The Educational Supervisor: Kalpana Patel qualified from Leeds Dental School in 1989 and Riya Patel qualified from Kings Dental School London in 2019. Kalpana undertook foundation training as an FD before it was made compulsory. Kalpana has been an ES since 2007 and has the passion and desire to be part of foundation training and is committed to postgraduate education. She has successfully completed the Postgraduate Certificate in Dental Education (PgCert) at the University of Bedfordshire and really enjoys teaching and training recently qualified graduates.
Riya is an enthusiastic younger dentist and because Riya qualifyed only in 2019 she can relate to a lot of the problems that new FDs can possibly face. She enjoys doing general dentistry, with a particular interest in Facial Aesthetics.
The Practice: Chrysalis Dental Practice is an air conditioned and modern 6 surgery practice over 2 floors.
It is a long established mixed NHS/Private family practice and has provided FD training since 2003.
We are fully computerised with digital radiographic and photographic equipment and an OPG/CBCT machine.
There is a Central Decontamination Room and 3 waiting areas.
Our entire team is welcoming and contributes to the professional development of new FDs.
With all FDs, we operate an open door policy and we encourage our FD to come to us for advice and help. We actively encourage interests in other areas of dentistry that will broaden your experiences. We harbour a real ethos of postgraduate education.
Many of the associates have completed an MSc in Restorative Dentistry and many of the others are on a Restorative programme.
You will be able to regularly shadow in vast advanced restorative techniques such as Injection Moulding.
You will be able to assist regularly in advanced surgical cases including sinus grafts and block grafting. Orthodontics is another area which we wish to develop the FD and you will be able to gain experience in clear aligners. We practice intravenous sedation with trained sedation nurses and you would have the opportunity to shadow and assist in these cases.
The Area: The practice is located in North Watford - this diverse demographic has allowed the practice to grow its NHS and private patients significantly over the last 30 years. The practice is situated in a well populated residential area and is therefore a very busy practice. It is only a 15 minute walk to Watford Junction Station, and is well connected to main roads such as the M25 and A41 which makes this a very popular location to work. It is about a 10 minute drive from the local shopping centre and a 5 minute walk from the local high street with a vast array of coffee shops and local supermarkets.
Other Points of Interest: The practice is located in a residential area therefore finding accommodation that is nearby will be relatively easy. The transport links to and from London are very easy, as its only a 20 minute train journey from Watford Junction into London Euston. We serve a wide range of patient groups and have a stable and loyal base of patients.
Our group also has 2 Maxillofacial surgeons, who would be happy for the FDs to assist in their day list. We hold regular postgraduate tutorials explaining new techniques and summaries of courses that dentists have been on. We are able to offer the latest in dental materials and an extensive range of composite shades including pink gum composites for demanding cases.
We have a year filled with structured tutorials that we have planned. The tutorials are conducted in various formats including one to one teaching, hands on practicals, didactic and problem based learning. Some of the topics include rotary endo, complications with extractions, carbon fibre bridges, cosmetic smile design, periodontal surgery, communication techniques, facial rejuvenation , crown lengthening, bleaching techniques, buying a practice, work life balance, dento-legal cases, photography, occlusal rehabilitation, tome management and stabilisation splints. We will also teach complex treatment planning.