How long have you worked at the Uni? What does your role involve?
I have been here for 20 years, and I provide Dental care for staff, students, and their dependent children.
What would you most like to achieve while at the University?
Dentistry is more about the little things, about making an individual impact. If you can help someone overcome their fears, get the message across that having a wisdom tooth taken out isn’t that bad, that’s the difference I’m making. If we can treat someone who is really anxious and they come back again, we’ve helped. I have patients who when they first arrive can barely sit in the chair, but now they come back for regular check-ups.
It’s so lovely to get a nice card from someone who says “Thank you so much, you made coming to the dentist so much easier.” It makes me feel like we’ve achieved something worthwhile.
I say we as the department is team based I can’t work without my fantastic colleagues.
Name one thing that makes you feel proud to work at the University of Bath?
I love the fact we see people from all across the University, no matter what department, where they are studying or working – we see everybody. There are some fascinating people working here, I learn something new every day. I get told off for talking too much and not running on time!
What piece of advice would you like to give to a student?
Study is important, but remember to enjoy yourself. I still have friends from University that I regularly see, 30 years later. It’s not only about the coursework and exams. Seize the moment – life gets hard soon enough!
Who was your most influential teacher/educator, and why?
I had lots of influential teachers; who went on and did amazing things. There was a supervisor called Mr Osbourne who supervised sessions, he was a General Practitioner, and he actually bought Dentistry back to the fundamentals and I learned essential skills from him. He taught the practical stuff rather than theoretical. He showed us how to do Dentistry, rather than what Dentistry was.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I told my headmistress I wanted to be a cleaner when I was in reception. I started off in Medicine, but maybe enjoyed myself too much and found myself in need of a new direction after my first year. The Bursar got me in for a meeting and asked “What are you going to do?”, I didn’t know. He spoke to the Bursar at The Royal London, who suggested Dentistry. I had briefly thought about Dentistry as I was practical and good with my hands. The Bursar arranged an informal interview at the London to have a chat. I went and someone had just dropped out of the course, so he offered me a place if I could start the following week. I’m not sure the system would allow that nowadays.
What’s the one thing you know now that you wish you’d known when you were younger?
Sometimes when life isn’t going to plan, your hopes and dreams aren’t working out, when things seem catastrophic, things often have a way of working themselves out. It’s not the end just an alternative route.
What was your first job?
My first job was as a waitress in a Little Chef motorway cafe in South Yorkshire. Jubilee Pancakes anyone? I pretended I couldn’t cook, so they didn’t make me work the griddle because it was so hot in summer.
I also had a small business whilst at school making model badges, and I used to sell them in a local craft shop. It was great to be earning money as a teenager.
If you could start your own dream business, what would it be?
Not so much a dream business but I’d love to reform the NHS specifically NHS Dentistry. The current system has no role for prevention and this is key to improving oral health.
Where is your favourite holiday destination and why?
Italy. Some sun and some water and I am happy. We went to Tuscany recently, and I hadn’t been there for 15 years and it was still as beautiful as I remembered.
What’s your album and why?
Anything by Queen at the moment, so I can sing along in the car at the top of my voice! I probably look like I’m re-enacting Wayne’s World when Bohemian Rhapsody plays.
When are you happiest?
With a glass of wine and my Kindle in my hand. It doesn’t happen very often though! I recently joined a book club and I am loving the opportunity to read books I wouldn’t have looked at otherwise.
Which one superpower would you like to possess?
Stretching time, to give myself an extra couple of hours.
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
I like baking. There is a local village show that I enter every year. This year I got three second places. The first prize eludes me.
Tell us your favourite joke
A sausage, an egg and some beans walk into a bar. The barman says “I’m sorry we don’t do breakfast.”