What if the job you studied so hard for no longer feels right? How easy is it to leave, and what opportunities are there for a dentist who doesn’t want to practise dentistry  - or dentistry in this country?     

 One guest shares their reasons for leaving their clinical day job and how that change felt, and the other explains why they moved abroad and the obstacles to overcome.  

 Join us for an insightful conversation about this complex and at times, emotional situation.  

Guests  

Rachel Hart 

Anam Raza  

Host  

Andrea Ogden, Undergraduate and Career Development Lead  

https://www.instagram.com/drandreaogden

Helpful resources: 

Working abroad (bda.org)  

Feeling disengaged as a dental associate? Tips to get your career back on track (bda.org)  

Careers advice | National Careers Service  

BDJ Jobs

About the BDA

We are the voice of dentists and dental students in the UK. We have been protecting dentists since 1880. We bring dentists together, support our members through advice and education, and represent their interests. 

Have you thought about treating children? Or perhaps you’re pondering the prison service. Or working in the CDS? As undergraduates we learn the basics, but is it enough? 

You probably already know that the community dental services perform more sedations and potentially more extractions than GDPs, but what else do you know about it?  Without the experience of the more niche branches of dentistry, it’s hard to know if they’re for you.   

We’re chairside with two dentists who open up about their careers, sharing the breadth of skills they gained and the challenges they met.    

Join us today as we discuss this unique part of our profession. 

Guests  

Jinesh Thakrar, ex-prison dentist and current CDS dentist

David Drysdale, paediatric specialty registrar at GOSH and former CDS dentist.  

Host  

Andrea Ogden, Undergraduate and Career Development Lead  

https://www.instagram.com/drandreaogden/  

Helpful resources: 

Other career options (bda.org)  

Community dentistry (bda.org)  

Prison dentistry (bda.org)  

Career Guide (bda.org)  

BDJ Jobs 

About the BDA

We are the voice of dentists and dental students in the UK. We have been protecting dentists since 1880. We bring dentists together, support our members through advice and education, and represent their interests.  

We’re chairside with three dentists who have completed foundation training and have had vastly different experiences.

Learn about the course options available, and how they differ. Does a year-long course or a longitudinal option have an impact on the amount of support received? Does location really matter?   

Join us for an honest and open discussion on Dental Foundation Training and Vocational Training in urban cities and rural highlands. 

Guests

Afreen Rahman BDS 2019, Associate

https://www.instagram.com/drafreenrahman

Lucy Alderson BDS 2019, Longitudinal Foundation Scheme trainee

Meaghan Shankland BDS 2018, Dental Core trainee

https://www.instagram.com/meaghanshanklandd

Host

Andrea Ogden, Undergraduate and Career Development Lead 

https://www.instagram.com/drandreaogden

Helpful resources

After graduation (bda.org)

Getting your first job guide (bda.org)

Dental Foundation Training (bda.org)

Dental Vocational Training (bda.org)  

Dental Core Training (bda.org)  

Postgraduate qualifications – MJDF/MFDS (bda.org)  

Transition from student to foundation dentist (bda.org)  

BDJ Student (nature.com)

Postgraduate Training - COPDEND  

About the BDA  

We are the voice of dentists and dental students in the UK. We have been protecting dentists since 1880. We bring dentists together, support our members through advice and education, and represent their interests.  

Fancy a portfolio career? What does it take to get the balance right? We ask three dentists who have each taken their passion for dentistry and developed an outlet outside of their clinical roles. From charitable work to dental education to committee involvement, we’re asking how these opportunities come about and how to manage having multiple work commitments.  

Join us for an insightful conversation about what it’s like to mix it up with a portfolio career.    

Guests  

Ian Wilson BDS 1987, Co-founder of Bridge2Aid 

Sumair Khan BDS 1996, Oxford Scheme Foundation Training Programme Director  

Hannah Woolnough BDS 2006, Chair of Suffolk’s Local Dental Committee and Chair of the BDA’s English Council.   

Host  

Andrea Ogden, Undergraduate and Career Development Lead  

https://www.instagram.com/drandreaogden/  

Helpful resources 

Portfolio career (bda.org)

Volunteering abroad (bda.org)

DFT Educational Supervisor  (bda.org)

Working abroad (bda.org)

Blog Home  (bda.org)

Career Guide (bda.org)

Local Dental Committees (bda.org)

Helping domestic abuse survivors (bda.org)

BDJ Jobs  

Bridge2Aid  

Dental Volunteer Work: Giving Back to Patients in Need (colgatetalks.com)

About the BDA

We are the voice of dentists and dental students in the UK. We have been protecting dentists since 1880. We bring dentists together, support our members through advice and education, and represent their interests.

We chat with three dentists who run their own business and ask when is the right time to take the leap? What are the right motivations? What were the obstacles they encountered and ultimately, is it worth it? 

Our guests have all taken risks to own their businesses including taking over an independent practice, building a ten-site empire and creating a digital start-up. 

Join us for a frank and open conversation about entrepreneurship as a career choice in dentistry. 

Guests  

Lauren Harrhy, Practice Owner of Sparkle Dental Centre

Jin Vaghela, Clinical Director of Smile Clinic Group 

Hannah Burrow, Creator of Kiroku 

Host  

Andrea Ogden, Undergraduate and Career Development Lead  

https://www.instagram.com/drandreaogden/  

Helpful resources 

Business continuity planning  (bda.org)

Business names and brands  (bda.org) 

Business planning and managing change (bda.org)   

Buying a dental practice (bda.org) 

Webinars (bda.org) 

24-7 counselling and emotional support  (bda.org) 

BDJ Jobs  

BDJ Marketplace   

About the BDA  

We are the voice of dentists and dental students in the UK. We have been protecting dentists since 1880. We bring dentists together, support our members through advice and education, and represent their interests.  

We’re chairside with two specialty trainees. We’re asking if there’s a better time to do it? How difficult is it to apply? How competitive is it? And can you take on other challenges at the same time? We cover academic research, starting a family and what do you really need to know before you take the leap into specialty training. 

Join us for a frank and open conversation about this much desired pathway in dentistry. 

Guests 

Khadeeja Sayeed BDS, Manchester 2015

Payal Sharma-Birch BDS, London 2008 https://diamonddentalgroup.uk/  

Host 

Andrea Ogden, Undergraduate and Career Development Lead https://www.instagram.com/drandreaogden/ 

BDA members can access the following guides: 

Specialty training guide

Maternity and adoption advice 

Paternity leave 

24-7 counselling and emotional support  

Other helpful resources:

BDJ Jobs 

British Orthodontic Society 

Committee of Postgraduate Dental Deans and Directors (COPDEND) 

About the BDA 

We are the voice of dentists and dental students in the UK. We have been protecting dentists since 1880. We bring dentists together, support our members through advice and education, and represent their interests.