Kayley McCauley shares with readers why and how she is poised to help fellow dental hygienists and therapists get the most out of their role in 2023 and beyond, putting the passion back into practice!
Can you please tell us about your professional background?
After graduating with a degree in dental hygiene and dental therapy from Portsmouth University in 2010, I worked in general dental care settings, as well as Poole Hospital as sole hygienist treating head and neck oncology and trauma patients for many years.
I am also a Philips ambassador, as well as a Swiss Dental Academy (SDA) trainer specialising in Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT).
I have also been busy completing postgraduate diploma courses for minimally invasive dentistry and periodontology and won UK Best Hygienist and UK Best Therapist (South) at the Dentistry and Private Dentistry Awards.
In 2018, I set up a squat dental practice that I work in and run alongside my husband. The clinic has grown from five to 20 team members and is primarily a dental implant practice. We are also fully behind eco-friendly dentistry at the practice.
I’m proud that the practice and team have won many awards and I want to provide other therapists, hygienists and nurses with jobs where they can work to their full potential and not be limited to a reduced scope of practice in their area of expertise.
What are your thoughts on GBT as a practising dental hygienist and dental therapist?
It was my number one item to bring in once I had completed the first stage of setting up our clinic. We opened the doors without any patients, and changing over to EMS’ Airflow Prophylaxis Master helped us to grow our patient base.
I enjoyed my hygienist role even more, I felt less pressure on my fingers (I have arthritis affecting mainly index and middle fingers) as the Airflow handpiece is so much lighter than more traditional tools. Knowing the science behind the Plus powder, Airflow, Periopowder and biofilm has made me feel even more passionate about my role.
I like to practise minimally invasive dentistry, so it was great to be able to upskill and update in the hygiene side of my job.
How and why did you get involved with the SDA?
I had met the team, felt inspired by them, and sent in my CV. Every member of the team is highly driven, skilled, and knowledgeable.
The company is so innovative, and I love using the equipment. It’s great to bounce off ideas with a group who are all so passionate about utilising EMS’ technology to benefit such a wide range of patients.
What do you hope to achieve with the SDA?
I’d like to help other hygienists and therapists reach their potential and have fulfilling careers, and I would like to contribute my own cases and findings.
I like the saying, ‘you don’t know what you don’t know’, and by coming together with such a forward-thinking group and continuing my postgraduate education, I hope we can all know more today than we did yesterday!
I’m so excited for the GBT Masterclasses in 2023. I remember when I’d gone on one with Jolene Pinder and you come back to practice supercharged and back in love with all things dental hygiene!
Why do you think postgraduate education is so important when it comes to dental hygiene and dental therapy success?
For me, as a clinician, being confident in providing modern treatments and advice to patients just makes for an enjoyable working life. Seeing the benefits for our patients is so rewarding.
As for the patients, they can only benefit from you being up to date and pursuing excellence through education. I can tell you, my restorations as a dental therapist are far better now than they were in 2010 for many reasons, thanks to postgraduate education.
Of course, the business side of the practice is important, too. Times move on, patients expect more, and they expect us to be able to deliver not just dentistry but also a high-quality service. We need to seek that new knowledge and utilise it!
GBT in practice: a case study
Figures 1 and 2 show an advanced periodontitis case where the GBT protocol and the pain-free technology worked in combination incredibly well in a very short time frame.
Prior to any periodontal treatment from me, this patient was seriously considering having full clearance and implants.
She came to my clinic to see our implant dentist with a quote from another practice and before we assessed for any other implant options, the patient was referred to me to see how her periodontal condition would respond and then which teeth would have a good prognosis long term.
This patient was brushing well, but to stabilise the periodontal disease it needed to be optimised further and, after treatment, receive supportive care using airflow and perioflow with plus powder.
Fundamentally, it made the treatment for someone with sensitive teeth pleasant, and I could deliver the treatment effectively.
This patient has a new confidence in dentistry given that her periodontal condition improved, she isn’t in pain and so many teeth can be saved.
How did it feel to win ‘Dental Hygienist and Therapist of the Year’ at the Private Dentistry Awards this year?
I had won best hygienist and therapist at other award ceremonies, but this was the first time I’d won best therapist at the Private Dentistry Awards. To be honest, I was focused on my clinic, I had entered my nurse and receptionist, and was just over the moon that they got highly commended and winner, so I wasn’t expecting this for myself.
However, I don’t stop working, I genuinely love my job and helping in our local community too. I think sometimes you don’t realise what you have accomplished because you’re in your own lane, chipping away at your own set of goals and work, so there’s often no time to sit and reflect.
I’d recommend others to do things that may push them outside of their comfort zone, improve their skill, but overall ensure this is benefitting their working life. I have always found new courses make me feel like I have a new professional lease of life!
In overview, what has 2022 been like for you professionally?
There have been many ups and downs. However, I’m an optimist and have really enjoyed mentoring newer members of our dental team, seeing them shine in the clinic is just wonderful.
I also updated a lot of aspects of our clinic this year, working on a new website, new logo and literature, and events for our referring dentists and teams.
There have been so many face-to-face courses and meetings such as the GBT Summit, ADI Masterclass, the BSDHT Oral Health Conference, all of which I love attending. You just get so much out of being with your peers, sharing ideas and learning from each other.
What’s your hope for the next few years in terms of dental hygiene and therapy care?
That it continues to grow in the right direction! There have been a lot of positive changes since I qualified.
We can own our own businesses, we have an increased scope of practice, and there are more and more courses inviting us to be a part of the team, improving our skills.
This seems to be changing with NHS dentistry, too. Progress has been slow, and there is plenty more to overcome, but I trust it will!
What advice would you offer to other dental hygienist and therapists who aren’t sure if they want to take the GBT plunge?
If you want to implement a strategy that genuinely works, helps patients, is minimally invasive and tissue preserving, in conjunction with an improved patient and user experience, then it’s a no-brainer!
Please visit www.ems-dental.com for further information about GBT and SDA education opportunities.
