Uchenna Okoye shares some insight into her role as a dental expert on the TV programme 10 Years Younger.
I first got involved with 10 Years Younger when the producers approached me about 15 years ago. The series was recently bought and revived after a decade break by Channel 5, who asked me to return as the dental expert.
Whilst it is very exciting to be involved, many people do not realise how challenging it can be. We have to work within strict time constraints, which tends to create very long days. I might provide one smile makeover per day in my practice, but when I have to treat two or three people for the show, the working hours are at least double. I also have to gain the person’s trust and consent, much as any other patient, so time must be dedicated to this. In addition, dentistry is often a significant part of a participant’s transformation. If I don’t think I can deliver a good result, they might not get any of the other lifechanging support that the show offers. This can be a lot of pressure.
I deal with this by remaining true to myself and my patients. I am a dentist first, an expert on a TV show second. My job is to provide the best dentistry I possibly can for the individual, taking into account all their personal needs. These include their immediate dental health, as well as their financial situation, their access to routine care and their ability to maintain results. In some situations, the seemingly less conservative option could be better for the patient in the long-term. For example, some dental professionals might watch the programme and question why veneers were provided over less invasive composite restorations. The answer might be that the patient couldn’t afford to repair any chipping of the composite over time. I do what is in the best interests of the patient, not the show.
Another aspect of the care provided that rarely makes the TV cut is the oral health education and hygiene advice provided. It might be a makeover show, but as a dentist, I have a duty to deliver education and support to help individuals look after their dental and general health. Dental function and sustainability are priorities, followed by aesthetics. For the latest series, Oral-B kindly donated some electric toothbrushes, which I could teach participants to use and further ensure their long-term wellbeing. I also provide check-ups for participants after their transformation, or at least communicate with their routine dentists if they are not local.
For me, much of this is no different to being in practice. I take a holistic approach, thinking outside the box when needed to find an innovative solution to suit the requirements and desires of each patient. I treat everyone how I would treat my sister and my signature is providing natural-looking smiles that are right for the individual. I find pleasure in the foundation work, getting a person to good health and helping them stay there. The confidence boost and the new life this can give people is the most rewarding part of the job.
To still achieve this with the challenges of a TV programme, you need a lot of clinical experience and confidence in your skills. I have been qualified for 25 years, I have developed my capabilities in a broad range of disciplines, and I know what can – and cannot – be achieved in certain situations. Rarely can you plan, place and restore an implant in a month, so it’s important to be realistic with the treatment proposed.
Regardless of my skills and experience, I am only as good as the dental laboratory I work with – in practice and for the TV programme. I’m very aware that the dental technician has to deliver the results I aspire to for my patients. It’s a big ask for a lab to get involved in something like this. That’s why I work with Knight Dental Design Laboratory in London.
I have worked with Tony Knight and his team for over 19 years. I needed someone I could trust to just get on with the job and who didn’t need extra support and extensive explanations from me to provide the level of function and aesthetics I was looking for. He has been in the business for a long time and is more than capable of picking up a case and running with it. He understands that I don’t like cutting teeth and, whilst that’s more difficult for him, he knows how to work with me.
For any colleagues interested in getting involved with a TV programme or becoming a “celebrity dentist”, I would advise to hone your craft first. You want to be the best you can be before you embark on such a journey. I would also recommend doing everything in practice as if there is a camera already on you. For instance, I ensure duplicates of products or materials I need for each patient in the surgery so that treatment can be conducted efficiently. How I run my surgery meant that no major changes were required when working on the show – it was just business as usual, but with a film crew in the room. In addition, don’t believe all the hype. At the end of the day, it’s just providing high quality, ethical dentistry.
Despite the challenges, it’s an amazing project and a privilege to be part of each person’s transformation. It has also improved my reputation and that of my practice since the last series I did, and I am always honoured that patents will travel overseas to come and see me. I appreciate the trust they put in me and that’s not something I take lightly.
Excellence in dentistry is about relationships, between dentist and technician, dentist and patient, and dentist and production team. Collaboration needs to be seamless to keep everyone happy. After that, stay grounded, stick to the basics, do what you do and do it well.