A healthy, happy smile says so much about a person. It can change the way you gain confidence and also the way others respond towards you.
I am a first-year student at the University of Portsmouth, Dental Academy studying Certificate of Higher Education in Dental Nursing. I find dentistry fascinating, interesting and very educational as it’s a vital part of our lives. The journey of my university experience started on 20 September 2010. The thought of university lifestyle, educational lectures and meeting new people from around the world is very exciting, exhilarating and elating. However, my course is very intense and demanding and requires a lot of scientific knowledge. Therefore, I am aware that I will have to work exceptionally hard to achieve my aims, ambitions, goals and overall success in this course.
‘Every day of university is unique, inimitable and incomparable at the Academy because I learn a new fact, see the reality and discover something amazing that I have never known in the past’
Most days I am at the Academy from 9am till 6pm. The majority of the time we have lectures on different units such as An Introduction To Oral/Human Biomedical Science, Health & Safety And Infection Control in Dentistry, First Aid And Clinical Emergencies, The Scientific Basis Of Oral Health Promotion etc. In order to apply these theories into practice we spend a few sessions each week on the clinical floor working alongside Dental and Dental Hygiene/Therapy students.
One of my typical days at the university would consist of waking up at 6am, getting ready and leaving my house by 7am. My journey from the house to the Academy comprises a 20-minute bike ride, 15 minutes on the ferry and 20 minutes walk to the Academy. I will get into the Academy by 8am, plan, organise and do bits and bobs for the day. Then start my day at 9am, which could be on clinics or in the lecture theatre. I will finish the day at 5/6pm at the Academy and then set off to the library to study, research, revise and work on my assignments/presentations. About 9pm I will head off to the ferry to go home and sleep.
University keeps me super busy during the weekdays and this is same at the weekends at Asda, where I work part-time. At work I’ve taken the opportunity to qualify as a First Aider, which I find very challenging as you never know what can happen in a few seconds, every first aid call is distinctive, dissimilar and different. I enjoy dealing with diverse circumstances as it’s pleasurable to help someone out and make them feel safe. First aiding during an emergency is very fulfilling.
Every day of university is unique, inimitable and incomparable at the Academy because I learn a new fact, see the reality and discover something amazing that I have never known in the past.
I can take all these new theories away and use to educate my friends and family in healthcare free of charge. Some days at the university are really lengthy, demanding and challenging, and after my busy day at the university I am exhausted, shattered and feel very sleepy. However, simultaneously I feel blessed, privileged and honoured to have this amazing opportunity to study dental nursing.
This is because studying this course has provided me with the opportunity to learn a new useful fact every day, that I will be using for rest of my life as a dental care professional to educate the public in healthcare and good oral hygiene. I wish to achieve this career because it gives me the opportunity to make a positive contribution to society.
Shahed Ahmed pictured here with the Portsmouth Dental Academy’s Sarah Holmes
