Mission Statement

Nightshift aims to put the spotlight on amazing female dental technicians, celebrating and normalising them as leaders and educators in the dental industry. 

We want to connect women working in dental laboratories with their peers, building a strong sense of community and mentorship amongst all.

Charity Partner

Den-Tech is a registered UK charity that aim to relieve poverty by the provision of affordable dental appliances to those patients who are in need. There are many charities who provide the incredibly valuable service of '𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘴' but no real provision for the restoration of the dentition (i.e. teeth) thereafter. This can leave patients with large gaps where teeth have been extracted meaning they often struggle to eat and chew their food well, speak properly and to look and feel normal.

Nina Frektin (she/her)

Founder

I am the proud mind behind Nightshift, a venture sparked by my journey through the dental technology industry. Fuelled by a desire to see women equally represented, I founded this community to encourage and inspire.

I am the lead prosthetic tech at Mango Dental Technologies, a key opinion leader for a few dental companies, and an international speaker, mentor, and global educator. Whether sharing insights online or in print as a published author, I aim to contribute meaningfully to our vibrant dental community.

Currently, I serve on the editorial board of Laboratory Magazine, shaping the future of our profession and keeping the industry on its toes. Moreover, I am actively engaged with the Dent-tech charity, where I am dedicated to bringing back smiles to those in need through our initiatives.

Adding a dash of friendly competition, I secured third place at the Panthera Master Cup in 2023, a testament to my commitment to excellence and growth.

From the get-go, I knew that making Nightshift a reality would require an incredible team. So I asked three phenomenal women to join me on this adventure.

Deepa Bharakhda (she/her)

co-Founder

Deepa’s dedication and passion are the secret sauce that brings warmth to our Nightshift journey. Crafting beautiful smiles is not just her job; it’s her art, and we’re lucky to have her.

A proud Mancunian, Deepa's dental technician journey began in 2010 when she graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University. Currently, she finds her professional home at Dencraft Leicester, where she serves as a senior prosthetic technician.

Beyond the laboratory, Deepa’s passion extends to dental photography. She has also contributed to various publications, including the Dental Technicians Guild Magazine, Laboratory Magazine, and Dentistry.co.uk.

She had the opportunity to spotlight Nightshift at Chicago Lab Day in the USA and Deepa is deeply involved with the Dent-tech charity, demonstrating her commitment to giving back to the community.

Emily Pittard (she/her)

CO-Founder

Emily’s skills and enthusiasm add a spark to our collective energy. Emily is a tri-qualified dental professional (nurse, technician, and CDT). She has over 16 years of experience working within different dental settings, including the NHS, private, specialist, and hospital environments.

She co-owns The Hive Dental Laboratory and Clinic, is on the board for the College of General Dentistry, and is an education associate for the GDC. She
has won multiple awards, is on the editorial board for Laboratory Magazine, is a trustee for Den-Tech Charity, and lectures both nationally and internationally.

Eleanor Pittard (she/her)

co-Founder

Ella is the organisational wizard who turns our plans into reality. Her commitment is the backbone that keeps Nightshift running smoothly.

Ella has a BSc in Management with Entrepreneurship and an MSc in Digital Marketing.

She also has over 10 years of experience in dentistry, managing specialist implant practices, handling corporate takeovers, and starting squat practices.

Ella has won over 20 awards, both personally and for the companies that she works for, and is now a judge for the Private Dentistry Awards. She regularly writes for Dentistry.co.uk and is on the editorial board for Laboratory Magazine. She is a trustee for Den-Tech Charity and co-owns The Hive Dental Laboratory and Clinic with her wife Emily.