From dental nursing to dream role in oral health promotion

When Judith Elliott started out in dental nursing, she could not have known where the career would eventually take her. What began with a personal experience that sparked an interest in dentistry has developed into a career spanning general dental practice, oral surgery, oral health promotion, periodontology, conservation, maxillofacial surgery and radiology.

Along the way, Judith has continued to learn, take on new challenges and look for ways to make a greater difference to patients and the wider community.

This year, that determination led to what she describes as her "absolute dream job": becoming an Oral Health Promotion Coordinator for Newcastle upon Tyne.

Finding her way into dental nursing

Judith's route into dental nursing began when she was 21. Having experienced lymphoma, she became interested in the dental treatment she received during her illness. Until then, her experience of dentistry had been limited to orthodontic treatment.

That experience led her towards dental nursing and, from there, Judith began building a career that would take her well beyond her starting point.

She began in general dental practice and gained her core NEBDN National Diploma in Dental Nursing. But she always knew she wanted to push herself further.

Her next step was Newcastle Dental Hospital, where she joined the Oral Surgery department. It was there that she discovered a real interest in complex clinical care.

"I fell in love with complex, specialised clinical care," Judith says.

But she was not content to stand still.

Discovering a passion for prevention

Judith briefly stepped away from the dental hospital to take on an Oral Health Practitioner Level 4 Apprenticeship. She proudly qualified as part of the second cohort, achieving a distinction.

The experience gave Judith a new direction and sparked a genuine passion for preventative care and community health.

She then returned to the dental hospital, bringing her new skills with her. Her experience expanded into Periodontology and Conservation, alongside cross-departmental experience in Maxillofacial Surgery and Radiology.

For Judith, continuing to learn has always been an important part of providing the best possible care for patients.

Over the years, she has built what she describes as an "eclectic tool belt" of additional qualifications.

Her clinical development has included Extended Duties in Dental Impressions and Oral Health Instruction, followed by post-qualification training in Conscious Sedation, Dental Radiography and Phlebotomy.

Her development has also extended beyond clinical skills.

Communication and mentoring are important to Judith, and she studied British Sign Language from Level 1 through to Level 4 to help support the Deaf community.

She also wanted to give back to the profession, gaining a Level 3 Award in Education and Training alongside a Level 3 Award in Assessing Learners, helping her to support and guide the next generation.

Looking beyond the dental hospital

Judith's experience has not been limited to her clinical roles.

She has undertaken ad-hoc work for Future NHS, working on mobile units carrying out health checks for national research. She is also supporting the National Oral Health Promotion Group (NOHPG) with social media content and coverage of events.

Each experience has added another piece to the career Judith was building.

And eventually, those stepping stones led to the role she had been working towards.

Landing her dream job

This year, Judith officially became an Oral Health Promotion Coordinator for Newcastle upon Tyne.

It is a role she describes as her "absolute dream job", and one that allows her to spend her days shaping the health of her city.

For someone who has continually looked for opportunities to learn, develop and make an impact, it is a significant milestone.

But even after reaching her dream role, Judith is not standing still.

She is currently working towards a Level 4 apprenticeship in Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability, with the aim of ensuring that her health initiatives do good for both people and the planet.

Turning rejection into resilience

Judith is open about the fact that building a progressive career as a dental nurse has not always been easy.

She believes dental nurses can face a glass ceiling in general dental practice, where the role can sometimes be dismissed or reduced to that of a chairside assistant rather than being recognised for the clinical contribution nurses can make.

For Judith, that was not going to define her career.

She applied for practically every job role that came up within the dental hospital. There were plenty of disappointments and setbacks along the way, but she chose to see every rejection as a lesson.

Each interview gave her more experience. Each setback helped build her resilience and self-belief.

And she kept going.

A distinction that meant more than a qualification

Of all her professional achievements, gaining a distinction as part of the second cohort of OHP apprentices is the one Judith is most proud of.

She had put her educational goals on hold after having children and facing challenges at a young age. But she had promised herself that she would eventually finish her education.

Achieving that distinction was therefore about more than completing an apprenticeship.

For Judith, it was proof that it is never too late to rewrite your story.

What Judith wants to see for dental nurses

Judith believes dental nurses need to feel that their work makes a genuine difference and that their voices matter.

She believes hard work should come with real progression and financial rewards, and that dental nurses should be trusted to use their expertise.

Her message is clear: she wants to see more nurse-led clinics and more opportunities for dental nurses to show what they can do.

"Give us nurse-led clinics and let us shine!"

And perhaps that sums up Judith's career particularly well.

She has continued to push herself, learn new skills, try different areas of dentistry and take opportunities wherever they have appeared. From her first steps into dental nursing to her current role in oral health promotion, she has built a career by refusing to stand still.

Outside work, Judith enjoys sea swimming and sewing, spending time with friends and family, and catching up with the latest boxset.

For now, though, there is still another qualification to work towards and another opportunity to make an impact.