Esme Jardine, born in Dumfries, graduated from Dundee University in 1991 and started her career as a VDP in Dundee and St Andrews then went on to work as an associate in her VT practice. Esme could never have imagined that less than six years later she would be running her own practice. The onset of a severe allergy to latex gloves meant she was forced to consider her employment options. In 1997, at the age of 27 she took a bold move and bought a single surgery practice as the only way of ensuring she could work in a totally latex free environment.
Her new practice was in Leven, a small seaside town in Fife. Positioned on the promenade, on one floor of a Victorian building, the practice had wonderful views along the sea front. Here Esme built up a large patient list from the town and surrounding area. However after 12 years her success, and the need to add a decontamination room, meant Esme was forced to look for new premises.
In 2009, whilst on one of her trips to the local Post Office parcel office, she noticed a single storey unit up for lease. Half the building had already been developed and on viewing, Esme could see how this could be easily converted into a staff room, toilets, an office, waiting room and decontamination room. The other half required conversion and would be the perfect space for four surgeries. Confident this was the ideal premises for her business to grow Esme was spurred into action. In an eventful three months she agreed the lease, obtained planning permission for the building's change of use, refurbished the building and completed the conversion so that by September 2009, Banbeath Dental was open for business. Esme fitted out two surgeries to start with for herself and her hygienist. Using her husband's contacts in the trade, finding reliable plumbers and electricians wasn't an issue. The contract to supply and install the practice equipment was awarded to The Dental Directory
'I met with a number of potential suppliers to see what they had to offer. In the end, I'd worked with Ian Anderson from The Dental Directory before at the promenade practice and was confident in his ability to understand my requirements and work as part of the team,' she says.
When the conversion of the second half of the building was completed The Dental Directory fitted out the surgeries in just ten days.
Throughout the practice decor is simple with white walls and wooden flooring giving a smart, clinical look and feel. For the surgeries Esme chose to make the dental chair the statement piece in the room selecting contrasting, bright upholstery for each. After research she selected treatment centres by Takara Belmont, assured by their reputation for reliability at a reasonable price. To give herself maximum flexibility Esme chose the Voyager for the hygienist's surgery and again in 2011, when she came to fit out the third surgery for her new vocational trainee.
'I felt I needed chairs that could be used ambidextrously. I didn't want the employment of left handed staff in the future to be an issue. Now we are a vocational trainee practice this is particularly important,' she said.
In her own spacious room she opted for the Clesta II Treatment Centre for its extensive functionality.
The project went exactly to schedule and the new practice opened its doors to patients in September 2009. Esme believes much of this was down to the time invested in putting together a thorough and realistic plan.
'Being organised and getting the planning right is critical but also having a team you know you can rely upon. I cannot speak more highly of my contractors, no one let me down during the whole refurbishment project.'
Were there any surprises along the way? Esme admits the cost of the project was greater than she first estimated.
It is clear that Esme is very proud of the working relationships she has with her team and the environment she has created.