SBDN are huge advocates for mentoring and mentorship and have trained and practicing mentors – yet another benefit to your membership with us.
The Society are proud to not only be mentors but to support others in becoming a mentor. Mentoring in the workplace is essential and it is no difference in education, but it should not be confused with coaching or cross into other professional fields such as counselling.
Traditional mentoring was based on the wise man, but the more modern approach includes peer mentoring and reverse mentoring and thankfully there is a great recognition of mentoring skills and less on being an expert in the field.
Some of the greatest skills in mentoring are listening, communicating and respect, empathy, developing and encouraging trust, being able to recognise patterns and trends, giving space and using silence constructively, providing space for reflection, the ability to paraphrase, echoing key words and summarising thinking.
What is most important is that you give time to training and practice and of course maintaining your skills – continual professional development. At the Society we have clinical mentoring groups and non-clinical mentoring groups, we have written articles and presented on mentoring and mentorship and continue to lead the way in Mentoring for dental nurses.
As we celebrate National Mentoring Day why not think about joining the team at SBDN and help us to help others – Everyone needs a mentor at some stage in their lives. Make sure you take charge of who is your mentor, that match is so important. admin@bdns.org.uk
