Putting dentist development and support first
Education, training and support are crucial for dentists at every stage of their careers. But never are they more important than for those in their early years within dentistry, who are consolidating skills, developing their practical capabilities and building confidence.
This is something that the team at Clyde Munro understand very well, which is why they offer various additional sources of support for newly qualified dentists in the group. The first of these is the Best Foot Forward Programme.
This initiative has been specifically crafted to bring VTs together, offering education and support beyond what is available as part of the normal training. As such, it focuses on key areas that have been identified as particularly challenging or in need of development among many VTs. Dedicated training days, therefore, cover digital dentistry, financial planning, maximising the diary, transitioning into an associate role, and creating a brand, as well as managing stress and maintaining mental health.
Dr Niamh McGuinness is one of the many clinicians to have recently benefited from the Best Foot Forward Programme alongside her VT year. She shares what she found most helpful: “The programme was really good for covering a wide range of content.
“Topics were also formatted and timed well throughout the year – initially we were more focused on life in the practice, what to expect, and were introduced to digital dentistry. The latter was great as I had just started using an intraoral scanner in the practice. Later in the year the training evolved to look more at life as an associate.
“I really liked that I was able to bring a plus one, even if they weren’t a Clyde Munro dentist, for extra support. The social aspects of the days were great too, enabling us to stay locally and enjoy a drinks reception to engage with colleagues in a less formal way.
“The team leading the programme were great too – everyone was really supportive, friendly, and made themselves available if needed throughout the year. We also had a lot of interaction with the Clyde Munro leadership team, which gave the company a very personal feel and boosted morale. Everyone I connected with made what could have been a stressful VT year much more pleasant!
“Though it was even better than I had expected, the Best Foot Forward programme was one of the reasons that I sought to complete my VT year at Clyde Munro. My experience also made it an attractive place to remain beyond VT.”
Niamh has chosen to remain at Clyde Munro as an associate, where she will take advantage of even more training and support delivered to all early career dentists in the organisation. The Flying Start Programme is an excellent successor to the Best Foot Forward initiative, with the support and resources available developed to reflect clinicians’ advancing skills as they transition into associates.
This year-long offering is available to all dentists in their first five years post-qualification and covers topics like patient-centric care, posterior and anterior composites, endodontic design, paediatric dentistry and more. Niamh discusses what she is hoping to gain by participating in this programme too:
“I’m looking forward to accessing more practical training and building on my clinical experience. I would also be keen to develop skills in areas like composite restorations. In addition, the extra opportunities to network with professionals in a similar situation to me will be really valuable and this is not something you get in all other practices.”
The training and support afforded to dentists is just one reason why Clyde Munro remains a top choice for so many individuals from across the UK. Niamh reflects on her experience of the wider organisation:
“Working with Clyde Munro has been really good – there is a personal feel with various people from senior management regularly vising the practice and engaging with us all on the ground.
“The practice team is also fantastic – I’m lucky to work with some great dental nurses and find that any queries I have are addressed quickly by the manager or my clinical trainer.
“There has also been lots of support from the broader admin team. I had an excellent first year with Clyde Munro and I’m looking forward to what is yet to come.”
To find out more about the career development opportunities available at Clyde Munro, please visit https://careers.clydemunrodental.com/.
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