Katy Galloway talks about the desire for an Americanised smile, Invisalign, training dogs, skiing and rock climbing.
Factfile
Name: Katy Galloway
Qualifications: MChD/ BChD Dental Surgery, BSc Oral Surgery
Job title: Dental associate, soon to be practice owner
Professional Interests: Smile transformations, minor oral surgery
Interests outside dentistry: DIY, enjoying time with my partner and pets
Can you tell us a bit about your background?
I am originally from Hull. After graduating from University of Leeds I have not relocated. I have devoted my youth to dentistry and I absolutely love the profession! Throughout my school years I thrived in both science and art subjects. For me, nothing pairs both of these skills better than dentistry.
I met my partner in my academic year at university. Together, we have developed our skill sets and look forward to opening our first practice together later this year.
What or who made you choose a career in dentistry and tooth straightening?
Choosing dentistry was a personal decision following a fascination with the workings of the human body and a love for art. Following graduation, I did not participate in VT and started working life as a private-only dentist. I developed my skillsets quickly by setting small personal goals and achieving them one by one.
I started my social media account on Instagram @drkatygalloway to track my progression. Eventually this led to smile transformations and quickly to tooth straightening. I joined the Invisalign dental revolution and I have not looked back since!
Can you expand on your work with Invisalign – why do like working with it, what has helped you achieve, benefits for patients and so on?
I love to work with Invisalign due to their aesthetic approach to teeth straightening. Their minimalistic design allows patients with already low self-esteem surrounding their smile to achieve their smile goals without an obvious smile treatment taking place to the public eye unlike traditional ‘train-track’ braces.
Please describe your practice, your typical patients, practice ethos and philosophy?
My approach to dentistry is ‘bright and bubbly’. I take extra time in my appointments to get to know my patients and allow them to feel comfortable and welcomed at our practice. Through recommendation, I treat a lot of nervous patients and extractions through recommendation.
I feel my friendly, yet calm and controlled approach to dentistry enables patients to feel at ease in myself and my team’s company.
What are your views on early intervention in orthodontics?
I believe early intervention in orthodontics is great and a duty of care to our patients. Highlighting retention to both children and parents at a young age perhaps requires further work.
Many of my Invisalign patients previously had fixed traditional appliances as a child and did not wear their retainers. As such, further teeth straightening treatment for these patients could have been prevented with better patient education.
What are your thoughts on removable braces and short-term orthodontics compared to fixed traditional appliances?
Removable appliances and short-term orthodontics bridge the gap between fixed traditional appliances for patients with small tooth adjustments they wish to change. Removable braces are reported as a more comfortable experience for patients and less mucosal trauma.
How has digital dentistry changed the way you work?
I find digital dentistry fascinating on a personal level, and incredibly time saving on a professional level.
How do you think dentistry has changed since you first started practising?
I have seen a focus from implants towards smile transformations in the dental private sector, especially in the direction of composite bonding and removable braces.
How important is patient communication to you?
Patient communication is of the uppermost importance for me. This helps me to gain patient trust, understanding and happiness in our dental chair.
Are there any products that you couldn’t live without in your practice?
Luxator.
This article first appeared in Orthodontic Practice magazine. You can read the latest issue here.
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