Getting to Know … Dr Corbin Barry of Annandale Dental

Dr Corbin Barry is the Principal Dentist and owner of Annandale Dental. Dr Barry is passionate about giving his patients the best experience and has personally designed his practice, ensuring that all leave with a smile on their face! Dr Barry tells us about why he became a dentist, his passion for interior design and shares his top tips for good oral hygiene.

Tell us a little about yourself

I grew up on Sydney’s northern beaches before moving to the sunshine state to study a Bachelor of Dental Surgery at James Cook University in Cairns. Whilst a student, I travelled to Shanghai for the Australasian Orthodontic Society conference and then to Manila for a UN Humanitarian Affairs Symposium. I then went on to work in remote communities in the Northern Territory, Far North Queensland and boutique dental practices in Sydney. I now own Annandale Dental on Johnston Street.

When I am not at the practice, I am studying interior design at Billy Blue College of Design. I began studying interiors so I could understand the interplay between design and the human experience. When I renovated my practice, I wanted to create warmth within the space, rather than the standard clinical experience.

When and why did you become a dentist?

My childhood orthodontist was incredibly charismatic – his approach to practice was community oriented and patient-centric. After shadowing him in my school holidays, I decided that I wanted a career in healthcare and I went on to study dentistry.

What services do you offer at Annandale Dental?

We offer all general dental services at Annandale Dental. We believe that prevention is the best medicine. If we are teaching our patients how to best take care of their oral health then there is usually very little invasive dental work that is needed. Additionally, we love brightening our patient’s smiles with Invisalign and offer a full cosmetic service.

What is the best thing about being a dentist?

Being part of the Annandale Dental family! It’s a pleasure to be a part of the Inner West community and the connections we make with our patients, really keeps us going. Dental treatment isn’t always fun, but as we build good long lasting connections, we see our patients become part of our growing family and it is these relationships that make me proud to be a dentist.

… and the worst?

That the general public (certainly not our patients :)) don’t appreciate just how important preventive treatment is to their oral health. That said, I’ve found that once we build our relationships and educate about the importance of good oral healthcare, we find an improvement in our patient’s oral and indeed general health.

How do you get children comfortable with visiting the dentist?

We start early! We believe in seeing kids once they have their baby teeth. Our children’s Oral Health Therapists make sure the kid’s time in the chair is fun and we want everyone – parents, kids and us – leaving with a smile on their face!

What is your favourite innovation in dentistry in the last few years?

We love our iTero 3D scanner! It allows us to capture images of your teeth without having to have the gooey putty. This provides a helpful comparative tool for your teeth over the years – particularly when it comes to wear and tear.

What are the most common mistakes people make with oral hygiene?

One mistake is that because you brush your teeth twice a day you don’t need to see the dentist for your regular check-up. I continue to have regular cleans every six months because there are areas that I just cannot get to with my toothbrush, and I also cannot see what’s happening in all corners of my mouth. Another is when people believe that if your teeth don’t hurt, then it must be fine! This may not always be the case and again, where regular check-ups can provide you with not just clean teeth but peace of mind.

What do you love about working in the Inner West?

It’s the sense of community that keeps me smiling in the Inner West! The Inner West locals are so creative, friendly, family oriented and accepting of diversity. I like that most stores and services are small businesses and that we all support each other. I love the galleries and parks, the federation houses and the leafy streets, as well as the coffee and homeware shops.

Favourite places in the Inner West?

Trafalgar Street Espresso for my daily coffee
The Happen Store for some creative inspo
The Corner Booth to keep our supplies stocked up in the practice
Jim and Jane for their amazing gifts and homewares

What has inspired you recently?

Coach Monica Aldama – from the Netflix documentary ‘Cheer‘ – that old-fashioned discipline and hard work get you a long way.

My pilates instructor in Redfern has been keeping me honest lately, I hope it’s starting to show!

Find out more about the services Annandale Dental and meet the team.

About Author

Anna Jameson

An experienced Digital Producer, mother of two glorious children, passionate Inner Westie and adventure seeker. I also love to spend my time being creative, dabbling with paints and pastels, aspiring to one day exhibit my work within our community. For me, painting and parenthood are very similar – at times messy and unpredictable but ultimately beautiful!

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