Hi! My name is Tyler-James and I have been a trainee dental nurse for 16 whole months! I am doing dental nursing whilst making my applications for dental school.
The purpose of this blog is to tell you what dental nursing is really like, as someone who has worked as a trainee nurse in 2 practices, that not many people mention.
I don’t know about you, but when I first heard about dental nursing and filled out my applications for trainee nurse positions I thought I would be speaking to patients all day. Now, I wouldn’t say this is the case. Of course you do have many opportunities to talk and interact with patients, but not as much as the average person may think.
Dental nurses do a lot of the background work to ensure that the dental practice runs smoothly. In a lot of cases (especially during check-up’s), you are glued to a computer screen inputting lots of numbers, words, and symbols onto a patient’s records. When a dentist decides to do treatment for a patient, you have to run around the practice finding all the necessary instruments and equipment for that procedure. Sometimes I think how it’ll be so nice to just sit and chat with a patient; I am however carrying out many tasks that are needed to ensure patient and clinician satisfaction. Don’t get me wrong, it’s important of course, but there isn’t as much verbal interactions with patients as one may think.
A lot of people also assume that dental nursing is a glamorous job with cute scrubs and crocs. Sure. Working especially in the NHS as a dental nurse is a very tough job. Time constraints and high needs patients make the job stressful at times. Short appointment times so that clinicians can meet strict NHS targets means that the surgery has to be set-up, treatment carried out and surgery cleaned down in record times! This is all whilst ensuring patient comfort and (occasionally) high needs of the clinician you’re working with.
These challenges with the job, paired with the often low wages of dental nurses can make this career potentially undesirable for some. To be a qualified dental nurse you must study for qualifications, carry out exams and even pay an annual cost to practice as a dental nurse.
Although I have just been moaning and groaning about the tough sides to dental nursing, it is worth mentioning that the job is a great job. The career aspects of the job are great, with many nurses carrying out courses to become advanced practitioners in subjects such as Oral Health Education and Implantology to broaden their dental and healthcare understanding and scope of practice. Some nurses will go to work in management, often managing dental practices or other healthcare sector companies. There are even some which will carry out extra qualifications and study in further education to complete degrees such as Dental Hygiene to become a hygienist and treat patients independently.
When you are working with and assisting a clinician you get on with, it’s a great feeling. The day just runs 10 times more smoothly. It is a great feeling. I am fortunate enough that I have had opportunities to work with some of my favourite clinicians that have taught me so much and shown me a lot of compassion and understanding for my job and the stresses associated with it.
When you do get to talk to patients, it is so lovely to answer any questions they have or even just a simple conversation like asking about their day - it really makes you feel like you are creating a bond with that patient and ensuring that they feel a bit less anxious perhaps of the dentist.
Now, I’m not saying to not become a dental nurse. I am not saying to become a dental nurse either. These are just my experiences of what it has been like as a trainee dental nurse. It is important to do your own research of the career before you go ahead and fill out those application forms. For me, dental nursing has been a great job and has really confirmed my passion for dentistry and dental education.