Creating a Practice with Purpose
After years working in NHS dentistry, Claire Hughes set out to raise her own clinical standards and build a practice centred on thoughtful care and long-term results.
What Inspired You to Open Claire Hughes Dental?
What inspired you to open Claire Hughes Dental?
I had worked in a predominantly NHS dental practice for a number of years. Although I loved my patients, I felt unfulfilled and wanted to improve the standard of my dentistry.
I made the decision to upskill and attended many conferences and courses in England. At that time there were not the same opportunities for career development in Northern Ireland as we have now. I was lucky to meet some inspiring dentists at a conference in Birmingham and then joined a study club with like-minded dentists who wanted to progress. We still meet every couple of months for peer learning.
Although I had upskilled greatly, I was restricted in how much I could change while working where I was. The decision to move was, in essence, taken for me when the practice closed for financial reasons. I looked at other associate jobs but felt I wanted to try owning a dental practice myself.
The Journey to Becoming a Practice Owner
Tell us a bit about your journey to becoming the owner of your own dental practice.
I was grateful to find premises quickly and converted it into a two-surgery dental practice. We were able to open, following Health Board and RQIA inspections, within a very short timeframe of ten weeks in 2013.
In 2016 we expanded to include a consultation room, another dental surgery and a staff kitchen. We also rebranded the practice as Claire Hughes Dental. Since that time, we have continued to develop the focus of the practice.
Creating the Right Experience for Patients
How would you describe the atmosphere and experience you want patients to have when they visit for the first time?
We want our patients to feel welcomed, safe and well cared for when they visit our practice.
Everyone is greeted by our front-of-house team. We have spent time refining our communication and improving the patient journey, but nothing replaces a face-to-face conversation.
After an initial consultation and assessment, we plan each treatment using digital scanning and photography. We always focus on health first, building solid foundations before moving to cosmetic dentistry. This helps ensure longevity of treatment results.
Popular Treatments and Services
What are some of the most popular treatments or services you offer?
Our most popular treatments are Invisalign clear aligners to straighten teeth and smile makeovers with composite bonding.
The Most Rewarding Part of the Work
What do you enjoy most about working in dentistry and caring for your patients?
I love that every day is different. I keep the work interesting and rewarding.
I have the privilege of meeting and caring for many different people. It is wonderful to see the transformation in someone, not just in their smile but in their confidence and comfort in themselves from their first visit to the end of treatment.
One of the most special moments for our team is the smile reveal at the end of treatment, when we hand a mirror to someone to see their new smile. There are often tears of happiness, and they are not always just from the patient.
Claire Hughes Dental & Facial Aesthetics
Spencer House
L’Derry
Northern Ireland
BT47 6QA
Tel: +44 28 7131 1333
Website: www.clairehughes.dental
