Starting my journey in dental nursing a decade ago, I didn't foresee the incredible adventure it would become. Dentistry wasn't even initially on my radar. At 18, I was navigating the retail world, unsure of where life would take me. It was a chat with my now mother-in-law, a dental hygienist, that got me thinking about dental nursing. So, with a sense of curiosity, I took the plunge. And here I am, ten years later.

Social media makes up a large part of our day-to-day lives, and many dental nurses (as well as other professionals) will use it to find their community of like-minded individuals; people with whom they can converse about their industry, share the latest news, and even vent about their bad days at work. 

Dental charities exist all over the world, and they each have their own goal when it comes to spreading the word and improving oral health. With the support of dental nurses, these charities can lead the way to better oral hygiene across the globe – so why not get involved?

Mental health awareness is quickly becoming a natural part of our working culture – yet there are still many employees, including dental nurses, who do not know that help is available, or how to access it. Whether you struggle with your mental health, know someone who does, or need to know ‘just in case’, now is the time to brush up your knowledge. 

Many dental nurses undertake further study in the hope that it will lead to an increase in pay, only to feel blindsided when the monetary gain is not as high as they’d hoped. This can cause some nurses to be put off from the idea of upskilling or gaining another qualification. But are there reasons to gain qualifications other than the potential of increased pay?