BDJ Team Editor Kate Quinlan interviews dental technician/nurse/assessor and writer Ayesha Mir to find out more about her background and career path.

Dentistry allowed me to use my artistic skills while also making a real impact on people's confidence and health.

About Ayesha

Ayesha Mir is a qualified dental technician and dental nurse with over a decade of experience across clinical and managerial roles. She is passionate about leadership, staff wellbeing, and mental health in dentistry and has recently trained as a dental nurse assessor. In this issue of BDJ Team she has written an article about recognising the non-clinical leaders in a dental practice.

Interview

How did you first get into dentistry?

I started my career as a trainee dental technician with three best friends right after GCSEs in Birmingham Metropolitan College. On the same floor as dental technology, I used to see dental nurses in uniform attending placements. I was intrigued and considered switching careers in my second year, but because I had triple distinctions, my mentor advised me to complete dental technology first and then explore dental nursing.

I began my apprenticeship in an NHS practice and later moved to a fully private practice in my second year. I worked at Midlands Smile Centre in Birmingham for three years, which was later bought by Dental Partners. Coincidentally this is the practice that I used to attend when I was a child and had braces so I was familiar with faces and it felt like a big achievement. At the same time, I continued studying for my FdSc in Dental Technology and completed my placement in the on-site lab, Denture Factory, which has since transitioned into a digital prosthetics lab. My mentor at the lab once studied at the same college as me.

What appealed to you about working in dentistry?

The blend of science, creativity and patient care. Dentistry allowed me to use my artistic skills while also making a real impact on people's confidence and health.

I was fascinated by the creative side of dentistry, particularly the precision and artistry of dental technology. CAD/CAM was still relatively new at the time, and I was excited to explore how technology and creativity could work together to transform smiles.

Did you enjoy training in dental technology and spending hours in the lab?

Yes, I enjoyed the discipline and focus of lab work. Watching transformations take shape was inspiring, although sometimes technicians felt like the hidden force because patients often thanked the dentist but rarely the technician behind the scenes.

While the work was vital, it sometimes felt disconnected from the patient journey. That is one of the reasons I transitioned into patient-facing roles. Besides the receptionist I was the only woman in those labs. When I was studying for my degree there were more women though.

Do you think you are artistic and good with your hands?

Yes, definitely. I have always been creative and detail oriented. Outside of dentistry, I enjoy baking, cake decorating and eating. Decorating cakes reflects the same manual dexterity and artistic flair.

What other skills are required to succeed as a dental technician?

Patience, attention to detail, strong knowledge of anatomy and occlusion, and good communication with clinicians. It is a role that requires both independence and teamwork. You need to be able to work to tight deadlines and be able to manage stress load.

Can you summarise your career path once you graduated as a dental technician?

After graduating, I wanted to study dental technology honours (top up) but was waiting for the course to be approved with Worcester University. I got a job offer from SmileDirectClub, where I found the perfect balance of dental, customer service and technology. This experience sparked my passion for direct patient impact and recognition. I built on my confidence and sales skills.

My career journey has not been without challenges. I faced three redundancies during the COVID-19 pandemic, which was an extremely difficult time. However, those setbacks taught me resilience and adaptability. They motivated me to diversify my skills and pursue new opportunities in operations, treatment coordination and management.

At what point did you move away from the lab to other roles?

After realising how much I valued direct interaction with patients and supporting business. As a treatment coordinator, I could combine communication, empathy, sales and clinical understanding. This later grew into management and operations roles.

Today, I am Patient Success Manager at Aspire Smiles, a private practice focusing on implants and aesthetics. It is a role and practice that truly has my heart. I thrive here, growing every day, and contributing ideas and improvements that make a real difference. I am also starting a new role as a Registration Advisor at Dental Compliance Made Easier, supporting practices with CQC registration.

Can you take us through a typical working week?

My week involves overseeing diaries, patient communication, and supporting the team with workflows. I edit documents and processes to make daily tasks smoother, collaborate with business managers on projects, and constantly look for ways to improve systems and patient journeys.

Do you find being in the dental practice very different to working in the lab?

Yes, the practice environment is very different from the lab. Lab work is technical, creative, and deadline-driven, while practice life requires leadership, patient care, and team collaboration. Both are rewarding, but in different ways.

Can you tell us about your recent training to become an assessor?

I completed the CAVA assessor qualification with Brooks and Kirk in just four months, instead of the usual 16. I am now looking forward to supporting the training and development of dental nurses and admin staff.

Can you tell us about your involvement with mental health first aid?

After coming back from maternity leave, I started seeing how mental health is neglected at work. In my previous role as Operations Manager, I saw first-hand the impact of poor mental health on oral healthcare teams. I also faced my own struggles. That experience led me to qualify as a Mental Health First Aider. I am passionate about workplace wellbeing, reducing stigma, and helping teams thrive, because a well-supported team creates a positive practice culture.

Do you love to learn?

Absolutely. Every time I feel I have learned enough, I find new areas to explore. I am always developing, whether through CPD, writing, leadership training or mentoring. For me there's no full stop after education and training. My go-to motto is ‘the more I learn the better I become'.

How do you juggle family life with work?

Being a full-time mum while working full time is very challenging. Mum guilt can take over at times, but my son is also my biggest motivation. I have learned that it really does take a village and I feel fortunate to have strong support from my family. Balance is not always easy, but with planning, setting boundaries and leaning on that support network, I manage to keep moving forward and growing.

Can you share your next career goals?

I am currently developing a CPD-accredited treatment coordinator course, and I want to train teams on mental health and practice culture. I also aim to deliver webinars, become a speaker and publish more articles.

What have been the highlights of your career so far?

Some of the highlights include being published in BDJ Team and Dental Nursing, completing my CAVA assessor qualification, seeing colleagues I have mentored grow in confidence and skills, and training and educating future generations of dental nurses.

Do you think more people should consider being a dental technician as a career?

Yes, it is a rewarding career that combines creativity and science. Technicians play a crucial but often under-recognised role. With growing digital technology, it is an exciting time for the field.

Do you have any exciting plans or recent achievements to share?

Getting a chance to share my journey on this platform is a big achievement itself. I am having CPD articles published for the journal Dental Nursing which I feel really excited about.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I love baking and cake decorating, which taps into my creative side, and I enjoy spending time with my family. Most of my spare time is spent with my toddler. Pretending to be Tow Mater from ‘Cars' and running after him has become a hobby in itself. Weekends are for family and me.

Are you pleased with your career so far?

Yes, very much. I am so proud of how far I have come, despite challenges such as COVID redundancies and mental health struggles. Every experience, good or bad, has shaped me. I am grateful for my mentors, opportunities, and lessons and I am excited for the next chapter.