#91 - Gina Vega - Made in Mexico
For many eight-year-olds, the smell of the clinic is enough to cause a lifelong aversion to dentistry. But not for this week’s guest, Gina Vega. Gina dreamed of becoming a dentist after falling in love with the smell of clove oil as a young girl growing up in Mexico City. A second love brought her to London in 2001 when she met her future husband while backpacking. Gina talks us through going from dental nursing through the challenging International Qualifying Exam and into practice and ownership in the capital. Along the way, she talks about family, work ethic, giving back through charity and much more. Enjoy! “When I was eight years old, I decided that I wanted to be a dentist. Don't ask me why - I'm almost sure it was the smell of the dental practice that my mom used to take me to when we were children. I just liked that smell.” Gina Vega In This Episode 00.46 - Backstory04.29 - University life06.38 - Mexico City Vs London12.14 - Nurse, dentist, owner15.30 - Dentistry in Mexico17.47 - Bishopsgate23.01 - Roadblocks and backbones28.16 - Tips, mistakes, incentives31.37 - Top treatments34.42 - Finding patients, keeping patients40.38 - Future plans43.31 - Family46.21 - Work ethic47.16 - Black box thinking50.19 - Women in dentistry53.48 - Giving back56.42 - Award-winning dentistry58.49 - Staffing and happy teams 01.05.16 - Exit01.07.34 - Last days and legacy About Gina Vega Gina Vega qualified from Universidad Tecnológica de México (UNITEC) and went into private practice in Polanco, Mexico City. Gina moved to London in 2001 and took the International Qualifying Exam in 2004. She is now the principal dentist and owner of Bishopsgate Dental Practice in London. Gina is a member of the Mexican Chamber of Commerce in the UK and the Mexican Talent Network.