Meet the team: Laura Boileau interview

Dental Nurse / Receptionist

Smiles Dental Swords

Laura – tell us a little bit about yourself

Hi, my name is Laura Boileau. I have been working for Smiles Dental since 2005, and I am a qualified dental nurse. However, I now work on the reception desk.

You’ve been with Smiles since the very beginning. What’s it been like to be with us for so long?

I’ve always found working for Smiles Dental was very good for my family. When I started, it offered me flexibility and support, especially when my kids were young. It was shift work, so I could drop the kids off to the creche in the morning and collect them in the late afternoon. Obviously, life changes and as my kids grew, they needed me at home more. Smiles was always able to change the rota to support me as the demands of family life changed.

What’s more, being able to take career breaks was a massive help. Smiles trusted me that I would come back on a three day per week basis. Smiles being understanding and flexible around my work-life balance is a big part of why I’m still here after all those years.

What changes have you seen in Smiles over the last 20 years?

When I started in Smiles Dental it really was one of the first dental groups in Ireland. People were used to smaller single dentist practices or family-run dentists, and Smiles changed that. At the beginning there was a bit of snobbery and a feeling that it was all about the money and not about the patient care.

To be honest, I was a bit afraid myself. However, I found it was more structured and organised that the smaller practices I had worked in previously. There are a lot of regulations and guidelines to adhere to in dentistry, and having a network of dentists and support staff started to make more sense. As Smiles grew, more and more dentists and specialists joined. Now we have specialists in our practices that cover every part of dentistry imaginable. As such, if there is a procedure we can’t do in Smiles Dental Swords, we can very quickly arrange you to be seen in another Smiles location.

Smiles opened up the dentistry business in Ireland to more dentists and nurses. We have seen an influx of really talented clinicians from around the world, and I think it is brilliant that we have been able to attract these people to come and work in Ireland.

We have a really international staff here in Smiles Dental

Yes, it is brilliant. We also have some amazing Irish dentists. Not everyone can afford to open their own dental practices straight away. Smiles Dental is a great place to come work and gain experience. I love that we have dentists who have stayed working with Smiles for such a long time, too.

You are back working on the reception desk. Do you still see the same patients from over the last 20 years?

Yes, I love working on the reception desk. I love the interaction with people and yes – people do recognise me from many years ago. I might not have seen them in a decade or more, but everyone is generally so friendly and it is lovely to catch up with them. It is so lovely to hear stories about family events – weddings, christenings and communions, and know that we are part of their lives.

Smiles Dental has a regular receptionist forum. What’s it like to participate in that?

It’s really nice that the company gets all the reception teams together to talk through their problems and their issues. Having a working group to come up with logical solutions is great – it’s good to chat. It’s wonderful that Bupa Dental Care and Smiles place a big onus on coming up with new ideas and processes. It is always good to listen to the staff on the ground and the people who are doing the work to help iron out problems.

Can you describe your ideal day on the reception desk?

I like when it is busy and yet you can still find time to have fun with your colleagues. No matter how hectic it gets, when you have colleagues that you have known for years, you know that you can just give them a wink or a nod and you don’t have to explain. It is almost telepathic. Especially in funny situations that maybe should not be funny!

You should only stay in the job if you enjoy it. I’ve been here for 20 years, so that tells you how much I enjoy working with my team here in Swords.