Spotlight
2ND YEAR FOUNDATION DEGREE STUDENT –
Lambeth College London
This month our spotlight is on Fabio Cientanni, a student technologist at Lambeth College (London) and working for Kimbolton Dental Laboratory (KBL) in Bedford. KBL specialises in dentures using the BPS® (Bio-functional Prosthetic System) by Ivoclar Vivadent®, during which Fabio takes on various important collaborative tasks throughout. Having been employed there previously on a part-time basis, he decided it was a suitable career move and has worked for KBL now full time for 3 years. I asked Fabio why he had chosen dental technology as a career and for him it was quite simple ‘After working part time within dental technology, I found I enjoyed it’. Indeed, the interest he has shown has seen him complete the BTEC National Award as well as the 1st year Foundation Degree with very good results.
While attending the dental technology courses held at Lambeth College, students are taken through a variety of disciplines, so I went on to ask Fabio which particular area of interest he would like to pursue for the future, Fabio takes the broad stroke approach ‘I would like to train in all areas of dental technology’. This of course will serve him well for the future; being able to turn his hand to most things will certainly be an asset to any laboratory. This is particularly relevant as moves are being made toward a national competency framework, whereby dental technologists are expected to solely operate within their capabilities.
Fabio’s keen attitude can be seen when he is busy in the laboratory, yet a look of concern comes across his face when questions about his professions future are put forward. When asked did he have a view point on the present state of our profession, Fabio responded with concerns which he felt needed addressing with particular focus on college work. I further quizzed him on how he felt the DTA could best help its student members, ‘by providing helpful aides to assist students in completing assignments’. This I must say is a common concern I’ve heard from most of my fellow students; higher academic expectations have left some a bit puzzled as to their relevance to dental technology. We hope this new webpage will help Fabio and bring an understanding of the relevance and importance of these things to the ongoing professional development of each student, as well as delivering a tailor made information resource for their assignments.
I would like to thank Fabio for taken the time to respond to this interview and for voicing his concerns and opinions. If you feel you would like to respond to some of the things in Fabio’s interview or have an opinion of your own and would like to share it with us, then write to us (click here) or call the DTA phone number on 0870 2430753 and you could be our next spotlight student. |
