Dentistry For All

109 Scotland Road
Nelson, BB9 7XH
01282 615070
info @ dentistry4all.com

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VDP Testamonial

by Charlotte Brown, April 2001

I wanted my VT year to give me as wide a range of experience as possible, so that I could develop all the skills I acquired at dental school.  This was my main consideration in choosing a practice, and I was therefore much more interested in the practice itself than its location.

This happened to be the first practice I looked around and I loved it as soon as I saw it.  However, because I had no experience of looking around practices, I made sure I went to other interviews so I could compare the practices and know I was making the right decision.  VT in this practice has been a very steep learning curve and I continue to learn new things everyday.

My confidence in undertaking all clinical procedures has increased tremendously, as have my communication skills.  The main reason for this is my patients.  Many require extensive treatment and are exempt from NHS charges.  I thus have great clinical freedom in choosing the most appropriate treatment options, without having to worry whether the patient can afford the treatment (a bit like dental school!).  I also treat a lot of patients from ethnic minority groups, thus providing great opportunity to develop my communication skills.

Working with 3 other dentists creates a wealth of differing opinions, always helping me make informed clinical decisions.  If my trainer is not available, the principal is always willing to help. All the dentists are keen on postgraduate education.  As a result the materials used, and procedures adopted, are very up to date.

Examples include:

• NiTi rotary instruments and an apex locator for endodontics.
• Piped N2O/O2 to al surgeries so inhalation sedation is always available and easy to administer.  We have also recently acquired a scavenging system for the gases used.
• Training in CPR – the practice has its own mannequins and defibrillator.
• Excellent cross-infection control-sterilisation equipment is isolated to a separate room and a member of staff is employed specifically to prepare instruments.  We have also recently got new uniforms to change into at work, helping even further with cross-infection control.

The working atmosphere is friendly and informal, yet professional.  Some staff have been with the practice for many years, which is a tribute to this positive working environment.

I get on really well with my trainer who is always willing to help with difficult clinical procedures, or just offer an opinion.

I am going to do GPT next year, but if I was to stay in General Practice I’m sure I would be staying here. I thoroughly recommend that you come for a visit and take a look for yourself.