On Monday 7 August, NHS Shetland Dental Service welcomed students from the University of Dundee Dental School.
As part of the undergraduate training, all dental students must undertake care at outreach centres in order to increase their experience and provide treatment in a different setting than the dental school. This is undertaken at various sites across Scotland with the students from Dundee usually travelling to Aberdeen, Perth, Arbroath, Cupar and Kirkcaldy.
NHS Shetland Senior Management Team has been working on a number of initiatives to attract young dentists to the area. As well as providing treatment for the community as part of the project, it is hoped that introducing dental students to Shetland will entice them to return in the future to take up jobs and improve dental service provision.
Through the appointment of Orthodontic Consultant, Professor Grant McIntyre in May 2022, who also acts as the Clinical Director of Dundee Dental Hospital, increased opportunities have been offered to raise the profile of NHS Shetland Dental Services.
Consequently, Dr Andrew Hall and Professor Graham Chadwick from Dundee Dental School, jumped at the chance to have students come to Shetland and a pilot scheme was launched. A formal proposal will now be made to the Scottish Government to make this a permanently funded service in Shetland from September 2024.
From 7-25 August, two different students, for each of the three weeks, attended both Montfield and Brae dental clinics to treat patients under the supervision of one of the dentists, Paul D’eathe. Olivia Welch, Cara Marcuccilli, Lizzie Beard, Hannah Milner, Emma McGreaty and Nathan Legg provided treatment for a wide variety of patients. They were also given the opportunity to learn about the oral health improvement programmes and specialty dental services that NHS Shetland delivers to the community. An overall understanding of providing dental care in a remote and rural setting was experienced by the students.
Director of Dentistry, Antony Visocchi, said: “I would like to thank our fantastic team for the support and energy they gave in getting the pilot outreach scheme organised over the past few months, and for being so enthusiastic and supportive to the students when they were here.
"I would also like to thank the patients who have attended so far. They have been very understanding and considerate with the students. Feedback has been excellent and everyone has been very grateful for the high quality of care they received.
"Of course, I would also like to thank the students for their engagement, professionalism and passion which has significantly contributed to the huge success of this pilot. We now have a great foundation to raise the possibility of making this a permanent arrangement from September 2024. This would enable us to welcome students from Dundee Dental School to Shetland for 32 weeks of the year.”
Feedback from the students:
“Fantastic Outreach Centre. This experience massively increased my confidence in
treating patients. Overall fantastic experience.” – CM
“Really great experience. All staff and patients were really lovely and welcoming.” –
OW
“Lovely staff and team – very welcoming, helpful and kind.” - LB
“Amazing staff – so friendly and welcoming. Feel very grateful to have had this
Opportunity.” – HM
“Wonderful opportunity to experience what life is like on the Island, its unique benefits and challenges and how NHS Shetland adapts to deliver high-quality healthcare in these circumstances. Staff did an amazing job at making me feel welcome” - NL
Some written comments from patients:
• “Very good communication”
• “Excellent treatment”
• “Amazing treatment”
• “Lizzie was great!”
• “Very happy with the treatment and friendly, professional manner from the
student”
• “An enjoyable experience, made to feel very informed and comfortable during
• treatment. Would enjoy being treated again”
• “Very nice student and a pleasure to be treated by her”
• “Very good professional treatment with Hannah. Thank you”
• “Very pleasant and professional"