Through the Keyhole—Surgery: Away with Natalia Letunova

ABOUT THE DENTIST

Introduce yourself and tell us what made you pursue a career in dentistry.

My name is Natalia Letunova, PhD DDS, I love working and living in Moscow; it’s a super crazy city that never sleeps and it’s full of awesome people.

I work with phobic patients. Most are professionals such as artist, architects, doctors, designers, stylists, etc. Since I help them to overcome their dentophobia, can you imagine how many beneficial contacts I have in a city with more than 120 theatres, and many exhibitions and beauty salons that are open 24/7?

In addition to being a private dentist, I teach anesthesia in dentistry at Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry (named after A.I. Evdokimov).

If you hadn’t become a dentist, what job do you think you would have had?

A journalist, because I’m fond of traveling and writing. Or I’d love to be a restaurant critic, so I could eat in expensive restaurants for free!

Which university did you study at, and what qualifications do you have?

I graduated from Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry, and finished a two-year course of residency in general practice dentistry, and a postgraduate course on the clinical and physiological rationale of dental distress correction by psychological methods. During clinical research I fell in love with psychological techniques and influence on consciousness, and entered the faculty of clinical psychology. That’s why my PhD course was finished with two diplomas.

What are your particular interests and skills in dentistry?

I’m fond of psychosedation in dentistry, especially for phobic patients. I create seminars about it for students and dentists as well. I also conduct scientific and practical research of dental care for compromised patients.

Who’s had the biggest influence in your career?

My husband told me: “Your profession is one of the best in the world, because your patients show you their smiles before and after visiting. They can’t talk during the procedure, but you can tell what they need, and in the end they give you money for that.” To meet patients, guess their desires and make them smile—I want to keep doing it better and better!

What could you not work without?

I couldn’t work without chill-out style music, my blue-eyed assistant and light. That’s all I need.

Are you involved in any organisations or societies?

I’m a member of the Russian Medical Society, the Dental Association of Russia, the American Psychological Association (APA), the International Association of Applied Psychology and the International Society of Dental Anxiety Management. I’m also vice president of the European Federation of Advanced Anesthesia in Dentistry, and president-elect of the International Federation of Dental Anesthesiology Societies.

What are your interests outside of dentistry?

Music. I love music in passive or active production. I love classical, electro, rock or heavy metal music. My colleagues and I organised a rock band and I’m the singer. It’s very similar to Nickelback’s style—I love those guys very much.

What do you think is the biggest problem or challenge in dentistry today?

In my opinion, nowadays we are very commercial in the professional field and occasionally we put money first, instead of the patient’s priorities or feelings.

Describe the most successful or rewarding experience in your professional life.

I work with phobic patients, and one of them had four teeth with crowns and 24 roots. With overcoming a case of extreme anxiety and after two years of work together, he was well rehabilitated by implants. I’m very proud of this case.

What is your favourite film?

Inception, with Leonardo DiCaprio.

What would you like to see in future issues of DentaltownUK?

I’d like to see more clinical cases in general practice of dentists all over the world.

ABOUT THE PRACTICE

What’s the name of your practice and where is it located?

It’s a private clinic called Prime Smile in the centre of Moscow.

How is your practice laid out? What is the workflow like?

I work there for four days per week and usually have six to eight patients per shift.

Do you play music in the practice? If so, what do you play?

I play piano and prefer jazz—unfortunately not as in La La Land but jazz that’s quite calm and relaxing.

ABOUT THE TEAM

Do you work alongside other dentists? What interests/skills in dentistry do they have?

I work with Nikita Ryazancev, who is good at prosthodontics; Orekhova Irina is our therapist; and Maria Gromovik is our orthodontist. We also have Nickolay Pivovarov, a surger-implantologist. We are all teachers at the department of dental anesthesia in MSUMD. We’re sort of a dream team, because we all get along with each other and love what we are doing.

What do you think are the most important things about your team?

Listening to each other, having fun together, having own part of responsibility and getting pleasure of working together.

What did you do for your most recent staff Christmas night out?

We had a very intense session a week before Christmas night, and I just fell asleep. Pity, but true.

Any parting comments?

I love people, love my job and love the way I can make my patients happy. When they have suffered acute pain and I’ve fixed it well, they have put the trust of themselves, members of family and friends to my hands—I appreciate it very much.