Miriam Moar and Ingrid Couper, NHS Shetland dental nurses, have been accepted on the NHS Education for Scotland (NES) Orthodontic Therapy Training Programme 2024/25.

An innovative ‘on-Island’ training model has been agreed with NES for the programme. The course will take place over two years (as opposed to one), to ensure that both nurses get the required clinical supervision hours.

Miriam and Ingrid endured a rigorous application and interview process, before receiving a formal offer for the course in April 2024. This has been made possible due to the support and commitment of Grant McIntyre, Elinor Chalmers and Catherine Tothill, NHS Shetland’s orthodontic clinicians.

The training course started in May 2024, with an intensive month in Edinburgh. This will be followed by clinical sessions in Shetland and Edinburgh over the next 12 months.

For the second year, clinical sessions will mainly take place in Shetland.

Antony Visocchi, director of dentistry, said, “As a result, the orthodontic service will have more stability but also build strong foundations for the future. We are delighted to be able to offer this opportunity to our existing staff to upskill and develop their careers within the dental profession.

“Congratulations to both Miriam and Ingrid for their achievement.”

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