This week is National Apprenticeship Week, with the theme ‘build the future’. Bupa explains how rewarding an apprenticeship within dentistry is.
After a tumultuous 24 months, many people are rethinking their careers and exploring different ways of developing workplace skills.
Apprenticeships are therefore attractive to many groups, including school leavers, graduates and those looking to change careers or upskill.
They offer the opportunity to learn on the job, develop skills in a real-life setting and earn a wage.
Dental nursing apprenticeship
Teigan Dixon didn’t know what she wanted to do for career. But joining the Bupa Dental Care Stockton High Lane practice on a dental nursing apprenticeship has ignited her passion for dentistry.
‘Before my apprenticeship, I didn’t know what I wanted to do at all.
‘Throughout school I was always a lost cause. But now I feel like I’ve really found myself through getting an apprenticeship and it’s been a blessing for me.’
Working alongside the team of dental professionals has opened Teigan’s mind to what she could do in the future and where she could take her dental career.
‘It’s nice to come to work and be with like-minded people who are so passionate about what they do. Everyone here just wants the best for the patients.
‘There are different courses that you can take. You can do a radiography course, there’s implant nursing and fluoride application.
‘It’s definitely opened up a huge field of what I can do in the future.’
‘Teeth are her life’
And Teigan’s practice manager, Victoria Shackleton, also agrees she has a bright future ahead of her.
‘The feedback we get about her from patients and dentists is just phenomenal.
‘She always has a smile on her face and always makes people feel at ease. She is passionate about dentistry and teeth generally. Teeth are her life now!’
Bupa Dental Care has more than 600 colleagues on apprenticeship programmes.
In addition to dental nursing, Bupa offers entry level apprenticeships for dental technicians.
Employees can also join apprenticeship schemes to progress in their roles – such as lead nurses and practice managers.
Visit jobs.bupadentalcare.co.uk/apprentices to learn more and search open vacancies.
