When Philipp first started dental school, he was filled with excitement and ambition, but also an underlying fear. The hands-on nature of dentistry, the responsibility for patients, and the pressure to be perfect triggered intense anxiety that sometimes made even simple tasks feel overwhelming.
“I really wanted to be a dentist,” Philipp recalls, “but my mind just wasn’t playing ball. I was nervous stepping into clinics, and I knew I had to find a way to overcome that if I wanted to achieve my dream.”
Moving to Aberdeen for his postgraduate degree, Philipp quickly realised that managing this anxiety would be just as important as mastering the technical skills of dentistry and without addressing the issue – his dream career was hanging in the balance.
“I was physically shaking when I first started practicing practical skills,” he recalls. “I really wanted to be a dentist, but my mind just wasn’t playing ball. Anxiety was holding me back.”
During his second year, a pause in clinical activity – caused by Covid – gave Philipp an unexpected opportunity. “It was a chance to step back, reflect, and focus on myself,” he says. “I worked on strategies to manage my anxiety – mindfulness, structured practice, and self-reflection. Slowly, I started building the confidence I needed to face patients. That time really empowered me to become the dentist I wanted to be.”
By his final year, Philipp had passed all his exams and treatment requirements, graduating as a competent trainee dentist, or ‘safe beginner.’
“I left dental school knowing I could do the work, but confidence was still a journey. It felt similar to how I started, just a little stronger and more capable.”
Philipp initially planned to leave Aberdeen and trained for a VT position in England after receiving his first offer, but during the interview process for a position in Ellon, he met his future mentor, Harriet Liddicott, who would turn out to be pivotal in his journey.
“Harriet was everything I could have hoped for in a trainer,” Philipp explains. “Along with the incredible support from dental nurses Sanija Gorodko and Melissa McLean, she gave me the tools, guidance, and confidence to thrive. Honestly, she saved my career. Without her mentorship, I might have left dentistry entirely.”
His year in Ellon allowed Philipp to grow into the dentist he had always hoped to be. “I gained independence while knowing I had support when I needed it. I learned not just clinical skills, but how to connect with patients and manage my own growth as a professional. That mentorship transformed my career.”
After completing VT, Philipp moved to Peterhead with Clyde Munro. “I went into dentistry to help people,” he says. “Communities outside city centres need access to high-quality care, and I wanted to be part of that.”
With Russian heritage on his mum, Olga’s side, he is able to communicate with the Russian-speaking patients in the local community, helping them feel understood and at ease. “It’s amazing how much a language connection can calm people,” he says.
“It’s also quite funny how surprised patients are when I am able to speak to them in Russian.”
Philipp hopes that sharing his story and overcoming his anxiety helps others navigating the early years of dentistry. And, for those about to embark on their VT placements, he strongly encourages dentists to consider joining practices outside the city centre for quality, fulfilling dentist experiences.
Philipp’s day-to-day work includes fillings, root canals, and caring for anxious patients. He is also pursuing sedation training to meet local demand and help those who might otherwise struggle to access treatment.
“Ultimately, dentistry is about helping people,” he says. “Overcoming my anxiety taught me that challenges don’t define you. With the right support, persistence, and self-belief, you can achieve your goals. Mentorship, patience, and the encouragement from my fiancée, Beth, played a huge role in helping me become the dentist I am today.”
Philipp encourages recent graduates to consider rural placements as a unique way to gain broad experience and make a real difference in communities that need care.
Clyde Munro practices are now welcoming applications from graduate dentists looking for VT placements, offering support, training, and opportunities to work with the latest digital and AI technologies.
For entry-level dentists looking to continue their professional growth after VT, Clyde Munro’s Flying Start Programme offers an exceptional opportunity. This year-long, fully supported initiative provides up to 25 hours of CPD through hands-on training in communication, restorative dentistry, endodontics, and oral surgery, all led by experienced clinicians. Beyond skill development, the programme fosters a network of peers and mentors, helping early-career dentists gain confidence, share experiences, and accelerate their journey in modern, patient-focused dental care.
Get in touch to find out more.
