Dr Rebecca Reid’s career has spanned multiple disciplines and job positions within dentistry. Now an Associate Dentist at City Dental in Glasgow, Dr Reid’s professional journey is a reminder of how dedicated hard work can open up new avenues and life-changing opportunities.
Reflecting on her unique climb up the ladder of dentistry, Dr Reid recalls the beginning of her dental odyssey:
“I originally started working in fashion. It wasn’t the plan to become a clinician, but in 2012 I began a front of house job at a private practice in Glasgow. Experiencing day-to-day practice life made me realise how interested I was in the clinical treatments being delivered. I applied for dental school but did not have the qualifications from school – it was recommended that I gain clinical experience.
“One aspect that appealed to me was the dental laboratory. I liked the idea of making prostheses and found a dental technology course in Edinburgh. I completed this for 2 years whilst attending night school to enter the clinical side of dentistry. From working in a lab I was able to transition into a dental therapy course in Dundee for 3 years, accruing hands-on experience.
“I pushed further as I wanted the full package: to be able to make decisions and execute them myself, delivering more to my patients. In my final year of studying Hygiene and Therapy, I applied for Dentistry with a friend who was on the same course. We were both accepted and began studying in Aberdeen – crossing off another Scottish city and completing my education after 10 years.”
Unique insights
By experiencing the workflows of three different professions, Dr Reid has an unparalleled insight into the disciplines of dentistry, allowing her to deliver first-class patient care. She identifies the value of her career growth:
“Having wide-ranging experience is something I appreciate. Not only does it show how far I’ve come, but also how much I’ve learned. The people skills in particular can’t be taught: I have picked up the many ways people react, both verbally and non-verbally, allowing me to tailor my communication to what they want and how they feel. I have also found it essential to bring the patient and dental technician together to enhance the smile design and give credit where credit is due.”
Dr Reid’s training was not without its challenges, in particular the emotional toll the industry sometimes took. She explains:
“There is a lot of rejection and self-reflection in dentistry. It can be quite lonely sometimes, with intense workflows as both a student and a trained professional. Following a non-linear pathway like mine can also make you question your self-worth and whether the final outcome is achievable. You may also feel that your work is not appreciated – this is extra tough when you feel satisfied with your outcomes.
“What has helped is using social media. It’s an invaluable tool for sharing my work, something I began in my first year as a VT trainer dentist. I take photos throughout my daily workflow and, by the end of each week, I can then flick through and reflect on each photo and decision. The ones I select for social media aren’t always the most complex treatments either, just simple, everyday dental appointments that I hope make dentistry seem more accessible to students and those at the beginning of their careers.
“This is where working for Clyde Munro has really helped. I was recruited by Jo Hood, head of Clinical Recruitment & Development at Clyde Munro, for my current position in Glasgow. I had worked with the practice manager there previously and the team felt like a good fit. I have been here for over 18 months and love it.
“After all the years of studying, I have now reached a position to reciprocate my knowledge. The Best Foot Forward (BFF) programme with Clyde Munro is designed to bring VT colleagues together and provide additional training across a range of topics. I out myself forward to deliver a session myself on how to do good ‘bread and butter’ dentistry; to master the basics, photography, and how to share on social media. The dentist next-door to me teaches photography, so we collaborated together for the first Clinical Photography and Introduction to Rubber Dam course as part of the BFF programme – it was well received and we have the course booked in again for next year already.
“The opportunities available through Clyde Munro provide a boost in clinical skills and knowledge, especially to those at the start of their career. Clyde Munro also supported me in my recent short-listing for Young Dentist of the Year Finalist 2025, and as one of two finalists in 2026 from Scotland. I am immensely grateful for their help and feel tremendously valued, and look forward to continuing my dental journey with Clyde Munro.”
To discover more about the BFF programme from Clyde Munro visit https://careers.clydemunrodental.com/best-foot-forward-programme/
Author: Jo Hood – Head of Clinical Recruitment & Development at Clyde Munro Dental Group
