Sydney’s Gay Dentists: beyondental

beyondental is an LGBTQIA+ owned dental practice in the heart of Sydney’s CBD- and they’ve got a new approach to dentistry.

In an industry often seen as clinical and impersonal, beyondental is breaking the mould by putting people first. This innovative practice is redefining what it means to visit the dentist by creating a safe, welcoming environment for all. With a philosophy rooted in genuine care, beyondental goes beyond the basics, offering personalised treatment plans, flexible scheduling, and holistic health education. Their commitment to treating every patient like family ensures that dentistry isn’t just about oral health—it’s about fostering trust, comfort, and inclusivity in every smile.

Gay Sydney Australia got a chance to sit down with the founders Shane & Josh to talk about the practice and the benefits they’re offering to new clients. Take a look.

Your practice aims to redefine traditional dentistry—what inspired you to take such a bold and innovative approach in an industry that’s often seen as clinical and impersonal?

After working in the dental industry for 15 plus years, I knew the areas of the industry I enjoyed and what could be done differently. That’s where beyondental started. I wanted to go beyond in every way possible, starting with how our staff are trained and work as a team to provide the best outcomes and experience for everyone who comes through our door.

We understand most people don’t like going to the dentist, that’s why making people feel comfortable in our clinic is so important. We treat our patients like they are our friends and family, people to feel at-ease in our care. It doesn’t matter how long it’s been since you’ve seen a dentist, we are a judgment free zone.

You talk about smashing barriers to dental care, including fears around cost and treatment.

What practical steps have you taken to make dentistry more accessible and approachable for everyone?

Our brand is very important to us. There’s stigma around dental care due to perceptions of pain, costs, judgement etc. However, at times there’s also stigma around the way our community is treated by the health industry. Being a proudly queer business is one of the most practical ways to show LGBTQIA+ people that we’re an inclusive, respectful clinic that cares.

We try to educate patients to empower their decision making and we support their choices, from procedures to pain management. Dental care options can be costly, so we have extra payment options, which includes an interest free payment plan up to 24 months.

We keep extensive availability – open evenings, weekends and some public holidays.

Our building is also fully wheelchair accessible, and we’re happy to adapt to any accessibility needs people have.

How would you compare this to traditional dentist practices?

It’s easy to become complacent when dentists don’t need to convince you to come in and whether people like it or not, we’ll all have to see a dentist at some point.

We don’t want to just do the bare minimum by traditional standards. We want to go above and beyond for the patient from the time they book in their appointment. We want the whole experience to be enjoyable.

We’ve noticed how much of a difference it makes to people by taking the time to connect with them, play their music, explain their treatment options. People feel more confident in their decisions and the results.

Holistic healthcare is a significant focus for your practice. Can you share more about how you educate patients on the connection between oral health and overall systemic health?

Many people don’t realise the wider implications of dental health. The mouth is the gateway to our body.  Your teeth are connected to the rest of your body via the bloodstream. So, if you have bacteria in your mouth, it can be transported throughout the body – to the brain, to the heart.

Sometimes people want to improve their health and lifestyle but forget to include dental visits. If you’re having trouble with your health, there could be a correlation with your oral care.

Your emphasis on creating a personalised and enjoyable patient experience stands out. What unique touches or strategies do you use to make each visit positive and even fun?

Genuine hospitality is important to us. We want everyone to feel welcome. If our team can make someone smile and relax before they get in the chair, we’re happy.

We love to play our patient’s music requests during their appointment, which ranges from Jazz, Taylor Swift, Charli XCX to Nicki Minaj, Kylie Minogue, techno – whatever makes the experience more enjoyable.

We’ve had people contact us saying they felt happy when they left our dental practice – which warms our hearts.

The practice is described as being part of a movement to change healthcare through dentistry. What are your long-term goals for this movement, and how do you see it influencing other dental or healthcare providers?

Our long term goal is to support our community through providing reliable, friendly and affordable dental care. We’d love to collaborate with other healthcare providers to really embody a holistic approach to health. We want people to see dental care as part of their healthy lifestyles, instead of a chore.

2025 will also see us launch beyondclub, which will offer discounts and other exclusive member benefits through a monthly subscription. We are teaming up with other local businesses to reward our patients for looking after their oral health. We’re always trying to come up with new and innovative ways to improve our practice.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone hesitant about visiting the dentist, what would it be, and how does your practice address those specific concerns?

My advice – we’re all human. Even I get overdue for check-ups.

Many of our own patients tell us they don’t like going to the dentist – we’re appreciate the honesty! By letting us know any feelings of hesitation, our staff can reassure you and adapt to your needs. It’s normal for people to come in and say they are embarrassed of their teeth, but there’s absolutely no need to feel that way. It doesn’t matter if your last visit was 6 months or 10 years ago – we’re here to help people feel confident about their oral health.

To book a checkup with beyondental, visit their website here.

To keep up with Shane & Josh on social media, follow @beyondentalsydney on Instagram 

To read more interviews and reviews from Gay Sydney Australia, please click here.