Diane Stevens, a dental hygienist, and her sister Kate Warner, a bespoke dressmaker, went into business together during the COVID-19 pandemic to create stylish and sustainable PPE for dental teams. Interview by Kate Quinlan.
Diane (left) with her sister Kate
Can you tell me a bit about your family background?
We grew up in Oxford City; we lived in Walton Street in Jericho and then in St Clements. There are two years between us: Katie is big sis. Our parents were newsagents both in Jericho and St Clements but now they have retired. There is no dental background at all in the family. We have a younger brother, Michael, who works in agriculture after a long career in cinemas.
Where are you based at the moment?
Diane: Katie lives with her partner on a farm in Shenington near Banbury and I live with my husband and youngest son in Bladon, just outside Oxford, near Blenheim Palace. We have an older son who lives in a nearby village.
Diane, can you describe your dental career background?
Diane: I have worked in North Oxford all my working life, first as a dental chairside assistant in the early 1980s for a well-known dentist at the time called William Osbourn-King. He sold the practice to Guy Duckworth in 1986 and I joined his team shortly after the purchase. During my time with Guy and his wife Joan I became qualified in dental nursing and in 1989 I left to train in dental hygiene at RAF Halton. I trained as a civilian alongside service personnel and qualified with The Best All Round Student Award in December 1990.
I started work as a hygienist in January 1991 so straight in at the deep end! A year later I returned to work for Guy and Joan Duckworth in my new role as dental hygienist to the practice and there I stayed until Guy retired at which point, I went all out and became completely independent in my practice of dental hygiene. Over the years I have kept up to date with all the latest treatments and technology, purchasing the very latest equipment for guided biofilm therapy (GBT), and have built a busy diary with local advertising and generally word of mouth. I love what I do and although it's challenging at times I am not deterred.
Kate, please could you outline your career history and experience in bespoke dressmaking?
Kate: I began my dressmaking career with G Bloch in Oxford City. After my training I left them and at that point I became a self-employed dressmaker. I opened a small shop in Kidlington, Oxford, specialising in bespoke wedding and occasional wear.
I then went into a partnership and we had a three-storey shop in Henley-on-Thames. Then when the partnership ended I returned to being self-employed, seven years later, working from a barn conversion in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, and I created C&C Couture. I met my partner and eventually moved in with him on his farm in Shenington where he built me a log cabin workshop in 2012 and I've worked from here since then.
What was your working situation in March 2020 before the first lockdown began?
Diane: I had a full diary and was working happily until I had to close.
Katie: I was still making bespoke wedding dresses and occasional wear.
How did your situations change going into lockdown?
Diane: Obviously like all my colleagues I could no longer see patients, and this is all I've known for over 30 years!
Kate: I was able to finish the work I had already taken on but then it stopped. I was fortunate enough to have had a knee operation just before lockdown so at least I had the time to do the rehab for this.
How did you spend your time in lockdown?
Diane: I have two Jack Russell dogs who were thrilled to have me around more so I walked them every day and thankfully the weather was lovely. Keeping my patients updated was my priority so I sent out regular newsletters updating them on progress and giving advice on keeping their oral hygiene in tip top condition; these were gratefully received. I joined our local Hub and did voluntary work collecting shopping and prescriptions for those isolating as well as working for The Royal Voluntary Service offering anything from a telephone call to shopping. I have recently started the process of becoming a volunteer COVID vaccinator and am hoping to be able to offer at least two shifts a month to help with the mammoth task.
I showed her the PPE I was using in the practice in plastic form and described how hot and sweaty it was. We looked at exactly what was available, and the bin liner look was pretty much it!
How did the idea for Scrubs in Style first come about and how did you turn the idea into reality?
Diane: I knew my sister was struggling as a great deal of her work was for weddings and I felt sick at all the plastic waste the aprons and PPE gowns etc was creating. I called my sister and asked if she and I could create something that could be washed and sterilised.
We met several times; I showed her the PPE I was using in the practice in plastic form and described how hot and sweaty it was. We looked at exactly what was available, and the bin liner look was pretty much it! Certainly nothing with any colour or style. Next, we sourced the fabric; we wanted it to feel like cotton and be breathable as well as having the qualities needed for this type of PPE.
The specialist fabric we found the most suitable happens to be one that is already used in our NHS. The only drawback I would say is the cost of it per metre, especially as at the moment we can only buy small amounts, so this does make our product an expensive outlay. However, our aprons and gowns will last a long time and they can have the tapes removed and refreshed and also can be re-proofed. I am proud to be wearing them knowing although my contribution is only a drop in the ocean as far as plastic waste goes, at least I am trying to make a difference.
I would encourage my fellow dental professionals to replace the plastic PPE with sustainable protective clothing even if done gradually to achieve their desired quantity: this will still make a difference.
What challenges did you encounter and how did you overcome them?
Diane: For me it was having no idea regarding design and pattern making and how the fabric will work with the design. I don't sew!
I felt we needed to make some scrub tops and bottoms that were lighter weight so they would be more comfortable under aprons and gowns; Katie has made some lovely designs to mix and match and she has worked tirelessly to get samples of all the designs ready to shoot.
The gowns have gone through a sort of evolution: I've tested them, and Katie has made the alterations; we have just added ties at the neck as well as Velcro as extra security and also to help make the gowns easier to remove from sterilising wraps.
How did you fund the project and who runs the business side of things?
I am using my savings to fund the whole project and Katie and I work together to produce every item ourselves from start to finish. I can now make patterns, cut the material out, press the finished items and am responsible for shipping and doing the books.
I look after the business side of things; my experience is limited but my husband runs a sizable business and I've also got a very helpful accountant.
Kate does absolutely all the sewing bless her; she works exceptionally hard.
Now that it is December 2020, how is business going?
Due to COVID we didn't get our last photoshoot done so getting our website up and running has been slow. With limited funds I decided to set it up myself and although we need to add some photos and tweak things here and there it is now out there.
Our aprons and gowns will last a long time and they can have the tapes removed and refreshed and also can be re-proofed. I am proud to be wearing them knowing although my contribution is only a drop in the ocean as far as plastic waste goes, at least I am trying to make a difference.
What feedback have you had on your PPE?
Diane: So far, the gowns have been received well. Practices that have them are very happy and they get many positive comments from their patients, who are also pleased to see less plastic. They are considered expensive, but ours really cannot be compared to plastic or the reusable type of gowns and aprons; these you only get about 30 washes from before you throw them away. Our gowns will last and last with a little maintenance such as refreshing and replacing tapes that have faded and reproofing which can be done in a washing machine.
Have you both also returned to your original jobs this year?
Diane: I have and am now working longer days to see the capacity of patients needed.
Kate: No, I am only doing work for Scrubs in Style. I've had no orders for weddings and occasional wear so far due to COVID restrictions.
Is Diane wearing your products at work and spreading the word to colleagues?
Diane: OH YES! The material is costly so over the last six months I've gradually built up my collection.
Diane wearing a scrub gowncap in practice
How much of your time does running Scrubs in Style take - have you had to employ staff?
Diane: We still do it all ourselves and I spend at least one day in the week at the workshop with Katie plus a Saturday or Sunday.
Can you see yourself running the business full time?
Diane: We would love that! But I am still passionate about my dental hygiene business so at this stage I try and do both.
Do you think the business will expand in 2021?
Ideally, we would love to keep it bespoke and become busy, which would mean more practices getting on board with reducing plastic waste.
What are you both looking forward to in 2021?
Diane: Working together and my sister finally having an income. Continuing our challenge of making less plastic waste across the profession.
How are you spending the festive season?
Diane: I am with my husband and youngest son. Katie has formed a bubble with our parents, and they are with her. Our brother and his family are currently self-isolating after our sister-in-law tested positive for COVID.
I have a 'very merry Easter' planned for all the family in our garden in 2021 if we are able. That's going to be a wonderful family reunion: fingers crossed it goes ahead.
Scrubs in Style
The specialist fabric used to make gowns by Scrubs in Style has been tested in up to 90 washes and still retains its integrity. The gowns can also be re-proofed in a washing machine and if any coloured tapes are replaced with new ones, they can look as good as new!
If you are interested in reducing plastic waste created by your practice [plastic gowns may be thrown away after only 30 washes] by investing in Scrubs in Style's sustainable PPE, please visit Diane and Kate's newly launched website: www.scrubsinstyle.com.
Instagram: @scrubs_in_style