Why did you become a dental nurse?

I didn't fall into it I was pushed! I left school at 16 and my mum told me her friends daughter had left our local practice to have a baby and wasn't going back. 'Get down there and get the job before they advertise it', were the words from my mum. I dare not do any other but go into the practice and ask for the job, my mum made it very clear I had to pay for my keep! I was a very young 16 year old and terrified but even more scared of my mum if I didn't go. The dentist painted the job as black as black could be and then asked me if I still wanted it. I didn't know what I was letting myself in for but said yes. That was the Friday and I started work on the following Monday. An unbelievable 34 yes 34 years later I am still a dental nurse and absolutely love it! I passed my NEBDN in 1988 and have the imps course done and just qualified as an OHE. I have worked in loads of practices over the years and found lots of obsticles put in my way by dentists but I have carried on regardless. My current situation isn't the best but I love dental nursing.......interacting with patients, help alleviate pain, answer peoples questions and give advice. The list is endless and out of a career path I was forced onto I have found my vocation so thanks mum, you did so much more for me than keep me off the dole!

Fell into the job too

I left school at 16 as I didn't know what I wanted to do and didn't want to waste my time with just randomly picking subjects to take at school for the hell of it so decided I would leave and find a job. Found an advert in the paper for a dental nursing job 2minutes down the road. First off didn't get it, but got a call back a week or two later asking if I'd go back for a second interview where I got offered the job I stayed at that practice for 7 years then moved as I met my husband, I now work at my second practice and have been there for almost 2 years.
I'm now 25 - almost 26 at the end of the year and have been nursing for 10 years next September ! I also feel there is still loads to learn and would love to go into hospital work or hygiene. I applied for university in Sheffield a couple of years ago and got an interview the second time after completing and passing the OHE and Radiography courses but my circumstances changed and I didn't go. I don't regret it as now I am married and 10 days away from expecting baby number 1 and that wouldn't have happened if I'd gone! Maybe some other time
I have many a time thought of opening up my own practice but realise there is a LOT involved in that and wouldn't have a clue where on earth to start

Hit here,

I am another that "fell into dental nursing" I was 17 and my mum found an advert for a practice in the paper! I stayed for 3 years then moved to community where I got a taste for more specialised care such as special needs patients and sedation I got my radiography certificate which I really wanted.I got to experience a lot in community and would recommend it it too was NHS job with pension and security so was a good place to be. I was even lucky enough to dental nurse at the G8 summet in 2005!
I then moved to another city and got a job in a dental institute and within the year got seniors role at the local children's hospital which its kill run although now I jobshare senior role in the institute in started in (keeps me busy!) I am now nearly 30 and feel there's still so much to learn and experience I love working in theatre and with children with exceptional needs but get the odd occasion in oral surgery department and oral medicine. All down to a encouraging mum! Lol

I'm another one who just fell into the job! I'd just moved and was looking for work, then a filling fell out so I went to the dentist to get it sorted and ended up being offered a job. I'm still pretty new (been working for 12 weeks now, and just started college) but since I'm now my main practice's only nurse I've had to learn fast. I work four days a week in a small, mostly NHS practice and one - two days a week private, and do a college course for six hours every fortnight.

Basically what it says on the title. I hear a lot of nurses saying the just "fell into the job" and they never really planned a career in dental nursing.

So, why did you become a dental nurse and what pathways did you take to get there? Hospital training, General practice training or a college course? I personally think hospital dental nursing is the best, there is more structure, an NHS pay, job security and not to mention the clear pathways for career progression. You also get to see some really interesting things in oral surgery and oral medicine departments! I guess the only downside I could see is working alongside students all the time and always getting new batches! Never the same faces!