The Educational Supervisors: Shaswati Mandal graduated from the University of Birmingham in 2007 and completed her Vocational Training in general practice on the West Midlands Scheme. She is an experienced dentist who has worked in general practice and Community Dental Services providing care to a variety of patients including the provision of inhalation sedation to anxious patients and enjoys working within a team. She has a Masters in Medical Law and Ethics, and another in Clinical Education. She is available to provide guidance and support to all colleagues in their dental careers. She is additionally involved in providing sedation to anxious patients and regularly attends general anaesthetic sessions at the Luton and Dunstable University Hospital.
Lydia Chao graduated from Kings College London in 2007 and completed her vocational training in general practice on the South West scheme. She joined the Community Dental Service as an MJDF trainee and has stayed with CDS since then. Lydia especially enjoys the variety, challenges and team work involved. She has a PG Cert in Special Care Dentistry from the Eastman Dental Institute and a PG Dip in Dental Sedation from Kings College London. She is involved in providing sedation to anxious patients and regularly attends general anaesthetic sessions at the Luton and Dunstable University Hospital.
The Practice: Liverpool Road is a seven surgery clinic on the edge of Luton town centre with air conditioning, central sterilisation and an OPG machine. The surgery in which the FD will work is spacious and well equipped; you will have access to phantom heads, rotary endo systems and a surgical handpiece when required.
FDs work alongside experienced dentists, therapists and dental nurses who carry out an extensive range of treatment on children and adults, many of whom are dentally anxious, phobic or have complex medical issues.
As a Foundation Dentist, you will provide routine dental care for adults and will be offering a wide range of dental treatment to your patients.
Our team is warm, welcoming and committed to Foundation Dental training, providing exciting opportunities for gaining experience and learning.
In addition to your routine patients, you will also have the chance to:
- attend paediatric and special care GA sessions
- treat patients under Inhalation sedation – with the option to work towards CDS-accredited inhalation sedation training.
- shadow and learn from our wider team including: specialists in oral surgery, endodontics and periodontics; and consultants in paediatric, restorative and special care dentistry.
- attend domiciliary care visits
- potentially get involved with our epidemiology surveys
- shadow or work on our mobile dental unit
The Area: Luton is an exciting and diverse place to work and easily accessible via the M1 and Thameslink rail network. Liverpool Road has secure car parking and is also within short walking distance to Luton train station.
Other Points of Interest: Community Dental Services - CIC is a large social enterprise, we pride ourselves on delivering quality, patient-centred dental care.
See what one of our previous FDs thought about their experience with us:
FD 2023-2024: “FD training at CDS was amazing! At CDS you have the opportunity to do so much more than general practice. It feels like a half way between uni and general practice. You can observe specialists (oral surgeon, endodontist, restorative consultant, special care, paediatric consultant), you have the opportunity to go on the mobile dental unit to the homeless shelter and schools as well as domicillary visits and you also get to carry out treatment for patients under GA.
Everyone here is so friendly and you’ll have the best time working with them. Shas and Lydia are so supportive and lovely + always make sure you’re looked after. Possibly the best ESs in the country. Others on the scheme will be stressing in their normal practices whilst you’re having the time of your life here. I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to complete my FD year here!"