Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Crowning glory
College best dental trainer in country
A team of Coatbridge dentists held their nerve to brush off the competition at a leading industry prizegiving ceremony.
New College Lanarkshire was crowned Dental Trainer of the Year at the Scottish Dental Awards.
The winning team was represented at the glittering event in the Glasgow Hilton by Kate Wilson, curriculum and quality leader for dental, and Clare Flynn and Jennifer Lowe, the college’s head of faculty of care and science and assistant head of faculty respectively.
All three are senior members of the dental department based in the college’s Coatbridge campus and it was a double celebration for Jennifer, who took home the Unsung Hero award.
A pioneer of dental nurse education in Scotland, the college is a leading training provider to the future generation of highly skilled dental nurses.
Since the upgrade of its facilities in 2015, it has gone from strength to strength in providing sector-leading training, including continued enhancement of training facilities and ongoing commitment to placement opportunities and partnerships.
Clare said: “The college’s commitment to ensuring its dental nurse learners are highly skilled and sought after within the profession is second to none, demonstrated in the curriculum, state-of-the-art facilities and excellent teaching team.
“I am absolutely delighted that Kate and her team have been recognised with the award of Dental Trainer of the Year, validating their exceptional commitment to learning and teaching.
“This year we introduced the Bachelor of Science degree in dental nursing in partnership with the University of the West of Scotland – the first of its kind in Scotland.
“It has raised the bar for all dental nurses, ensuring all have the opportunity to be educated to degree level.”
Jennifer was recognised individually in the Unsung Hero category for her ongoing commitment to enhancing dental nursing education nationally and internationally – beating five other industry heroes for the coveted title, shortlisted from a record amount of entries.
Jennifer has been responsible for introducing unique programmes of study to the Scottish Dental Nursing sector, as well as nurturing a generation of highly skilled, highly qualified dental nurses.
She said: “To just be shortlisted was an honour; however, to be the recipient of the Unsung Hero Award feels unreal.
“The messages of congratulations I have received since from my colleagues in education and the dental profession has been overwhelming.
“It goes without saying this would not have been possible without my colleague Kate and the team whom I have been privileged to work with for over 20 years.
“Whilst I am delighted to receive this award, I am equally pleased for the award for the college, Kate, her team and the excellent partnerships we have with the extended dental profession.”
Clare added: “I am thrilled for Jennifer’s award. She has been with the college for over 20 years, pioneering dental nursing through innovation and curriculum design.
“Her joy for learning and teaching and her commitment to each student is why the curriculum and its learners have flourished to the exceptional achievements we see today.”