Annette Matthews started out as a dental nurse, became a dental hygienist and therapist and is now an aesthetic practitioner and consultant, a clinic owner, sells clothes for dogs and is a motorbike enthusiast. BDJ Team was intrigued to find out more.

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©Annette Matthews

Interview

What were your career ambitions when you were at school?

AM: I actually wanted to be a journalist! I started media studies and swiftly fell out of love with it. What is great now is the fact that I still get to write but about the subjects I love and in my own context - so I guess I got some of the way there!

At college I learnt I was a rather hands-on practical learner which is why I think my ongoing interests work for me.

How did you get into dental nursing?

After I ditched the media studies, I trotted off to beauty school and passed with all the relevant qualifications to open a beauty place, and did just that aged 18. The problem was I just didn't feel like it was enough.

The industry of beauty has changed dramatically in the last 20 years; back then it was quite a small menu of treatments we could offer; for me it wasn't challenging enough. I fell upon dental nursing browsing the paper (yes that is how we used to find jobs!).

The 'trainee dental nurse' position local to me stood out. I have no idea why or what it was all about, but it was at this point I started to explore careers in the dental sector. I went off to the interview with little idea about what was ahead of me. Now I'm glad I did!

The team where I started my dental nursing journey was the dream team. We worked at a small but efficient practice and we worked like clockwork.

What did you enjoy about dental nursing?

The team where I started my dental nursing journey was the dream team. We worked at a small but efficient practice and we worked like clockwork. The team helped me explore other avenues and allowed me to work with various clinicians so I could see just what dentistry was about. I wasn't stuck in a surgery with the same clinician - not that there is anything wrong with that - but working with specialities gave me a bigger grasp on the sheer scale of the industry. I daresay I wouldn't have the aspirations I have today if it wasn't for the way in which that practice really implemented skill mix - they were early adopters and assisted a keen bean like me!

Why did you decide to study to become a dental hygienist and therapist?

I was in awe of all my peers at work; I worked alongside the hygienist and asked lots of questions.

I left school without my A-levels so I knew I had an uphill struggle as I was also newly qualified as a dental nurse. I started to explore post-qualifications as a dental nurse and the route into university this way. I knew this wouldn't be enough and started night college to attain an access to higher education qualification - it was hard work alongside working almost full time, but that seed was sown.

Upon completion of the access course I sadly left the practice where my passion for dentistry ignited and started in a surgical specialist centre. Here there were even more clinicians I could watch closely. I expanded my nursing post-qualifications while I applied and patiently waited for university places.

I didn't know what a dental therapist was back then, and I didn't come across this term until my day of interview at Leeds Dental Institute. That was rather embarrassing for me!

Was it challenging to secure a place on a course?

Absolutely, the number of applications versus places was insane.

I witnessed a fair few using it as a stepping-stone to the BDS. There is nothing wrong with this, but for me, the course was about acquiring the ability to offer preventative dentistry and help patients as I had seen my colleagues do.

I had a confirmed place at Glasgow which would have meant a move for me from the Midlands. As a newly single mum at this point, I had already decided I was going whatever it took. I was worried but I knew what I wanted.

I then had a call from Sheffield three weeks before their start date… with a place! I remember being fully surgically gowned and ready to place three implants with the oral surgeon when the practice manager came in to tell me Sheffield University had called and left that message! Needless to say, they had to scrub a new nurse in.

Did you enjoy the course?

I mentioned my practical focus already; the theory was a challenge for me.

Having my dental nursing background also helped, and the team at Sheffield were great at embracing our learning styles. It was a love-hate relationship for me: I didn't get the typical 'university experience' as my commute on the train was the only time I had to add extra study time in, with a one-year-old waiting for me at home!

It was a challenge - but worth every minute of staying up past 3 am.

What was the job market like once you had graduated?

In all honesty it was very, very sparse. There were a fair number of us from Leeds and Sheffield qualifying each year and positions were just not available.

I started looking one year before graduation and contacting practices to see their 'stance' on implementing hygiene and therapy clinics as back then, not all practices even considered this and I felt I could help educate them to introduce options for their patients.

I suppose you could call this a business development plan. My first job was in a beautiful practice which had never had a hygienist. I found the owner via LinkedIn and helped them see our worth and just how I could help grow the business. The rest is history.

I worked in dental hygiene and therapy across 2-3 practices for a number of years, always looking for other things to add to my skill mix.

I was, however, swiftly burning out, and knew I couldn't continue at that pace. Some days were 8 am-8 pm back-to-back short appointments and I was at breaking point.

I had dabbled early on in skin and injectables, but having little or no time to implement it, it never really took off.

Can you outline your career since then?

Two car crashes a month apart (both not my fault) contributed to life changes for me. The skills I had attained in skin care and aesthetics over the 2-3 years since graduation were revisited and I started to think differently. I made a plan!

I started to look at patients' skin and think about things differently. I found several abnormalities on patients and began to think about how I could help here even more.

I started working with the The Karen Clifford Melanoma & Skin Cancer Charity after taking their online MASCED training and I quickly realised we too had a role in helping diagnose skin cancer and melanoma early. I learnt that as dental professionals we could prevent this with education, which encouraged me to focus on skin even more.

I also started to see a generic pattern of concerns, all of which I wanted to help with. Acne, pigmentation, rosacea/sensitive skin, and ageing - so my studies and course search expanded.

I had patients attending for orthodontic maintenance with horrendous acne and they had reached out for help to several clinicians to no avail - I knew I wanted to help people like this.

What is an 'aesthetic practitioner'?

Many assume this is injectables - for me it's about helping with aesthetic and cosmetic concerns. There is much more to it than applying filler and botulinum toxin.

What we see in the mirror is closely linked to our mental health and feeling of self-worth; the very fact I can help with this ethically and somewhat minimally is amazing.

I mentioned the generic pattern of concerns I noted from the dental patients I was seeing, so I commenced training in evidential treatments that could assist with all of these either on their own or as part of an integrated plan for the patient, treating skin and aesthetics much like we do with tailored treatment plans in dentistry. I found my niche.

I offer lifestyle and nutrition advice and all the things we know have an impact on results in any intervention.

Was your training targeted at dental professionals?

At the time getting acceptance on courses as a 'non-medic' was infuriating. The knowledge and experience we have as dental professionals with facial anatomy is advanced and there were and still are several training providers who just do not understand our role. I can see why as there are still people in the dental profession who do not fully use our skill mix either - a controversial but true opinion of mine!

It took me three years to gain acceptance onto my PG Dip as they just didn't think I had the ability - until I forwarded over 150 cases of skin and facial rejuvenation cases I had achieved from my clinic!

It took me three years to gain acceptance onto my PG Dip as they just didn't think I had the ability - until I forwarded over 150 cases of skin and facial rejuvenation cases I had achieved from my clinic!

Luckily the mindset of most training providers is changing but sadly, as the industry is not regulated, some treatments are getting into the wrong hands.

What aesthetic treatments do you offer?

I offer everything from well-established injectables like dermal filler and botulinum toxin to skin boosters, micro-needling, plasma, radio frequency and chemical peels.

The vast array of what I do daily is actually fixing the foundations of the skin and its function before we begin to implement the ever-popular filler and toxin treatments… but when patients see that magic happening from a biological, stimulative point of view with the skin treatments I offer, they often veer away from filler and botox!

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I work with the patient, their lifestyle and their skin to attain results - restoring what has been lost from the indications and symptoms they present with. I then prevent this from happening with education and good quality home care plans - it sounds quite similar to dentistry doesn't it?

An analogy I often use when patients think it's all down to me to fix their problem is: 'you wouldn't not brush your teeth twice daily until your next dental appointment so why do you think your skin regimen is any different?'

Once the acute concerns have been addressed, I see my skin clients at least every six weeks.

Do you offer dental services from the same location?

At present no. It has always been on my agenda but the COVID-19 pandemic nearly closed my clinic due to costing and not being able to open, so I am still recovering from this.

I would love to have my own dental services one day soon and it is certainly still one of my aspirations.

I practise dentistry in various settings and offer my skin treatments here too, so it works for me and my patients and the practices.

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I also help consult to set up aesthetic clinics within a dental setting and get them to implement skill mix in their team with a wholehearted approach to holistic health care, leaning on the strengths and passions of those working there.

Do you operate under direct access?

Yes, I offer direct access services at my dental settings - with a view to building a model based on many inspirational peers such as the dental health spa in Brighton and the inspirational mentor that is Christina Chatfield and many others who have set up successfully - they are a credit to this industry and their patients.

Do you often see patients in a dental capacity and then for aesthetic treatments as well?

Yes, more often than not they discover my services from a dental appointment. I talk to them about skin health and note any abnormalities of their skin in their notes, referring where appropriate possible skin cancers or concerns. The rapport and frequency of visits I have with my regular clients make it an easy conversation to open.

On a weekly basis I spot between 3-8 skin cancers from dental patients … we are positioned in a fabulous place to view the tops of heads and necks of individuals who may live on their own and not see and/or understand the indications of leaving such abnormalities. When it comes to more cosmetic concerns we can help them understand a wide range of treatments available in our regular interventions.

Do you see patients across a wide range of age groups and men too?

Absolutely. The most popular demographic however is pre- and post-menopausal women - this is when most notice a huge decline in their skin health due to hormones and other factors in their lifestyle. That said, gents and teens are swiftly becoming popular clients of mine with ongoing skin concerns - word of mouth is a wonderful thing!

I also like to educate younger clients who may have other issues such as body dysmorphic disorder and are influenced by social media for unnatural solutions. Sadly, lack of regulation in the industry means that a lot of treatments are performed without the patient having a full understanding of their options. The dental practitioner in me ensures they can reach an informed and ethical decision on their treatment options.

Can you outline a typical working week and how you divide your time?

It's carnage!

My typical day starts at 6 am with a workout.

Monday is sanity time and admin - blog writing and course updates/CPD/website maintenance.

I work in my clinic Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday.

Dental every Thursday and three Fridays a month.

This changes if my training takes me UK wide and means my diary may be variable.

I have over 800 clients at my skin clinic to service and started with just eight!

Do you have a family to factor into your schedule too?

I am a mum of two girls aged 14, my daughter and stepdaughter who lives with us full time. My husband Craig is very supportive.

I have three dogs, four chickens, two cats, a rabbit and a guinea pig!

We are also renovating our home as we speak - but all in a day's work, right?

I organise the family to help with chores to ensure things get done and we all kind of just make it work.

My daughter often helps out at my skin clinic on Saturdays too.

How do you have time to run Slobber Clobber as well?

This is an online venture. My first e-commerce experience was creating my online skin shop and well when you do something once, next time it's a little easier!

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I managed to find some bespoke doggy clobber available wholesale and started Slobber Clobber. It manages itself and I post orders 2-3 times weekly as and when they come through.

I ironically sell doggy skin and dental treats on the website too and also dog owner essentials for their outdoor adventures to include keeping their own skin in good condition - so I guess it goes hand in hand!

I hear you like to ride motorbikes too?

I do indeed - in June 2022 I passed my full motorbike licence and run a Derbyshire-based motorbiking group.

I love my Red Triumph Daytona 675 and there is no feeling like switching the phone and head off for a while whilst I ride the corners in Derbyshire!

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Do you have any further career plans?

Absolutely - I would love to see more recognition of my [dental] profession in the aesthetic industry and create a better understanding of the medic vs non medic debate.

I would like to see regulation and help those bodies make the right decisions on how to do this - my links with some large pharmaceutical groups I am hoping will allow me to facilitate these conversations.

I plan to finish my Masters in cosmetic medicine and explore research options for integrated treatment plans I have experience with.

I have also recently discovered some new therapies that don't exist here yet and want to help bring them over to the UK with my own devices and training plans created for common skin concerns overlooked in medicine and treated incorrectly.

I recently attended an event on alternative careers in dentistry and I was so excited to see many of my dental peers with other interests and embracing them.

Would you recommend that other dental hygienists and therapists move into aesthetics?

Yes, 100%; adding variety to your day makes your working week much more enjoyable.

I understand this isn't for everyone, but having other interests means you can keep the passion alive.

I recently attended an event on alternative careers in dentistry and I was so excited to see many of my dental peers with other interests and embracing them. If this article inspires anything, I would encourage people to think about themselves and how they can keep the passion alive in what they do.

As a dental professional, you worked hard to gain your skills and your patients need you; make changes

I have been at the burnout point and almost left the industry altogether. I would never encourage this - as a dental professional, you worked hard to gain your skills and your patients need you; think of yourself as a business plan and make changes reflective of what you love and want to learn more about. If I can do it I think anyone can!

Interview by Kate Quinlan