Interview with Dr. George Cheetham - Ridgway Dental, London UK

Dr. George Cheetham - Ridgway Dental, London

If you follow @georgethedentist on Instagram, you'll find yourself being engaged by his content! Find out what he has been up to during lock down and what advice he gives to obtain a big following and presence on social media, click on the read more below!

Hi Dr. Cheetham, hope you’re well and safe! For starters, I would like to say I’m usually very engaged by your posts in terms of the content and videos, what have you been up to during lockdown?
I spent the first week or two generally feeling irritated because it was so strange to have no structure or almost ‘purpose’. After a couple of weeks I started to focus a lot on regaining structure and started to so a lot more study for a clear aligner diploma and also for a Biomimetic mastership I’m currently doing. I’ve spent quite a lot of time preparing charity webinars (raised over 10k) and also online teaching for Aligner consulting – so luckily the internet has kept me a little productive! It hasn’t all been work, I managed to have the time to sort my garden out and get the bbq burning again which has all gone down very well with far too many cocktails.

You have a big following on instagram of over 20k and voted no.17 in the Dentistry top 50 which is amazing...What would you say is the most important things to do in order to gain such a big following and presence on social media?
I feel that for anyone to gain a following on social media they need to be consistent with quality of content they release. Its not just a quick win and it takes time. Its important to choose the audience you want to connect with and focus towards content they may enjoy. Make it professional but inject your own personality if you’re making this a dental page! I have focused on pictures of my dentistry – and try to show a lot of work flow – so I think dentists can learn things from my page that’s why some like it. Its not all work flow - I add some humour, before and after shots, and involve patients a little too so it also attracts new custom.

What dental procedures do you miss the most during lockdown?
Although I do a lot of cosmetic work – I have to say I think I enjoy posterior dentistry most. Its nice having the rubber dam on a patient and getting stuck into a posterior quadrant with a mix of direct composite and bonded indirect restorations. Trying to save as many pulps as possible. This type of work always goes quickly for me whereas a few hours of placing composite veneers feels like it takes days!

Are there any courses you are doing or could recommend to other dentists to enhance their skill base?
I did a Masters degree in Aesthetic Dentistry at Kings which was a great course to pick up skills in an evidence based setting. I’m learning a tonne of info on my clear aligner diploma and the Biomimetic Mastership is really helping me get to grips with the science of bonding as nature intended. Photography is very important and Minesh Patels’ FOCUS course is a must. If its shorter courses you are after Thomas Taha and Monik Vasant do some spectacular work and teach accordingly. There are loads of great courses out there though ans you will learn a thing or two off every one!

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Web: www.ridgwaydental.co.uk
Instagram: @georgethedentist
Facebook: ridgwaydentalwimbledon

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