Melanie Pomphrett discusses what it was like to take home Highly Commended in the Best Hygienist category.
How does it feel to have won an award?
I definitely never thought I would win an award. So now that the shock has worn off I feel immensely grateful!
Winning an award has never been the motivation to do the best job I can but it has always been a goal and aspiration of mine. It is really nice to have your hard work recognised and celebrated.
Did you enjoy the awards evening?
Despite the nerves I definitely enjoyed the awards, the virtual set up was impressive and I really enjoyed watching all of the other categories.
Why did you choose to enter the awards?
I always knew I wanted to enter the awards at least once in my career, I suppose you could say it was something to tick of my professional ‘bucket list’.
What do you think the awards are doing to the standards within the profession?
I think the awards help dental professionals and practices to strive to always be better.
I also think it gets dental teams thinking about what they can do outside of their dental practice, whether that is professional development through post-graduate education or participating in community projects.
Why do you think you won?
Whilst I love treating patients and I love the practice and team I work with, I am continually exploring options outside of my clinical remit. This is through furthering my education, producing a research paper and tutoring other dental professionals.
I hope that this contributed towards the award.
Have you noticed a difference in patient numbers/in the practice since winning the award?
Under the current circumstances and restrictions unfortunately it has not been possible for patient numbers to increase.
However, I have been fortunate enough to keep a very busy diary with regular and new patients attending the practice. In the future I hope this will continue to increase.
Will you will be entering the awards again this year?
I won’t be entering the awards this year. I have been incredibly lucky to take on a new, full time role within Philips (I used to work part time as a professional educator). My clinical hours have reduced to just Saturday mornings.
However, I really look forward to seeing the entrants for next year. I will actively encourage colleagues to enter and I will be sure to support them!
Anything else you’d like to add?
I think it is great that the awards take place. Not just for the personal satisfaction of being an award winner but because I think it is so important to always looks for ways of developing yourself. And to find what you are really passionate about and to try to be the best you possibly can be.
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