On completion of foundation training newly qualified dentists have many choices to face that will be pivotal in shaping their future careers.
Nafiza Jamil was in such a position in 2013 when she completed her VT year after graduating from Manchester University. She was not sure what kind of practice she wanted to work in, and was apprehensive about how many UDAs she would be capable of delivering.
Opportunity
When attending a dental conference Nafiza heard about the position of ‘regional dentist’ at IDH. The role
provided an alternative to entering an associateship. It offered young dentists the opportunity to work in a diverse
array of practices gaining valuable chair-time whilst learning from the wealth of experience present in a range of practices, and all without the pressures of strict targets or the investment a long term location requires. Nafiza explains, “It was a bit like test driving a car before you buy it.” The role provides a stable and enriching environment in which to explore the available options and discover what works best for the individual dentist.
There is certainly a degree of antipathy towards corporate dentistry in some quarters today. Nafiza was aware of this from her undergraduate days where she encountered efforts to discourage students from corporate routes; ultimately this did not dissuade her and she applied for the job. Nafiza now advises other young dental students not to close themselves off to opportunity explaining: “Everybody should just keep an open mind. There is good and bad everywhere, but as long as you stick with your own morals and principles you decide what kind of dentist you are going to be, nobody else.”
Regional dentist positions are usually long term, often covering a resident practitioner’s holiday or maternity leave or acting as a stand-in whilst a permanent dentist is recruited. Nafiza’s longest placement has spanned nearly a year and occupies two days per week; the shortest was just two weeks to cover a dentist on holiday. For a two week placement the practice receptionists will often schedule only routine check-ups for the first week and then leave time available in the second week to facilitate any treatments that arise as necessary. In this way they ensure a consistent standard of care in the absence of the regular dentist. In a longer placement the regional dentist assumes the role completely and can offer any and all treatment within the remit of their skill. In many ways a typical day as a regional dentist is indistinguishable from that of a general practice.
It is generally, and incorrectly, believed by many that this type of role consists of emergency dentistry only; Nafiza is keen to dispel this myth and explained how the regional dentist role gives her access to all treatments she is qualified to provide, and has helped her to develop a full range of clinical skills.
Travelling to different practices affords the opportunity to experience a wide range of instruments, materials, technologies and techniques that would not be possible working in a single practice as an associate. Nafiza has also benefitted from the diversity of her patients. During her two years of employment as a regional dentist she has encountered patients from all walks of life. Her confidence in treating individuals from different cultures has grown as she has had to deal with overcoming language barriers as well as delivering dramatically different levels of care
requirements. Developing well informed and tested equipment preferences and an ability to adapt to the needs of a diverse population is something Nafiza believes will be invaluable to her future career.
Challenge
Arriving at a new practice is not without its difficulties. Acquainting oneself with unfamiliar equipment and nursing styles can be challenging, however, for Nafiza the hardest part of her job is leaving a practice and the relationships built with colleagues and patients. The regional dentist role can grant access to a considerable resource for networking for those inclined to make use of it, but Nafiza believes it is also important to consider the human aspect and the emotional cost of changing working environments often. Even in short-term placements she has found it easy to build effective relationships with patients and to feel settled into practice teams. She explains: “You can build a rapport with a patient in a short space of time as long as you are upfront and honest.” Practice staff are typically relieved to see a regional dentist as they are fundamentally another pair of hands; Nafiza is usually welcomed warmly and said that she has always felt valued at each practice.
Nafiza feels lucky to have had the opportunity to work with dental care professionals who have qualified from
all around the country and around the world. From everyone that she has worked with she has learnt something she didn’t know before, from clinical tips and tricks to advice about regulation or CPD resources.
For Nafiza, the variety and advantages of the role are still right for her at this time, however, having found one role that she loves she is likely to become permanent in that practice three days a week. In the remaining two days per week she will continue to be a regional dentist, gaining experience and knowledge of the industry, until she finds the perfect practice with which to become permanent.