Before joining Smile Together, I completed my foundation training and DCT1 hospital training in Yorkshire, followed by a year working in a hospital in Dorset. After that, I decided to move to Cornwall for the lifestyle – my husband is Cornish, and we wanted to settle somewhere with a slower pace of life. It was a natural move to transition from the hospital to unscheduled care, rather than jumping straight into general practice.

At Smile Together, I primarily focus on unscheduled dental care, which has been a fantastic opportunity for me to hone my oral surgery skills. Working in such a dynamic environment, where you have to think on your feet, has really sharpened my patient management skills. It has made me a more well-rounded clinician overall.

The role also led me to special care dentistry, and this has been an exciting path of development. I’m currently undergoing general anaesthetic training, which has allowed me to grow my skills even further. I’m also hoping to go to Bristol to do my PGCert in conscious sedation, with support from Smile Together.

One of the challenges of working in Cornwall is that it’s a deprived population with many anxious and medically compromised patients. We have a lot of individuals from difficult backgrounds, such as refugees or members of the traveller community, who have often been left out of the healthcare system. It’s so rewarding to help these patients build confidence in receiving treatment, not just getting them out of pain quickly.

The experience of working in unscheduled dental care has massively improved my confidence in oral surgery, as well as in diagnosing pain and creating treatment options for anxious or medically complex patients. You often have to think outside the box to figure out the best way forward, and that has made me much more confident in offering treatment options and suggesting the best course of action.

One of the things I love most about working at Smile Together is the team – they’re fantastic and so supportive. Even when it’s been a tough day, we always manage to have a laugh together. There are also amazing development opportunities here. For example, I attended the EOA conference, which really helped me feel like part of the company. We are truly employee-owned, and I feel like my voice can be heard, especially with our Shareholder Impact Board where you can have a say in how the company is run.

If you’re considering working for Smile Together, I would highly recommend it. It’s a great place for developing clinical skills, with a fantastic work-life balance. The lifestyle here is ideal, especially if you enjoy the outdoors, and it offers more family time. There are also plenty of opportunities to grow and develop in other areas with Smile Together’s support.

Outside of work, I enjoy running and spending time with my husband and family.