From graduate to Young Dentist of the Year – Meet Dr Alexanne Martin

When you sit down with Dr Alexanne Martin, it’s immediately clear that dentistry, for her, is about more than teeth. It’s about people, progress and finding fulfilment in work that challenges you every day — while still allowing space for balance, growth and enjoyment. 

That approach reflects the culture Alexanne has developed within mydentist, where colleagues are encouraged to support one another, build confidence and grow at their own pace. It’s in this environment that she has progressed from newly qualified graduate to being named Young Dentist of the Year at the mydentist Excellence Awards 2025. 

Today, Alexanne shares her journey into dentistry, the support that helped her grow in confidence, and why she believes dentistry remains an exciting and rewarding career for the next generation. 

The realities of a career in dentistry 

Alexanne’s decision to pursue dentistry was shaped early on by a desire to combine science with a fulfilling lifestyle. When asked about what inspired her, she commented: “I wanted a science-based career that would let me build a full life that felt balanced and genuinely enjoyable — and that is exactly what dentistry offers.” 

And for Alexanne, qualifying as a dentist felt like the realisation of that ambition — and the beginning of a career she continues to find deeply rewarding. 

“Qualifying as a dentist felt like the ultimate aspiration, and I can honestly say I adore my job. It doesn’t feel like work; it feels like something really fun I get to do from nine to five.” 

As her experience has grown, Alexanne has found increasing satisfaction in the clinical challenges dentistry brings. 

“Dentistry constantly challenges me in the best possible way. Managing more complex cases is incredibly rewarding, and it’s lovely to look back and realise how far I’ve come since graduation.” 

However, like many newly qualified dentists, Alexanne found that some of the biggest challenges early on were not clinical. When asked about navigating the beginning of her career, Alexanne commented: “You’re making so many decisions every day, and it’s easy to second-guess yourself at the start. But learning to trust your judgement really does change everything.” 

Choosing the right place to work and practise 

For Alexanne, choosing the right employer was about finding stability, consistency and the right level of support at the start of her career. When asked about why she chose mydentist, Alexanne commented: “When I was choosing where to work, mydentist stood out early on. The employed regional contract gave me financial security and allowed me to save to go travelling.” 

When she returned, Alexanne moved to a new city without any insider knowledge of local practices and chose to return to mydentist. Reflecting on that decision, she explained: “I didn’t have any insider knowledge of local practices, so I returned to mydentist because I knew the standards would be consistent. It felt safe — and it turned out to be a great decision.” 

When asked what has kept her practising at mydentist, Alexanne pointed to a continued focus on development and progression. She commented: “The business has gone from strength to strength, and a huge part of why I’ve stayed is the investment in people. The training and development opportunities I’ve had have been incredible and really supported my transition from graduate to established associate.” 

As she now steps into restorative training, Alexanne says her practice has continued to support her development. “My practice has gone above and beyond — investing in new equipment and materials so I can immediately put new techniques into practice. Feeling trusted and backed has given me such a strong platform for growth.” 

Recognition at CLINCON25 and the mydentist Excellence Awards 

For Alexanne, being named Young Dentist of the Year at CLINCON25 was less about the title and more about the people behind it. When asked what the award meant to her, Alexanne commented: “Winning the award was incredibly special. Reading the nominations from colleagues made me feel truly valued, and sharing the moment with my nurse and practice team was unforgettable.” 

The recognition also highlighted the wider support network that has shaped her journey, both inside and outside the practice. Reflecting on this, Alexanne added: “The support from family, friends and patients has been overwhelming. It was a real reminder of how meaningful this profession can be — and I’m so grateful for the recognition and support from mydentist.” 

Succeeding in dentistry today 

For Alexanne, success in dentistry goes far beyond technical ability alone. Clear communication and strong relationships sit at the heart of her approach to patient care. She believes that taking time to build trust with patients not only improves outcomes but also makes dentistry a more fulfilling career. 

When asked for her thoughts on how best to support patients, Alexanne commented: “Beyond clinical skills, communication is everything. Being able to explain treatment options, discuss costs confidently and manage challenging conversations makes a huge difference.” 

She continued: “Patients are people. Taking time to build relationships not only improves outcomes — it makes the job far more enjoyable.” 

The future of modern dentistry 

Looking ahead, Alexanne is particularly excited by the continued evolution of digital dentistry and the impact it is having on both clinicians and patients. She commented: “The investment mydentist has made in digital technology is enormous. Being able to scan every patient and use visuals to explain what’s happening in their mouth genuinely elevates both care and job satisfaction.” 

At mydentist, continued investment in digital workflows — from AI and voice-based note taking to online booking and widespread use of intraoral scanning — is transforming how care is delivered, helping to improve collaboration, efficiency and patient experience. 

Alexanne’s advice for newly qualified dentists 

Looking back on her career so far, Alexanne’s advice for the next generation of dentists is focused on balance and self-investment. 

“Prioritise investment in yourself — through clinical training, personal development and rest. Take time to recharge, reflect and make sure you’re on the right path for you… preferably on a beach!” 

Reflecting on her journey, she added: “Dentistry has given me the life I once imagined as a teenager, and mydentist has played a huge part in making that possible.” 

Interested in starting or progressing your career with mydentist? 

Learn more about life at mydentist on our dedicated careers website or discover more information about available opportunities for dentists at one of our 500+ UK-based dental practices. Or read Alexanne's article on Dentistry.co.uk.