I have been a dental nurse for thirteen years now. I started following my vocation by becoming a trainee dental nurse at Bristol Dental Hospital. I feel lucky to have started my career in this way as I could see and train in all aspects of dental nursing – including paediatrics, oral surgery, orthodontics and restorative work. This stood me in good stead for my future profession in dental nursing.

I’ve just completed Year One Term One as a student dental hygienist at the University of Essex. What a crazy term it has been – moving in, making new friends, working at a new practice, attending lectures, writing essays, and taking gateway tests, practical examinations and written examinations. Life as a trainee dental hygienist has just begun.

A question I am often asked, even after twenty-seven years in the dental field, is: “Why did you become a dental nurse?” It is something I often ask my co-workers, and the reply I often get is: “It was something to do,” or “I just applied and got the job”. So how did I become a dental nurse? My journey began after I left college in 1989 and realised, after work experience in a veterinary practice, that becoming a vet or a veterinary nurse was not the career path for me (as a great animal lover, I struggled with the emotional detachment needed to perform duties to my best ability).  From my work experience, I identified that I enjoyed working in a clinical environment, dealing with the public and building a relationship with my clients. 

I started dental nursing when I was eighteen. Before this, I completed an NVQ Level 2 in childcare, but I didn’t feel challenged enough by it. I knew I wanted to care for people and make a difference. One day, I was sitting with my Nan, pondering which career path to choose. She said, ‘Em – you have got great teeth. Why not dental nursing?’. Before then, I had never even considered it. But funnily enough, the week after that I saw a nearby job opportunity as a trainee dental nurse – so I went for it.  

After leaving school at sixteen and not knowing what career path to take, I got a job in retail. I took the opportunity to complete NVQs made available to me through the company and worked my way up from being a part-time sales assistant to become store manager. Like many high street stores, the company began closing down shops – five within a thirty-mile radius of where I was positioned. I took this as my cue to start thinking about a change of career.