Lynne John, one of our Dental Performance Managers, is a vital part of the NHS 111 team based in Oldbury. With an impressive 44 years of experience in dentistry, Lynne brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to DHU Healthcare. We caught up with Lynne shortly after our move to Birch House to learn more about her journey.
“I started as a dental nurse straight out of school and have worked in the NHS ever since,” Lynne begins. “I spent over 20 years in community dentistry, working in clinics and health centres. About three years ago, I transitioned to the NHS 111 service as a dental nurse, and when DHU took on the Midlands contract, the opportunity to become a Dental Performance Manager came up—I went for it and got it!”
Lynne’s career choice was inspired by her passion for healthcare but a desire for more structured working hours. “Like most people, I don’t particularly enjoy going to the dentist,” she laughs, “but I’ve always wanted to work in the health service. Dental nursing offers so many pathways to grow—whether it’s oral health promotion or sedation training, both of which I am qualified in —and that really appealed to me.”
Speaking about her current role, Lynne highlights the unique challenges and rewards. “To the patient, when it comes to dental pain, everything seems to be an emergency and the backlog of appointments since COVID has made things more difficult. Over the phone, you have to rely on what the patient tells you, which is very different from being in a surgery where you can see them. But I love the variety—every day is different, and we have a fantastic team.”
She adds, “The Dental team we have built here is amazing. We’re so supportive of each other, which is important in a demanding role like this. As I’ve gotten older, this role suits me better—it’s less physically demanding but still very rewarding.”
She also praises DHU for being a supportive company that prioritises employee wellbeing. “DHU really looks after its people. We’re encouraged to communicate and support each other, and that makes such a difference, especially in a demanding role like this. The focus on wellbeing helps us all manage the challenges and stay motivated.”