S6 Ep 5 : How Can Dental Therapists Create More Opportunities? Using Your Full Scope with Imogen Fox

Could saying yes transform your dental career? From safe beginner to paediatric leaderWhat if the next step in your career is not part of a carefully mapped-out five-year plan, but simply an opportunity you are curious enough to say yes to?In this episode of Conversations with Dental Friends, Rachael is joined by award-winning dental hygienist and therapist Imogen Fox, whose incredibly varied career has taken her through foundation training, head and neck cancer care, special care dentistry, education, private practice and paediatric dentistry.Imogen shares why becoming a “safe beginner” is the real goal when we qualify and how the right mentorship helped her build confidence in her full dental therapy scope. We also discuss why you do not need to feel completely ready before accepting an opportunity and how some of Imogen’s biggest career developments began with a leap of faith.The conversation explores Imogen’s formative work as one of the UK’s first Macmillan dental therapists, what treating head and neck cancer patients taught her about compassionate empathy and the importance of knowing when to ask for help.We also look at the huge opportunity for dental therapists within paediatric dentistry. Imogen explains how therapists can lead children’s examinations, prevention and restorative care, while sharing practical advice for creating a positive experience for young patients.This is a wonderfully reassuring conversation about staying curious, building confidence, exploring your scope and creating a dental career that can evolve alongside the different seasons of your life.In this episodeWhy foundation training and supportive mentorship can transform early clinical confidenceBecoming comfortable with being a safe beginnerSaying yes before you feel completely readyBuilding a varied career across oncology, special care, education and private practiceWhat head and neck cancer care taught Imogen about compassionate empathyThe opportunities available to dental therapists within paediatric dentistryImogen’s three practical principles for treating childrenCreating a career that supports both professional fulfilment and family lifeLinks and resources mentionedImogen’s professional profile and dental articlesHead and Neck Cancer Care in the General Practice Setting, Imogen’s on-demand educational webinarProgress and Headwinds for Dental Therapists, Imogen’s article on the future of dental therapy and paediatric careDentaid’s Uganda volunteering programme, for dental professionals interested in overseas volunteeringNSK Ikigai, where Imogen is an opinion leader and educatorConnect with ImogenConnect with Imogen Fox on LinkedInRead more about Imogen’s clinical work at Refresh DentalContinue the conversationFollow Conversations with Dental Friends on Instagram: @conversationswithdentalfriendsFollow Rachael on Instagram: @homegirlhygienistVisit the Homegirl Hygienist websiteA huge thank you to Oral-B and NSK for sponsoring this episode and supporting Conversations with Dental Friends.If this conversation encouraged you to explore more of your scope or say yes to a new opportunity, share it with a dental friend who might need that reminder too.You can also download the free Conversations with Dental Friends Career Planning Workbook by commenting the word link on the episode, and I’ll send it directly to you. Imogen Instagram @dental.hygienist.uk