Since Feb 2015 to date, I have been providing my services as a Locum Dental Hygienist, within the private sector (NHS and private) and MOD.

This role involves travelling to various Dental Practices and covering manning shortfalls as required. My exceptional organisation skills, punctuality and communication skills have been invaluable in stepping into this new employment module.

A steep learning curve at first, this role demanded I adapt my modus operandi to accommodate a wide spectrum of patients, with varying clinical needs and demands. Unlike my previous work in the MOD, in the private sector, I was exposed to patients of different ages, patients with a complex medical history, patients requesting aesthetic procedures not provided by my previous employer and direct access patients.

Though mentally and physically tasking at first, these were opportunities to learn and reflect on ways to improve my service provision and, as I tackled the new challenges, I was pleasantly surprised to find, my clinical and customer service skills superseded my own expectations. I was recipient of very good feedback from my temporary employers and their respective customers/patients.

During this period, I also familiarised myself with the different dental software, in use outside the MOD. I am now competent in the use of R4, SOE, and iSmile

Between May 2013 and February 2015 I was employed as a Dental Hygienist within the MOD as a serving member of the armed forces.

Operating from dental centre Ripon, I was solely responsible for dental hygiene treatment in 5 MOD dental centres: Ripon, Harrogate, Topcliffe, Dishforth and York with an approximate patient population of 3000. My roles and responsibilities included:

• Arranging scheduled visits to the above mentioned dental centres and providing: non-surgical dental hygiene treatment, oral hygiene instructions and any other appropriate clinical procedures within the GDC Dental Hygienists’ scope of practice.

• Working closely within a multi-disciplinary team with MOD dentists and enhanced dental practitioners to provide dental hygiene treatments prior to, during and post complex dental treatment such as orthodontic treatment and dental implants. This enabled our patients to maintain a high standard of oral hygiene through the treatment plan, an integral part of successful complex dental treatment. I have also built on my efficiency skills and optimised my clinical documentation skills.

• Primary provider of sports gum shields and bruxism guards at dental centre Ripon. Taking on these extra responsibilities enabled the Dentist to concentrate on the primary objective of improving the fitness state of the patient population at this site.

• Taking dental radiographs for diagnostic and treatment purposes.

• Organising oral health promotion events in my capacity as the Lead Oral Health Coordinator (LOHC) for the aforementioned dental centres.

• Providing administrative support such as booking patients in, booking out documents for patients who have been posted to other dental centres and casting dental impressions in slots where patients fail to attend and where any gaps on my day book afforded me time to do so.

During my posting at Dental Centre Ripon, I maintained a top third productivity position among all DDS dental hygienist as evidenced by my clinical scores.