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A day in the life part 2: Surviving night shifts on-call during dental core training and mythbusting common misconceptions

BDJ Student volume 28, pages 40–41 (2021)Cite this article

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By Rachel Loke, DCT2, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Gloucester, and Anna Beaven, DCT1, James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough

Night shifts in OMFS are a great opportunity for you to build confidence in your skills independently as there is more scope for hands-on experience. In the daytime you may be lucky enough to have the assistance of other DCTs, a mid-grade, or a registrar (someone who is training to be an OMFS consultant). Whilst this can be an invaluable learning opportunity and a chance to receive feedback, you may be less involved in hands-on activity. Another advantage to working at night is that you receive pay enhancements. According to the current NHS Terms and Conditions for Doctors and Dentists in Training, trainees who work at night receive a 37% enhancement on pay when working between 9pm and 7am.1 Working night on-call shifts typically results in working a greater number of hours over fewer days, which you are also remunerated for.

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References

  1. NHS. Terms and Conditions of Service for NHS Doctors and Dentists in Training (England) 2016. Version 9. 2021. Available at: (Accessed July 2021).

  2. Folkard S and Tucker P. Shift work, safety and productivity. Occupational Medicine 2003; 53: 95-101.

  3. Kecklund G and Axelsson J. Health consequences of shift work and insufficient sleep. BMJ 2016; 355: i5210.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Gloucester, UK

    Rachel Loke

  2. James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, UK

    Anna Beaven

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  1. Rachel Loke
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  2. Anna Beaven
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Correspondence to Rachel Loke.

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Loke, R., Beaven, A. A day in the life part 2: Surviving night shifts on-call during dental core training and mythbusting common misconceptions. BDJ Student 28, 40–41 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41406-021-0234-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41406-021-0234-2

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