At PDSE, we are committed to supporting our people to grow, develop, and achieve their career ambitions. As part of this commitment, we are proud to offer opportunities that extend beyond dental nursing, helping our team members take the next step in their professional journey.
We are delighted to be currently sponsoring Amy Nichols, a dental nurse at our Devonport facility, to undertake a Dental Therapy and Hygiene degree at the University of Plymouth. Alongside her studies, Amy continues to work as a dental nurse with PDSE outside of academic terms, maintaining her connection with the team and gaining valuable practical experience throughout her training. We are also pleased to share that she has now successfully completed her first academic year on the course.
This sponsorship initiative reflects our belief in investing in our workforce and supporting career progression within dentistry. By enabling dental nurses to train as dental therapists, we are not only supporting individual ambitions but also strengthening the future of our service. This aligns with our company value of being people focused – developing and investing in all our staff to support the future of dentistry. Find out more about our company values here. This initiative directly supports Priority Four of the PDSE Strategy, ‘Develop Our Dental Workforce’, by contributing to the attraction, development and retention of skilled dental professionals through investment in training and collaboration with the University of Plymouth.
Robert Witton, Chief Executive Officer of PDSE, commented:
“At PDSE, being people focused is at the heart of everything we do. Developing and investing in our staff is essential to supporting the future of dentistry. Initiatives like this sponsorship demonstrate our commitment to creating meaningful career pathways and empowering our team to reach their full potential. By supporting continuous learning and development, we are building a stronger, more resilient workforce for the communities we serve.”
Amy Nichols, our sponsored Dental Nurse, shared her experience:
“I have worked as a dental nurse since 2017, gaining experience across a range of roles within both dentistry and other industries. Over time, my career path led me to a dental nurse position with PDSE at the Devonport facility, where I was fortunate to be offered the opportunity to apply for sponsorship to study dental therapy.
Securing a place at the University of Plymouth to study Dental Therapy has been a journey of persistence and determination. After unsuccessful applications in 2019 and 2020, I was delighted to finally begin the dental therapy course in September 2025.
I hope my experience encourages others in similar positions to remain committed to their goals and believe in their ambitions. With the support available at PDSE, particularly through the sponsorship initiative, there are opportunities for dental nurses to progress their careers, and I’m proud to represent what’s possible with dedication and support.”
We are incredibly proud to support colleagues like this who demonstrate resilience, commitment, and passion for patient care. The PDSE sponsorship initiative is just one of the ways we are investing in the future of our workforce – creating clear development pathways and encouraging our team to reach their full potential. Our commitment to learning and development is also reflected in our Investors in People accreditation, recognising the importance we place on supporting and developing our staff.
You can learn more about career and development opportunities within PDSE here.
