What I wish I could tell my boss: ‘I hope you one day realise how unhappy your team are’

I remember being fresh into dentistry, with no experience whatsoever. You knew this because you saw my CV and asked me at the interview why I wanted to change career. You promised me that when I started at the practice, I would have an experienced dental nurse to shadow and have support where I needed it. That is why I am so upset that when on my first day of work and feeling excited and ready to begin learning, you threw me into the deep end.

There was no dental nurse to shadow, as you were understaffed, so I was put chair-side with what was to me scary and complicated treatments. You also had me nursing for a dentist who had no patience whatsoever. When I asked for help from the other dental nurses – who just a week before had been so friendly and assuring – they told me they were too busy and to 'work it out for myself'.