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In the wake of a high-profile fraud case, Sarah McKimm explores the psychological impact of NHS clawback and how it can change a clinician’s perspective. Recent headlines have once again brought conversations around NHS dental contracts, clawback and accountability into sharp focus. Following a recent case involving a former dentist convicted of fraud relating to…
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Sarah McKimm signs off from the Chairside Chat column and reflects on her time writing it and the importance of stepping away at the right time. Dear readers, It has been a true honour to have been given the opportunity to bring together my two passions, dentistry and counselling, to help shape the voice of…
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Sarah McKimm shares her advice with a dental nurse who is questioning whether she should be more ambitious in her career. The scenario I’ve been a dental nurse for more than a decade and I genuinely love what I do – supporting patients, keeping things running smoothly, and being part of a close-knit team. I…
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‘Sustainability isn’t only financial, it’s emotional’ – Sarah McKimm advises a practice owner on coping with financial strain in dentistry. The scenario I’ve been a dentist for more than a decade and a practice owner for a lot of that time. While I’ve always loved my profession, the financial pressures have become overwhelming in recent…
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Sarah McKimm shares her advice for setting clear professional boundaries and managing inappropriate behaviour from a colleague. The scenario I’m a dental hygienist working in a busy mixed practice, and I’ve found myself in a situation that’s becoming increasingly difficult to manage. One of the dentists I work alongside has started behaving in a way…
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Coming back to the dental practice after a long period of sick leave can be daunting – Sarah McKimm shares her advice for easing the transition back to work. The scenario I’m a dental nurse due to return to work in a couple of weeks after being off on extended sick leave, and honestly I’m…
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With techniques and technology evolving fast in dentistry, Sarah McKimm advises a reader on how to feel relevant and keep learning throughout their career. The scenario I’m a dentist with more than 20 years of experience in general practice. Lately, I’ve been feeling increasingly anxious about how much the profession is evolving – digital dentistry,…
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When burnout hits, asking for time off can seem daunting – Sarah McKimm shares why speaking up matters and how to do it without guilt. The scenario I’m a dentist in my early 50s working at a busy mixed practice four days a week. Lately, I’ve been feeling completely drained by the work, both mentally…
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This month, Sarah McKimm responds to a reader struggling with a patient complaint and offers practical steps to manage the mental toll. The scenario I’ve just received notification from the GDC that a patient has submitted a complaint about their orthodontic treatment. What’s frustrating is that the patient had voiced some concerns during one of…
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Sarah McKimm tackles the problem of workplace bullying, and reveals the steps she would take towards reclaiming control and resolution. The scenario I’ve been working at my dental practice as a hygienist for six months and I’ve been experiencing workplace bullying from a more senior colleague. It’s been going on for some time, and I…
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Sarah McKimm considers a case of imposter syndrome and how newly-qualified dental professionals can reframe their anxieties into positivity. The scenario I am a recent dental graduate and am six months into my first job as a foundation dentist. I was really excited to start but it’s proving really difficult, and I am constantly questioning…
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Sarah McKimm offers up her practical tips and coping strategies for dental professionals who may be struggling to control their alcohol use. The scenario I never thought I’d be in this situation, but I’m really struggling to control my drinking. I started noticing it in the lead-up to Christmas last year. At the time, I…
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Introducing our new columnist, Sarah McKimm, who will share her practical tips, professional insights and coping strategies. Hello and welcome to the very first edition of Chairside Chats! I’m Sarah – a qualified counsellor with more than 20 years of experience in the dental profession – and I’m here to offer a space where we…
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Sarah Mckimm discusses her journey from dental nurse to counsellor, the daily challenges that dental nurses face and her advice to those who are struggling. I’m Sarah, and I’m a qualified dental nurse registered with the General Dental Council (GDC) and a counsellor qualified to degree level. I’m also a registered member of the British…
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