Dr. Minesh Patel Bedfordshire

VDP Training

We are very experienced team with lots of enthusiasm, motivation and a sympathetic, caring a attitude. We are very keen in developing newly qualified graduates into people who can survive in general practice and enjoy it at the same time.

We wish to share all our knowledge and experience with the new VDP and in return gain a new friend and colleague.

We have been shortlisted in the previous years for the Best Support Team in the UK Dental Awards.

We have immense experience in sedation, implantology, crown and bridgework, cosmetic dentistry and endodontics. Other colleagues interests are periodontology, hypnosis, prosthetics and paediatric dentistry and would encourage the VDP to learn by assisting us in all our cases.

We openly encourage positive criticism about the practice to enhance the smooth running.This we feel will bring a feeling of belonging to the team.

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Training & Supervision

With all trainees, we operate an open doors policy and we encourage our trainee to come to us for advice and help. We actively encourage interests in other areas of dentistry that will broaden your experiences.

We harbour a real ethos of postgraduate education. Virtually all the associates have gained the MJDF.

One has just completed a year programme in Implantology .Another is just about to finish the Diploma in Restorative at the Royal College of Surgeons, and has already gained the MFDS.

Our group also has an Oral Surgeon.He accepts referrals from other practices .He would be happy for the VDPs to assit in his day lists.

We hold regular post graduate tutorials with one of the dentists explaining a new technique or a summary of a course that they may have been on. We are soon inviting outside speakers.

We are able to offer the latest in dental materials including Gradia with over 35 shades and tints including pink gum composite for the demanding cases.

You will be able to assit regularly in advanced surgical cases including sinus grafts and block grafting.

Orthodontics is another area which we wish to develop the VDP and you will be able to gain experience in Invisaglin,Six Months Smile and Inman aligners.

We practice intra-venous sedation with trained sedation nurses and you would be taught this too.

We also wish to encourage a business acumen in the VDP. In the later part of the year we set a small project to create a business plan for a new business and teach the business skills needed to own and run a practice and other related business outside dentistry.

We have a year filled with structured tutorials that we have planned. The tutorials are conducted in various formats including one to one teaching, hands on practicals, didactic and problem based learning.

Some of the topics include:-Rotary Endo,Complcations with extractions, Carbon fibre bridges, Precision Attachments, Cosmetic Smile design, Periodontal surgery, Communication techniques, Facial rejuvenation, Crown lengthening, Bleaching techniques, Buying a practice, Work -life balance,

Dento-legal cases, Photography, Occlusal rehabilitation, Private dentistry, Radiology, Time management, What makes a good practice owner and Stabilization splints.

Socially

We regularly go for meals together. But our forte is running practice theme events.

These are some of the events the practice has undertaken.

Salsa Dancing, Snowboarding, Surfing on a Wave machine, Line dancing, Bollywood dancing, 70's disco, Old School Disco, Rock and Roll night and a Karaoke night.

We are planning rock climbing for our next event.

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What we are looking for

• A friendly, easy going individual with a good sense of humour, yet wishing to attain a high level of clinical standard in an ethical environment.
• Motivated and hungry for knowledge, yet enjoy it all at the same time.
• Someone keen to carry on the learning process and possibly start work towards the MJDF. We would encourage you to join a local dental study club to help you.

What our VTs say about our practice

I currently work as a VT in Bedford and Watford. I work Mondays and Wednesdays in Bedford, and Tuesdays and Thursdays in Watford. This post has given me a valuable insight into how to integrate into two different teams effectively and to build good working relations with different sets of staff. During my VT year I have had the opportunity to improve my skills in basic dentistry such as endodontics, crown preparation and direct restorations. I have also had the opportunity to use rotary endodontics, performed internal and external bleaching as well as conducting several surgical extractions. The advantage of this role is that by working in Bedford I was able to assist on implant placements every fortnight, with tutorials given on topics relevant to implants. Furthermore, I have had tutorials every week covering all aspect of dentistry where we look at articles and use the experience of our trainer to supplement learning objectives. I have thoroughly enjoyed my VT experience at Chrysalis Dental Practice and would recommend this post to any potential applicant. This post stands out due to the experience that can be gained by observing advanced dental procedures but also the pleasant practice environment that is present in both Watford and Bedford." - Raj Patade "I currently work in the Watford practice at Chrysalis. Initially, I was apprehensive about leaving university to start work in practice, but the staff members here have made that transition extremely easy. The practice is extremely busy, which I have found advantageous as I have gained an immense amount of experience, in a wide variety subject areas. As a result my diagnosis, treatment planning and manual dexterity skills have been heightened. Overall I would recommend a VT post at Chrysalis to anyone, as the entire team has been a blessing to work with.

Sheena Patel

This vocational training year has been absolutely fantastic. From the start Kalpana and Minesh have offered support, advice and training of the highest calibre. The emphasis was placed on providing the highest quality of dentistry to patient without ever shying away from patients who required complicated treatment. This general philosophy allowed me to grow in confidence throughout the year and by the end felt more than comfortable in making the transition from a VDP to an associate. The practice has a huge patient base and subsequently I was very busy much of the time. The patients I saw had varying treatment needs and consequently I was able to carry out a variety of treatments ranging from simple root canal treatments, bleaching cases and prosthetic work to complicated surgical extractions, crown and bridgework. In addition to this I was fortunate enough to assist and observe Minesh whilst he carried out implant placements and restorations, sinus grafting along with other surgical procedures. Tutorials with Kalpana and Minesh were very comprehensive, covering all clinical areas in depth as well as looking at the business side of dentistry and how to operate effectively as an associate.

Chrysalis has a very enthusiastic team in Watford. They are extremely friendly and I was able to fit into the dental team instantly. There was always a pleasant buzz whenever you walked into the practice. The associates are highly driven and ambitious. Along with Kalpana and Minesh, they also have an open door policy. They are always more than happy to give advice and talk through cases. I think most importantly all the dentists have a really strong passion for dentistry. This creates an environment whereby if you are willing to learn, dedicate your time, discuss ideas and share the same enthusiasm there is so much to gain from working here.

Jalpesh Patel

This year has been an excellent experience .It was extremely beneficial as a new graduate.I had the opportunity to perform a wide variety of treatments and learn about practice life.I feel throughly prepared for future practice life. I have benefited from two trainers and a variety of very skilled associates.

Rishi Pandya