Overcoming challenges

Since qualifying, I have worked at a busy NHS practice, Skipton community dental service, Cavity Dental Staff Agency and Night Dental.

The biggest challenge I had to overcome when qualifying was the speed at which I was expected to work. I had to think ahead and act fast – juggling the time spent with each patient during the appointment with cross infection control and carrying out the decontamination of instruments between patients.

Working in emergency dental service you don’t know what to expect from one day to the next. I chose emergency dental care as I had worked in many different care settings and I wanted a new experience where I could help patients out of pain. The most common issue we have is treating patients who cannot find a regular NHS dentist, as many practices are not taking on new patients. Many present with facial swelling, toothache, lost fillings and so on. In this job, I feel great satisfaction when we able to help patients get out of pain or overcome their fear of the dentist. It makes my day when patients give good feedback about the service we offer – even though they are long shifts, it’s worthwhile. Once I finish work, I go home, spend time with family and debrief the highlights of work. Then I switch off by reading a book or baking.