“Calming and comforting”: Kingston Smiles brings a female-focus to healthy teeth

Posted on 5 April, 2024

Dr Sophie Haydon and Dr Michelle Yip do dentistry differently.

For one thing, a trip to their new dental surgery, Kingston Smiles, is far removed from the stark clinical experience most of us remember from the last time we needed a filling.

Having bought the established practice in 2020, the two dentists, business partners and long-time friends, organised a major renovation and expansion to create a calming and aesthetic space. This is where they can build a rapport with their patients and ease as much anxiety about the visit as possible. Think warm wood features and comfy chairs as opposed to white lino.

“The clinic has metamorphosised from what was a one-man-show to a deluxe expansion of four operating rooms, five dentists, a hygienist and a suite of auxillary staff. The renovations and décor aim to incorporate state-of-the-art equipment and technology, function, comfort and a pleasing aesthetic that raises the bar in the healthcare experience for all our patients,” says Sophie.

And while the dental industry has always seemed a bastion of male domination, the two female dentists have also employed an strong female team—comprising Dr Karina Carew and Dr Anna Hastie with male dentist Dr Alex Buckley also enjoying the new practice.

“We are really proud to be a female-owned and female-operated business in the traditionally conservative health care sector,” says Michelle.

“Our friendship and shared outlook make us a formidable team, achieving our goals which we also hope will inspire other professional females.”

The pair met while studying Dentistry at Charles Sturt University in Orange, NSW.

Their friendship was cemented as they spent weekends and evenings together studying, walking their dogs and frequenting the vast array of excellent restaurants in and around the town because they love food.

After graduating, they both moved to Canberra and have been working together since 2015. In 2020, after starting their families, they decided they wanted a better work/life balance and a new challenge, so they purchased an established dental surgery in need of a renovation and fresh ownership.

Kingston Smiles opened on Giles Street in 2020 just before the second COVID lockdown. While the early years presented the dentists with a steep learning curve, they’ve managed to create a practice which is both flexible and fulfilling.

And they believe their surgery is markedly different to most other dental practices.

“We want the environment to feel comfortable and welcoming and to raise the standard of dental experiences. When you walk in, we invite you to sit down in our, calm and welcoming waiting room and you’re invited to enjoy a tea, coffee or filtered water,” says Michelle.

“When we bring you through to the dentist you can relax on our state-of-the-art dental chair while we take the time to get to know you and tailor an individual treatment plan to your needs and goals.”

While you are reclining during your treatment you can watch a Netflix series on the TV installed in the ceiling or listen to music on the headphones provided. At the end of your appointment enjoy your complimentary gift bag including toothbrush, toothpaste and floss.

“From start to finish your appointment is calming and comforting and dare we say we hope you look forward to visiting the dentist again,” says Sophie.

All of Kingston Smiles’ staff appreciate that a trip to the dentist can often be an anxious one.

“Fear, cost, and embarrassment are some of the usual reasons people ignore their teeth,” says Sophie.

But she warns that delaying regular checks and possible issues can be more expensive and invasive.

“The greatest accomplishment is often when we have a patient who is anxious or apprehensive to visit the dentist or complete treatment and we are able to ease their anxiety, reassure them and complete their dental treatment. Seeing these patients happily attend every six months for their check-ups, is the biggest reward for us.”

Increasingly, people are seeking aesthetic result from their dental experience.

“Of course, we love the before and after aesthetic changes in a patient. We love to see their self esteem improve and see how they genuinely smile with pride in their teeth,” says Michelle, with whitening procedures most popular.

She also notes that patients appreciate the service of same-day crowns.

“In a world where we are all trying to reduce time commitments and maximise time efficiency, the ability to do complete crowns (when indicated) on the same day and walk out with the new tooth is well valued by our patients.”

Available for everything from check-ups and cleans to emergency dentistry, root canal, crowns and veneers, cosmetic services, wisdom teeth, splints for grinding and clenching and all children’s dentistry, Kingston Smiles is open to new patients.

All images by Taylah Cunningham