Trainee Dental Nurse to Operations Support Manager – Lotte’s Career Pathway
Sometimes all it takes to kickstart your career is spotting the right newspaper ad. Back in January 2010, Lotte came across an opening for a Trainee Dental Nurse and, having studied Health & Social Care already, she discovered she had developed a strong interest in dentistry. Therefore, she decided to take the leap and within weeks she stepped new world – one that would shape her career for the next 15 years.
🤝Building a Strong Foundation
Lotte had the fortune of starting out in a practice that offered both NHS and private care, giving her the opportunity to gain experience to build an invaluable foundation for her future. She demonstrated willing and interest in all areas – from understanding the variety of treatment deliveries and developing her chairside assistance skills, to gaining insight into the administrative responsibilities of running a practice.
🚀 Moving into Leadership
Over time, she made sure to immerse herself in every aspect of the role. Her willingness to learn and adapt paid off and the transition into Practice Manager was the natural next step. She took on the challenge of overseeing the day-to-day operations, leading teams, and ensuring the practice delivered exceptional patient care.
This role deepened her understanding of the business side of dentistry, from compliance and operational procedures to team development and patient experience. It also ignited her passion for improving processes and supporting teams at a higher level.
👣Stepping into Operations
Today, as Operations Support Manager at Todays Dental, Lotte plays a key role in bridging the gap between our practices and the Resource Hub. Her dynamic involves:
- Supporting our Operations Team and practices to deliver high performance
- Implementing operational procedures tailored to practice needs
- Ensuring smooth collaboration between the Resource Hub and practice teams
Every day brings new challenges, but her experience, adaptability, and problem-solving skills allow her to navigate them with confidence.
🎯 Advice for Those Just Starting Out
Having started as a trainee dental nurse, and worked her way towards leadership positions within practice, Lotte is well-positioned to understand, empathise, and advise stakeholders in all areas of her role.
Lotte’s words of wisdom for those looking to start as a dental nurse are to be open to learning and developing from experienced colleagues and associates within the field as this will support your personal and professional development. In particular, she recommends seeking out guidance from individuals that inspire you and can support your career development.
Want to Explore a Career as a Dental Nurse?
Todays Dental has just launched a paid Dental Nurse Work Experience programme! This is for newcomers to dentistry and qualified nurses returning to dentistry.
This opportunity is perfect for those:
- Thinking about a future in dentistry.
- Qualified nurses looking to reconnect with the profession.
- Unsure what career path to follow, but are keen to try something new.
Through this program, individuals can gain paid experience in a supportive, people-focused environment. They’ll have the opportunity to build a long-term career in dentistry if they decide it’s the career for them!
Read more about the placement in our dedicated blog: Dental Nurse Work Experience
Ready to take the next step? Apply here: Work Experience Application Form
