Dental team
Real life stories
Name: Paul Mallett
Job title: maxillofacial laboratory manager, Royal Lancaster Infirmary
Entry route: started as an apprentice in a commercial laboratory
I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do when I left school, but I was interested in anatomy. When I saw an advert for an apprenticeship as a dental technician I thought I’d apply.
I enrolled as a part-time student dental technician on day release. Throughout my career I have continued to study. Alongside other professional qualifications, I have an honours degree in dental technology. In fact, I was one of the first intake of students for this degree.
My career path to becoming a maxillofacial laboratory manager has taken the following route: apprentice dental technician, qualified dental technician, specialist qualified dental technologist, senior maxillofacial technologist, chief maxillofacial technologist. I am also an associate lecturer for Manchester Metropolitan University’s certificate and diploma postgraduate courses in orthodontic technology.
When I became senior maxillofacial technologist at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary in 1992, the NHS was keen to develop me as a technologist and helped with training fees and time off work.
I now run the laboratory, providing technical services for three major specialties in three regional hospitals. As well as managing the lab, I still make appliances such as highly modified dentures to rehabilitate cancer patients and I get involved with innovative design and development projects. For example, my team makes 3D models to allow surgeons to see and rehearse procedures such as major jaw surgery.
My work supports many others in the hospital and I value being able to work closely with clinicians and patients.
