the changing face of dentistry

What do you like about your job?

What changes have you seen for better or worse?

Is there anything you would like to see changed?

When I first started out in dentistry 23 years ago it was a totally different occupation. I worked for a dentist who was near retirement age.

1. my job tittle was a Trainee Dental Surgery Assistant but was informally
referred to as Dental Nurse.

2. Cross infection control was practically none existent. I was horrified when i
was told to give the only glass for mouthwash a quick rinse between
patients. Yuck, (I used to say it had lipstick on it so I could give it a good
wash). Sterilisation of instruments was a quick rinse under the tap, into the
Cidex bath and another quick rinse and then into a steamer. Not an
autoclave.

3. Radiation protection. What a joke that was. I used to have to stand in the
corner next to the X-ray control box and press the button. There
was no doing this remotely. The dentist on the other hand left the room.
How nice of him?

4. White fillings. we use to mix a little bit out this pot and a little out of that pot
and if the patient was lucky, very lucky, they would get a good shade
match. As I was not allowed to see the tooth in question, it was pure
guesswork.

5. Saliva control was a metal saliva ejector which was sterilised between
patients.

I made appointments but never took payments for treatments. This was paid directly to the dentists back pocket. I filled in the NHS forms. Oh those were the days, so much easier to fill in. One form for everything, including orthodontics. Heaven.

Then he retired and sold the practice to a younger dentist. He came in took everything out of the cupboards, and there was a new, in an unopened box, light for setting composites. Obviously my previous dentist had thought about trying out this new fan dangled technology but never got round to dipping his toe in the water. A vacuum autoclave was bought. Plastic cups, Aspirator tips and training for me. Proper training in how to set up a surgery, patient care etc.... New regulations have been implemented over the years which has changed the face of the role of the Dental Nurse.

I love my job. No two days are the same. Our patients are great. Even when they have a bad day they phone and apologise if they think we have been upset. It also helps that we have a great team.