Dental nurses – get ready to excel in your career!
Featured Products Promotional FeaturesPosted by: Dental Design 19th January 2024
Dental nurses have copious opportunities to advance their skills and take their careers to new heights. Expanding their capabilities into the field of dental implantology can be very rewarding, yet it may seem daunting at the outset. There are various reasons why dental nurses may not be getting as involved with implants as they potentially could and Stacey Sagar is on a mission to change this.
Stacey worked as a dental nurse for 14 years in NHS, private and hospital environments. Her passion for dental implantology drove a move from an NHS practice into hospital and maxillofacial department settings, before she started teaching and mentoring other dental nurses, later working for an implant supply company. Keen to help peers develop their skills in implantology, Stacey says:
“The feedback I often receive from dental nurses is that they don’t understand why they should train with dental implants and they are unsure of how much they can actually do. There is a lot of confusion about what kind of doors this can open.
“In fact, moving into dental implantology can be a massive stepping stone to develop your career as a dental nurse. Being able to support implant treatment commonly earns the dental nurse greater respect and responsibility from the oral surgeon, who better understands the value of their colleague who has advanced their skills. Individuals cannot only facilitate quicker, more efficient surgery, but they can also better support the patient.
“Dental nurses who progress into this career often get a significant boost in confidence too. I have seen dental nurses with decades of experience approach implant training hesitantly, scared that they are not capable of learning something new, but then come out the other side with a renewed love for what they do. There are many transferable skills that dental nurses can take with them into implantology.”
For dental nurses to fully embrace their new role, and for the practice and patients to benefit too, it is just important that principals and associates understand what a dental nurse can do. Stacey continues:
“There is a lack of dentists pushing dental nurses to learn more about implantology. They should be encouraging dental nurses to know everything they can about implants, from the planning to surgery steps, choice of implant, as well as patient communication and consent. Improved teamwork ultimately means best practice protocols are implemented and better patient services for an enhanced treatment journey.”
Recognising the need for access to education in dental implantology for the profession, BDIA Dental Showcase 2024 will be inaugurating the ADI Implantology Zone and Theatre for 2024. Hosted by the Association of Dental Implantology (ADI), an array of implant-dedicated exhibitors will feature their latest products and materials for dental professionals to browse. The educational programme will also cover a vast range of related topics, giving all members of the dental team access to information and advice from experts in the field.
But that won’t be the only place that dental professionals can advance their knowledge and skills in dental implantology. Stacey will be encouraging more dental nurses to get involved with implants, and signposting professionals towards the available career development pathways, during her session at BDIA Dental Showcase 2024. She will be presenting from the Oral Health Theatre, on behalf of the British Association of Dental Nurses (BADN), at 10:45 on Friday 22nd March. About her lecture and the key topics she will be discussing, Stacey comments:
“I will start with an introduction to dental implants, how long the treatment has been around, why the modality is growing faster now than it was 20 years ago and how it makes such a massive impact on patients. I will also explore some of the ways in which dental nurses can be more involved, in more detail. There are many career options available for dental nurses within the implant field, and being aware of all the options is important for individuals to ensure that they design the best pathway for them. I’ll share my own story too so I hope that helps others decide what’s right for them.”
Having attended BDIA Dental Showcase in the past, Stacey reflects on why she’s looking forward to the event on 22nd-23rd March:
“I have always enjoyed BDIA Dental Showcase – I often leave more inspired than ever about being a dental nurse and advancing my career. I’m also thrilled to be talking on behalf of the BADN. I really want to help dental nurses and want to motivate colleagues to take their careers forward. I’m really looking forward to this event!”
BDIA Dental Showcase 2024 will offer plenty of education for dental nurses – and all other members of the dental team – to make the most of. What’s more, the extensive trade exhibition will host hundreds of dental companies demonstrating innovative technologies and cutting-edge materials, demonstrating once again why BDIA Dental Showcase remains the main UK dental exhibition of the year.
Don’t miss out – register today for BDIA Dental Showcase 2024 for free today at https://dental-showcase-2024.reg.buzz/register-free-pr!
BDIA Dental Showcase 2024
22nd-23rd March
ExCeL London
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