The Educational Supervisors: Jacqueline Coomar: I graduated from the University of Birmingham in 2012 and I completed my foundation training in CDS. Following this, I worked as a Max Fax SHO at the Nottingham University Hospitals. Since then I have worked in NHS and private practices, along with CDS. I have a PG certificate in Dental Sedation. I treat anxious patients under IHS, IVS and GA. I thoroughly enjoy teaching and fully adopt an open door policy. I have a puppy and love traveling.

Stephanie Agar: I graduated from the University of Birmingham in 2017 and completed my Foundation Training year on the North Central London Scheme, completing my MFDS in this time. I undertook DCT in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, gaining special interests in Oral Surgery and Oral Medicine. I joined CDS in 2019, and I provide a range of treatment on a wide variety of patients. I have extensive experience with post-graduate training and qualifications, including national recruitment, and enjoy working and presenting poster presentations and publications. 

Glen Taylor: I qualified from Kings College London in 2000 and had been an ES for 10 years. Since graduating, I have worked in both NHS and Private practice and now find myself working in CDS because I wanted a new challenge. In 2010 I was awarded Dentistry magazines "Best Young Dentist " or the South East region. I am also passionate about lifelong learning, gaining several post graduate qualifications, this has allowed me to pass on the new skills I have learnt.

The Practice: Houghton Regis is the newest of the CDS clinics and has 2 spacious modern surgeries with digital radiographs and Computerised Carestream R4 administration, digital OPG, a waiting room, two decontamination rooms, an office, staff room access and a car park. We have a bariatric chair, 2 fixed hoists, digital x-rays, rotary endo and equipment for inhalation and intravenous sedation, as well as access to a broad range of restorative materials and equipment. We provide majority NHS dentistry, but do also provide private treatment as requested. 

The Dental Care Centre (DCC) is a modern clinic containing 8 spacious surgeries, an x-ray room, a decontamination suite, a beautiful summer garden, a staff room and three separate office spaces. We have a bariatric chair, right/left handed units, a wheelchair recliner and 3 microscopes. All surgeries have built in facilities for inhalation sedation and we also provide IV sedation sessions. You will have access to phantom heads to assist you with your educational needs. 

However, you will also have the opportunity to:

• attend pediatric and special care GA sessions
• treat patients under Inhalation sedation
• shadow and learn from our team comprising of: endodontists, a periodontist, minor oral surgery, special care specialist's and a restorative consultant.  If the opportunity allows you could shadow or work on our mobile unit, or take part with our domiciliary  team.  

Put in the effort and we will offer you an amazing FD year with a twist!

The Area: Our Houghton Regis clinic is in a very convenient location with a variety of food and retail establishments just outside the clinic and within a few minutes walk from the beautiful Houghton Hall Park. There is plenty of allocated staff parking spaces, as well as good transport links from Luton. Houghton Regis is easily accessible from the M1 and only a few minutes drive from Dunstable and Luton. 

Bedford was founded on the River Great Ouse which passes through the town centre. We are close to Milton Keynes and are less than a 1 hour train ride from the centre of London. It is a great town and whilst many of our team reside locally, each year we have many different clinicians who choose to commute (drive or train) from the London area.  Bedford hosts an annual international Kite festival, and bi annual River festival. Just outside the town lie the Cardington airship hangers, famous for the construction of the infamous R101.  The hangars have been used to shoot scenes for movies such as Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, and Inception.  Milton Keynes is great for shopping, and socialising. It has several cinemas including an IMAX, a ski centre, and a sky diving centre.

Other Points of Interest:  What do our FD’s say?
FD 2020-21
Given the difficulties with the pandemic, this year was always going to be challenging, but looking back it hasn’t been as bad as I thought. A significant part of this is due to the well-planned organisation that is CDS and I have been very lucky to have spent my FD year in such a supportive training environment.
Everyone here is incredibly friendly and always has time to discuss a case or get a quick opinion from and this has really helped, as there have been many times where I wasn’t sure of something and someone was around to help. I have been able to carry a wide range of treatments including complex treatments utilising a variety of materials.  I have been lucky enough to attend GA services at the hospital a few times and also shadow the oral surgeon which has very much helped improved my oral surgery skills.  I have also had the opportunity to practice using inhalation sedations.. I believe I have become a much more skilled clinician over this year and have been able to develop at my own pace. I owe this all to the amazing staff and organisation that is CDS, and I will be forever grateful. Thank you for this amazing year.

FD 2019-20
“We are very fortunate to have specialists to approach and seek advice so you will never feel short of support here.   All in all, one of the best decisions I made, and I can assure you that you will have a great time working for CDS during your FD year – good luck!”

Community Dental Service is a large social enterprise and we pride ourselves in delivering quality, patient-centred dental care. A social enterprise is an organisation that re-invests its profits back into the organisation or into the community, and so, when they profit the community profits too!