Farzane Khazaei

Please tell us about your current role and employer.

I am currently working as a dentist at a Bupa Dental Care practice in Bristol. In my role, I provide general dental care to patients, including examinations, treatment planning, restorative procedures, preventive advice, and supporting patients in improving and maintaining their oral health. Working in a busy practice has allowed me to combine my clinical skills with the knowledge I gained during my MSc in Dental Materials.

What does a typical day in your current role look like?

A typical day involves seeing a range of patients with different dental needs. This may include carrying out dental check-ups, diagnosing oral health conditions, discussing treatment options, providing restorative treatments, and offering preventive advice. I also spend time communicating with patients to make sure they feel informed and comfortable throughout their treatment. Every day is different, which keeps the role interesting and helps me continue developing both clinically and professionally.

How do you feel the learning experience on your course helped to prepare you for your career?

Studying MSc Dental Materials at the University of Birmingham helped me develop a much deeper understanding of the materials used in dentistry and how they perform in clinical situations. The course strengthened my knowledge of evidence-based dentistry, biomaterials, research methods, and the importance of selecting the right material for each patient and treatment. This has been very valuable in my current role, as it allows me to make more informed clinical decisions and better explain treatment choices to patients.

What were the best things about your course?

One of the best things about the course was the combination of scientific knowledge and practical relevance to clinical dentistry. I really enjoyed learning about the properties, behaviour, and development of dental materials, as this directly connects to everyday dental practice. The support from academic staff, access to excellent learning resources, and the opportunity to study in a diverse and professional environment were also highlights of my experience at Birmingham.

What was your biggest achievement during your course?

My biggest achievement was completing my research project, which focused on Bioglass fillers and the physical and optical properties of light-curable resin-based composite materials. This project allowed me to explore dental materials in depth and develop a stronger understanding of the characteristics and performance of resin-based composites. It also helped me improve my laboratory skills, scientific thinking, data analysis, and confidence in carrying out independent research. Completing this project was a very rewarding part of my MSc and gave me a strong foundation for applying evidence-based knowledge in my clinical career.