During training they worked at both of the city’s Dental Education Facilities (DEFs) at Derriford and Devonport and attended Cornwall College’s Saltash campus weekly to secure their NVQ certificates by completing four multiple choice examinations, work books and assignments.

The trainees also worked in dental clinics alongside students from the Plymouth University Peninsula School of Dentistry, under the guidance of clinical educators Lisa Griffiths and Tracy Lees, and were assessed during chair side procedures.

Finally, the trainees each completed work placements in host practices across Plymouth enabling them to gain valuable experience in the day-to-day running of general dental practices.
Clinical educator and mentor Tracy Lees says: “We at Peninsula Dental are very proud of the commitment and hard work demonstrated by our trainee dental nurses throughout their apprenticeships. They leave us with a high level of knowledge and communication skills, ready for challenges in practice, and we would like to wish them all good luck in their careers.”

Megan West has now secured a position as a dental nurse with private practice Hartley Dental. She says: “I wanted a career and not just a job and when I came across dental nursing I thought it would really suit me. I enjoyed training in the clinical environment and getting hands-on experience.”

Professor Christopher Tredwin, Professor of Restorative Dentistry and Head of Peninsula Dental School, presented the awards. He said: “It was a pleasure to present these awards and we are very proud of the work of our students. This is a great time to qualify as dental nurses as their duties are being greatly enhanced. Congratulations to all.”