Central Southern England - Introducing the regional co-ordinator

Donna Cobb

My Background

I started my career in dentistry in 1989straight from school. Becoming bored with dental nursing, I decided to join the Army as a combat medic which I didn’t enjoy. I finally left the services and went back to dentistry as a dental receptionist. I found that I enjoyed the contact with patients of the whole practice; not just the patient’s of one dentist. As time progressed I began taking on greater responsibility and eventually asked the partners if I could do a course in practice management which they agreed to and also paid for. I have been a practice manager now since 1998 and I qualified in 2001. I am now undertaking a diploma in strategic management and working for a practice in Poole, Dorset which I have been at since March 2006.

What I have gained from membership.

 I joined the BDPMA in 1999 whilst undertaking my practice management course. I thought it would be helpful for me to be in an organisation that represented practice managers and in contact with others managers who had more experience than me so that if I needed some help, it would be available.

I left the Association for a while as I have had 2 children and was not working at the time but when I decided to come back to work, I reapplied for my membership knowing that I would be out of touch and would benefit from the advice and support of the Association.
I enjoy meeting other managers; that way I don’t feel that I am on my own and I take consolation in the fact that I am not the only one who has problems at work that I don’t always know the answer to.

My vision for Central Southern region.

I would like to increase attendance of the regional development seminars and awareness of the Association and the benefits of membership. We can all benefit from developing stronger networks within the region and to achieve this I’d like to encourage and facilitate setting up more local groups for night outs and social events. Currently I do not have an assistant but several people have offered to help so hopefully we can all work together to share our experiences for our combined benefit.

My advice to any new to the role of practice manager.

Join the Association, receive help and seek for advice from experienced colleagues. Feel confident that you are doing things right and that you are moving your practice forward.
Good communication is a must from your team members and dentists, without this it is hard to focus on what the practice mission statement or goals are.

simply click on my email address to get in touch donnacobb@tiscali.co.uk