Hi, Sophie. You’re another of my fellow second-year Oral Health Science students. Firstly, thank you for taking the time to answer my questions, and big congratulations on getting through your first year of university – you are well on the way to becoming a dental hygienist now! This interview has the aim of finding out a little more about your experiences as a dental nurse and how you managed the transition from full-time work to full-time study. Hopefully it will help others who are also thinking about returning.

Sophie, you’re currently studying Oral Health Science at the University of Essex and are now in your second year. You finished your first year with an amazing result and earned yourself a place on the Dean’s list of academic excellence. Congratulations! You were a head dental nurse in a practice in London for seven years before applying for dental hygiene, so this interview will be asking some questions to inspire those who are thinking about a career as a dental hygienist – the aim is to get them thinking about what sorts of things they may need to do to get to that point. We want to know all about what made you choose this career and how you started on the path towards it.

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.