S4 EP6: Academia for the Dental Team with Dr Debbie Reed
Nov 20, 2023
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Dr Debbie Reed, a senior lecturer at the University of Kent, shares her inspiring journey from the Royal Navy to academia. She discusses the importance of leadership and teamworking, her personal achievements, and the unconventional routes taken by dental care professionals in pursuing postgraduate training. Debbie also highlights the positive impact of academic qualifications in career progression and the excitement of investigating dental history.
Debbie Reed's inspiring career journey demonstrates the importance of dedication and perseverance in pursuing a career in dental nursing and academia.
Further postgraduate education is crucial for dental care professionals (DCPs) to advance their careers, showcase their effectiveness, and make meaningful contributions to the dental field.
Deep dives
Debbie Reed's Incredible Dental Nurse Journey
Debbie Reed, a dental nurse with a unique background, shares her inspiring career story. Starting in the Navy, Reed discovered her passion for dentistry while living with dental professionals. Despite initial educational obstacles, she pursued dental nursing by attending college night school and retaking exams. Not only did she excel as a dental nurse, but she also became a leader and educator, teaching and mentoring junior dental nurses in the Navy. Eventually, she transitioned to academia, joining the University of Kent as a senior lecturer. Reed's dedication to education led her to earn a master's in human resource development and a professional doctorate from Nottingham University. She helped create undergraduate and postgraduate programs for dental care professionals and champions the importance of meaningful work and career progression within the dental field.
Empowering Dental Care Professionals Through Education
Debbie Reed highlights the importance of education for dental care professionals (DCPs) and the need for more postgraduate opportunities. As the dental profession expands, with an increased focus on dental hygienists and therapists, DCPs require further education to demonstrate their effectiveness and advancement. Reed encourages DCPs to consider postgraduate courses that align with their interests, providing them with research skills and knowledge to advance their careers. She emphasizes the impact that talented and motivated DCPs can have on the dental sector and highlights the benefits of pursuing postgraduate education, including having a structured career pathway, feeling valued as part of the team, and making meaningful contributions to the field.
Future Trends in DCP Education
Debbie Reed discusses the future of education for dental care professionals (DCPs). She foresees an increased focus on developing undergraduate and postgraduate courses tailored specifically for DCPs across all specialty areas. Reed believes allowing DCPs to pursue part-time PhDs and professional doctorates within reputable dental schools would further enhance their education and career opportunities. She underscores the need for a career structure within the dental profession to retain talented and motivated DCPs. Additionally, she emphasizes how DCPs' contributions, backed by research and higher education, can lead to positive changes in dental practice and advance the field as a whole.
Dr. Debbie Reed's Continuing Impact
Looking towards the future, Dr. Debbie Reed plans to focus on her roles as Honorary Vice President of the British Dental Hygiene and Therapy Society and Chair of the Dental Nurse and Orthodontic Therapy Faculty at the College of General Dentistry. She aims to continue her research on dental nursing and contribute to publications in the field. Reed also has aspirations to write a book based on her thesis and speak at events to shed light on the history and evolution of dental nursing. Her dedication to leadership, education, and research will leave a lasting impact on the dental profession, supporting the growth and recognition of dental care professionals.
This week Josh and Julia chat with Dr Debbie Reed. Debbie, who started off in the Royal Navy, discusses the educational journey that helped her develop her career as a dental nurse. She is now a Reader at the University of Kent, has researched and contributed to many publications, and in 2021 received the Janet Goodwin Dental Care Professional Award from the Royal College of Surgeons Faculty of General Dental Practice. To find out more about her inspirational career, make sure to tune into Episode 6 of The Eastman Dental Podcast on your favourite streaming platform.
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