Laura Thorne shares her experience of having to make that ever so tough decision of deciding what to do after dental foundation training. In this article she discusses the different options that are available to dental graduates.
So the final few months of your first year as a qualified dentist are coming to an end and you have a big decision to make. Do you stay in practice, work abroad or perhaps do an oral and maxillofacial surgery SHO post? In dentistry we are very lucky to have so many options available to us, however sometimes this may make the decision harder!
Staying in practice is a very attractive thought for many dentists. You can be your own boss. There is freedom of working hours, job security and the financial benefits also. An important question to ask yourself is - How long do you think you could see yourself in practice? If you would only want to be in practice for a couple of years, then perhaps a different career pathway may suit you more.
Oral and Maxillofacial
An Oral and Maxillofacial surgery post can open so many doors in the world of dentistry. I did a year at the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham and I am really pleased that I did. I was exposed to a side of dentistry and medicine that I had only ever read about in books or been taught in lectures. Although initially a little daunting and with a steep learning curve, it can be an extremely rewarding option.
As an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery SHO you can gain experience in surgical extractions, oncology cases, orthognathic surgery, management of medical emergencies and involvement in multidisciplinary team meetings. You will also work in A&E managing patients with dental trauma, facial swellings and lacerations. The skills in doing this post are very transferable to any future time in practice that you may have. You will be better equipped to confidently and competently deal with the wide range of patients and dental emergencies that may walk through your door at any time.
Being On-Call
Don't let the thought of the unknown or doing on-call put you off, it quickly becomes very familiar and there is a lot of support from registrars, consultants and of course the other SHOs in your department. My first day on-call was definitely nerve wracking and I quickly learnt that organisation and communication are the key components to a successful on-call. My top tip would be to carry a small notebook with you to help you keep track of all wards, patients in your care and phone numbers that you need!
Specialist Training
If you were considering applying to specialist training in paediatric dentistry, restorative dentistry, orthodontics or oral surgery, for example, then a role as a Maxillofacial SHO is highly likely to be an essential post to have completed prior to higher training. Even if you aren't completely certain that a dental specialty training pathway is for you, you will learn so much from an oral and maxillofacial surgery post. You never know when the newly acquired skills and knowledge will come in handy!
General dental practice will always be there. So keep your career options open, expand you CV and explore an area of dentistry that may open your eyes to something new.
Laura Thorne