How one Perth dentist is drilling down on care with charity background and clinical skills combined

Clyde Munro dentist Samantha Muirberry explains how her role as a charity trustee benefits her patients in clinic

When Samantha Muirberry joined Dental Care Perth she didn’t know what the future held for her, but three years later, she is not only a skilled dentist but also a dedicated charity trustee, a woman who believes that understanding a person’s journey is just as important as the treatments in clinic.

“I didn’t always know I wanted to be a dentist,” Sam admits. “I explored everything from charity work to nursing and mental health support. I was always drawn to clinical roles, but I loved the idea of dentistry because it combines care, science, and creativity. Unlike my friends who wanted to be doctors, I was always interested in the continuity of care that came with dentistry. I wanted a role where I could build trust and see the tangible results of my work.”

Her path to dentistry was unconventional. Sam began with an anatomy degree at the University of Aberdeen before moving to Dundee to study dentistry. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted her training, stretching her journey to a total of 11 years. “It wasn’t easy, but it taught me patience and resilience. Through it all, I realised what really matters: trust, empathy, and connection.”

For Sam, dentistry is about more than teeth. “The power of trust in dentistry is huge. People are often nervous, ashamed, or scared of needles. I take my responsibility seriously: if you’re in my chair, you’re in my care. That means helping people feel safe, breaking down barriers, and building relationships. That’s what makes my job so rewarding.”

She works with patients of all ages, from children to entire families and the elderly, and she enjoys watching them grow over the years. “I’ve been at my current practice for three years now, and it’s lovely to see families evolve, children growing up, marriages, new babies. You’re not just treating teeth, you’re seeing people at different stages of life. And they see me grow too. We share conversations about dogs, houses, life. It’s a relationship, not just an appointment.”

Sam’s commitment to care extends far beyond the clinic. During her undergraduate years, she volunteered for several charities, most notably Nightline, a confidential listening service for students. Having volunteered for over 500 hours, she supported people through some of their heaviest moments. “It was intense at times, but it gave me invaluable skills. I learned to listen, empathise, and understand the weight people carry silently. These are skills that have shaped how I approach patients and colleagues today.”

After moving to Dundee, she continued her welfare work, acting as a senior advisor of studies at dental school and supporting students through DUSA, the student association. “Those roles taught me to really listen and provide support. It’s about seeing the person behind the situation, whether that’s a patient or a student.”

Today, Sam is a trustee of Alternatives Listening and Counselling, a local charity providing counselling for women and families affected by pregnancy, pregnancy loss, distress, and child loss. She is involved in governance, strategic planning, and creative initiatives to make policy and planning engaging. “Being a trustee allows me to merge skills from dentistry, communication, empathy, relationship-building, with governance. I can make planning sessions more creative, integrate workshops, and even use mindfulness or sound baths to energise strategic discussions. It’s fun, holistic, and impactful.”

Alternatives operate across Tayside, supporting schools, perinatal teams, and NICUs, and even uses therapy dogs like Cherif the Dachshund to help families feel safe. “The charity has been running for 30 years, and what they do is incredible. Sitting on the trustee board gives me perspective on how someone’s whole life impacts how they show up, whether in my chair or elsewhere. Every patient or client has a story and respecting that story is essential.”

Sam sees dentistry and charity work as complementary. “Both require trust, empathy, and the ability to read people as individuals. Dentistry teaches you to deliver care, build relationships, and sometimes deliver difficult news. Charity work teaches you to strategise, advocate, and support people in different ways. Together, they make me a better clinician and a more empathetic person.”

Reflecting on her career, Sam emphasises celebrating diverse paths. “I wasn’t a kid who knew at five what I wanted to do. My journey has been winding and unconventional, but curiosity, resilience, and empathy are as valuable as a clear plan. I hope my story shows that it’s okay not to have it all figured out.”

Watching families, patients, and communities grow, and knowing she has helped in some way, remains the most rewarding part of her career. “It’s incredible to be part of someone’s life journey. Every person I meet, in the dental chair or through charity, deserves to be seen, heard, and cared for. That’s what drives me every day.”

Dental Care Perth is part of the Clyde Munro Group – a leading dental group with over 60 practices across Scotland – and serves over 600.000 patients across Scotland. Samantha’s unique and compassionate approach to her role has been recognised across the board at Clyde Munro with Jim Hall, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Clyde Munro commenting:

“Sam embodies what it means to be a compassionate and empathetic dentist.

“Her ability to connect with patients, understand their fears and listen deeply makes her uniquely effective in her role. She brings something different to dentistry because she genuinely cares about people’s lives beyond their oral health.

“We are proud of her achievements and the way she lives our values every day and we look forward to supporting Samantha throughout her career,”

For further information, visit Clyde Munro | Scotland’s Leading Dental Group

For more information about Alternatives, visit: Alternatives Dundee • Counselling & Listening Rooms

ENDS

For further information please contact clydemunro@bigpartnership.co.uk.

About Clyde Munro 

Munro is one of Scotland’s largest dental group, operating 65 dental practices across the country. It provides services for over 600,000 people, appoints over 250 clinicians and 600 support staff.

To find out more about the group, please visit https://clydemunrodental.com