Onkar Dhanoya's 25 Years Dentistry Career in Newcastle
Click here to view news documentAt this time of the year many students in the Sixth Form are thinking of exams and future careers. This year Onkar Dhanoya, Principal Dentist at the Osborne Dental Group, is celebrating 25 years since graduating from Newcastle University Dental School. Onkar answers questions on his career in dentistry.
What made you decide on Dentistry as a career?I had an accident, which resulted in a serious injury to my teeth. That sparked my initial interest.
Why did you decide on Newcastle University?Luckily I received offers from four of my choices. I chose Newcastle because the student who was responsible for showing me around took me to the Student Union bar and bought me a drink! Newcastle University Dental School has always enjoyed a great reputation and I had great fun as a student there.
Which aspect of your working life do you enjoy most?Since qualifying I have developed two aspects of my career: the clinical and the teaching. Looking after the dental health of families at my practices since 1987, I have seen my patients regularly during the last twenty or so years. It is this sense of being part of a community that I enjoy. At Osborne Dental and Stanley Dental we provide the full range of NHS and private treatments, this ensures a breadth of clinical experience I value.
In addition to my clinical practice, I have maintained a teaching commitment at Newcastle Dental School since 1996. As well as undergraduate teaching, for a long time I have been involved in training and mentoring newly qualified dentists. I am also an examiner for the Royal College of Surgeons in London and I teach and mentor dental colleagues who are considering expanding their practice in the area of Dental Implantology. It is this combination of clinical and teaching commitments that I find most rewarding.
Which skills do you think are the most important for the practice of modern dentistry?It goes without saying that excellence in surgical skills is the most important. In my view it is vital for a dentist to continue his learning throughout his career to provide the best treatments for his patients. A dentist must also gain the confidence and trust of his patients and be able to work with other members of the dental team to successfully deliver a high standard of dental care to his patients.
After 25 years of practicing dentistry what are you proud of?I became principal dentist at Stanley Dental in 1986 and at Osborne Dental in 2000. I have continually invested in the surgery premises and in the latest equipment. We have recently achieved a successful expansion programme at both practices.
Last year we entered the British Dental Association Good Practice Scheme, Practice of the Year award. We were really pleased to be shortlisted as a finalist, but the best thing was that we were told that we had scored the highest marks nationally for our practice’s commitment to continuing education of the dental team. I am proud of the surgeries, the colleagues I work with and the care we provide to our patients.
What challenges does dentistry face in the future?The Osborne Dental Group works hard to deliver a high quality of care to all our patients. Our challenge is to continually improve the service we provide. Dental surgeons are working under an NHS contract that has inherent problems. Last year, Professor Jimmy Steele, the present Dean of Newcastle University Dental School, conducted a review into the provision of NHS dental care. His recommendations are now being piloted – the jury is out.
Any advice for a student thinking of a career in dentistry?Find out as much as you can about dentistry. Arrange lots of work experience and if you really care about providing a high quality of dental care, work hard and get the grades.
How are you going to celebrate the 25th anniversary?
In June 2010, I will be travelling to Romania to take part in the St Oswald’s Transylvanian Challenge. The Challenge includes hiking in the Transylvanian Alps, biking through the villages of Transylvania and volunteering at a Romanian Hospice. Quite fitting for a dentist to go to the birth-place of the guy with the most famous teeth – Dracula! By taking part in this unique challenge, I will be helping to raise vital funds for St Oswald’s Hospice. I will also be providing dental care to the residents of the Casa Sperantei hospice, which is run by the hospice charity Hospices of Hope. Through the combined efforts of my fellow participants taking part in the Challenge, we aim to raise over £30,000 that will help ensure St Oswald’s can continue to offer its vital care services.
The Osborne Dental Group provides work placements for two students each year. Find out more about the surgeries on www.osbornedental.com or by emailing the practice manager, Helen Marks, on info@osbornedental.com
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