WINNER’S PROFILE
BATH LIFE AWARDS
HEALTH WINNER Sponsored by
BATH SPA DENTISTRY
Dermot McNulty, clinical director of Bath Spa Dentistry, talks rugby, sweet things and how social media has helped improved the image of dentistry How did you celebrate the Bath Life Award? We opened the bottle of champagne to share with the team that night, and we are still celebrating the achievement now, every time someone comments on our win. Did you always want to be a dentist? My parents and grandparents were all involved in medicine; my father was a radiologist in Bath. Initially I had places at universities to study law and history but I gave these up, took a year out and then decided to apply to dental school.
Dermot and the Bath Spa Dentistry team are all smiles after picking up their award
What are the future plans for the practice? In the autumn we will have an ‘endodontist’ or root canal dentist joining us. The aim is to steadily progress to have all the requirements for advanced dentistry under one roof but at the same time provide a base for caring general dentistry.
What do you think makes Bath Spa Dentistry stand out from its competitors? We are one of the leading private referral dental practices in Bath, and known as being one of the centres of advanced and restorative dentistry in the UK. How would you describe your job? Every day is different. One day I might be in surgery for nine hours, giving a whole new smile to a patient with a complete set of new fixed teeth, and the next I could be discussing a range of cosmetic and aesthetic procedures with another patient. Fridays are different as I teach, either my own implant courses in Bath or as a lecturer, examiner and course director for the Royal College of Surgeons in London. Do you think people’s attitudes towards dentists are changing? Yes, and I think social media has helped. Before that, most people only saw their dentist once a year, which didn’t allow much time for dentists to make a positive impression on their patients. Now they can engage with us 24/7 through our website, emails, and social media channels, which I think helps people see us as more approachable, responsive and friendly. How has Bath Spa Dentistry played a part in the local community? Over the last few years we have got more involved in local charities, and we work closely with Bath Rugby as their 88 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
dentistry partner. We also run free evening study group sessions for local dentists, which helps us stay involved in local dental community too.
SUGAR IS ONE OF MY ADDICTIONS I’M AFRAID
What do you do when you’re not working? I am part of a large family and have five children and, no matter what their age, I am fortunate to be heavily involved in their lives. Also, sport has always been important to me, especially Bradford on Avon Rugby Club, which I’ve been a part of, in various guises, for over 10 years. What do you think makes Bath special? Apart from it having everything you could ever want – from small indie shops to world-famous visitor attractions – Bath statistically has more dentists per head than anywhere other than London in the UK. Did your parents ever have to tell you to brush your teeth? This was a while ago, but I do remember continuous reminders for both myself, and my brothers and sisters! What’s your favourite sweet thing? I must admit, sugar is one of my addictions I’m afraid... so anything sweet! For more: www.bathspadentistry.com