Looking for a dentist in Singapore with a light touch? We chat with DR ANDREW DOIG about “Slow Dentistry” and other aspects of providing a dental service for families, and we find out more about Skye Dental’s treatments – and how to book an appointment!
Husband-and-wife dental team Dr Andrew Doig and Dr May Ling Eide have been working in Singapore for more than 10 years, serving both the expat and local communities.
Dr Andrew finds that expats naturally migrate towards him here, and he has built a dedicated following of patients over that time. As for Dr May, she takes special pride in being a dentist in Singapore who helps patients of all ages achieve their dream smiles.
Tell us more about Skye Dental’s mission statement – “It’s not just about teeth, it’s about you”.
What this means, from a dental service point of view, is that we strive to provide the best quality dental treatment. From a personal point of view, we want to provide the best experience for you, and this is tailored to every individual.
How would you describe your approach to patients at Skye Dental?
Our backgrounds and experience as dentists in Singapore have taught us to be non-judgemental and always to approach every patient with fresh eyes. We are mindful, communicative and we adapt to their needs, always listening first and then collaborating to achieve the desired results. We’re very transparent when explaining dental treatments to our patients, so they fully understand what is involved.
This is an eye-catching dental clinic in a historic location – it hardly looks like somewhere you’d find a dentist in Singapore, does it?
No, it doesn’t – and that was the whole idea when designing the dental clinic. We bore in mind that people don’t need to be reminded they’re at the dentist, as this can make them more anxious. Therefore, we limit the amount of dental advertising, or the number of screens and images of teeth in the waiting room.
In addition, my team and I spend more time at work than at home, so we wanted the experience of seeing a dentist in Singapore to be in a calm and comfortable environment. I think you can feel this when you visit.
Healthcare clinics often have a standard look, feel and smell. We wanted to do things differently. We wanted to have a practice where patients could rely on us providing a seamless end-to-end service, much like your favourite hotel or restaurant, somewhere you knew that when you went back you would remember why it was your favourite place to go to.
Our patients love the interior and often ask us where we get certain things from. It’s nice to have conversations about things other than dentistry!
What else makes Skye Dental different from other dentists in Singapore?
We are a husband-and-wife team, each with our own areas of expertise and interests, but committed to working together to provide holistic and comprehensive dental care.
Importantly, we’re a boutique family practice, valuing quality over quantity. This is reflected in the amount of time dedicated to each and every patient. Dental appointments are never rushed.
Ours is the first dental clinic (and currently the only one) in Singapore to be a member of the Slow Dentistry Global Network. Dentists in this independent network implement a patient-centred philosophy that places the patient, their safety, expectations, comfort and well-being as top priority in every dental appointment. We fully subscribe to the cornerstones of this network, as it not only stands out as a dental clinic in Singapore, but sets international standards of excellence in dentistry.
What distinguishes a Slow Dentistry dental service from others?
Slow Dentistry is a philosophy of dental care based on four cornerstones to ensure the highest standards:
1. Room disinfection: In a post-COVID environment, proper disinfection protocols are a priority to ensure cleanliness and avoid cross-contamination.
2. Informed consent: Practitioners take the time to carefully explain the risks, rewards and costs of any treatment plan upfront.
3. Proper anaesthesia: Every dental patient has the right to a pain-free treatment, including the best methods of administering local anaesthetic so even this part of the procedure is painless.
4. Rubber dam: This protective covering used during most fillings and other procedures is a way to isolate the tooth being worked on. A rubber dam increases both procedural success rate and patient comfort at the same time, as it prevents water filling up in the mouth.
All these are standard practice at Skye Dental throughout all dental appointments.
What’s your approach to the dental services you offer children?
We would describe ourselves as a family-run slow dentistry practice for families. So we subscribe to the traditional notion of the family dentist: someone you would see for life, yourselves, your parents and your children. We cater to everyone who needs a dental appointment.
Having children of our own, we’re firm believers in them having the best possible start in life – and dental health is a cornerstone of that. That’s why we emphasise prevention rather than cure. This includes providing treatment that will stop or slow down problems before they escalate to something that’s bigger and harder to treat.
It starts with education in nutrition and dental hygiene, but also encompasses dental techniques such as fissure sealants, prophylaxis and fluoride therapy. Our digital x-rays, 3D CBCT scans and high-definition cameras help with diagnosis and detection, as well as planning treatments.
Spending all day, every day working with their partner may not be everyone’s cup of tea, yet you and Dr May seem to thrive on it. Why do you think that is?
Our working relationship as dentists in Singapore is very enjoyable because we know what the other person can achieve with their skills, so there is a very strong sense of trust in each other’s abilities. What’s great is that I don’t do any orthodontic treatment, and orthodontic treatment is the only dental treatment Dr May does, so it’s a perfect pairing.
How does your working together as dentists enhance the patient experience?
While we work under one clinic, she and I focus on different dental services and disciplines, so we can provide comprehensive dental care for all our patients. We’re always working in harmony because of our close connection, but we can also challenge each other when it comes to treatment planning.
Many adults need a combination of dental treatments to achieve the best smile or makeover. For example, they may require Invisalign to straighten teeth, followed by cosmetic enhancements or Digital Smile Design. It makes it easy when both dentists are on the same page at every part of the journey.
Patients often comment on how they enjoy visiting us as a pair because they feel more relaxed and well taken care of, rather than having to go somewhere else.
What are you looking forward to right now?
To coincide with Skye Dental turning two years old, we’re just about to launch our new website – it’s another way of showing how we are constantly developing, both personally and professionally. Come and visit us – we can’t wait to meet you!
38 Club Street
6980 5751 | skyedental.sg
This article on this family dentist in Singapore first appeared in the June 2023 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe, so you never miss a copy!
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