‘The most joyous moment in my career’
by Rowan Thomas
Irish Dentistry speaks to Gemma Forsythe, who won Most Invaluable Team Member at the Irish Dentistry Awards 2022.
How does it feel to have won an Irish Dentistry Award?
Winning an Irish Dentistry Award is something I am immensely proud of – especially as I have only been a qualified dental nurse for two years. The standard of these awards is incredibly high, so the judges had a very difficult job! It is the most joyous moment in my career to date.
How did it feel when your name was announced?
There were mixed emotions when my name was announced, and it took a while to sink in! I felt shocked – I thought: ‘Are they sure I’ve won?’. I was also super happy, but most of all, extremely proud. It meant a lot to me to have some of the Magee Dental Care team with me at that moment, cheering me on!
What do you think have been the main benefits of entering for an award?
I feel that whether you are a practice entering the awards or you are an individual, the awards provide such positive recognition. Patients do notice these wins, which is good for practices.
The awards night was so enjoyable, it was a great team bonding event and networking opportunity (and FMC really knows how to throw a fantastic party!).
Have you entered before?
This is my first time being a finalist at the Irish Dentistry Awards. However, I was a finalist for Best Dental Nurse (North) at The Dentistry Awards 2021.
What do you think the Irish Dentistry Awards are doing for standards within the profession?
The Irish Dentistry Awards, I feel, encourage you to be better. When compiling your entries, you are evaluating the practice/individual as a whole, which allows you to recognise the things you are doing well but also the things that can be improved. This raises the standards within the profession.
It creates some healthy competition between entrants, also. Yes, we all provide excellent patient care, but who really goes above and beyond for their patients and deserves to be recognised for their hard work?
What advice would you give people thinking of entering for an award?
I would advise people to definitely plan their submission early if they are thinking of entering the awards. The amount of time and effort that goes into an award entry submission must not be underestimated!
Ensure you are meeting the criteria for each entry and follow the bullet points.
I would also say to let your passion shine through and make sure you highlight what makes you different from the other entrants. Remember, the judges read so many different entries – how will you make yours stand out?
What’s your favourite product of the last 12 months and why?
I recently upgraded my toothbrush to the Oral-B Smart 4500 and it is a game changer! It has pressure control technology, provides real time brushing feedback in the connected app and it makes my teeth feel super clean.
Will you be entering the awards again?
At the moment, I am still revelling in this win… However, you never know what will happen!
Visit irishdentistryawards.com for the latest Irish Dentistry Awards information and details on how to enter today.
More about the Irish Dentistry Awards:
