We asked her to tell us about her career journey so far, why she became a therapist, and what she loves about Bupa Dental Care:
“I studied for A Levels in Biology, Chemistry, and German, but didn’t get the grades that I needed to pursue my original plan of studying Environmental Chemistry. So, I went and worked in the entertainment industry for many years, on holiday parks, hotels and doing shows in theatres, including pantomime – oh yes, I did! I enjoyed this but realised that traveling around full time wasn’t for me, so I came back to East Sussex where I took a job hosting in a hotel where I provided all the entertainment for the holidaymakers. Alongside this I worked as a bingo caller and was twice finalist in the Bingo Caller of the Year Competition!
“Then, a friend suggested I try my hand at dental nursing, which I really enjoyed. I had a very supportive dentist that I worked with, and the dental hygienist that I assisted suggested I apply to a dental hygiene course. So, I applied to the University of Leeds, and the rest, as they say, is history!”
After being introduced to Bupa Dental Care by a close friend, she decided it was time for a career move:
“I was introduced to Bupa Dental Care by a good friend at the time who persuaded me that ‘not all corporates are bad’, and so I took the chance. Joining Bupa Dental Care was a good choice; my team are supportive here and my patients are lovely.”
Earlier this year, Miranda was named in Dentistry’s Top 50 2023! We asked her to tell us a bit more about her role and some of her achievements since starting to work in the dental industry, she said:
“I am a dually qualified dental hygienist and therapist and mostly work to my dental hygiene scope at the Hailsham and St Leonard’s practices. I enjoy a challenge alongside my regular day to day clinical work, so completed a master’s at the University of Kent in 2020. This was in Advanced Specialist Healthcare, and it really helped enhance my clinical practice. Since then, I became the President of the British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy (BSDHT), which is a role I really enjoy. It enables me to be a voice for my professions and to represent us as national and international level to make sure we are heard, and our needs are met. On a slightly glitzier level, I was recently named in Dentistry’s Top 50 list which was an unexpected delight and surprise!”
Miranda went on to tell us what she likes about her job:
“I like the time I have with my patients, that with each and every one of them, by the time they leave my room, they are better and healthier than when they came in. I derive great pleasure from seeing a nervous patient blossom and develop into a confident patient who can easily accept treatment from me. I am regularly flattered, humbled, and delighted that patients from other practices that I’ve worked at in the past, seek me out for direct access care, and that the set up at my practice means I can facilitate this for them.”
We asked Miranda to tell us about her team, how they support her, and in turn, how she enjoys supporting them. She said:
“Our practice manager is the one that holds us together; she supports and facilitates my daily working by ensuring I have dental nurse support and that my book is flexible to allow me to see patients via direct access.
“I work alongside three dentists and three dental nurses. I enjoy supporting the trainee dental nurses while they are learning their profession, and we are all supported by the reception team, who make everything work seamlessly. The dentists I work with motivate me to be better.”
To find out more about how you can join the Bupa Dental Care team, visit our website.
