Hi! My name is Julie. I’d like to share my experience from my Dentaid Uganda trip. I got involved in volunteering for Dentaid because I wanted to remind myself why I went into dental nursing in the first place. Over time, I felt like the focus of my work had shifted too much toward paperwork and was less about the patients. When Sarah from Dentaid told me about their overseas trips, I knew it was something I had to do. I had already been volunteering with Dentaid in the UK, so I jumped at the opportunity to take my skills abroad. After sorting out the paperwork and getting some references together, I was ready to go on my first international trip. The idea of stepping out of my comfort zone, especially after the challenges of the COVID pandemic, gave me a renewed sense of purpose.

Thinking back to my childhood visits to the dentist, we used a local NHS practice that had one dentist, a receptionist, and a dental nurse (whom I can still see in my mind's eye). This dental nurse remained a constant over the years, even when the original dentist retired and the practice was taken over. The softly-spoken dental nurse, who remained mostly silent throughout our family visits but always had a smile and a sticker as we left the surgery, was always there.

I was always known for being the ‘chatty’ one at school – the exception being when it came to contributing in class, where I’d make myself as small as possible due to the fear of getting the answer wrong and turning as red as a tomato. I think that’s why I enjoyed working in hospitality. The idle chit-chat when serving customers and clearing away the endless stack of plates suited my friendly, helpful nature.

If you’re a qualified dental nurse with a wealth of experience and natural leadership abilities, then a route to becoming a head dental nurse may be the perfect pathway for you to take. 

Welcome to the world of oral surgery. As an implant nurse, you will assist with various procedures, from bone grafts and sinus lifts to the placement of dental implants. Implants are becoming an increasingly popular treatment in dental practices. In the past, patients who required dental implants were often referred to an implantologist at another practice. More recently, implant treatments are being carried out in-house, making it crucial to have experienced nurses trained in implant procedures.