‘More determined than ever’ – one journey from dental nurse to dentist

Nicole Walker opens up about her ongoing passage from dental nanny to dentist- and why she will never give up.

I have been a dental nurse for more than five years. I started my apprenticeship at 17, having studied one year of A Levels and feeling as though I choice the wrong topics. When scrolling through activities, I been identified for dental harbour. I are believed to myself:’ I’ll give this a go, and if I don’t like it, I’ll try A levels again.’

I had never considered a job within dentistry! But I got the job and from my first day shadowing in surgery, I encountered my true-life announcing. I immediately met fascination for this industry, every day becoming increasingly eager to learn. I picked the character up quite well, and still to this day enjoy all aspects of the job.

In particular, I like crown lotions as I enjoy desegregating, and I find seed canal medication exceedingly fascinating. This isn’t something I hear numerous nannies say! Shortly into my apprenticeship and studying for my diploma in dental nurse, I realised I missed more involvement in patient care. I started to look into pathways of moving up in the world of dentistry.

Why not dentistry?

I considered additional nursing diplomata such as radiography, sedation, impres taking, and fluoride lotion. I too looked into dental hygiene and rehabilitation. Peers often asked me:’ Why not study dentistry ?’ I replied with the same response each time:’ Don’t be ridiculous, I’m not smart-alecky enough.’

Coming to the end of my certificate, I decided I wanted to study hygiene and therapy. But I persist to wet-nurse for a few years to gain some ordeal. Around two years passed and I converted practise to be closer to home. While at this practice, I applied for college to study an Access to Higher education qualification in biochemistry, as this would rectified me up neatly for dental hygiene and therapy.

During my work process, my rule situated me in surgery full day with one of the affiliates I hadn’t really worked with. As the weeks went on working with this dentist, I perceived myself inviting him more questions. I wanted to know intricate details of what he was doing, what he was diagnosing, care alternatives etc. He was always happy to explain to me and school me his ways and means to thinking.

The constant inquiring into diagnosis and more complex treatment concluded me realise maybe hygiene and regiman wasn’t enough for me either. I is ready to originate my own decisions, design my own care, and have the ultimate responsibility of patient care.

Incredible fervour

The dentist in question is the best I’ve worked with in my five years of nursing- I cannot fault him. His standard of treatment, caution, moralities, communication and passion is absolutely astounding. It is through encouraging him chair-side and drawing lessons from him that caused me to do dentistry and begin my tour to BDS. I’m hoping to be like him when I graduate!

I applied to four universities for dentistry. I sat my UCAT admittances exam and got a decent score, but regrettably not as high-pitched as I would have liked. Three universities rebuffed me, based on competitiveness and my UCAT score. The fourth university( the one I demanded the most) supported my application until late on deadline date to give out offers and, unhappily, repudiated me due to number of places.

They did, however, render me an alternative degree to study for one year while reapplying for dentistry if I please. The hardest part of this process was the refusals and feeling as though maybe I was right- maybe I’m not good enough to do this. After some time to think, I decided to accept the offer, to study cellular and molecular prescription in Bristol and I would reapply for dentistry.

More adjudicated than ever

I have sat my UCAT exam for the second time recently, and tallied much better than last year. I have graduated college with 45 differences, likening to 3 A *. I’m now in the process of preparing to move away to start my alternative stage, while also preparing my employment once again.

If any dental nannies are speaking this and want to study dentistry- but are doubting themselves- DO IT! I devoted so long telling myself I wasn’t good enough. I know I am wrong now and I’m most determined than ever!

Also, don’t let coronavirus put you off. I “ve heard of” beings being put off from dentistry following the COVID-1 9 pandemic, which is somewhat understandable. My devotion to this career cannot be overridden , no matter what impediment I face along the way.

Pandemic or not, I will get there in the end. I am especially interested in periodontics and restorative dentistry, and hope to specialise in one of these areas in the future formerly graduated!

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