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.

I left school at sixteen and knew that moving away to attend university wasn’t right for me, although I was unsure what career path I wished to take. I decided to attend a local college and study an HNC in Administration and Information Technology. My HNC was completed a year later and I began a job as an administration and accounts assistant in a local business.

Clutching onto the results paper and reading my grades over and over, I was thrilled that I was leaving school with 9 GCSEs. But it suddenly hit me: I was now an adult and my journey was just about to begin.