Celebrating 100 years of women dental professionals

Linda Greenwall

Where did you qualify and when? – University of Witwaterswand, South Africa 1984

What attracted you to dentistry? - Working with my hands and creating aesthetics smiles

What are your current responsibilities in the profession?

Owner and principle dentist of a multi-disciplinary specialist practice in Hampstead.

Founder of dental Charity Dental Wellness Trust, Founder of Women in Dentistry.

Linda’s dental story

I am an international lecturer and an authority on tooth whitening, aesthetic dentistry and practice management. I also run a multidisciplinary private practice in Hampstead, London, where I work with a specialist team in the practice (endodontist, periodontist, implant surgeon, oral surgeon and orthodontist).   I am past Chair for the Alpha Omega Society (2012/13), Editor-in-Chief of the journal Aesthetic Dentistry Today, and past President of the Metropolitan London Branch of the British Dental Association (2015/2016). In March 2016 I was awarded the FMC Award for Outstanding Contribution to Dentistry. My first book, Bleaching Techniques in Restorative Dentistry, won the award for Best New Dental Book in 2001 – the new edition of this book, Tooth Whitening Techniques, was published in May 2017. Another book, Success Strategies for the Aesthetic Dental Practice was published by Quintessence in 2011. I have written many papers for scientific journals. In June 2017 I was honoured by the Queen in her birthday honours to receive the British Empire Medal for services to dentistry in the UK and abroad. The medal ceremony was held on 17 November 2017 at the Tower of London. In 2011, I established the Dental Wellness Trust Charity which has the motto “Oral Health through Dental Wellness”. The charity runs innovate oral health programmes for less fortunate communities and reaches over 13, 000 children daily in the townships of South Africa.

What has been your most memorable achievement in the profession?

Making a difference for women in dentistry, Bleaching legislations and the Dental Wellness Trust Charity

What advice would you give your younger self on qualifying?

Your career is a journey which climbs a mountain along the way. There will be gentle slopes and steep inclines and a trajectory catapulting you forwards. Always be willing to leave your comfort zone and venture into the unknown based on your values that you take with you wherever you go. Seek out knowledge for yourself and refer to the literature and the research. Seek the best teachers and good mentors who genuinely want to guide you forwards.  Do not be scared to be the fish that swims the other way if you are true to your principals.  Continue along your path to seek truth, knowledge and kindness in all the you do when providing care for your patients in the best way you can. 

Love what you do! 

Which of your mentors have influenced you the most?

Mike Wise, Professor Van Hayward, Jenny Pinder, Pam Coates , Margaret Seward

How have you used mentoring throughout your career?

Yes. I find mentoring very useful, if it’s the right mentor for the right person.