I get so many emails from dental nurses who want advice on the next steps to take in their careers. This is the precise reason that I set up Dental Nurse Network. The thing is, although I am now involved mostly in CPD, I really did love being a dental nurse. I knew I was there to care for the patients (which was my favourite part) and to assist the dentist. I cared so much for my patients that once, when a patient told me that her husband had died, we both sat and cried together.
That’s what I miss most about being a nurse – that and bossing the dentist around! It was fun keeping an eye on things – reminding the dentist not to run late, not to charge too much, and that I don’t have eight hands! We had a great working relationship, and this made such a difference to my role.
I think that having that care aspect and then developing it further is a good start. Whilst I loved my role, at the time I didn’t know that I could take impressions, be an oral health advisor and play a key role in patients’ oral health. I think that all nurses should train in oral health education. I mean – don’t we all secretly love giving our friends advice on brushing their teeth and telling them to “make sure they floss”?
Training to check for plaque, perform a diet analysis or provide general oral health advice can be hugely fulfilling. Now that heart disease, diabetes and other ailments have been linked to oral health, this can really make a big difference.
I often wonder why people still don’t know how to take care of their mouths and health in the 21st century. I think the missing link is dental nurses; we need to step into this massive void and start educating our patients.
I know that it’s super-busy in the surgery, and you will wonder how to find the time for this. I suggest sitting with your practitioner and having a serious discussion. After all, this is where the new NHS contract is heading – and rightly so.
Impression-taking is a great skill to have. It saves time for the dentist, and means having your own patients – it really works. Rachel, one of our tutors, has a day where she takes impressions all day for patients in her own surgery. The patients are having short-term orthodontic treatment, usually Invisalign, Inman Aligner or Six Month Smiles. Rachel will take a mix of alginate and two-stage putty impressions. To date, I haven’t met a nurse more passionate about dental nurses becoming extended duty nurses and developing their careers so they are satisfied in their job – which is important. It’s vital that you are satisfied in your job. You are important; your day-to-day job matters.
I personally think that it’s good to do all the courses – but the problem is the cost, isn’t it?
Again, sit down and talk to your dentist. If they won’t cover the cost because they don’t immediately see the obvious benefits, don’t give up there. The course is tax-deductible for them, and shows they are investing in their staff. How about suggesting that if they pay for it, you can pay it off month by month for the next year? The other benefit to them is they get your commitment for a year.
Many nurses tell me that their dentist is reluctant, won’t support them, or is not interested in helping them to learn to take impressions. I wonder how they would feel, if they were not able, based on somebody else’s decision, to do fillings or to use another skill that is within their scope? Communication is a powerful tool if you use it correctly – but bear in mind that I’m only a beginner!If your dentist is still not interested in assisting your growth and skill development after you have communicated these points to them, and simply won’t support you, you might want to think about going elsewhere.
I know it’s a big thing to move away from familiar surroundings – I have actually moved country because I am so passionate about what I do. I miss my family but I really believe in what I am doing. I want to love my job, in which I spend 8-10 hours of my day (sometimes 12) so I am willing to make sacrifices.
Back to career options. The treatment coordinator role is also interesting if you really don’t want to do clinical work, or maybe want to be involved in it only once a week. If you love admin then there are different admin roles you can go into within dentistry.
Since being involved in DNN I have become aware of the various different ways that nurses can develop their careers within dentistry. There are access courses for those who want to become dentists, and other courses which will help you move into orthodontic therapy. The orthodontic therapy role excites me; within a year of training your role radically changes, and your pay goes up quite substantially. This is well worth it if you can work alongside a supportive orthodontist.
Overall, what I am saying is that where there is a will, there is a way. If you want to develop your career, especially within dentistry, there are many options available to you. You have to be willing to commit and persevere, but if you do so you will get there.
Of course, Dental Nurse Network will support you in the best way we can – that’s what we are here for. Certainly, Dental Nurse Network is a business – but it’s an ethical business which started from the concept of how we can empower nurses to make positive changes and gain career satisfaction. During my years of dental nursing, I would have loved to have access to a similar forum. If I hadn’t been a dental nurse, I could never have set up this network. The skills I gained as a nurse with a supportive dentist really propelled my career forward. It has been really hard work; setting up this network has taken blood, sweat and tears – but I wouldn’t change a thing. What are you willing to sacrifice to propel your career in your chosen direction?
I will end with one of my favourite quotes, which seems relevant:
“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I –
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference”.
(Robert Frost)
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