The world is changing so fast, it’s hard to keep up. It seems only recently that we have been faced with the onslaught of technology changes.

During my five years at university, I had never been on the Internet. The world wide web was a unheard of phrase, Facebook didn’t exist, Twitter was something I listened to birds do, and the cloud was a white, fluffy object in the sky. Instagram was something you got from the Queen on your 100th birthday and 4G was the class I was in for French lessons circa 1985.

Being from a school with two computers for the whole 1,500 pupils to share and doing a university course where information could be gathered from the enormous library, did nothing for my computer literacy. My IT skills are an embarrassment. I recently had to accept help from a 75-year-old neighbour when downloading photos.

We are the most connected we have ever been, instant access to information and social media so prevalent that friendships now seem to be played out via a wi-fi connection and an iPhone. Not far from my home, one of the last remaining red telephone boxes sits forlornly by the roadside. How strange to think that it really wasn’t that long ago that the essential piece of Brownie guide kit was a 10p coin for emergency telephone calls. I’m not sure that my children even know what the phone box was for, other than providing a convenient place for Superman to change. Come to think of it, I’m not sure they know what 10p actually buys you now.

Back in the day, the only way to chat with your friends was to phone them, often immediately after having spent a 10-hour day at school with them. The phone was connected to the wall by that fascinating curly cord and everyone knew everyone’s telephone numbers which didn’t cause nearly as much problem as when you realise you’ve lost your mobile or dropped it in the sink.

I’m still not totally convinced that we are the better for the advent of social media. Are daily updates from people I haven’t seen for 20 years on how amazing their lives are totally necessary? Do I really need to see yet more drunken photos of nieces and nephews. Thank goodness that I got through my teenage years without photos of every embarrassing moment being posted indelibly for all to see.

I must confess, I still don’t fully understand the advantage of social media in a work setting. I can’t bring myself to ask our patients to ‘like’ our obligatory Facebook page. I’m under no illusion, a trip to the dentist is rarely the highlight of anyone’s week. Expecting anyone to add Botley dental practice as a ‘Friend’ is probably expecting a bit too much. On this one, I’ll think I’ll stick to the old style face-to-face communication. No one is interested in photos of the fillings I’ve done or the crowns I’ve fitted. Get back to me in 20 years time. As of yet, dentistry can’t be done by a robot or via a Skype connection.

Who know what the future holds, with any luck by the time it does, I’ll be retired with my feet up on a sun lounger for the whole of the winter. That should give me some time to work on my IT skills, I’ll try and remember to post some photos if I’ve worked it out how to do it by that stage.