“The Wimbledon of dentistry.”
That is how Dr Essop describes his speciality, and he means it. A calm corner of dentistry where nobody dreads the chair, the afternoons fill with school blazers and laughter, and the results change a good deal more than teeth.
Why orthodontics
Ask Dr Essop what he loves about his work and the answer comes quickly: the sheer scale of the transformation, achieved without a single anaesthetic. No drilling, no needles, and almost none of the tension people carry into an ordinary dental visit.
“It is so much about what is in the mind, and not so much about skill.”
Then there are the days that make the job. Bonding day, when the braces go on and the children choose the colours of their elastics, and change them again at every visit afterwards. Those four bright squares in the logo are exactly that. And the afternoons when, as he puts it, it feels like the school gates opened on our doorstep: a waiting room full of teenagers, conversations and laughter.
And the day the braces come off. He has watched a shy, introverted girl leave with a new smile and, within weeks, arrive with a new hairstyle, make-up and a confidence her parents barely recognised. Being part of that, over and over, is why he does this.
The long way round
Dr Essop was born and raised in Pretoria. He completed a BCom in 2002 with multiple distinctions, then followed what he actually wanted to do and enrolled to study dentistry at the University of Pretoria, graduating again with multiple distinctions and awards.
He served his community service year with the South African Military Health Service, then entered private practice, all the while staying attached to the university as a part-time lecturer and clinical supervisor. He has published scientific articles in local and international journals.
Then, after nine years as a practising dentist, he went back. Four years of full-time specialist training in orthodontics at the University of Pretoria, and a final examination passed with distinction.
It is an unusually long road to this chair, and it is the reason every plan here is built rather than guessed.
Qualifications and memberships
Specialist OrthodontistUniversity of Pretoria, four years full-time. Final examination passed with distinction.
Nine years in general practiceBefore specialising, which is why referring dentists find him easy to work with.
Lecturer and clinical supervisorPart-time, University of Pretoria, teaching dental students.
Published researcherScientific articles in local and international journals.
Professional membershipsSouth African Society of Orthodontists. World Federation of Orthodontists. American Association of Orthodontists.
HPCSA registeredPractice number DP0093483.
Still learning, deliberately
Dr Essop is continually on courses, local and international. Partly, he admits, to make his own working life easier. Mostly because newer technique and better technology produce more predictable outcomes, and predictability is what a patient is really buying when they sit down in the chair.
The 3D scanning, the digital planning, the individually analysed records: none of it is here to impress anyone. It is here because it makes the result more certain and the journey more comfortable.
What patients notice
“Dr Essop had a calm, slow and steady approach to ensure I received the results I wanted. Honest from start to finish.”
Sheridan Seller · Google review“Dr R. Essop is a visionary who is focused; he has the skill and patience to produce the best outcome. Excellent with children.”
Ms Phehane · Google review“I was confused by the options, but never once felt pressured to make an immediate decision. I was treated with kindness and genuine attentiveness.”
Precious Mathabela · Google reviewCome and meet him. R680.
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