Page 66 - RADC 2023

EDUCATION
Pirbright
dental centre
Bulletin
update
Lt Col Steve Davis
Another busy but rewarding year for the Pirbright team. In terms of workforce, we have had a successful award of NEBDN by Pte (now LCpl) Heather Hughes and she has quickly moved on to her own centre in Hereford and assumed significant practice management responsibilities. LCpl Michelle Vosataki joined us as Deputy Practice Manager and quickly established herself within the team to great effect with her communication and engagement to nurses and clinical staff supporting the very busy practice manager/Group practice manager. In great news, LCpl Vosataki leaves us on promotion to Cpl to begin work at St Athan in spring 2024 and is currently working hard in preparation for her Army Leadership and Development Programme (ALDP) where we know that she will bask in great success. While we were sad to see Dr Meldrum leave the team we are thrilled that she has Commissioned into the RADC and recently completed their Commissioning Course (Short) at Sandhurst. We are also delighted to have been selected for Dental Nurse training again and LCpl Kenisha Telesford joined us for her Clinical Acquaint Module before starting her pathway in
the New Year, and we are confident that she will perform wonderfully under the guidance of the training team.
After a couple of years of reduced
workforce I am happy that we are approaching becoming fully established and look forward to welcoming a new CDP, Dr Gurung, in the New Year and Capt Elisha Bell in the spring. Recent new entrants to the civil service include Asha and Dalitso who have settled seamlessly into the group showing a great desire to learn and develop as our new CDNs.
Key highlights include LCpl Vosataki being part of the RADC Marching Contingent
for the Coronation of King Charles III on Operation GOLDEN ORB showing true selfless commitment, desire and huge levels of positive mental attitude in being part of that special Band of Brothers and Sisters. Lt Col Davis was able to continue to support the 4 x 4 x 4 David Goggins charity run once again, managing the full event just in time to then enjoy the LS Regional Training day in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.
The centre and staff have been able to fully support Pirbright Health fairs to the recruits with great feedback, LCpl Vosataki provided food and the Warrior dance from a Fijian perspective to the recruits as part of the ATC Cultural day educating new recruits about Fijian heritage. The team recently visited the local nursery to provide oral health education to the children and staff with excellent feedback that will become a regular occurrence for social engagement.
Pirbright’s ongoing development continues with Project British Army Soldier Academy (BASA) gathering pace with new accommodation planned and a very smart Welfare centre being erected. You may
have seen some evidence of this in Soldier magazine. The dental centre is planned for a significant upgrade from 5 to 11 surgeries with a FOC planned for 2030 being mooted.
64 RADC BULLETIN 2023