How long have you been a dental nurse?
I have been a dental nurse just over four years now.
How did you get into dental nursing?
I was at college but I kept quitting and going back again. Eventually, I dropped out and I wasn’t sure what to do at all. I worked as a barmaid for a while but I wanted a full time job so I went for a job as a receptionist at a dental practice. When I went for the interview the boss’s husband said he wanted me to be a dental nurse at his practice. So I went for it and got the job.
It all happened by chance. I didn’t even know what a dental nurse was and I hated the dentist.
My friend told me that it was going to be horrible, that it was just looking in old people’s mouths and fiddling with dentures. It nearly put me off but I went for it anyway and I am so glad that I did.
How long have you been in your practice?
I worked at my first practice for four years and have now been at my latest one (Beechcroft Dental surgery, Norwich) for five months. My first practice was huge, with so many dentists, VTs and hygienists. It was a huge practice and I often felt overwhelmed in this environment. I decided I needed a change, I used to come home every day and feel stressed out and fed up. I knew I needed to make something happen so I wrote up a CV and printed 200 copies. I was serious about it, so I found all the addresses of every practice in Norwich. I then started ringing up practices to speak to Practice Managers. It turns out the first one I spoke to asked me to come in the next day. I thought I was just coming in to hand in my CV, this turned into an informal interview and 20 minutes later I had a new job!
What do you like more about your new practice than your old one?
I have really been able to feel more myself here and develop my skills. I have done lots of CPD hours, in fact I’ve found and completed as many online as I can. I didn’t know they were even available online until my new boss told me. The practice were really supportive and showed me the right websites to help develop my career more.
My favourite part of my new job is working, full time with Carla Martins. It is always nerve racking working with a new dentist. I have worked with a dentist in the past who thought it was acceptable to kick me, snap their fingers at me and shout at me in front of patients. So when I started working with Carla it was like being sent an angel from heaven! We have become really close, over such a short period of time. She really takes her time to explain things to me e.g x-ray diagnosis, technical words or medical conditions if I haven't encountered them. This in turn makes me a better nurse and improves my overall understanding of dentistry. The little things like "please" and "thankyou" can make such a difference.
How are staff treated within the practice?
Really, really well. They are extremely supportive, flexible and the team really want to help you. Everyone bends of backwards for each other. The head nurse is so nice, you can ask her anything and she will know what to do! She doesn’t make you feel silly about asking. Everything in my new practice is computerised, I wasn’t used to this at my old practice we just used hand written notes. I didn’t have any experience but I wasn’t made to feel stupid about this. I quickly learnt how to use the computer system. I also learnt how to carry out Digital Xrays. I’m friends with my boss and I look forward to going to work. Now I go in early and have a cup of tea and a chat with my whole team.
What is next for you?
I have booked a course the University Hospital to extend my DN duties by learning how to remove sutures which Im really excited about! Im also planning to do the Oral health education certificate this year, which my new practice has really encouraged.
That advice would you give to dental nurses who may not be happy in their jobs?
Don’t give up. I had decided when looking for a new job that it was my last try at being a dental nurse. I told myself that if it didn’t work out I was going to change my career but my new job completely changed my mind. I would advise anyone looking for a new job to keep up to date with their CV. When you apply, phone up and ask to speak to practice mangers, photocopy your GDC registration and complete as many CPD courses as you can. Remember people are there to help and to listen!
