Joanne Bowles shares a week in her life as a dental academic and secretary and chair elect for the British Association of Dental Therapists (BADT).
As a full-time dental therapist, academic and co-director for undergraduate programmes at the University of Liverpool School of Dentistry, a week can be very full and extremely varied – much like a clinical week in dentistry.
An academic role can be challenging but also extremely rewarding – one of the highlights is seeing the growth and development of the students from day one to graduation day. Whether that be after three years for the BSc in dental therapy or five years for the BDS, graduation day is a celebration for everyone involved in the students’ journey to becoming a dental professional.
Something different
My career in academia started around 15 years ago, after a period of reflection I wanted to step out of my comfort zone and try something different. While working in general dental practice utilising my full scope of practice, I started as a part-time clinical supervisor initially before taking on a role as a full-time dental therapy tutor
The years have rolled on and there has been so much change within dentistry but also within academia for me.
Now in my role, I use my clinical qualifications, my teaching qualifications and my experience to be part of the school senior leadership team overseeing the management of the undergraduate programmes alongside my colleague – we make a fantastic double act!
I am also teaching both clinically and academically as well as supporting individual academic advisees and mentoring colleagues.
Variety
If I were to look at my diary for my working week, no week is the same and I do like the variation it brings. It is important to enjoy what you do and most of the time I do. It can be stressful and challenging, but going through the difficult times allows reflection, individual growth and development.
There are some constants in my week. I have my own weekly clinical session, where I get time to go back to one of the things I miss about general practice – the patients! This enables me to keep up my clinical skills and take a break from the busy academic week.
Within the week there is usually some element of teaching, this might be delivering large group lectures, or smaller group sessions, simulation and phantom head teaching or clinical supervision – supporting and developing the undergraduates across all years of study.
As a programme director with oversight of the undergraduate programmes many hours are spent preparing for and chairing meetings, developing standard operating procedures, and refining and reporting on quality assurance processes, including work for the General Dental Council.
Collaboration
Within dentistry team working is essential and it is no different in academia, I am very grateful for the support of colleagues I have around me. There is a huge amount of problem solving needed and sometimes it can feel like firefighting. But other times I can dedicate my time to focusing on specific set tasks that require quiet space and concentration. I do this work from home on occasion – it really does help the efficiency of my working day.
Within my academic role I am heavily involved with change, curriculum design, curriculum development and currently leading a new international partnership – which then brings the opportunity to travel.
On a teaching and scholarship contract within the school there always needs to be time for the scholarship activities such as educational research, dissemination of knowledge and collaboration with others.
Currently I spend late evenings on international teams calls working with colleagues around the world – sharing experiences, supporting one another and working on written pieces, again with the opportunity to travel and present at conferences.
External responsibilities
As a senior academic I also have external responsibilities, in the past I have held external examiner positions, chaired the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry’s (BSPD) Merseyside branch, and I am now secretary and chair elect for the British Association of Dental Therapists (BADT).
I work as part of the BADT executive committee and council, representing members and driving the dental therapy profession forward. Therefore, some evenings in the week can be spent dedicating time to BADT.
As I will often say, it is so important to ensure you are happy in all that you do and with a busy academic week it is essential to ensure I step away from dentistry! I can often be found on a hockey pitch – either playing, supporting family members or developing the youngsters – as well as dog walking, enjoying family time and well needed holidays!
Factoring it all in it can be a very busy week in academia. I would encourage anyone interested to find out more and try something different, but equally as rewarding as, clinical dentistry!
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