Building confidence and clinical experience among dental therapists
Promotional FeaturesPosted by: Dental Design 14th April 2025
It is crucial that all dental professionals obtain sufficient training and experience to deliver safe and effective patient care. This is particularly important for those who are early in their careers, as this is the time to lay the groundwork for a long and prosperous career. For dental therapists, this is even more important to ensure that individuals can cover their full scope of practice and really make the most of their skills in practice. Having access to additional education and support beyond qualification can make a significant difference to a dental therapist’s clinical experience and confidence, during their first year in practice.
The literature shows that greater clinical confidence among the healthcare workforce is associated with enhanced patient experiences.[i] There is also evidence to support that greater competence among the team leads to improved patient safety in a clinical setting.[ii]
Dental hygienist and therapist, Joanne Beveridge, is a keen advocate for ensuring that new graduates have the support they need to succeed from the beginning of their careers. She says:
“It can be very daunting for newly qualified dental therapists to go from dental school to the working practice environment. This can create extra stress at a time when they should be focusing on consolidating and refining skills and confidence.”
Joanne has more than 25 years of experience in dentistry, having worked as a dental nurse for six years prior to completing her training as a dental hygienist in 2004, shortly after which she qualified as a dental therapist. By 2009 she had been appointed as Lecturer for the BSc (Hons) Oral Health Sciences programme at the University of Edinburgh, and was promoted to Programme Director and Senior Lecturers in 2018. Joanne then went on to complete an MSc in Clinical Education. Her passion for professional education has also seen her introduce a theoretical and practical dental skills programme for veterinary students in Edinburgh.
With such vast experience, Joanne is the perfect person to support fellow dental clinicians – especially those new to the role – in their own career development. With the goal of doing just this, Joanne joined Clyde Munro Dental Group as a Clinical Advisor for the Therapist Support Programme.
“The Therapist Support Programme provides that extra bit of support during dental therapists’ first year in practice. The training schedule has been revised for 2025 to offer a more structured journey with new sessions on paediatric and restorative dentistry added.
“It is our aim to help participants build confidence in the clinical setting, developing and enhancing their skills through this additional CPD programme. There is an opportunity to develop skills which utilise the full scope of practice of a dental therapist, which could help to inform decisions regarding career direction in the future.
“In addition, the programme provides an opportunity for dental therapists to network with colleagues from within the group. Dentistry can be an isolating profession for clinicians, so being able to connect with others is key. It is a great programme and we often hear dental therapists tell us they wish it had been available to them in their first year post-qualification.”
For dental therapists who are just starting out in their journey, Joanne offers a few words of advice:
“It’s important to actively engage in postgraduate training opportunities to get the most out of them, which means asking questions and connecting with the instructor or fellow delegates in breaks. I’d also encourage professionals to explore all aspects of their clinical scope in order to determine where their clinical interests may lie for the future. If you enjoy working with children, or are passionate about periodontal or restorative dentistry, this can help shape your postgraduate training choices and give you direction for the years to come.”
The goal for Joanne, and others like her, is to help build the next generation of dental professionals for the benefit of patients now and in the future. Ensuring that the right support and training is available to individuals is an important step towards achieving this.
Want to know more about the Clyde Munro Therapist Support Programme?
Please visit the relevant webpage here, or contact us on joinus@clydemunrodental.com.
[i] Owens, Katie & Keller, Stephanie. (2018). Exploring workforce confidence and patient experiences: A quantitative analysis. Patient Experience Journal. 5. 97-105. 10.35680/2372-0247.1210.
[ii] Zaitoun, R.A., Said, N.B. & de Tantillo, L. Clinical nurse competence and its effect on patient safety culture: a systematic review. BMC Nurs 22, 173 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-023-01305-w
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