Dentist celebrates 40 years at practice

Vanessa Jackson has been marking 40 years since she started working at Church Street Dental Practice in Bilston as a trainee dental nurse.

Since starting her trainee role on June 9, 1980, Vanessa became a full-time dental nurse in 1982, before taking on her current role of practice manager in 1990.

The 57-year-old described the surgery as a family place and somewhere people felt happy to stay, with other colleagues having stayed for more than 20 years.

She said: "I can honestly say in all the years that I've worked here, this practice main focus is to always put our patient care for and to always look after our patients.

"We've had lots of fun and laughter along the way and it's a pretty special place to work, particularly with my 33-year-old daughter Hayley having worked here as a dentist since 2011."

Vanessa said the coronavirus pandemic had made it difficult for all the staff at the seven surgeries to work, with social distancing restrictions still in place.

However, she said the staff had still managed to surprise her on her 40th anniversary at the surgery.

She said: "They managed to surprise me by hiding in the upstairs waiting room and cheering me as I walked in, as well as giving me chocolates and a bottle of champagne.

"We can't really do normal things at the moment due to lockdown and Covid-19, but we still had a lovely day and enjoyed a cake each."

Vanessa also said she had received messages of congratulations from current and past members of staff and described her emotions at reading all the messages.

She said: "I've had messages from nurses who worked here and now work in the NHS, talking about the good times and their memories, as well as people who retired years ago.

"It's been very moving to read them and brought me to tears to hear from these people and to know they care.

"This is a very special place to work and it really feels like a family."