Hosts: Guest:
Marguerite Morgan Margaret Kierans
1). Overview
- Introduction and Insights:
- Marguerite introduces Margaret Marketing Manager at Irish Dental Jobs and discusses the role of IDJ in the dental recruitment space, emphasising relationship-building.
- They touch on insights from IDJ’s recent salary guide, specifically highlighting the challenges of finding accommodation for overseas dental professionals.
- Accommodation Challenges:
- Finding suitable accommodation has become a significant barrier for overseas dentists working in Ireland, sometimes even impacting their ability to accept roles.
- Margaret discusses how job ads are increasingly mentioning accommodation, with some practices offering housing assistance to attract applicants.
- Overseas Dentists’ Journeys:
- Dr. Jayashree Kumar (from India): Shares her journey of moving to Ireland due to her husband’s work. Initially planning a short stay, she later pursued registration with the Irish Dental Council. She worked as a dental nurse while waiting to pass her exams, gaining insights into Irish dental practices.
- Dr. Tamara Gonzalez (from Argentina): Highlights her challenges with the English language, which impacted her requalification process. After several attempts, she transitioned to dental nursing to gain experience. Tamara also discusses her passion for cycling and her recent role as a practice manager.
- Marguerite’s Approach to Recruitment:
- Marguerite emphasises the importance of matching personalities and cultural fit, especially when placing overseas dentists in Irish practices.
- She believes in long-term follow-up and maintaining relationships with both candidates and clients, underscoring her commitment to supporting people throughout their career journeys.
- Personal Connections and Stories:
- Tamara shares her experience of a year-long cycling journey in Japan and her eventual return to Ireland.
- Both Tamara and Jayashree express gratitude to Marguerite for her continuous support and personal touch in their career paths.
2). Article
The Dental Chair Podcast Episode: Overcoming Challenges in Dental Recruitment in Ireland
In the latest episode of The Dental Chair, Marguerite Morgan, Founder and Director of Irish Dental Jobs, takes listeners on a journey through the unique challenges of recruiting dental professionals in Ireland. This episode covers important topics like Ireland’s housing crisis, the stringent requirements of the Irish Dental Council, and the emotional and practical hurdles that overseas dental professionals encounter when establishing their careers in a new country. Marguerite is joined by her Marketing Manager, Margaret Kierans, and two overseas-qualified dentists, Dr. Jayashree Kumar from India and Dr. Tamara Gonzalez from Argentina, who each share their experiences navigating the Irish dental system and workplace.
Insights from the Frontlines of Dental Recruitment
M&M share a valuable insight from the company’s recent salary guide, highlighting a growing issue: the difficulty of finding suitable accommodation in Ireland. They explain that for many candidates, especially those arriving from abroad, the housing crisis can be a make-or-break factor when accepting a job offer.
M&M notes a new trend emerging in dental job advertisements, with accommodation assistance becoming a common incentive for overseas candidates. Some practice owners are going the extra mile by offering subsidised housing or even providing housing directly. This support allows recruiters to widen the pool of candidates, attracting applicants from outside of Dublin and across Ireland, and making roles more accessible to qualified professionals who would otherwise struggle to relocate. However, not all practices can afford to provide housing, and M&M acknowledges this as an ongoing challenge.
A Journey of Determination and Adaptation
Dr. Jayashree Kumar’s journey to working as a dentist in Ireland is a testament to resilience and adaptability. Originally from India, Jayashree moved to Ireland with her family when her husband accepted a temporary job assignment. Though she initially planned to stay for just a few months, she decided to pursue dental registration to continue her career in Ireland. However, this process turned out to be more complex and competitive than she anticipated.
Jayashree describes the challenges of applying for the Irish Dental Council exams, a process with limited slots and fierce competition. In her first attempt, she was unable to secure a place in the exams, so she took a temporary role as a dental nurse to stay connected to her profession. This experience proved invaluable, allowing her to gain an understanding of the Irish dental environment, patient expectations, and workplace culture. Jayashree’s persistence eventually paid off, and after qualifying, she secured a fulfilling role, splitting her time between private practice and the Health Service Executive (HSE), Ireland’s national health service.
Her story is a reminder of the many hurdles overseas professionals face when trying to continue their careers abroad. Despite her qualifications and experience, Jayashree had to start from scratch, proving her dedication and resilience every step of the way.
Overcoming Language Barriers and Career Challenges
Dr. Tamara Gonzalez’s story adds another layer of complexity to the challenges faced by overseas dental professionals. Originally from Argentina, Tamara arrived in Ireland with limited English proficiency. She describes how the language barrier was a significant obstacle in her journey to requalification. The Irish Dental Council requires dentists to pass an English proficiency exam as part of the registration process, and Tamara found herself taking the exam multiple times before she could achieve the necessary score.
After initially struggling with the requalification exam, Tamara pivoted to dental nursing, which allowed her to continue working within the dental field while building her language skills and adapting to the Irish healthcare system. Over time, she developed her skills further, eventually moving into a practice management role that enables her to apply her expertise and connect with both patients and professionals in the field.
Tamara’s dedication extends beyond dentistry; she is also an avid cyclist who once took a year off to cycle across Japan. This adventure allowed her time for personal reflection, eventually leading her back to Ireland with renewed focus and energy. Now, as a practice manager, she finds her work fulfilling and meaningful, and she appreciates the continuous support she’s received from Marguerite and Irish Dental Jobs.
Conclusion: Creating a Welcoming Environment for Overseas Dentists in Ireland
This episode of The Dental Chair sheds light on the multifaceted challenges that overseas dental professionals face when relocating to Ireland. Between the housing crisis, the competitive registration process, and language barriers, the journey for overseas dentists is anything but easy. However, Marguerite Morgan and her team at Irish Dental Jobs are dedicated to providing support and guidance to help these professionals find their footing in a new environment.
Marguerite’s approach to recruitment goes beyond simply filling vacancies. She believes in carefully matching candidates with practices that suit their personalities and professional goals. Her commitment to maintaining relationships with candidates like Jayashree and Tamara—even after they’ve been placed—demonstrates her dedication to creating a positive and supportive work environment. By staying in touch and offering ongoing assistance, Marguerite ensures that both candidates and clients feel valued and supported throughout the entire employment journey.
For anyone considering a dental career in Ireland, this episode offers insights into both the challenges and the support systems available. It’s a powerful reminder that, with the right guidance and determination, even the most daunting journeys can lead to rewarding outcomes.