How easy was it to adjust to your new practice?
I've been based at a family-run, medium-sized, independent practice on the Isle of Wight, which has been a training practice for several years. It's a very friendly working environment and there's a good patient mix, so there've been plenty of opportunities to get the clinical experience I wanted.
I was able to speak with my supervisors and visit the practice the previous summer to get a feel for the area, be shown round and meet the team, which gave me a head start. I had a formal induction when they gave me a full tour, which introduced me to the team and showed me how things are run.
The one thing I wasn't expecting was the fire drill, which came as a bit of a shock the first time!
What was the best thing about practising independently and what was the most difficult aspect to get used to?
It felt quite surreal to finally call myself a dentist and start work after five years, which actually felt even longer because of the pandemic. It was great to finally use everything I'd learnt to help patients.
The thing I found most rewarding is when someone comes into my room in pain and I can do something so that they feel better when I next see them.
The most difficult thing was going straight from a place where a tutor had to check my work at each stage and we weren't allowed to make decisions alone, to one where supervisors are there to help – but we're expected to make our own decisions. It's a big mental adjustment to start to trust my own judgment when recommending treatment options and discussing them with patients.
Another change to get used to was the consent process. At uni, there was a form-based consent procedure to follow, but in practice, it's more about using my communication skills to talk about the risks and benefits of treatment with patients and ensure they're happy.
How did you handle difficult situations? Did you ever feel a procedure was beyond your expertise?
Throughout this year I've felt comfortable asking my supervisor for help if I'm struggling with a difficult decision. Getting that second opinion and advice from a senior colleague at the beginning was something I could use going forward, and made me feel validated when they were thinking the same.
As the year has gone by, I've become more independent and confident, but I've never shied away from getting help from my supervisors because they've always been responsive and helpful.
I can't hide the fact I look quite young and I'm relatively new, but in general, patients haven’t responded badly when I've said that I was going to get a second opinion about an aspect of their treatment. The more help and advice they can get, the better.
How has your confidence increased over the year when carrying out trickier procedures?
Molar root canals were a big thing for me going into this year because I managed to go through the whole of uni without having the opportunity to do the procedure.
I've now done it multiple times, so I've got a lot more experience and feel like I'm improving and getting quicker, which has given me confidence. I've also done more extractions and crowns too.
How easy was it to fit in study alongside your practice?
I've been lucky that my scheme has a really good and varied programme for study days and I'm in a really nice group. When you're surrounded by colleagues with a lot more experience you can sometimes feel a little isolated from your peers, so it's great to have that dedicated time to come together with others in the same boat. My practice has been really accommodating too.
Did you find it easy to establish a good work-life balance?
I went to dental school in Leeds but I'm originally from Somerset, so I wanted to move closer for my foundation year. I'm living two hours away now and it's convenient for London too.
I'm renting a place on my own, which is a big difference from sharing a house with five other people at uni, but I was excited to be more independent and have my own space.
I had a great time living with my best friends for three years and I could have shared with some of the people on my training scheme, but I think it would have been difficult to switch off after work because that's the one massive thing we all have in common. After talking about dentistry all day, I'm perfectly happy to come home and focus on something else.
Looking back, what have you learnt over your year as a foundation trainee?
Going into this year, I didn't feel 100% confident, although I think after leaving uni we were all asking ourselves whether we were actually ready. But I feel like we're not expected to be confident straight away. It's good to be a bit cautious. You can't force things: you have to get the experience, reflect and learn from what works and the confidence will come.
What are you going to do next and what are your career ambitions?
I'm going to start dental core training (DCT1) and work in a hospital setting. I was keen to stay in this area and had the opportunity to do a taster day at the local hospital when I met the consultants. Everyone was lovely, so I'm really pleased to have secured a place there with a friend from my scheme.
I'm excited to gain experience in different aspects of dentistry and see where it takes me. Even if I end up in general practice, GDPs have an important role in making referrals if they see something suspicious and it helps to have seen the other side.
I'm also thinking about the option of having a special interest or being a specialist, so the DCT1 is the next step towards that goal.
What advice would you give someone who is about to start their foundation year?
It's okay not to feel super confident at the start as that will come. Don't worry too much about treatments that you didn't do at uni because you will get that experience in your foundation year, and your supervisors are there to help.
At the end of the day, communication is a huge part of dentistry, so think about how you can build a good rapport and strong relationships with your patients as that's how you can make them happy. They might not remember exactly what you said, but they will remember how you made them feel.
This page was correct at publication on 19/09/2024. Any guidance is intended as general guidance for members only. If you are a member and need specific advice relating to your own circumstances, please contact one of our advisers.
by Laura Jenkins
Laura Jenkins is a foundation dentist who went to dental school in Leeds.