SPONSORED: My Career: Anni Seaborne, Head of General Dentistry at Bupa Dental Care

My Career: Anni Seaborne, Head of General Dentistry at Bupa Dental Care

I'm Dr Anni Seaborne, a general dentist specialising in sports dentistry and the head of general dentistry at Bupa Dental Care. My upbringing as the daughter of an expatriate took me around the world, and I spent my teenage years at school in Surrey. Now, I split my time between providing dental care in London and Surrey and bringing my patients a fresh perspective and extensive experience.

My academic journey began at the University of Cardiff, where I completed my undergraduate degree in dentistry. Initially, my sights were set on facial surgery, and I gained valuable experience in maxillofacial surgery. However, my mentors steered me towards dentistry, a decision that would ultimately lead me to combine my interests in facial aesthetics and sports dentistry. I went on to earn my master's degree in sports dentistry from UCL Eastman, becoming the youngest and first female in the world to hold this qualification.

After completing my Dental Foundation Training in Cardiff, I provided locum dental care for six months before taking some time out to travel across southern Africa. When I returned, I joined the Bupa Dental Care Chelsea practice, where I began training in facial aesthetics. After establishing myself at the practice, I joined Bupa Dental Care Surrey to split my time to care for patients across both sites.

I also started working with Harlequins Rugby Club, looking after players’ oral health. This led to my involvement with the England Men's Rugby team during their World Cup campaign, providing dental screenings and support in France in 2023. This also led me to work with the McLaren F1 team, providing dental care to drivers and engineers in the fast-paced world of Formula 1 racing. Understanding how elite sports teams operate and the lifestyles of athletes is crucial for effective treatment, and I work seamlessly with the wider medical team to provide the right care.

Earlier this year, I became head of general dentistry on the clinical advisory team at Bupa Dental Care. I decided to apply for the position, believing in the value I could bring to this strategic role, which is centred around growing clinical engagement among our extensive network of dentists.

One of my key learnings from my career so far is that soft skills are just as important as clinical skills in our profession. Treating the person and not just their teeth has been essential to my success. Building strong relationships with patients, clients, and stakeholders has always been a priority, and I believe it’s a key factor in delivering quality care.

For new graduates, my advice is to master the basics before specialising. Follow your passion; my love for sports led me to sports dentistry, which many initially doubted but has turned into a hugely rewarding career.

In my personal life, I continue to play lacrosse following eight years of playing at international level for Wales. I also stay fit and healthy by running and generally enjoying being outdoors.

I hope my career inspires others to follow their own, exciting path.