Workforce, training and education
East of England
Body: 
Houghton Regis Dental Centre
Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire
Karina
Thakrar
BDS MJDF
Year Qualified: 
Year Qualified: 2015
GDC Number: 
GDC Reg: 258765
Email Address: 
Houghton Regis Dental Centre
105-111 High Street
Houghton Regis
LU5 5BJ
Phone Number: 
01582 865001

The Educational Supervisor: Upon graduating from King’s College London in 2015, I undertook my dental foundation training at Houghton Regis Dental Centre. I have been an associate at the practice ever since. Over the years I have grown and developed my skills within the supportive environment, and I hope to offer my FD that same support and encouragement to learn, gain confidence and create a good foundation for the future. Having been an FD at the practice myself, I have been in your shoes and so hope to make your transition into practice as smooth as possible. We have a friendly, close-knit team, who is always willing to lend a hand and my door will always be open to give you help and guidance wherever you may need it. 
I am ambitious and committed to my own learning, regularly attending courses, and currently working towards a Diploma in Aesthetic and Restorative Dentistry. I thoroughly enjoy most aspects of general dentistry, especially building good relationship with my patients. I also provide Invisalign and facial aesthetics treatments. 

The Practice: The Houghton Regis Dental Practice is part of the Obex Dental group and has a blend of private and NHS patient base, including an NHS Orthodontic contract, situated in the heart of Houghton Regis in Bedfordshire. 
The practice continues to move at pace with technology; Kavo dental chairs, digital sensors in every surgery, fibre optic handpieces, iTero Scanners, OPG, Pulp testers, Apex locators, rotary endo systems, Prophy stain removal kit, Rondo-flex air abrasion kit, multiple composite and matrix systems are all on hand to enhance daily training and development on your journey.  All surgeries have air-conditioning, computers with Exact software and phones, along with a spacious staff room with kitchen facilities and parking is available.
The clinical team are dedicated and established in supporting each other in their different aspects of dentistry; from current FDs who have studied abroad, clinicians working towards their ORE, to specialists in Ortho.  Hygiene therapists are available to refer to in house, and senior clinicians with specialist interests and further postgraduate qualifications in endo, oral surgery and implants are available to learn from within the wider Obex team across the estate. Furthermore, you will have access to our sister specialist referral centre for exposure to high end specialist treatment.

  

The Area: Houghton Regis is a small market town in Bedfordshire that along with its near neighbours of Dunstable and Luton form a conurbation of over a 250,000 people.
Houghton Regis blends modern housing and amenities with many historic buildings and features, also the Chilterns Area Of Natural Beauty is only a short walk away. Whilst being a small town, the nearness of Dunstable and Luton means that all of the shops, restaurants and attractions expected of a large town are on our doorstep
Despite being so close to the countryside Houghton Regis is well situated for travelling to larger towns and cities with London being a 40 min drive or via the train at Luton. Milton Keynes, Bedford, and Stevenage are also nearby. 
The practice itself is has free parking and is walking distance to the shops, cafes, coffee shops and town centre.  

Other Points of Interest: Houghton Regis Dental Practice is part of Obex Dental, which means collectively we have a wealth of experience, whether it is in dentistry or simply life, we can pretty much guarantee someone will be able to help you!  
We don’t just see the patients that come through our doors, we are passionate about the community and trying to make sure that children have access to oral health care.  We aim to create ‘pop up’ clinics to educate and provide access, whilst also taking on children under the NHS.  This is also why we are supporting “Dallaglio Rugbyworks” who receive 100% of all our sundry sales, this helps them work with young people aged 12-18 who are experiencing school exclusion to help support them in realising their full potential for the future.

X