A new name marks an exciting chapter for one of the Upper Highway’s trusted dental practices. Behind Dentistry63 is a passion for personalised care, lasting relationships and helping patients feel confident every time they smile.
For Dr Sean N Napier, dentistry has always been about more than simply looking after people’s teeth. It’s about building trust, making patients feel comfortable and giving them confidence in their care. And while technology has changed the way dentistry is done, he believes one thing remains just as important – the human connection.
That philosophy is at the heart of the rebrand from Kloof Village Dental to Dentistry63, named for the practice’s address at 63 Old Main Road, Kloof.
“The decision to rebrand to Dentistry63 came from a desire to take the practice into a new chapter,” says Napier. “We wanted our name to reflect the incredible community of Kloof and our address, but more importantly it represents the journey we want to take as a practice, embracing modern dentistry while still keeping the human touch.”
An important part of that established team is dental therapist Brianne Khan, who has been an integral member of the business for the past 10 years. Khan is a trusted and valued member of the team and is responsible for managing certain aspects of the business.
Napier’s own route into dentistry was not straightforward. He says his passion developed as he discovered how many of his interests came together in the profession. “It’s the combination of science and art, chemistry and engineering, rolled into one. Then you add working with people and building relationships, and you have the perfect combination to never work a day…”
Technology has undoubtedly changed dentistry, making treatment more precise and comfortable while expanding the range of restorative and treatment options available. But, says Napier, one thing has remained constant. “People want people, not processes and technology. They may Google everything before they arrive, but they still want people.”
For Napier, technology is an important investment because it enables more accurate diagnosis and can improve the patient experience – but it should never replace human judgement and connection.
That human approach is particularly important for nervous patients. Fear of the dentist can stem from pain, uncertainty or previous traumatic experiences, and it does not necessarily look the way people might expect.
“It’s often the people who look the toughest who are the most nervous,” he says. “It’s my job to build trust by listening, making the patient feel comfortable and informed.”
At Dentistry63, anxious patients are not rushed through an appointment. Time is taken to listen, explain treatment and answer questions, with Napier believing the discussion is often more important than the treatment itself. There is even classical music playing while he works – a surprisingly effective way of creating a calm atmosphere. Some particularly relaxed patients have even been known to fall asleep in the chair.
The practice’s approach also focuses strongly on prevention. Napier says decayed and loose teeth are among the most common problems he sees, and many can be avoided through better dental education and regular maintenance. “Don’t wait until it hurts before coming to see us,” he advises. “Small dental problems caught early can often be treated simply, quickly and less expensively. Leave them too long, and that small problem can become a much bigger and more expensive treatment.”
His three everyday recommendations are simple: brush and floss at night, brush in the morning, and be mindful of refined-food snacking.
But Dentistry63’s care goes beyond treating individual dental problems. Napier believes oral health is an important part of overall wellbeing and that patients should be viewed as people rather than simply a set of teeth.
“We want our patients to feel seen, heard, comfortable and cared for – that they are more than just a person on an appointment schedule.” That philosophy is reflected in the patients who have stayed with Napier over the years.
“One of my greatest joys is seeing patients who were teenagers when I met them, now coming in with families of their own,” he says. “To have looked after someone as a child, and now have them trust you with their own family, says more about the trust and relationship than words ever could.”
Outside the practice, Napier has been married to Larine for 20 years and is father to four children. He is also a twin, and dentistry runs in the family – his eldest brother and niece are dentists in the UK. His life revolves around what he calls the three Fs – faith, family and fun – while hockey, hiking and walks with his wife provide time away from the practice.
A piece of advice from the late Professor Trevor Adendorff has stayed with him: “Live your life and practise dentistry so that one day when your children hear the word ‘integrity’, they see your face.”
For Napier, that is the legacy he hopes to leave for his children – and it is a philosophy that carries through to his work.
For Dentistry63, the aim is to combine modern dentistry and technology with the personal care that makes patients feel genuinely valued. “A healthy smile is the most beautiful thing you can wear,” says Napier. “It’s your most powerful accessory. It’s your personal logo to the world and it never goes out of style.”
Details: 031 764 4505 or WhatsApp 071 630 3269, email info@dentistry63.co.za visit dentistry63.co.za or FB Dentistry63 and IG dentistry.63
Services at a glance
- General, cosmetic, paediatric and geriatric dentistry
- Adult and paediatric orthodontics
- Restorative dentistry
- Dental implant planning and restoration
- Oral hygiene and teeth whitening
- Comprehensive dental assessments, including X-rays, photographic dental records and treatment-plan discussions
