Absolute Success

When I look back I would never have seen myself as a dental nurse, as like a lot of people in this world I was fairly nervous of going to the dentist and to consider being in such an environment for 8 hours 5 day's a week would have filled me with horror!
However when I was "head hunted" and given the opportunity to start a completely new career I jumped at the chance.

I had being previously been stuck in a job and this was just the push I needed to do something different and get my mind working again.

When I had my interview with Emma she really put me through my paces, at Absolute Dental we pride ourselves on giving great customer service, so when Emma experienced, my gentle , caring nature she couldn't help but offer me the job!

I was excited and daunted by the fact I was doing something completely different, but I knew as soon as I met my new team I would get a huge amount of help and support to change me from a cheese cutter to a knowledgeable Dental nurse!

I started revision for the National Certificate in Dental Nursing in September 2007, I received encouragement from everyone, including time out of the practice for revision!

I eventually took my exam in May 2008 and a of hard work, tears and hours of revision I passed! My reward- a beautiful set of GHD hair straighteners! My hair has never been so shiny and straight.

This month I register with the General Dental Council and received my certificate.
Not only am I now able to put RDN after my name, but I now feel more confident, happier and healthier as I no longer eat loads of cheese!

I can truly say that without the support and help from everyone at Absolute Dental I could not have done it.
In the last 2 years I have learnt so much, had a lot of fun and made some great friends along the way and to top it all of I have change my outlook on life .

My next challenge allow with Rhod, Emma and Fliss is to run the Great South Run..............

Now that is reason to celebrate!

Rachel

Emma, Denise, Fliss and Me



Todays Blog is written by Diane

Race For Life

Here at Absolute Dental, we have a grand tradition of doing our bit for charity, and this year is no exception.

On May 10th this year, I shall be joining several hundreds of other women and girls to take part in the Race for Life in aid of Cancer Research - a worthwhile charity, close to my heart.

Now, I’m not what you might call a natural runner – in fact I have said on many occasions that I’m not built for anything above a brisk walk!! So, I’ve had to put in a fair bit of training for the event. I’ve taken part in the Race for Life before, but this year I set myself the goal of running the full 5k, rather than the bizarre combination of energy sapping jogging, walking & running that I usually manage!

I have enlisted the help of my husband as my training partner, however, he is much fitter than I am and looks at me in complete bewilderment when I turn a funny shade of purple and plead with him for a rest after 20 minutes of what he call “gentle jogging” – although I have my own description for it!

Having been elevated to the status of “training partner”, Nick (my long-suffering husband) has become the expert on all things running and simply can’t understand why, if I am capable of walking 26.2 miles (as us Absolute girls did in the Moonwalk through London last year), I am not able to run just 5 miles…………………. I have proved to him on several occasions that I can’t though!!

However, I am not one to give up, and so, 3 times a week, come rain, shine or lack of enthusiasm, we hit the streets of Kingsbridge (only the quiet ones though as I’m not sure the world is ready to see my purple face and such a huge expanse of lycra just yet!), and we try to run a little bit further, and a little bit faster each time.

I’m estimating that when I can comfortably run for 45 minutes, I will be “race fit”. This is a little way of yet, but I’m confident that it is achievable, and that with lots of effort and determination I will achieve my goal. Who knows, this could be the emergence of “Di the Runner” and my blog this time next year might be about my preparation for the London Marathon……………… To be cont.

Hamsters and Dentistry

I found out earlier this week that Emma's Great grandfather was the preeminent zoologist and entomologist Prof Edward Hindle.

He became renowned for his work on insect born diseases helping to develop vaccines to many of these tropical diseases.

It also seems he may inadvertently have become one of the most unpopular men in history also, being responsible for introducing the Golden Hamster to these shores!

I wonder how many parents would have liked to wring his neck as little Johnnie threw a tantrum in the pet shop insisting they needed a cute furry animal?

You may be thinking what this has to do with dentistry, but maybe we too as dentists are possibly not the most popular of people to visit!

So it got me thinking about what we do to endear ourselves to our patients.

Invest time- time to listen to our patients, get to know them and for them to get to know us so we can create great relationships

Added comforts- a relaxing lounge area with drinks menu, complementary products in our bathroom, warm face towels after treatment etc etc

Happy content team all wanting and being encouraged to go that extra mile and above all exceed patients' expectations and do this consistently.

Simple really; just like our childhood memories of our rodent friends, hopefully our patients too will remember us fondly.

Rhodri John Clinical Director

Absolute Beginner

Today's Blog is written by Harriet,

I started at Absolute Dental in November 2007 and immediately felt welcomed. Working at Absolute is a pleasure, especially as we get cake on our birthdays! Rhod and Emma are the best employers you could ask for. They are always there to listen, support & encourage us.

Before starting at Absolute I trained to be a hairdresser, but felt I needed a career change, something I could really get my teeth into!
Since then I have started my distance learning, dental nurse training with Exeter in September 2008. Having had no prior dental knowledge it has really helped me build my confidence in all aspects of dentistry. I get continued support not only from my tutors in Exeter, but also from my mentor Diane, who is an accredited nurse trainer at Absolute, and who we are very fortunate to have!

Diane will go the extra mile and encourage me to do my best. She sets me mock exams, weekly homeworks and makes training fun by playing games such as nerve supply bingo!

Although I am dreading my exam I know Diane will help me through my revision with some laughs along the way!