Anna Munro shares her experience as a dental technician in a hospital and details why this setting offers a comprehensive and fulfilling experience.
I began my career in the orthodontic department at Southend University Hospital in 2007 as a dental nurse. After several years of clinical experience, I transitioned into the laboratory and retrained as a dental technician. This pathway allowed me to combine clinical exposure with technical expertise, ultimately providing a broader perspective on patient care.
The department is a busy, consultant-led NHS unit, providing specialist orthodontic treatment and acting as a training centre for orthodontic specialist registrars. Our patient population predominantly consists of individuals with complex malocclusions and high index of orthodontic treatment need (IOTN) scores.
Much of our work involves multidisciplinary collaboration, including surgical cases, hypodontia management, and functional appliance therapy.
