After becoming unwell and being treated for anorexia in hospital, it wasn’t until the occupational therapist caring for Abbey said to her: “You have nice teeth – what about dentistry?” That she started to explore the idea.
Abbey joined the dental team as an apprentice 8 years ago, and after 18 months she qualified as a dental nurse and has never looked back. She describes herself as a ‘people person’ and loves to come to work, and in her words: “it isn’t about the teeth, it is about the people.”
Tell us a little bit about your role, what does it entail?
As a dental nurse, I assist the dentist and make sure they have everything they need. It is a little different to being in a practice here in the emergency dental clinic, as often I am caring for more vulnerable patients. We also work alongside student dentists in their final year too, assisting them in the clinic.
I am often running around doing all the tasks that you don’t often see behind the scenes, such as finding out what medication is needed, determining treatments, carrying out bloods. I have recently passed my radiology qualification, so I can also assist with carrying out X-rays for patients. I also help the dentist to determine the best course of action based on the history of the patient.
I am just such a people person. I am the joker at work; I make people laugh. I get a huge sense of gratification from making people smile and laugh. Often I get told to shut up as I am interfering with treatment!
People are sometimes scared when they come in for treatment, but my job is done when they leave happy. It isn’t about the teeth, it is about the people
How long have you worked at the Trust / when did you qualify?
I was in Darlington Hospital with anorexia at the time, and when I was talking to the occupational therapist who was looking after me about what I was going to do next, she said: “Well you have nice teeth – what about dentistry?” I thought, well I have always enjoyed going to the dentist.
My occupational therapist went and found job online for Newcastle’s apprenticeship programme and it all went from there really. I didn’t have any interest in it to start, it was just a comment about my teeth!
I am trained in ballroom and Latin and when I went I was little I went to Blackpool to dance in shows. When I was older I joined a youth dance company and I travelled the world. I started to teach dancing too and have won awards for this. But, I didn’t want to go back into dancing as I thought it may risk a relapse in my anorexia – but the love for dancing is still there.
What are your interests outside of work?
For me at the moment my focus is spending as much time with my family. I have a little toddler and we don’t get much time outside of work. She is still so little, so I am concentrating on her and family time.
I am a sporty person and I like my fitness. Swimming was a massive part of me – I swam competitively and I was still swimming up to a few weeks before I had my daughter! I enjoy going to Zumba too, anything like that. I enjoy staying active.
What would you say to someone who is interested in progressing a similar career?
I would say speak to people in the dentist industry. I didn’t realise how much actually went on inside a dental hospital. It is a totally different atmosphere and so many different things go on in a hospital than in a practice.
Dive in feet first and be a ‘yes’ person. Working in the NHS opened my eyes and gave me opportunities that I didn’t know about. It is nice to see apprentices come through the doors now. A lot comment that they didn’t expect it to be like this, but they love it.
The NHS helped me a lot and a part of me wanted to give back. Without the NHS I would be in a worse situation.
