Dental nursing is very hard work (Dental Nurses)

Member Name: Mioliere

Product:	Dental Nurses
Date:	21/07/08 (1271 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Helping people

Disadvantages: Long hours, lots of effort for low pay

Dental nursing, in the NHS in particular, is very hard work with long hours and a lot of walking. I covered many miles a day in my last position. The practice was in a run-down area with many patients who lacked education in even the most basic dental care so we had lots of fillings and extractions to carry out on very young children because their parents had no understanding of how diet can affect the teeth, especially in growing chldren. My job had as much to do with teaching the prevention of dental problems as helping the dentist to put them right.

The pay is usually quite poor for the effort demanded and I often worked overtime without being asked simply because, at 'going-home' time there was still a patient in the chair and, of course, you cannot stop treatment simply because the clock says 5.30pm.

When I first started dental nursing I didn't think I would last long because it is quite a distasteful job really but you do get used to the not so pleasant tasks. The most rewarding part of the job was helping someone who walked in through the door in great pain and left pain free having had the required treatment. The most unrewarding part, apart from the low pay, was the number of children in desperate need of a parent who would ensure that they had a healthy diet. I found it depressing to see a child in pain when it was not their own fault but that of their parents.

It is an essential and valuable occupation - it's a shame that the pay does not reflect this but I do know some dental nurses who have remained in this line of work for years so it must suit some people.

For anyone considering dental nursing I would simply warn them that it is not an easy job.

Summary: Only for the most committed