At {my}dentist we are one big family

Associate Dentist, Dr Faith Iwu, has never felt alone at {my}dentist, least of all during the pandemic. We all need a strong support network to lean on and that’s exactly what she’s come to rely on from what she fondly calls her ‘big {my}dentist family’.

“I first joined {my}dentist nine years ago as a locum dentist. I was studying towards my MSc in Dental Public Health and with {my}dentist I could work when I wanted and because of its network of practices I could also work where it suited me.

“I could see the extensive support they offered their staff and clinicians. It was a great first impression. I knew then where I would go if I ever needed to return fully to general practice. Which is exactly what I did.”

In 2015, after working as a senior dental officer with the NHS and teaching dental students, Faith returned as an associate with {my}dentist.

Fast forward to 2020 and when Covid-19 hit, the support that had attracted Faith to {my}dentist became even more evident.

“Despite all the uncertainty, {my}dentist did a fantastic job keeping every member of the team informed and reassured. We received regular broadcasts and email updates from the business. We had frequent group video chats, discussions on practice WhatsApp groups and a Facebook page so we could keep in touch and support one another. I never felt I was alone.

“We were also encouraged to email the CEO, Tom Riall, with any questions we had. When the Government announced that people in the BAME community were at higher risk of infection I emailed Tom to ask him if it could be discussed on an upcoming video meeting as it was something I was anxious about. His reply and the quick response of the {my}dentist team to keep everyone safe meant a great deal to me. I felt valued and cared for.”

During the lockdown Faith’s practice became an urgent dental centre (UDC) which gave her the opportunity to provide face-to-face emergency care.

“I felt safe to go back to work because {my}dentist had planned everything around keeping us and patients safe – and while I’ve heard stories of some clinicians having to buy their own PPE, that wasn’t the case at {my}dentist.”

Something Faith says she has always felt supported by {my}dentist with is her own personal career development and that has continued regardless of the pandemic.

“During lockdown, the {my}dentist Academy courses were made free. I took advantage of this. In fact, I think I must have completed around 3-years’ worth of CPD in just 3-months! “Personal development is so important to me. My special interest is in Removable Prosthodontics and through {my}dentist I completed Denture Excellence training. To my surprise, {my}dentist also supported me with a box full of everything I needed to put my training into use straightaway. Just doing that alone, has had a massive impact on the growth of my practice.”

Since lockdown eased Faith has found a lot of joy in seeing her patients again and giving them back their smiles.

“For those patients who have experienced lockdown without dentures, giving them back their ability to eat properly and their self-confidence is simply great.

“Things may be different now because of Covid-19 but that same sense of achievement remains for me as a dentist due to the great support network I have with {my}dentist.

“I’m proud to be a part of the big {my}dentist family and how we support each other and our patients.”

When clinicians join the team at {my}dentist they don’t just become part of the largest network of dental practices in the UK, they also become part of one of the largest support networks too.

From a dedicated Patient Support team, to a team of clinician support managers and directors on hand for mentoring, development and guidance, through to regional area management, legal, human resources, a training academy and marketing – you name it the support is there.

Visit www.mydentistcareers.co.uk for more stories of how {my}dentist has supported its team during the pandemic.

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