually add these as required.
If you already knew that the plan was to open your clinic, why did you decide to spend so much time gaining all these qualifications?
I did that because I was quite uncertain about whether I wanted to live in Trinidad or the UK. I wanted to be in a position such that I was as qualified as any local UK orthodontist. I never wanted my credibility to be questioned so that I had the power to work anywhere in the world with the qualifications I had- the MScD I gained from Cardiff, is recognised even in America. Life is quite uncertain and you dont know where you can end up.
Back to your private clinic, give me an example of what you felt was absoultely necessary for an orthodontist
practice?
I soon realised that a computerised system wasnt absolutely crucial- I obviously needed a steriliser, x-ray machine, one chair and in terms of the options I would give my patients- it was limited to metal or porcelain braces.
If thats the case, how did you manage to compete with the existing practices that had all the newest technology?
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At that time, none of the clinics were offering more than metal and porcelain options. Another thing I recognised especially in orthodontics is that it is the child that determines where they get their braces. I used that to make sure I had a well-equipped play room that had an x-box. " I soon became known as the dentist that had the x-box"
As for the adults, I had internet access, latest magazines, tea, coffee and cable TV.
Even though my clinic was small, I didnt cut on expenses that I thought were crucial to its success. I made sure that the reception table was exquiste and the bathroom was of utmost charm. Even my lights were not the basic overhead lights- they are attached to the ceiling. I hired a colour consultant to make sure the place was pleasing. I paid attention to every detail
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