What Makes Ricky Tick?
Ricky is pretty laid back for a principal dentist. He’s the opposite of that scary and strict archetype dentist from the bad old days. Even if you’re not one of his patients, chances are you’ve shared a laugh and a joke with him as you passed in the corridor.
As you might not have yet met the incredible Smile Up team, we wanted to explain what makes each member so special. So naturally we’re starting with Ricky, the life and soul of this place. There wouldn’t be a Smile Up without him.
Ricky, what’s your favourite bar?
I don’t go to pubs so much any more, I don’t have time! But when I do I love the pubs in Greenwich, just down the road from where I live in Shooters Hill.
Fave restaurant?
I normally go to Meze Mangal, a Turkish restaurant in Brockley. It’s well known, and it’s always a pain to get a table in there, but worth it.
If you’re not working, what’s your perfect Sunday?
I go to the gym — I’m trying to get back into it again because I’ve put weight on since opening the practice in 2015. I’m 44 and the age doesn’t help! But ideally I’d be travelling. I go to Spain quite a bit, where I’m doing a Masters in Orthodontics, and Portugal, where I’m originally from. I have family in both.
What was the last gig you saw?
I went to see Shakira at The O2. I know it sounds cheesy but she was excellent and it was packed. Did I dance? Of course!
And the last play?
I can’t remember what it was now, but I like the West End. I think I’ve seen all the big shows. I’ve been to the Royal Opera House quite a bit too, I do like ballet.
Last book?
The Eight by Katherine Neville. It’s a thriller something like the Da Vinci Code but better, I loved it.
What was your most interesting case at work this week?
A female patient of mine is getting married soon. She didn’t like her smile at all but we’re about to take her braces off and it’s gone very nicely. She’s happy. I didn’t cry but she almost did!
How many languages do you speak?
Portugese, Spanish and English.
How come so many languages are spoken at Smile Up?
That was part of the idea, to build a multicultural team. Most team members speak an extra language. We have loads of patients coming from different backgrounds, so it helps put them at ease.
What’s the best thing about being a dentist?
I like helping people. I’m a people person. I like giving people comfort and transformation, functionally and cosmetically. When I see emergencies with people in pain, there’s nothing better than hearing them say, “Wow, I’m not in pain anymore.” Being tactile and gentle is a satisfying skill.
Why did you become a dentist?
In my family most of us are in the medical and dental sectors. I grew up with it and felt comfortable with it. Family members used to tell stories about helping people, for instance my uncle told me a story about helping a woman give birth, and I think I was attracted to this idea of helping people in need.
How does life as a dentist here compare with Portugal, Spain and Venezuela?
London is the perfect place to be for all the technological advances in dentistry. The UK is very strong on compliance and regulations, which I feel is a good thing. Patients can be assured they are getting the best quality of care. I like the management component to this, the way the CQC says everything must be well lit, protected, safe and effective and so on.
What do you spend most of your day on?
Orthodontics. I do general dentistry too, with some restorative dentistry like composites, inlays and whitening.
What was your vision for Smile Up?
Meeting the need for a multidisciplinary team offering a full range of treatments under one roof.
How have patients reacted?
Sometimes people come here not knowing their mouth is a mess. They may have an idea of a treatment they want but if we find gum disease then they can’t have braces, or implants, until the gum disease is sorted. We give patients a much more complete, thorough treatment plan which they aren’t used to but which they are always grateful for.
Your bio says “General Dental Practitioner with Special Interest in Orthodontics” — what does this mean?
In the UK for you to call yourself a Specialist you need to do your training here in the UK. As my training has been elsewhere (I am currently doing an MSc in Malaga, Spain) I can use the wording “Special Interest in Orthodontics”.
What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned about in training this year?
Lingual braces, which go on the inside of the teeth. They use the same principles as conventional fixed braces but the mechanics are different.
And the most interesting thing you’ve learned about yourself this year?
I have learned to shut up. No, seriously, from a business point of view I’m learning to be a better manager. Managing a whole team, making sure everyone is well led, complying with regulations, and that I am listening to whatever they’ve got to say, taking on board everything that could change things positively for our patients.
Madeira is your ancestral home and you’ve worked there as a dentist. What’s it like?
It’s a small Portuguese island in the Atlantic with just 300,000 people. You can drive round it in a day. It’s beautiful and the weather is nice. Ronaldo is from there — he’s quite local, so if you’re there and he’s there you’ll see him around. He’ll be on the beach. I have spoken to him. So it’s quite personal, people are related. I’m looking forward to going back in August.
