Cherrybank Dental Spa

08/10/2026

Why is my dental hygienist checking my blood pressure? ❤️
It might seem a little unusual when you’ve come in to have your teeth and gums looked after – but this week reminded us exactly why we do it.
One of our patients, Mr S, came in for a routine hygiene appointment with Ailis. He felt completely well and had no symptoms, but his blood pressure reading was unexpectedly high.
We suggested that he check it again at home. It was still high, so he contacted his doctor and, following further assessment, has now started medication.
He had no idea there was a problem.
High blood pressure often has no obvious symptoms, which is why it can go undetected. And in Scotland, around 31% of adults are estimated to have high blood pressure.
At Cherrybank, we believe dentistry is about more than looking after teeth. Our Total Health approach means taking opportunities to support your wider health and wellbeing too.
So next time your hygienist offers to check your blood pressure, we hope you’ll say yes. It only takes a few minutes – but occasionally, those few minutes can uncover something really important. ❤️

19/09/2026

What if you could see the possibilities for your new smile — before making any decisions about treatment? ✨

This week, our Dr Elaine Halley has been in Vienna at the Align Global Faculty Meeting, where dentists from around the world came together to share the latest developments in digital dentistry.

Elaine was invited to take part in an international panel discussing how she uses digital technology, including AI, SmileVideo and 3D Virtual Scan, as part of the patient journey at Cherrybank.

One of the developments we’re particularly excited about is the ability to show patients a simulation of their potential new smile in video rather than simply as a still photograph.

Why does that matter?

Because a smile is never really still. We smile, laugh and talk — and seeing a potential new smile moving naturally with your own face can make it much easier to visualise what a change might look like.

AI and digital smile design can help us explore possibilities together, opening up a conversation about what you like, what you might change and, importantly, whether treatment is right for you at all.

It doesn’t replace careful diagnosis, clinical expertise or individualised treatment planning — but it can be a wonderful communication tool.

For us, that’s what digital dentistry should be about: using technology to help our patients understand their choices and feel more involved in their own treatment journey.

03/09/2026

A last, quiet reminder — tomorrow is the final day we can see you and quote our current Invisalign fees before Align's VAT change takes effect on 7 September. And if the timing isn't right, that's completely fine. Straightening your teeth should happen when it suits your life — this simply isn't the only reason to do it.

01/09/2026

The questions we've been asked most this week about the clear aligner VAT change — answered plainly. The one we most want to reassure you on: if you're already in treatment with us, your treatment continues exactly as planned and your fees will not increase.

28/08/2026

A note from our Principal Dentist, Dr Elaine Halley, on the VAT change affecting clear aligner treatment from 7 September — what's actually changing, what isn't, and what it means if you've been considering Invisalign. Questions? Call us on 01738 624 667 — we'd rather have a two-minute conversation than leave you guessing.

26/08/2026

26/08/2026

An honest update about Invisalign costs. Following a tribunal ruling in July, clear aligners are no longer treated as VAT-exempt. From 7 September, Align — who manufacture Invisalign — will be adding 20% VAT to their applicable aligner and Vivera retainer charges. To be clear about what this is and isn't: it's a change to the laboratory charges we pay, not a price decision made by Cherrybank, and it affects every practice in the UK that provides clear aligner treatment. Already in treatment with us? Your treatment continues exactly as planned and your fees will not increase.

24/08/2026

Why would your dentist go to Houston to watch jaw surgery? 🇺🇸
It might seem a long way from your regular dental check-up!
Dr Elaine Halley recently had the remarkable opportunity to join specialist surgeon Dr David Alfi in theatre in Houston, observing highly advanced jaw surgery planned using sophisticated digital technology.
But the reason for being there wasn’t to learn how to perform the surgery.
It was to understand more.
Our teeth, jaws, bite and airway are interconnected — and dentists are in a unique position because we see many of our patients regularly throughout their lives.
Sometimes the things we notice in the dental chair may prompt us to ask wider questions.
How do you breathe?
How well do you sleep?
How has your bite developed?
Could something we’re seeing in your mouth be part of a bigger picture?
For some people the answer may be simple. For others, it may mean involving another healthcare professional. And for some it could mean that surgery provides benefits that last a lifetime.
That’s what individualised care means to us.
There is no single treatment that’s right for everyone and there are no magic solutions.
Our role is to understand as much as we can, help you understand what we see, and explain the different options — along with their benefits and limitations — so that together we can make decisions that are right for you.
Because the more we learn, the better questions we can ask.
And sometimes better questions are where better healthcare begins. 🌿

21/08/2026

🇺🇸 A glimpse inside wellness dentistry in Texas…
This week Dr Elaine has been visiting Dr Katie To and orthodontist Dr Bar Nguyen in Katy, Texas.
Their approach asks some fascinating questions.
How well do you sleep?
How do you breathe?
How have your jaws and bite developed?
What is happening with your gum health?
What does your nutrition look like?
And how do you actually feel about your smile?
And how well do you feel?
Not every question leads to treatment. That’s not the point.
The aim is to build a more complete picture of someone’s health so that dentistry can become more personalised, preventive and proactive.
And to investigate therapies to aid wellness when it comes to your dental care - concepts like material sensitivity testing, saliva testing, vitamin D testing, probiotics, red light therapy and ceramic metal-free implants and nutritional support.
It’s very closely aligned with the values we hold at Cherrybank Perth — and Dr Elaine is coming home with plenty of ideas! 🌿

17/08/2026

🇺🇸 Why is our dentist in Houston?
Dr Elaine Halley has travelled to Texas this week with two dental colleagues to spend time with some fascinating clinicians who are looking at dentistry in a rather different way.
They’re exploring the connections between our mouth, breathing, sleep, jaw development, gums, smile and our wider health and wellbeing.
Because modern dentistry can be about so much more than fixing teeth when something goes wrong. Houston has a concentration of health and dental innovation and research.
At Cherrybank, we’ve been developing our approach to wellness dentistry for some time — looking at how we can understand more about the health of the person attached to the smile.
This week is about learning from colleagues who are taking that philosophy to an extraordinary level.
We’ll bring you along on the journey. 🇺🇸😊
Healthy mouth. Healthy smile. Healthy you.