S4 EP2: The Making of a Happy Dental Nurse with Jennifer Lonsdale
Oct 23, 2023
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Jennifer Lonsdale, an experienced dental nurse with a background in facial aesthetics and dermatology, discusses her transition from a small family dental practice to a bustling London teaching hospital. She explores the differences in dental work environments and shares insights on working in hospitals, general practices, and private specialist practices. Lonsdale also discusses the additional skills she has acquired in implant and surgical nursing, as well as advice for starting a dental nursing career and pursuing training in oral health promotion.
The transition from a small family dental practice to a bustling hospital can be shocking, but with a supportive team and mentor, it can lead to great professional growth.
Embracing post-qualification training opportunities, such as oral health education and impression-taking, can broaden a dental nurse's skill set and enhance patient care.
Deep dives
Jennifer Lonsdale's Start in Dentistry
Jennifer Lonsdale stumbled into dentistry after seeing a job ad for a trainee dental nurse. She started working in a small family dental practice near her hometown and immediately found a supportive and welcoming team. Although she didn't have a specific career goal in mind, she enjoyed her role as a dental nurse and appreciated the positive dental experiences she had as a child.
Transition to London Dental Hospital
Wanting more opportunities for career progression, Jennifer made the transition from general dental practice to a teaching hospital in London. She received support from her previous employer, who understood her desire for growth. Jennifer took the leap, went through the recruitment process, and moved to London. Initially, the transition was shocking, going from a small practice to a bustling hospital. However, Jennifer was fortunate to work with a great team and had a mentor who greatly influenced her dental journey.
Working in Different Dental Environments
Jennifer has worked in various dental settings, including general dental practice, a private specialist practice, and a dental hospital. Each environment had its unique experiences and benefits. In general dental practice, she witnessed close-knit teams and developed strong relationships with patients. At the hospital, she felt part of a larger unit, assisting with complex cases and establishing herself professionally. In her current role at a periodontal practice, she finds great satisfaction working alongside a highly skilled team and being involved in treatment coordination.
Post-Qualification Training and Career Advice
Jennifer has pursued several post-qualification training opportunities, including oral health education, fluoride varnish application, impression-taking, and implant surgical nursing. She strongly recommends dental nurses to embrace these add-ons to expand their skills and provide more comprehensive care to patients. Jennifer emphasizes the importance of taking advantage of career opportunities, being kind and respectful towards colleagues, and utilizing everyone's strengths as a team to achieve the best outcomes for both patients and the dental team.
Starting in a small family dental practice before being thrust into a bustling London teaching hospital, Jennifer picked up post qualifications in OHE, impression taking and implant nursing. She briefly left dentistry and headed into facial aesthetics, adding dermatology and cannulation to her arsenal of skills. However, she soon realised her true passion lay in dentistry, which she now discusses with Julia and Josh.
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