Meet Dr. Tristan Peh, a highly skilled dentist who has taken the digital world by storm with an impressive 5.6 million subscribers on YouTube. Combining his expertise in dentistry with a passion for education and entertainment, Dr. Tristan creates engaging content that demystifies oral health and inspires millions worldwide to prioritise their dental care.

Balancing a successful practice with a thriving online presence, he has become a trusted voice in both the clinic and the digital space, making oral health accessible and enjoyable for all. How did he get started? Here’s his story.

What got you started on your YouTube channel?

I picked up photography when I was in JC and have always been very interested in it. After graduation from dental school, I was still interested in pursuing something beyond just dentistry. I even became a licensed real estate agent and explored other fields like forex trading.

But eventually, I landed in the social media space, specifically YouTube and TikTok. What really kicked things off was during the pandemic, when dentistry was impacted by the lockdown.

During that time, we couldn’t work, so I decided to share some dental advice. That’s how I got started, posting dental tips on Facebook. Along the way, I began experimenting with videos on TikTok, and that’s how it all began.

The first 100 videos won’t be great, but they serve as a reminder of your humble beginnings and show how far you’ve come. Just keep going and improving, even if it’s a slow start.

How do you balance your dental practice with making your YouTube videos?

It’s very difficult to balance. There really is no balance. When we’re doing things we enjoy, like playing games or working on a passion project, we tend to just indulge, and sometimes balance goes out of the window. You just try to manage as best as you can along the way, especially with family. There’s no real formula for balance.

What are some of the challenges you faced when you started your YouTube channel?

One of the challenges was making videos that no one was watching. It’s something that everyone experiences at the start. The key is to keep making videos, analyse the analytics, and constantly work on improving.

The first 100 videos won’t be great, but they serve as a reminder of your humble beginnings and show how far you’ve come. Just keep going and improving, even if it’s a slow start.

As a dentist, how do you differentiate your practice from others in the market?

I differentiate myself by being a Singapore dentist with a social media following. I focus more on preventive dentistry, which means I specialise in cleanings, fillings, and wisdom tooth surgeries, while limiting the scope of other dental procedures.

We have a strong team at the clinic, with colleagues who handle more specialised work. This allows me to concentrate on the areas I’m passionate about, while also having more time to dedicate to content creation on TikTok and YouTube.

Where do you see yourself and what’s your vision for Singapore in the next 5 years?

For myself, I hope to keep improving, learning, and exploring. While I am focused on growth, I also want to continue contributing and expanding in whatever way I can.

I would love for Singapore to continue improving and getting recognition on the global stage. I see us moving towards another level of success, and I can envision the country thriving in the future.

Connect with Dr. Tristan: St Andrew’s Dental Surgeons, YouTube and Instagram.

Also read: Meet Alvn Phua, Speaker And Writer, Who Almost Died 3 Times