Working as a foundation dentist

After graduating from Cardiff University School of Dentistry I embarked on entering the big bad world of work.

I had secured a place on the Dental Foundation Training year 1 Cardiff South Scheme with a year post at a busy mixed NHS / private practice in Barry, also known as "Gavin and Stacey" land. I was very lucky that I was not the only Dental Foundation Trainee at the Dental Practice; there was also someone from my Dental Year embarking on the same journey.

The opportunity to treat my own patients was fantastic. My Dental Foundation Trainer (the practice principal) helped mentor with any problems and was always on hand to help discuss any tricky treatment plans. The Dental Foundation Training year 1 also included 30 study days. These study days consisted of a full day programme on a Friday in a hospital setting where we had lectures, presentations from a designated speaker, hands on practical work. One of the highlights of the hands on practical work was the opportunity to practise surgical extractions and surgical suture work on pig's heads. (See attached picture). Turns out the oral surgeon who was taking the course that day also worked as a farmer, and these were pigs that once lived on his farmland! Needless to say, no one could quite stomach any bacon or gammon for lunch that day from the hospital canteen.

During my Dental Foundation Training year my "Cardiff South Scheme' also had the opportunity to visit the General Dental Council and the Dental Protection Offices in London for a long weekend. On this trip to London we witnessed part of a Fitness to Practise Case at the General Dental Council, saw an old (non electrical) antique dental chair complete with a wheel to make the drill mechanism work and were introduced to the BDA Museum and Library.

Before completing Dental Foundation Training Year One I was required to complete a presentation Case Study on a patient I had treated during my time in Barry. This was satisfying but also nerve-wracking! I presented the case to a room of about 25 dentists and there were questions about my Case after the presentation. Luckily I could answers them and everyone in my Scheme passed the Dental Foundation Training year 1.

At the end of the Dental Foundation Training Year all the Trainees went to Manchester for the British Dental Association Conference for the weekend. This was a great weekend that included dental presentations, CPD hours, lots of freebies (toothpaste, toothbrushes, pens, notepads galore), the opportunity to visit trade plentiful trade stands, network with other dental professionals and meet other dentists. It was especially nice to be able to see my past fellow dental students from my dental year in Cardiff; people that I may have not seen since I qualified from Cardiff University. The British Dental Association Conference finished with an excellent Gangsters and Molls themed dental Ball - a night of fantastic food, wine and dancing.

The author has asked to remain anonymous