“After leaving high school with low confidence and limited career trajectory, dedicating myself to this course has allowed me to achieve what is recognised as a worldwide skill.”
Jaimee Mitchell, now a GDC-qualified Dental Nurse at Bupa Dental Care in Penarth, Wales, shares her journey through the Tempdent Level 3 Dental Nurse Apprenticeship. Her experience provides valuable insights for aspiring Dental Nurses and managers looking to develop talent through this course.
Jaimee says:
I chose my Apprenticeship because working within dentistry and a clinical environment has always been my dream since a young age. As a girl I used to find myself watching the Dental Nurse at my checkups, and was fascinated by what they did, especially when charting teeth!
In school I was not academic and did not receive the grades I needed to work in dentistry. I knew Sixth Form was not an option as I did not want to progress my education in school due to being bullied.
I saw a Trainee Dental Nurse role advertised online and did not think I would even get close to being offered the role. I sent in my CV and the day I was offered the trainee role was the best feeling I could ever have imagined.
Since starting my Tempdent Apprenticeship at Bupa Dental Care, I have developed so much knowledge and gained so many new skills. Aside from the practical skills to become a qualified Dental Nurse, I have also developed organisation skills, attention to detail, and the importance of a routine.
My Apprenticeship journey has enabled me to broaden my own personal belief in my abilities. After leaving high school with low confidence and limited career trajectory, dedicating myself to this course has allowed me to achieve what is recognised as a worldwide skill.
Do you think your Apprenticeship has benefitted your workplace?
Yes, by completing the Level 3 Dental Nurse Apprenticeship, I now successfully fulfil an essential role that contributes to the overall running of the practice.
Specific skills that benefit my practice and patients are my vigilance and attention to detail. For example, the importance of efficiently reporting safeguarding concerns, equipment malfunctions and health and safety issues. Understanding the potential ripple effects of overlooking these pivotal details allows the Practice Manager and business to provide a safe working environment and quality patient care.
Whilst on my Apprenticeship, I put myself forward to obtain additional Dental Nurse experiences by working alongside Oral Surgeons and Paediatric Clinicians, while also supporting Social Orthodontics in a range of dental practices across different communities. During this time, I also grew a support network, by arranging revision/ coffee get-togethers with fellow Trainee Dental Nurses of the business.
I have also become a Practice Representative. This allows me to consider different perspectives from numerous roles, experiences, and backgrounds. Listening to the thoughts, feelings, and opinions of those around me has also broadened my outlook on the impact we can make as individuals, a team, and a business to our local community.
My personal performance is also based on a foundation of caring for others and by fulfilling a Dental Nursing role and achieving my qualification, I believe my purpose and place in the world is to uphold a comforting, dedicated and willing role in a clinical environment.
For the future, I wish to blossom as a Dental Nurse and continue to use my skills and knowledge within the dental practice. I wish to continue putting smiles on patients faces and ensure they receive high quality patient centred care.
