Dr Jordan Heron has joined the team at Lumino Burton & Brown bringing his experience working overseas in private practice and prison dentistry.
What made you decide to get into dentistry as a career?
As a teen, I was always torn between Medicine or Dentistry. I think dentistry stood out most to me after my work experience where I got to see some amazing dentists at work and see how hands-on the job is on a day-to-day basis.
How long have you been practising dentistry?
I qualified five years ago from Newcastle University in England.
Tell us about your career background
I’ve held some very different roles since qualifying! I have always provided general dentistry as I enjoy the variety that I see every day. Before moving to New Zealand last year, I spent my time working between prison dentistry and private practice.
What is your most memorable case to date?
Had a particular patient who wanted to improve his smile, and spent a lot of time placing crowns/veneers on his anterior teeth, was very rewarding to see the transformation in his smile and having a satisfied patient.
What do you love most about your job?
I get a huge amount of my job satisfaction from trying to make things look as life like as possible. I’m always taking photos of my fillings and crowns to show patients!
What are your special interests in dentistry?
I don’t focus on one particular part of dentistry but try to utilise all aspects to help my patients. That being said I do enjoy trying to make the treatment I do look as life-like and natural as I can.
What is the main piece of advice you give your patients?
“Less is more!” – I am a big advocator of trying to prevent the need for complex treatment, whether that be to try and improve oral health to reduce the need for fillings and cleaning; or to start small with cosmetic work to try and improve smiles a little bit at a time. Often my patients believe they need a lot more work done than they actually do.
Where would you find yourself outside of the practice?
Outside of work I’m often going out for meals or at the gym burning them off! Since I am pretty new to NZ I am always wanting to know about my patients' favourite places to visit to add to my list.
