Get to know our co-founder and clinical lead, Dr Darren Cannell

Darren is our co-founder and adopted Geordie! Originally from the North West, Darren fell in love with the North East when he moved here to study dentistry in 1996. His CV is impressive and he has pursued a carrier built on hard work, passion and a commitment to delivering the best possible results for his patients.

Darren offers a wide range of treatments here at The Cosmetic Dental Clinic including Invisalign, where he was one of the first UK dentists to be listed as a “Diamond Apex Provider”, delivering Invisalign since 2004. With a Masters Degree in Restorative and Aesthetic Dentistry, he has decades of experience delivering smile makeovers involving, dental implants, porcelain crowns and veneers, composite bonding, CEREC and whitening to name a few.

We caught up with him to get behind the smile and find out a little more about him: 

Did you always want to be a dentist, or did you have other ideas of what you wanted to do when you were growing up?

“I loved art and design and had a passion for football, but I only ever wanted to be one thing… a car mechanic! I loved fixing things and had my heart set on becoming a mechanic like my dad. But, when I was 11 years old, during a routine dental appointment, my dad told me he didn’t want me following in his footsteps. He asked if I’d ever thought about fixing something else… like teeth. That suggestion stuck with me, and from that moment on, I was set on becoming a dentist. I’d like to think my passion for art is carried out in my work and I still follow football but leave the footwork to the professionals these days.”

What do you like about working in the North East, and why did you decide to set up your business here?

“I moved to Newcastle for university in 1996, and I fell in love with the city straight away. It reminded me of my home town Liverpool—similar vibe, friendly people and just a great place to live. I loved how everything was so close by, whether it was the countryside, seaside, or the city centre.

“When Andy and I started looking at locations to set up our own practice, we considered a few spots across the UK, but Newcastle just made sense. We already had strong links with the University Dental Hospital, loads of friends in the area and a real connection to the region. Setting up our first clinic here was an easy decision and I’ve never regretted it.”

You clearly love your job, but what do you like most about it?

“For me, dentistry has always been about more than just fixing teeth. I’ve never wanted to be a “driller and filler” type of dentist. I’ve always been drawn to the kind of work that can really transform someone’s smile, and their confidence. That’s why I’ve done so much post-graduate training over the years. I’ve been a member of The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry for the best part of 20 years and this has been a very strong influence in my career pathway. Knowing I can help someone not just look better, but feel better about themselves, is hands down one of the best parts of what I do.

“Everyone at the clinic shares this view and is why we have focused exclusively on advanced treatments since 2007. This has seen our clinic recognised for delivering precision, quality and exceptional patient care.”

Can you tell us about your proudest moment?

“Opening The Cosmetic Dental Clinic back in April 2007 was a huge moment for me. We started with just two dentists, two nurses and one receptionist – and not a single patient booked in! It was a bit daunting, but we knew we had something special to offer. Fast forward to today and we’ve got nine clinical surgeries across Newcastle and Durham with a team of over 35 amazing staff. Seeing how far we’ve come is something I’m incredibly proud of.

“Our expert team has over 78 years of combined expertise and we pride ourselves on offering a seamless patient journey, from initial consultation through to final results, predominantly all in-house.

“Another standout moment was completing my Master’s Degree in Restorative and Aesthetic Dentistry at the University of Manchester. It was a two-year program with delegates from all over Europe, and not only did I graduate with Distinction, but I also won the Highest Achiever Award.”

Tell us something patients won’t know about you.

“Honestly, I’m a bit of an open book, so I think my patients probably know most things about me already! I wear my heart on my sleeve and love to talk, I’m always happy to share a story.”

Interested in booking a consultation with Dr Darren? You can do so on our online booking platform here.