Dr. Andrew Fish, co-founder of the FM Dental & Implant Centre, is advocating for advanced and ethical dental care while sharing insights from his career journey. His commitment to improving patient experiences stems from personal motivations, particularly his mother’s battle with health issues that profoundly impacted his life choices.
At a recent event in Singapore, Dr. Fish discussed the common misconceptions surrounding dentistry. He noted, “Even at social events, you can be chatting away quite happily and the moment you say you’re a dentist, people go, ‘oh, I hate dentists’.” He attributes this stigma to childhood fears, pain associations, and negative stories regarding costs and ethics.
Personal Journey Shapes Professional Ethos
Dr. Fish’s ethos at the FM Dental Centre is rooted in honesty, ethics, and high clinical standards. “We’ve built a team of clinicians with different interests, enabling us to offer everything under one roof,” he explained. His specialisation in oral surgery and implant dentistry has led him to lecture internationally, enhancing his reputation in the field.
His journey into dentistry began long before his formal education. “My mum lost half her lower jaw to osteomyelitis before I was born,” he shared. A professor in Glasgow successfully reconstructed her jaw with titanium, illustrating the transformative power of dentistry. Growing up in a single-parent household in Manchester, Dr. Fish witnessed first-hand how skilled surgeons changed his mother’s life and inspired him to pursue a career in the field.
After completing his studies at the University of Glasgow, Dr. Fish underwent rigorous training at the Edinburgh Dental Institute and worked alongside oral and maxillofacial surgery teams in Scotland and Greater Manchester. His experience includes providing hospital-level oral surgery and IV sedation, alongside a postgraduate certificate in implantology from the University of Salford.
Commitment to Ethical Practices and Patient Care
Now based in Jersey, Dr. Fish was invited to join the practice nine years ago to help with oral surgery and implant referrals. “Since then, demand has kept growing,” he noted. Every implant he places adheres to principles of responsibility, predictability, and long-term outcomes. His commitment to patient care is evident in his approach to antibiotics, stating, “I haven’t routinely prescribed antibiotics for implant surgery in over eight years.”
He argues that with the right protocols and materials, including synthetic grafting materials, there is no need for antibiotics, which can contribute to healthcare issues like overprescription. “This approach protects patients and the wider microbiome,” he said.
Dr. Fish also utilises CBCT scans when necessary, taking a balanced approach to their application. While acknowledging the benefits of digital guides, he prefers to rely on his extensive surgical experience to place implants freehand. “In the upper jaw, the anatomy is usually straightforward enough that I rarely need a CBCT,” he explained.
Despite his international recognition, Dr. Fish highlights the irony of his relatively low profile in Jersey. “My work is recognised widely overseas because of my lecturing, but less so here at home,” he said with a smile. He is passionate about informing local residents that advanced, ethical, and affordable dental care is available without the need for overseas travel.
Dr. Fish acknowledges that some seek cheaper dental options abroad, particularly in places like Turkey. “I completely get that,” he said. He further explained that when factoring in travel, time away from work, and potential follow-up care, local treatment often proves to be competitively priced.
Through his work at FM Dental & Implant Centre, Dr. Andrew Fish continues to advocate for high-quality dental care that prioritises patient safety and ethical practices. His dedication to the field and commitment to patient-centered care ensures that residents of Jersey have access to the best dental treatment available.
