When I was in sixth form, I went on work experience to my local dental practice. My mum had arranged it through being friends with one of the dental nurses. I had always thought I wanted to try childcare, but with my work experience placement all set up, I thought: why not?

When qualifying as a dental nurse, you passed your exams with flying colours and gained a merit. You are currently studying dental sedation and have recently qualified as a dental radiographer, passing the radiography exam with a grade of outstanding (an amazing achievement). To help inspire and encourage dental nurses who are interested in progressing their careers by taking post-registration qualifications, we would love to know more about you and your career development. We would also like to hear your top tips for studying that helped you to achieve such amazing results.

My name is Chelsea Foster. I have been a registered dental nurse for nine years, and recently reached the end of my contract in the military after nine years’ service. I currently work in a cosmetic dental practice in Durham city centre as a dental nurse and an oral health educator.

You have recently qualified as an orthodontic therapist – big congratulations. To inspire and encourage dental nurses who are interested in training to become orthodontic therapists or who are looking into different areas of career progression, we would love to know more about you, your career development and the courses and training you have completed to help you get where you are today.

Throughout my life, I have had an interest in science, an ever-growing interest in healthcare, and an overwhelming urge to help others. At the tender age of 18, I reached that inevitable time of deciding what I wanted to do with my life. After months of not knowing which career to take and multiple weekends taken up by research and talking with family members (some of whom work in healthcare), I decided that dental nursing was the route for me. Now that I had my mind made up, it was time to search hard for the job that I wanted.