The North West of England - Introducing the regional co-ordinator

Grazyna Dickerson

My Background

Coming from a medical background, my first degree at Manchester University was in Genetics & Biochemistry, which then led me to embark on postgraduate studies in the land of daffodils and leeks- Cardiff! I returned to Manchester and spent several years working as a Medical Geneticist in a large teaching hospital. Although challenging and often emotionally draining I felt the need to expand my horizons. A career change into business and finance followed. Unbeknown to me at the time, coupling these different disciplines would prove invaluable in the future.

Much of my social life at this time was spent at a Squash & Tennis club which was where I met my husband -at a Strangers party!,- he was the stranger….  After a whirlwind romance we married six months later. We have a fourteen year old son, who is rugby crazy and rowing mad!

I continued working in the business world but gradually became more involved in developing and running our Practices. In order to enhance my understanding of the dental arena, I gained a diploma in Dental Practice Management.

What I have gained from being a BDPMA member

Over the past five years I have enjoyed not only being a member of the BDPMA, but since I wanted to take on a more active role agreed to become the North West Regional Co-ordinator. There are many benefits of being a member of the BDPMA, the main one being NETWORKING! Being able to keep abreast with the latest thinking and accessing information to assist in Practice and business development.

My Vision for the North West

It is increasingly evident that we are all facing challenging times in dentistry. For those working in the NHS, business relationships with Primary Care Trusts can be a minefield. Financial restrictions, whilst at the same time being expected to continue to deliver an efficient and effective patient focused service is not without challenges! For many busy managers working under such tight budgetary control to have a network of like minded individuals at the end of the phone is invaluable. Attending regional seminars is an ideal platform for sharing best practice.

My advice to anyone new to the role of practice manager

Join the BDPMA!

simply click on my email address to get in touch thomas.dickerson@which.net

Elaine Simmons 

Elaine began her dental career 33 years ago when she trained as a dental nurse at Liverpool Dental Hospital qualifying in 1974. For the next 25 years she worked within the salaried service as a senior dental nurse and oral health educator before gaining a BTEC in Business Studies and moving into practice management.

Elaine combines a part time position in a local NHS practice with her work for the North Western Deanery as a Primary Dental Care Development Facilitator liaising with DCPs and practitioners promoting PDPs etc. She is also involved in dental nurse training as a tutor and assessor and has set up two practice management forums within her area for two PCTs

On a personal note, Elaine is married to Tom and lives in a beautiful small Welsh village where she enjoys taking her two dogs on long walks. She also enjoys spending time with her four grandchildren.

Elaine says that joining the BDPMA has helped her to network with other like-minded people who understand the trials and triumphs of practice management. She enjoys assisting Grazyna with the North West Group and considers meeting local practice managers and networking, the way forward.