The Educational Supervisors: Ronak Pandhi: ES since 2018 and clinical educator of trainee hygienists since 2017. I love teaching and always want to hear about the cutting edge development and knowledge you bring from University training.
Clinical interests include restorative dentistry and anterior aesthetics including provision of Invisalign orthodontics.
Being an ex FD of this same practice in the not too distant past (at least I keep thinking I'm that young!), I know the challenges and difficulties of starting in practice. I am often described by colleagues as a good and supportive listener - be it work or personal life.
Other interests include music, films, sports and especially travelling. Love a good road trip! Big geek at heart when it comes to history and science! I like to think I'm witty - FDs get extra points for laughing at my dad jokes!
Akshai Shah: I have been an ES since 2022 and clinical educator for trainee hygienists with the university of Essex since 2021. During this time I have greatly enjoyed teaching and passing all the knowledge and experience I have gained since graduating to the next generation of dentists and hygienists. I would like to think myself as approachable and patient and always ready to mentor and support FDs as they grow and develop themselves.
I enjoy all aspects of general dentistry, but have a clinical interest in aesthetic dentistry having done further training in this area.
Other Interests/hobbies include sports- be it watching or playing. I especially enjoy watching football, cricket, and formula one and play table tennis regularly. I also enjoy travelling, with holidays involving a road trip being my favourite.
Paul Jackson: Foundation Dentist Educational Supervisor for 25+ years. Dental Hygienist Educational Supervisor - since 2015. Formerly - Essex Coast Training Programme Director 2010-2013
The Practice:
Established since 1989 with well maintained equipment laced with lots of newer technology including digital radiography, computerised record keeping and Large LCD screens to help with patient communication. We've also got whiteboards in all surgeries for teaching and patient communication. Endodontics is carried out with reciprocating Ni-Ti files for efficient and high quality results. It's been a training practice for over 25 years so we're fully geared up towards education!
The FD surgery is fully stocked with all the materials, OHI tools etc you need with a handy ambidextrous chair for right or left handed operation. There is a whole host of dental textbooks, journals etc for access.
But really, what matters is our ethos. We are genuinely very ethics focused and are big on patient education, prevention and quality. A friendly and happy atmosphere is very important to us which keeps staff and patients alike in great spirits. We pride ourselves on positivity and being warm! If you don't believe us - just check our our google reviews. Having a sense of humour and being a great team player really helps!
The Area: Hoddesdon is a diverse market town. It's growing massively with new accommodation being built all the time as well as a very large new TV/film studio just a few miles away. There's a nice mix of age groups, ethnicities and socio-economic groups for good all round experience. There are many new patients who've joined us in the last year but also even more who have been with us for over 20 years. They tend to be loyal!
Hoddesdon is just a few miles north of the M25 and easily accessible from Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Essex and North London. And it's a great area to relocate to! We're lucky to have some amazing independent restaurants, shops and bakeries. Market day on Wednesday brings some really innovative fresh foods and drinks.
Other Points of Interest: Avid motorsport fans may be aware that Hoddesdon is home to Rye House Speedway - one of the UK's top go karting tracks - the very same one that Lewis Hamilton started out at. You may also be aware that celebrity chef Gino D'Acampo and his family live in Hoddesdon. Our practice's favourite restaurant, Marcanatos offers the best Italian food you've had (outside of Italy) with live tribute acts. And yes there will be at least one outing and you'll be singing along for sure! Historians may be aware of the Rye House Plot ..... It's an old town after all!