Chersty Bitsindou used to work as a dental technician, a role which she found enjoyable. However, she realised that she wasn’t getting to spend as much time with her children as she would like.
My London reported that the 34-year-old, from Greenwich, trained for four years in dentistry and worked full-time for almost a decade, earning around £17,000 a year. In a bid to improve her work-life balance, Chertsy quit her job and started working as a cleaner instead.
In 2021, she made over £18,000 completing tasks such as hoovering and mopping – jobs she found via a community marketplace app, Airtasker.
Of the change, Chertsy, a mum-of-three, said, “I wasn’t earning enough and I spent a lot of time working.
“I was struggling to pay for my childcare and, every time I worked, all the money went towards nursery fees.”
According to the news outlet, Chersty describes life in her new job as being full of freedom.
Chertsy continued, “I’m making more money whilst working less - and it’s more flexible for me. It feels much better - it’s freedom. I feel good, relaxed and happier.
“I can choose my hours, so I don’t have to pay for childcare.
“I’m earning what I need, whilst also being able to look after and spend time with my children.
“You also don’t have to beg anyone for holidays, so I can travel as I don’t need to ask anyone for time off.”
Over 40 per cent of dentists indicate they are now likely to change career or seek early retirement in the next 12 months given the current pressures on the service.
Over half state they are likely to reduce their NHS commitment.
One in 10 estimate their practices will close in the next 12 months.
But do these statistics represent dental nurses?
Dental Nursing Journal asked social media whether perspectives of working for the NHS had changed over the course of the pandemic, and responses included:
- “I’ve been a dental nurse for 32 years, but I gave up this year. It’s gone crazy. Trying to catch up with the back log was a nightmare… Plus very poor pay for what we do. Don’t miss it at all.”
- “I have been a dental nurse for 33 years, but next Wednesday is my last day - I've quit! Can't do the stress of all the extra covid combined with being worked to death and not being seen as a person. Dentistry has turned in to a factory production line without any consideration for those ‘factory’ workers! Gutted after all these years, but, incredibly excited, although nervous, for the next chapter in my book!”
- “Undervalued as a professional will, be out ASAP.”
- “I too have decided three long days are enough, instead of five to six days that wear me out.”
- “I left after 22 years – the pay is so poor for what you do!”