DENTAL OFFICER
What is your work life balance like ?
I would say generally quite healthy but as you become more Senior , the demand to the Service increases . I often set aside some administrative time at weekends or in my own time , depending on how much I complete during the day , due to the diversity of roles . There is often time for sport at lunchtime or after work , which always makes you feel refreshed and invigorated . I don ’ t think I would have ever been as physically fit if I had been a dentist in civvy street !
What are the best experiences you have had ?
Completing root canal dentistry on an attack dog which had broken his canine in Iraq so that the dog didn ’ t have to be put down and could continue his role as a Police dog on Ops ! Just call me Dr Do-little ! Treating captured persons on Op Telic and repatriating fallen Servicemen on Ops , allowing closure for their families , whilst conserving the dignity and respect for those individuals , and giving back something to them for giving their lives in the line of duty .
As I later became a Foundation Dental Trainer , my veterinary contact in the Army asked me if I could help again with root-canal dentistry on a Police dog and as I was deploying to the Falklands , I was able to arrange for my Foundation Dentist and her nurse to complete the treatment , this time in the UK .
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