In the Spotlight this week is Dr Louise McGuigan, director of new dental practice Epic Dental, the north's largest provider of Invisalign Aligners and the only provider of the NiTime Clear Aligners system in Ireland
What was your first job?
Working on a till in a sports clothes shop.
What qualifications do you have?
A bachelor of dental surgery (BDS).
What do you attribute your success to?
I still have a bit of impostor syndrome, especially considering my newest business, cosmetic dental practice, Epic Dental in Lisburn )www.epicdentallisburn.co.uk) is in its early days. I’ve always been incredibly driven and have a very supportive family without whom I don’t think would be in this position.
How would you describe yourself to someone who’d never met you?
A hard shell with a soft, gooey centre. Everyone who meets me in a professional capacity thinks I’m tough, but if I see value and commitment in someone regarding their career, they have my utmost respect and I hugely value my team here at Epic Dental.
Who do you look up to in business?
There are some unbelievable businesspeople out there, but I don’t have any specific idols. I tend to follow my own instincts. When I leave work, I am mum, and when my son is in bed I’m working on plans for the new practice.
How do you get the best out of people who work for you?
By appreciating them and seeing them as friends. I’m fortunate to a have an expert team of 25 loyal, caring, genuine and hardworking people, all of whom I value immensely.
If you could change one thing about doing business in Northern Ireland, what would it be?
I would love the perception of dentistry in Northern Ireland to change for the better and for the public to be aware of some of the challenges that practitioners can face. Most of us are exceptionally caring and hardworking and some are underpaid. At Epic Dental, we are first and foremost healthcare professionals and our patients’ wellbeing is our primary concern.
What website or app could you not do without?
TikTok!
What was the last book you read?
I haven’t managed to read a full book since I had my son in 2021 but enjoy most fiction.
What car do you drive?
A Jaguar F-PACE R-Sport
Tell us something interesting about yourself?
I’m passionate about interior design and might have pursued a career in that field if I hadn’t become a dentist. At Epic Dental, I’ve enjoyed creating a luxurious, therapeutic environment that’s designed to relax our patients.
What’s your greatest passion outside work and family?
I used to be extremely passionate about fitness. It’s something that I’d love to get back into properly when I have the time.
