Dr Rhona Eskander graduated from Leeds University in 2010 and completed her vocational training in a practice in Kent. During this year she won the prize for the ‘Best Case Presentation’ – a complex restorative case which involved several disciplines in dentistry. She was titled Best Young dentist in 2016/2017 and 2019/2020 at the prestigious dentistry awards. She has been shortlisted for several awards and also won an award at the 2017 Aesthetic Awards (botulinum toxin category). Dr Eskander is dedicated to post graduate training. Rhona is a Diamond Provider for Invisalign and also a key opinion leader for enlighten and Invisalign. She lectures on behalf of the latter.
Additionally, Dr Eskander has been trained by one of the UK’s leading cosmetic dentists at the Smile Academy. She has been featured on UK national television, on programmes such as ITV This Morning, BBC- Truth Health or Scare, ITV Loose Women, Channel 5 news and other programmes. Amongst magazines such as Forbes, Tatler, Vogue, Grazia and many more- seen as a female pioneer. Forbes recently described her as a woman ‘working to change the health and wellness industries in the UK’.
I love working in the beauty industry because…
I have an opportunity to change peoples lives. I still get goose bumps every time I give the patient a mirror for the first time after completing their smile journey. In this industry you have the chance to really have an impact on peoples self confidence. Dentistry in particular refers to health first and foremost. Not only are you restoring someone’s smile but improving their function.
I’m best known for…
The signature Chelsea Look. When I started cosmetic dentistry I wanted to ensure that I was creating teeth that emulate nature. For me it wasn’t about removing quirks in teeth but rather to embrace them and tweak them. People started approaching me because they loved the teeth I was creating- the perfectly imperfect smile. My motto is ‘dentistry so good you won’t even know it’s there’. There are many dentists out there especially on social media where I harvested much work. However what I noticed is that people chose me for the natural look, patients came to me saying ‘I love your work because it still looks like the patient’. I found that I spent a lot of time listening to patients and understanding their expectations and needs; if they still wanted to keep their quirks like their pointy canines or gap in their front teeth I would incorporate this into their new smile design. I refuse to conform to the cookie cutter Hollywood style teeth. It was about creating dentistry ‘so good you would not even know it is there.’ People are more after natural enhancements and that is what I gave them and hence coined the term ‘The Chelsea Look’.
My biggest achievement to date is…
In 2015 I CV dropped all over London trying to get a job, I worked in a small family based practice in the countryside following my university training. However, my desire was to be in London. I applied for an interview to cover maternity leave in a practice in High Street Kensington; I handed in my notice at my current practice, risking not having a job once the maternity cover was over. When I went to the Kensington practice I was determined to make myself worthy of having a permanent position. Hard work and determination to prove my worth. My boss was also talking about selling his practice in Chelsea- he had a fully private practice which was not booming as much as Kensington. I was intrigued by the practice and asked if I could come and work there, he thought I was a little crazy but accepted. I was so passionate about taking on the challenge. Many people could not understand why I wanted to wok in a practice that was not busy. When I went to Chelsea there was only one patient a month coming through the doors. The clinic was not thriving and it was my vision and dream to kale it a super successful clinic. People thought I was mad – I wanted to make a clinic that was not mine work. Nevertheless I pursued my dreams. The pursuit of of my dreams was also lead by other game changers- Invisalign and Instagram. I knew they were taking the world my storm and I wanted to be behind them. Importantly I believed in their vision- client and patient centred care, creativity and passion. Invisalign provides the fodder for minimal invasive smile design and I believed that bringing it into the practice would change the game- and it did. Instagram was in its embryonic stages and having friends in the arts and the creatives I believed that dentists and science had a space on the platform particularly cosmetic dentistry where art and science meet.
Having taken on the practice after five years I can proudly say that it went from seeing one a patient a month to being fully booked for the next six months. We are also a multi specialist practice which means that everyone is a master of their trade and not a jack of all. This means that if the patient needs root canal for example they’re referred to my endodontic specialist, if they need their gums treated they’re sent to the periodontist and I just focus on the cosmetic.
The clinics success is down to a few things. Definitely the patient centric, scientific approach. When I bought the clinic I had already manifested the vision to be multi specialist. Being a general dentist with a special interest in cosmetic dentistry I wanted to focus on Invisalign, whitening, veneers and bonding. This meant ensuring that the patients are referred in house to the appropriate people for the other treatments. So for example if they need a root canal, we have an endodontic specialist, if they need gum treatment we have a periodontist. We provide holistic care with one of our mind and body dentists, this includes treating headaches, craniofacial and jaw pains. The philosophy behind the clinic is treating the patient not just the tooth and I think patient’s have really felt that. Social media has also been in instrumental in empowering patients and making them aware of the clinic. They know that they are getting the best care, the practice is based on several dentists who are a master of their own trade not a jack of all.
My favourite pre-wedding dental treatments are…
There is a trifecta that makes the smile look good- position, colour and shape. These can be achieved in different ways. To get the position right we need to align the teeth and the best way to do this is via orthodontic. I provide Invisalign – to align the teeth first which can take up to one year, so plan ahead. Colour can be addressed via whitening. My go to is the premium whitening system Enlighten. We address the shape with composite bonding or minimal prep veneers. Bonding is a white resin placed on the teeth, it can be placed on the edges of the teeth- if this is the case it is called ‘edge bonding’, it can also be placed on the front surface in multiple layers of the teeth and if this is the case it is called a composite veneer. Edge bonding is only suitable for people whose teeth are fairly straight, in patients who are happy with the colour of their teeth (bonding can not be whitened, only teeth so you have to match the colour of the bonding to the teeth). It is often used in combination with braces such as Invisalign. Composite veneers are suitable for cases where people want the volume of the teeth increased and/or the length. Composite veneers can mask discoloured teeth, however if the teeth are crooked the natural teeth will need to be cut back or the bonding made very thick to mask the crookedness.
The current wedding trends I’m loving are…
Bridgerton Inspired Weddings! I love this theme. Sober Curious Weddings – being tee total makes this trend perfect for me. Earthy, Nature-Inspired Palettes. As an eco ambassador embrace the earthy textures with terracotta pots, driftwood and linen napkins on your table, with honeyed neutral colours and pops of brighter rust, amber and coral tones.
My favourite place in the world to skip the crowds is…
I’m here for the 6am club. My morning rituals are key and no matter how I am feeling I am determined to stick to them. These include waking up early, about one hour before I leave the house. Looking at my journal book and checking in with my affirmations. It is important to also write down your intentions. Drinking 0.5ml of water with my vitamins . I recently started using Your Heights, a brain supplement which has done wonders for me. I stretch for 15 mins. I then get ready and train with my trainer, no matter how I am feeling this is a non negotiable for me. Exercise releases endorphins and makes me feel alive. Then I start work around 10am and feel ready and set for the day. Consistency is key, set your daily rituals and make them habit. The consistent routine helps us set the tone for the day, better allowing us to control our schedules rather than our schedule controlling us. As we start each day fresh, we can better focus on what is in front of us, where to prioritise our time, and, ultimately, increase our productivity. Travelling is really my safe haven. I love escaping and immersing in different places. I often go trekking alone and hide away in places. One not to skip the crowds but definitely defined radical independence was Burning Man. I actually went alone, yes on the burner express bus and travelled across the desert to be around people I have never met before. It was incredible and whenever I wanted to be alone I would cycle across the desert and take in the vista. I love putting myself in these situations
The podcast I’m currently listening to is…
Steven Bartlett, diary of a CEO. I feel that he absolutely nails the narrative, the guests he brings have so much wisdom and are truly inspiring.
The best accounts to follow on Instagram for big-day inspo are…
Steven Bartlett, Megan Rose, Lane Spirit & Science Official.
And finally, what’s next for you and The Chelsea Dental Clinic…
I am so excited that a whole clinic revamp is about to commence with my sister. She is a very successful, creative architect. I may be biased but her vision is unbelievable and we want to turn the clinic into a sensory, experience based practice. The overall space will feel organic, calm and minimal through combining soft curves with warm materials and an earthy colour palette. The use of planting and diffuse lighting will create a holistic environment that will make patients feel at ease. Technology will be integrated seamlessly throughout the space allowing for changing content whilst making the space feel futuristic and contemporary. The use of colour, lighting, planting, artwork and tactile materials will create a more sensory space that challenges the norm of a typical clinic which can often feel hostile or sterile. Instead, I intend to immerse the patient in their surroundings, in a multifunctional space that instills a sense of calm whilst feeling sophisticated, inviting, clean and eye-catching.
Moreover I started an eco friendly toothpaste Pärla (with two business partners) to help combat the plastic problem. Pärla is our eco-friendly solution to the plastic epidemic of toothpaste tubes, where 1.5 billion tubes end up in landfill or the ocean each year, thats around 50 tubes a second. As dentists, we believe toothpaste should first and foremost protect people’s oral health but not harm people, animals or our planet in the process. That’s why we created PÄRLA – to radically disrupt the toothpaste industry with clean ingredients and sustainable packaging.Pärla toothpaste tabs are zero waste toothpaste tablets, sold in reusable glass jars, with refills coming in compostable bags. They contain only ethically sourced, animal cruelty-free and Vegan ingredients but most importantly include the perfect dose of Fluoride to protect against decay.To use the tabs, simply pop a PÄRLA, chew for 5 seconds and then brush as normal. The water from your brush will convert the tabs into a paste in your mouth. www.chelseadentalclinic.co.uk
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