Mark My Words

Highly acclaimed dentist Dr Sam Mark shares a family-run practice with his brother Soheil Mark. Sam comes from a close-knit Iranian family, spending his formative years in Sweden where he studied dentistry. Although the road to success was strenuous, Sam’s passion and enthusiasm for his profession is the driving force behind his progress, helping him get to where he is today. Sam’s success continues to grow as he opens new clinics across the Costa del Sol and Europe.

How has your clinic adapted to the changes brought on by the pandemic?

The way we have adapted to the pandemic is not that different from before to be honest because a dental clinic always has to be sterile and clean with or without a pandemic. Perhaps the only change is that people are more careful about where they go and who they see, so to answer your question the only addition is our clients and receptionist wearing a mask whilst in the waiting area.

Why do you think Europeans do not prioritise dental care to the same level that other countries do, for example the United States?

I think dentistry is seen differently in North America than in Europe. Over there people desire to have a smile makeover like the Hollywood stars. The US is all about sales, and the way you look, perhaps, shows that you are successful, whereas in Europe we may see success differently. It’s far more superficial in the US, which is why people pay more attention to the teeth, which makes a huge difference in everyday life of course.

What sets Mark Dental apart from other dental practices?

I think what sets us apart from other dental practices is the personal attention I give my clients and how I thrive to provide the absolute best work for my patients. This has resulted in strong recommendations as I offer an extremely personalised service, and I put a lot of attention into everything I do. On top of that, I’m extremely good at my job and people want the best when it comes to their teeth which makes for a strong combination.

Whydid you choose dentistry?

My uncle was a dentist back in Sweden. I went to see him, was intrigued, and then began studying dentistry in Gothenburg and here I am. I didn’t take to it instantly however, the first few years was tough, but I grew into it and now I feel my passion shines through my work.

What services do you specialise in? What is your favourite aspect of the job?

My speciality is implant surgeries and advanced surgeries, that’s really where my strength lies. While I enjoy the diversity of the profession, if I had to choose, I would complete surgeries every day.

With more people opting for aesthetic dentistry what do you see as the next trend for Marbella molars?

I think the next trend for young adults, who want to change their teeth, is Invisalign. That being said, I also have many people coming to me for a smile makeover. Honestly speaking, if I don’t think it’s right, I won’t do it. You have to work on the teeth, which means you have to glue the teeth, grind away at it, and that causes some damage. So, if I have a young adult that comes with a crooked smile but has nice teeth, I wouldn’t do veneers or crowns on them, I recommend them to have Invisalign. I think Invisalign is the future and has changed the market. Aesthetics and function must go hand in hand, otherwise, it simply doesn’t work in the mouth.

Can you tell us about the proudest moment in your life?

My proudest moment is when I had my baby boy, Damien, and seeing him grow into a loving child. In my professional life I don’t think there is just one proud moment. What I am most proud of is that my patients have enough confidence in me to come back, allowing me to grow and open new dental clinics. In this profession in Marbella the community is very small. So while you can afford to make mistakes because anybody can make mistakes, the most important thing is doing everything in a good, healthy, and correct way so that people recommend you and choose to come back to you.

You are known for your charity endeavours, are you planning any further charity work in the near future?

We are, we did a lot of charity work before the pandemic but more recently it has been impossible, or at least a lot harder, to travel. As soon as the borders are open, and we can move freely, we are going back to Peru. We have been there once before with a team of plastic surgeons and as soon as we can we will do it again.

How do you like to wind down when you’re not working?

I go to the gym, and I play basketball or sometimes I just have some time for myself. I’m surrounded by people ten hours a day, if it’s not the people working around me, it’s my patients. I’m in continuous communication all the time, so sometimes it is nice to just be quiet for a while.

What is something you wish you knew when you started working in the dental industry?

Things change all the time and even if you keep up with the developing technology everyone is unique, their teeth are different, their perception of pain is different, and their expectations are different. So, if I knew everything I wouldn’t be where I am now. I must adapt and understand that out of ten patients that come in five of them are totally different, some of them think the same but expect a different result. Their situations are different too; being able to adapt to all those things I think has made me a much better professional. I can’t always please everybody because sometimes human beings don’t understand each other, but it is enough for me if even 50% of my clients that walk through my door recommend me.