Meet Dr Amin Kol, Dentist at National Dental Care Group Practice, Barangaroo

Dr Amin Kol is a dentist at our Barangaroo practice in Sydney. In this interview, he shares his inspiration for pursuing a career in dentistry and how he’s on a mission to make visiting the dentist a positive and pleasant experience for all.

What sparked your interest in dentistry? And what keeps you motivated in your role?

I’m a dentist who, funnily enough, always feared going to the dentist. Like so many others, I had bad childhood experiences of seeing the dentist and remember crying a lot during my visits. I should point out that dentistry was very different back then - there was a mentality of “just do it and the kids will forget about it when they grow up”. In fact, we now know this isn’t the case and those kinds of experiences stay with you.

This fear gave birth to a dream: What if I could be a dentist that patients - and even myself - would love to visit? So I decided to approach dentistry differently. No judgements, no pressure. I wanted to create a place where we take dentistry seriously, but not ourselves. A place where people can laugh, have fun, and be like a family.

The best part about it for me is getting feedback from patients saying this was the best dental experience they’ve ever had. That’s what I live for. I also like it when patients fall asleep halfway through a dental procedure - that’s the biggest compliment!

Is there a particular area of dentistry you focus on?

I became an Invisalign provider straight out of dental school, so I’ve been doing Invisalign since 2011. I trained under one of the best cosmetic dentists in Sydney and I really enjoy the more holistic approach of smile design and dentistry.

This involves listening to what patients want and creating an individualised plan that suits their needs and desires - whether that’s regular 6-monthly maintenance or a full mouth rehabilitation and smile makeover.

What personal qualities do you think are important to have as a dentist?

Emotional intelligence - in other words, listening skills and empathy - is, in my opinion, the most important quality in dentistry. Luckily, emotional intelligence is not something you’re born with, but something you can learn and get better at. So, just like everything else in life, it’s all about progression, not perfection.

What about outside of work - what do you enjoy getting up to?

I try to stay very active with outdoor activities including kite surfing, skiing, skydiving, scuba diving and, most recently, jiu-jitsu. I’m a bit of an adrenaline junkie and as soon as I had the chance, I got my skydiving and scuba diving license.

Since COVID, I’ve also become an avid book reader on topics such as self-improvement, business management, psychology and philosophy.

Finally, what’s the number one oral hygiene tip you’d give to patients?

Floss, floss, floss (or use interdental brushes)! 90% of cavities in adults happen in between the teeth, so cleaning these areas by flossing can help you avoid the vast majority of dental problems. It’s simple, yet so effective.

To make an appointment with Dr Amin Kol at National Dental Care Group Barangaroo, book online today.