A day in the life of... Samantha, Dentistry

7.45am

Leave home for my 8am lecture on extractions and local anaesthetics at the United Dental Hospital. Thank goodness I live a few minutes away!

9.00am

Go downstairs to the coffee shop for a quick catch up with friends and a cup of coffee.

9.20am

Go to the locker room on level eight to get my white coat and notes and organise myself for the morning clinical session on level five, where I set up the cubicle for my patient. I make sure all the equipment that I need is there, read the patient file and then gown up.

9.40am

Go to the waiting room to meet and greet the patient. Make the patient comfortable in the chair before commencing treatment, after a history and medication check.

10.40am

Get tutor to check work, finish up with patient, and clean cubicle for the next patient.

11.00am

Assist my partner with her patient, ensuring all the equipment is present and charts are filled in.

12.35am

Have lunch with friends in the common room, play pool, watch TV or chat with friends.

1.30pm

Go to level 5 where I practise my tooth conservation skills on extracted and plastic teeth which have been mounted into a plastic model head, then listen to and observe tutors.

2pm

Drill different cavity designs into real, extracted teeth.

3.30pm

Tutors perform more demonstrations and provide more instructions, then we practise what they have just shown us.

4.25pm

Pack up all the instruments, clean my working area, collect my belongings from the locker room.

5pm

Go with friends for a drink and snack to the Hippo Lounge, where we chat, and relax, then head home for some supper and a little studying.