Meet the Team - More Information

Clinical Director -  Dr. Paul Au  BDS (Edin 1984)MSc. (Edin 1990)

Having graduated from University of Edinburgh in 1984, I spent a number of years in the Community Dental Service in the Lothian area gaining experience in treating children and special needs group. I was also able to achieve a masters degree in that field in 1990.

As my parents decided to emigrate to Canada in the late 80s, I was encouraged to cross the pond to learn from the North Americans who are certainly more advanced in certain aspects of dentistry. During the ten years that I was in Vancouver, I was able to run a successful private practice and gained further training in cosmetic, implant and orthodontic (braces) dentistry. My time there proved fruitful in more ways than one as my two children were born there too.

In 2001, I was invited to return to Hong Kong (my birthplace) to be a principal dentist in a leading dental health care firm. However, I have always wanted to have my children brought up and educated in the pleasant surrounds of Edinburgh. Upon returning in 2003, I joined a private practice in the southside of Edinburgh.

I started this practice in 2008 and it is my utmost desire to provide high quality care using the most up-to-date equipment and materials. My aim is to help you achieve optimal dental health and a healthy and attractive smile by providing all aspects of dental care including implants, invisible braces, cosmetic veneers, all-ceramic crowns/bridges,laser treatments and facial aesthetics.

I believe we have assembled a team of dedicated individuals who can provide a professional, safe and relaxed environment for these treatments to be carried out. I look forward to meeting all of you very soon and hope that you will be impressed by our commitment and skills. Meantime, I welcome any comments or questions that you may have. Email:paul@essentialdentalcare.co.uk

Full Member of British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (BACD)

Full Clinical Member of Association of Dental Implantology (ADI)

Fellow of International Congress of Oral Implantology (ICOI)

Gold Member of International Academy of Aesthetic Facial Academics (IAAFA)

Registered Practitioner of Clearstep (Invisible Braces)

Certified Practitioner of  Six-Month Smiles

General Dental Council Registration no. 58871

Associate Dentist - Dr. Sally Keenan BDS (Dundee) 1985

Sally qualified in 1985 from Dundee University where she was awarded the Dall Medal for excellence in porcelain work.

Since then she has worked in both general practice and hospital in the fields of restorative and children’s dentistry.  Most recently she completed a clinical assistantship in orthodontics.  

Her aim is to provide high quality aesthetic dentistry in a relaxed caring environment.  She particularly enjoys treating nervous patients and has trained in hypnosis.

Sally is also a keen skier and tennis player for which she is on the tennis club committee. Her other interests are theatre and music. She is a mother of three lovely daughters and enjoys sharing her hobbies with them.

Member of British Dental Association (BDA)

Email:  sally@essentialdentalcare.co.uk

General Dental Council Registration no. 60081

Hygienic Therapist - Karen Davies RCSEd. BSc. 2008

Karen is the Dental Hygienist within the practice. Originally from Fife,she has lived and worked intermittently in Edinburgh for the last 7 years.Following her undergraduate study in Biology with the University of Edinburgh, she then moved to Glasgow to train in Dental Hygiene and Therapy with Glasgow Dental Hospital and school receiving her RCSEd qualification in 2009. Karen enjoys running around Edinburgh's scenic pathways and is aiming to compete in the New York marathon in 2012.

Karen enjoys the large variety of patients and tries to take time to listen and understand any needs or problems. Tailoring each appointment to incorporate appropriate information and structuring a realistic home care routine  is a high priority for Karen, as the successful results give her considerable job satisfaction.

General Dental Council Registration no. 1775585 

What is a hygiene appointment?

The main focus of a hygiene appointments is towards preventing decay and gum (periodontal) disease.  

Hygiene appointments can vary from routine 20 minute appointment every 6 months, to a series of appointments in quick succession. This is dependent on the individual and their risk of gum disease and caries (decay).

Initially a basic periodontal examination (BPE) is taken,which will identify the presence of any gum disease and/or destruction of supporting tissue (periodontal tissue) around each tooth, and will determine the course of treatment required. 

Periodontal disease is the bacterial destruction of the gums (gingiva) which has the potential to extend into the supporting bone structure, leading to tooth mobility and eventual tooth loss.  Often the early signs of periodontal disease can go unnoticed however some people may notice bleeding gums, bad breath or gum recession.

Due to the bacterial aspect of gum disease a large part of eradicating the disease is heavily weighted upon the daily cleaning to remove the infection, this alongside routine appointments to remove tartar (calculus) deposits.

The initial appointment will involve a general scale, removing calculus and providing preventative advice with regards to brushing and areas where plaque builds up. Subsequent visits will then involve further scaling and clearing of the tooth root surface to remove bacteria and monitor the gradual improvement in gingival health.

I feel a holistic approach to my patients oral health provides the best success rate, formulating a practical home care routine as in addition external factors such as smoking, poor diet, medication and stress can also impact gingival health, and need to be taken into consideration. Any strain on your bodies defence system can in turn make you more susceptible to bacterial infection leading to periodontal disease.