A cancer survivor is one step closer to achieving her ambition of becoming a dentist after graduating from the University of Central Lancashire.
Caitlin Beech, from Leeds, celebrated with family at her graduation ceremony in Preston this week but had to overcome some very personal challenges to get there.
The 26-year-old, who lives in Bardsey when not at university, suffered a huge set-back in the third year of her four year Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) postgraduate degree when she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and underwent eight hours of surgery, followed by radioactive iodine treatment.
"One month after my operation I sat an exam and actually received the third highest grade in my year group."
— Dentistry student Caitlin Beech
Despite the ordeal, Caitlin hardly missed any of her studies and still managed to sit her exams as planned alongside gaining clinical experience and working part-time as a dental hygienist at North Lakeland Dental in Wigton, Cumbria, the city where she was based during her clinical training.
“One month after my operation I sat an exam and actually received the third highest grade in my year group,” said Caitlin. “A lot of people praised my efforts of continuing with the course through my health issues. However, the course gave me a much needed distraction and a reason to carry on with normal life as much as I could.”
Caitlin, who attended St John Fisher Catholic High School in Harrogate before completing her undergraduate degree at the University of Leeds, decided to cross the Pennies to Preston for her dental degree because of the University of Central Lancashire’s “good reputation” and four-year degree course option.
"... the course gave me a much needed distraction and a reason to carry on with normal life as much as I could.”"
— Dentistry student Caitlin Beech
She combined her time in Preston with practical training at the University’s Dental Education Centre in Carlisle, where she spent three years of her studies treating patients in the community under supervision from experienced general dental practitioners.
Caitlin said: “I had already gained knowledge of the dental profession in my previous degree so the four year course allowed me to build on this to become a fully qualified dental surgeon.”
"The profession of dentistry is an exciting one with many different avenues and career paths to follow. I am excited to get started."
— Dentistry student Caitlin Beech
Caitlin is now in remission and looking to the future. She will begin her foundation year as a newly qualified dentist in September working in Carlisle, where she will be mentored by a trainer in the NHS.
She added: “The profession of dentistry is an exciting one with many different avenues and career paths to follow. I am excited to get started!”