A Journey Through Time: Our 30+ Years in Dentistry

As we celebrate Dental Nurses Day on November 22nd, we thought it would be the perfect opportunity to reflect on the incredible journey we've had here at Prescot House Dental Practice. It's hard to believe how much dentistry has changed over the years, but what's even more remarkable is the people we've worked with and the relationships we've built along the way.

How It All Began...

I (Deb) started as a dental nurse in 1981 at the age of 15, and after working in two different surgeries in St. Helens, I joined Prescot House on November 10th, 1994 — 30 years ago this November. What a journey it has been!

A few years later, my dear friend and colleague Karen joined the practice. Karen started her career at Prescot House in November 1999 — 25 years ago this November. Like many of us back then, Karen came into the role with no prior nursing experience. In those days, you learned on the job and quickly became part of the team. We both worked part-time, balancing our careers with raising children and together, we’ve witnessed so much change.

From Humble Beginnings to a Thriving Practice

When we first started at Prescot House, the practice was small — just two surgeries and a reception area that was tiny by today’s standards. But even though the space was limited, our passion and dedication to the patients were boundless. We had a team of just four people, and the day-to-day treatments were quite different from what you’d see today.

There was no PPE, no health and safety standards like we have now, and absolutely no mention of the word “infection control” — we simply got on with it. We mixed our own fillings with powder and water and even handled mercury and alloy for amalgams, making a mess more often than not. Charting was all done by hand on paper cards, and patient records were filed away in the largest filing cabinets you've ever seen. It was a very different world back then, but one full of memories and laughter.

Growing Together

Over the years, Prescot House grew and evolved, adding more surgeries and expanding our team. We had a lab on-site with a technician who worked on dentures and crowns — a feature that's now housed in Surgery 6. We’ve seen the practice grow into the modern, thriving center it is today. We’ve been lucky enough to work with amazing dentists, nurses and support staff throughout the years.

Our friendship has been one of the greatest joys of our careers. We’ve been through so much together — from personal challenges to professional milestones — and have helped each other every step of the way. Every month, we meet up with past and present team members for a meal, a drink and to reminisce about the "good old days." It’s incredible to think about how long we’ve known each other and how many lifelong friends we’ve made over the years.

Watching Generations Grow

One of the most rewarding parts of our journey has been watching families come and go. We've had the privilege of caring for patients for decades, and now we're seeing children we treated in the past bringing their own kids to the practice. It's truly special to witness how many of our patients have trusted us with the care of multiple generations.

Of course, it’s not all happy memories. We’ve lost some of our patients over the years, and those losses always leave a mark. But, it’s a reminder of the connections we’ve made — these people weren’t just patients; they were part of our extended family.

A Heartfelt Thank You

As we look back on these 30 and 25 years at Prescot House Dental Surgery, we want to express our gratitude to everyone who has been a part of our journey. To the amazing dentists, nurses, hygienists and support staff who have worked alongside us, thank you. To the patients who have trusted us with their care, we are incredibly grateful.

And most importantly, we want to give a huge shout-out to all the dental nurses out there, especially on Dental Nurses Day. Without dental nurses, there simply wouldn’t be a practice. We are proud to be part of such a dedicated, hardworking community. Here's to the next chapter — wherever it takes us!