I am a Community Dental Nurse for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. I work within the North Wales Community Dental Service in Wrexham Dental Centre, providing community clinics and services delivered from Ysbwty Maelor Wrexham.
Shan Nash
We are a referral-based service for patients requiring more specialised dental treatment. This includes adults and children in need of special care dentistry, such as those with a range of disabilities and medical complexities; adults and children who have vulnerable social circumstances; and sedation services for phobic patients using Inhalation Sedation and Intravenous Sedation as well as a General Anaesthetic (GA) service.
1. What does your role involve?
My primary role within the service is a GA coordinator. I liaise with Ysbwty Maelor to provide a service for children who require multiple extractions under general anaesthetic and cannot tolerate the treatment within the dental surgery.
During my working week I meet with patients in the dental centre who require a dentist assessment to formulate a consensual treatment plan. Once achieved, I begin the pathway for them to be seen in the hospital setting. This involves my liaising with a multi-disciplinary team comprising anaesthetists, theatre schedulers, theatre staff, children wards and pre-operative assessment clinic staff to arrange for our list to go ahead. Once complete, I arrange the referral, pre-op and anaesthetic appointments on the hospital systems. Once all pre-op appointments have been attended, we then work within the hospital setting once a week to carry out the treatment planned. During the planned treatment, my role is to prepare PPE, instruments and materials needed within the operating theatre. This is completed adhering to all cross infection guidelines. I assist the dentist during the procedure and most importantly, provide reassurance to the patient throughout the process. As many of the children have never been in a hospital before, it is important to provide a safe, calm environment for the children as this offers the best patient experience.
My other responsibilities are as a sedation nurse. I see adult patients who need sedation to have their dental treatment completed. They undergo an initial assessment appointment to see if they are suitable for sedation. During this appointment we gain a medical and social history to determine their suitability for sedation and to ensure appropriate care is in place post sedation. During this process, I make observations and provide written and verbal pre-post operative instructions, whilst acting as a chaperone and supporting patients. Many patients are very anxious about the treatment and require reassurance by addressing all of their concerns. At the sedation appointment, I prepare the dental surgery with equipment and materials needed; welcome and greet the patient; assist the dentist with the administration of the sedation; and monitor, support and care of the patient throughout the appointment.
2. What do you enjoy most about your job?
Meeting and treating patients from all different social backgrounds and being able to assist the dentist with the dental treatment. I enjoy the practical part of organising and delivering the best patient care. Supporting the patients through their journey of treatment and building a relationship with the patients by using my interpersonal skills to encourage a calm environment for treatment to be undertaken. Above all, I enjoy being part of a high-performing team. I have met many different colleagues over the years, many of whom shall be friends for life.
3. How did you get into your role?
I was looking for a career change and found the position of trainee dental nurse on the NHS Wales jobs website. I did some research and applied online. Since qualifying I have also attained a post certification in conscious sedation. The are many other post certifications you can attain to build your career within dental nursing.
4. What kind of person would your job suit?
A personable, compassionate individual who can sympathise with patients who come from varying social settings and may be feeling anxious about treatment. Having good verbal communication skills is a must, as is tact and discretion. You must be disciplined as you will be responsible for ensuring high standards of cleanliness and control of infection. You must be happy to work as part of a team and work independently. You should be curious and want to learn the science behind dentistry, and be willing to keep up to date with any changing GDC standards, guidelines and continue with your professional development. Finally, you should be organised and possess a methodical approach to your work.