A bright smile is the best accessory anyone can wear. But with teeth problems most of us shy away from smiling in front of others. Well, we can carry that smile anywhere without embarrassment or shame if we submit ourselves to a dentist’s care.

 Afraid of the dentist? You’re not alone. Dental visits are associated with pain. But the truth is we only see the dentist when we’re in pain or suffering from major discomfort. Consequently, the same fear makes us de-prioritise dental health care. 

Believe it or not, the state of your mouth, teeth and gums tells the story of your overall health. Beyond scaling, polishing and fillings, dentists play a vital role in improving your wellbeing. 

Taking dental health for granted – and also ignoring the symptoms – often lead to more serious, more painful oral problems, not to mention more expensive cumulative treatments.

About 3.5 billion people worldwide live with oral health diseases and problems. Oral health status is associated with physical function, cognitive function, and many chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. (source: Global Burden of Disease 2015 report) 

I think part of the fear is also due to the kind of care we get from the dentist. It is not often that we find a caring dentist who makes us feel comfortable and who doesn’t charge an arm and a leg.

My phobia of dentists goes back many years and many cities so much so that I would fly across the globe just to see a particular dentist.  The Covid pandemic gave me no choice but to look for one in Singapore. Thankfully, I can attest after many tries that I truly believe we’ve found the best.

Finding the right dental care is a challenge anywhere in the world. So when a friend recommended the husband-and-wife team Drs. Andrew Doig and May Ling Eide of Skye Dental I was more than happy to meet them for my family’s dental concerns.  

Despite the practice of dentistry being similar globally, Skye Dental differentiates itself from others. It all boils down to the personal care and attention both doctors put into their clients and practice.  And this is most essential for my young family and me.

Dr. Andrew is patient, personable, friendly, and brings his own British approach to communicating with patients. His dedication to deliver his vision of dentistry to folks from all walks of life as well as mentoring young dentists go beyond his clinical skills.

Dr. May’s zeal for life is undeniable in everything she does. Her attention to detail is what sets her apart from others and this shines through when she provides orthodontic treatment for her patients. She has a listening ear and will be able to gently discuss, for example, which mode of alignment treatment would be most suitable for you or your child.

“Patient care experience is our priority. We strive to offer excellent customer service throughout the whole journey, removing those fears or stigmas often associated with the dentist,” says Dr. Andrew. “It’s not just about teeth, it’s about you.”  

“We take time to listen, explain and discuss what is important to you,” he continues. I emphatically agree with him. 

“When you ask what we would like to be known for, it is simple, we would like to be respected as professionals who do our work ethically and responsibly. Therefore, you can feel secure when you visit our practice,” according to the couple. 

Dr. Andrew recalls the time when he was inspired by one of his great patients because his patient listened to his advice and the results are paying off.  

“It was something very fundamental, it was purely because I got him to floss daily (he never ever flossed before) and as a result, his gum health improved vastly,” he tells us.  

And his patient noticed it too. “I felt a sense of purpose because I had armed my patient with the best weapon, dental floss, and now is able to care for his gums. Simple as it may seem, it inspires me when my patients listen to me.”

Back in 2014 or 2015, Dr. May remembers treating a young girl for a very complex orthodontic problem that required two-and-a-half years of treatment. She was so cooperative with everything she was advised to do. 

“It was a really special moment when she interned with us last year when we first opened Skye Dental. She wanted to become a dentist. We love to inspire young people and also inspire the family unit to be part of the dental journey,” says Dr. May, who is also currently treating her younger sister.

The couple met as undergraduates in Glasgow, Scotland. They went on to work and study in London and Scotland, and later settled in Singapore, Dr. May’s hometown.  

“Singapore was an obvious choice as a home for us. We wanted to start a family and we have a great family unit in Singapore (May’s family) who could share that joy (and help with babysitting!). It is also a safe and stable environment for children to grow up in, as May knows from experience,” says Dr. Andrew. 

He adds, “In terms of business, dentistry is pretty much the same in the western world, so it is easy to adapt to the location and the cultural differences whilst still carrying out our dentistry. I had not actually thought of setting up my own dental clinic when we moved to Singapore 10 years ago. However, some life-changing events, namely my father passing away during Covid and not being able to say goodbye or visit my family in the aftermath, was a huge factor that spurred me on to starting my own vision for dentistry in Singapore. May was initially caught a little off guard by my decision but she has been so supportive throughout the process.”

After the pandemic, Dr. Andrew noticed that many people neglected visiting the dentist in the past 2-3 years. Certainly, this had a detrimental effect on oral hygiene as most had missed their regular scale and polish. 

He also found himself diagnosing bruxism (grinding of teeth) more than in previous years. People were more stressed due to the effects of the pandemic, resulting in more bruxism cases that caused teeth cracking and breaking. 

The work-from-home practice also made people more conscious of the appearance of their smiles. More Zoom meetings taking place influenced an increase in consultations on Invisalign (an orthodontic treatment that straightens teeth without the use of metal braces) and other brace treatments.  There was also more demand for aesthetic dental remedies like teeth whitening and smile makeovers.

Drs. Andrew and May have truly helped my family in making Singapore home simply because of their supreme dental care.  Visiting their polished boutique practice on Club Street is always a pleasure (a smile greets you at the door) and always a pleasant experience with their light hands and professional practice. It helps that the couple has two kids of their own as I am re-assured that my three kids are in good hands in every dentist visit. 

“We do things differently.” is a maxim of Skye Dental.  So we can expect new developments from Drs. Andrew and May in terms of technology being used to further improve oral health as well as more personalised services that are patient-centric.  

Karmela | ws

Images: Skye Dental | Location: 38 Club Street, Singapore | Tel: +65 6980 5751 | Book an appointment