The Educational Supervisor: 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. In my spare time, I play hockey competitively and love baking. Educational Supervisor Since 2021.
Glen Taylor: qualified from Kings College London in 2000 and have been an ES since 2010. I have worked in both NHS and private practice and joined CDS for a new challenge. I work with some access patients, but have found focusing on the care of children and adults with additional needs exceptionally rewarding.
I am passionate about lifelong learning, gaining diploma’s in Restorative Dental Practice and Medical education. I have a post graduate certificate in Advanced General Dental Practice, have studied Sports Dentistry; allowed me to pass on the new skills I have learnt to my FDs.
I have worked with over 17 FDs and enjoyed every moment of it! I always have an open door and will be available to offer guidance, help and support whenever required. I find seeing my FDs grow in confidence and develop their skills as the year progresses remarkably rewarding.
The Practice: Leighton Buzzard is made up of 2 spacious surgeries each equipped with analogue x-rays and Computerised Carestream R4 administration, a waiting room, decontamination room, an office, staff room access and a car park. We have an extensive range of dental materials and equipment including rotary endo, and equipment for inhalation sedation. We provide majority NHS dentistry, but do also provide private treatment as requested. Our Leighton Buzzard Clinic is situated just a 5 minute walk from the center of Leighton Buzzard town, with an abundance of shops and restaurants, with the Grand Union Canal and its gorgeous walks literally just a stone's throw from the surgery.
The Dental Care Centre (DCC) is a modern clinic containing 8 spacious surgeries, an x-ray room with digital intra-oral x-rays and OPG, 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.
The Areas: Our Leighton Buzzard Clinic is situated just a 5 minute walk from the center of Leighton Buzzard town, with an abundance of shops and restaurants, with the Grand Union Canal and its gorgeous walks literally just a stone's throw from the surgery. Leighton Buzzard is a a beautiful market town that is easily commutable from Milton Keynes, Luton and London, with a fast train that takes just 30 minutes to Euston. The area also boasts many pubs and restaurants as well as quaint cafes. Hosted within the town are several community markets that take place regularly throughout the week for both locals and visitors.
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: An FD 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.
Feedback from previous FD: "I feel extremely fortunate to have completed my FD year at CDS. My FD year has been very enjoyable because of the service that CDS provides. The team are all very friendly and approachable and everyone is happy to lend a helping hand or second opinion if you every need one. The educational supervisors and other dentists working at CDS are all experienced and brilliant at providing teaching and I have learnt so much from all the staff working here. CDS provides an invaluable learning experience from treating special care patients to having the opportunity to observe and work with oral surgery, restorative, endodontic and periodontal specialists, attend GA sessions and domiciliary visits. We are also provided with training for inhalation sedation and are able to carry out inhalation sedation on our own patients. This is just one of the unique features of having your FD year at CDS. Over the year I have become a much more confident and well-rounded clinician because of the teaching and experience provided to me at CDS, and I would recommend it to anyone."
Further information on CDS can be found at: www.communitydentalservices.co.uk