Local dental professional Keira Leigh Matheson is celebrating an important career milestone, transitioning from a dental nurse to a fully qualified dental therapist, now serving patients across three Highland practices.

Born and raised in Fort William, Keira (31) began her career in dentistry when she joined M&S Dental Care in her hometown as a trainee dental nurse aged 19.

Reflecting on her decision, she said: “I left school at 18 and went to Edinburgh Napier University to study biology, but it wasn’t the right fit for me, so I returned home a little unsure of my next steps. A good friend of mine was working as a dental nurse and encouraged me to apply for a position at M&S Dental Care. I was fortunate enough to get the job, and it turned out to be the best decision I ever made.”

Inspired by her new career, Keira dreamed of pursuing a future in dental therapy but initially hesitated due to the challenges of pursuing a three-year degree whilst balancing financial responsibilities. But the pandemic provided an unexpected opportunity.

She continued: “During lockdown, with reduced hours, I had time to really consider my next steps. I applied to the University of the Highlands and Islands, and I started my course in 2021. From the outset, Clyde Munro was incredibly supportive – offering flexibility and genuine encouragement, making it possible for me to balance work and study.

 “It was brilliant to have the chance to learn the theory at university and then apply it at work, observing experienced clinicians and getting their advice. I wouldn’t have been able to manage it without Clyde Munro’s flexibility and encouragement.”

Keira graduated in June 2024 and began her role as a dental therapist two months later, now working across M&S Dental Care in Fort William, Glencoe Dental Centre and Oban Dental Care.

Transitioning from dental nurse to therapist has been both challenging and rewarding Keira said: “As a dental nurse, you provide chairside assistance, but as a therapist, you’re the one leading the treatment. It’s a big change, but I’ve loved taking on more responsibility. Clyde Munro’s Therapy Support Programme ensures I never feel alone. There’s always someone to turn to if I need guidance.”

Keira is also passionate about showcasing the accessibility of dentistry as a career. She continued: “I started as a dental nurse with just my high school qualifications, training on the job through a local college. It’s a fantastic pathway for anyone who wants to get into the profession without committing to a degree right away. Dentistry has so many opportunities for growth.”

Keira is now focused on gaining broad experience across all aspects of dental therapy. While she is open to specialising in the future – potentially in children’s dentistry – her current priority is honing her skills and providing excellent care to patients across the three practices she serves. She added: “Work-life balance has become more important than ever since the pandemic, and Clyde Munro really understands that. The industry has really evolved in recent years, and while it’s a demanding career, it’s also incredibly rewarding.”

To find out more about the Therapist Support Programme and career development opportunities available at Clyde Munro, please visit careers.clydemunrodental.com/therapist-support-programme/.

Clyde Munro Dental Group understands the challenges dentists face in the first few years of their careers. Not only does the group strive to create friendly and inclusive practice environments, but there is also a considerable amount of additional support available. Nowhere is this more evident than in the Flying Start Programme offered to early career dentists.

This year, this included an exclusive trip to the Dentsply Sirona Innovation Centre in Germany.

The Flying Start Programme

The year-long programme consists of several training days that enable clinicians to learn new skills and consolidate their knowledge so far. It affords an opportunity to engage with more experienced peers, to seek their advice for specific clinical challenges and to interact with colleagues who are in the same situation.  

Topics covered during the programme include the digital workflow, smile design, orthodontics and occlusion, with well-respected and talented dentists presenting both theoretical and hands-on sessions. Participants also receive priority access to courses available through the dedicated Clyde Munro Advanced Dentistry & Clinical Skills Centre, clinical support when back in front of patients and assistance with other areas of practice life to ensure a seamless transition to dental associate.

A trip to remember

Dentists taking part in the Flying Start Programme 2024 also had the fantastic opportunity to visit the Dentsply Sirona Innovation Centre in Bensheim, Germany. This visit was about discovering the latest digital solutions on the market and learning how to make the very most of the features on offer. The ultimate goal was to help the visiting clinicians deliver the highest standard of patient care, boosting their competence and confidence while using innovative technologies in practice.

Delegate Dr Stuart Collier, commented:

“It’s been a really interesting day to see all the new technology. This included the new PrimeScan, an intraoral scanner that has just come to market, and the CEREC, which I don’t have in the practice just now, so that was brand-new to me and really interesting.”

Discovery and troubleshooting

While exploring the technology, delegates learnt how to fully utilise the equipment, but also how to maintain it. The product experts demonstrated an array of situations where using the right tools for the right job will minimise the risk of or solve common issues.

This was a key benefit for one of the attendees, Amanda Bassey-Duke, who commented:

“This trip has given me the knowledge to understand if this is a problem, this is how I can fix it and how to troubleshoot my way through a lot of things. This event has provided the ability for everyone to come together, to enjoy each other’s company and hear about what we all do in practice. Dentistry is very solitary – you can be in your room, just you and your dental nurse – so it’s good to see how other people do things and why. This doesn’t happen anywhere else so I’m really grateful for the opportunity. It’s one of those once-in-a-lifetime trips and I’m going to leave here dreaming of what’s possible.”

A digital future

Technology is playing a massive role in the delivery of high-quality patient care today and this is only going to increase with time. Various digital solutions are already available across Clyde Munro practices, enabling dentists to provide accurate, predictable and effective dental treatment for a wide range of patients. 

Working with leading technology providers like Dentsply Sirona is a sign of the group’s commitment to investing in this field for its dentists and its patients. The visit to Germany echoes more of the same – which is why delegates on the Flying Start Programme for 2025 will also get this opportunity.

Delegate Bronagh Wishart summarised her experience:

“It’s been amazing learning about all the new advances in digital technology in dentistry. I think it’s really exciting for the future. Thanks to Clyde Munro for having us, it’s been such a great couple of days. I look forward to getting back to practice and using all the skills that we learned.”

The trip to Germany is scheduled again for 2025, providing more newly qualified with an opportunity to advance their knowledge and confidence in digital dentistry.

To find out more about the Flying Start Programme and career development opportunities available at Clyde Munro, please visit careers.clydemunrodental.com/flying-start-programme/.