We spoke to Dr Allie Mackie about her experience volunteering at St Pat’s.
Dr Allie Mackie started volunteering just over a year ago when she was looking for a way to give back to the community.
“I have been in private practice for roughly 25 years, but felt that I wanted to help those who couldn’t afford to come and see me,” she recalls. “It has always been on my radar to find a way to help those who are disadvantaged. I happened upon an article in the Western Articulator featuring a dentist making dentures at St Pat’s and thought: “This is a sign; I can go help there.”
Allie says volunteering at St Pat’s has been an incredibly positive experience. “The team at St Pat’s are really organised and that is reflected in the well-appointed dental clinic, which has everything a general dentist needs and soon more (the new St Pat’s centre and its two dental clinics hopes to open its doors in the next 12 months).
“We have an OPG machine, the now standard digital radiographs, an intramural camera, a vast array of restorative equipment with up-to-date hand pieces and surgical equipment,” she says. “Deb is our clinic coordinator, and she ensures that time in the chair is not wasted, and patients are fully booked and on time. We also have Jess, a dedicated full-time nurse who has come from private practice who enjoys helping those who may otherwise not get basic dental treatments due to cost and access. Scott is our dedicated prosthetist who uses his expertise in the field and has greatly expedited the provision of dentures to our patients,” Allie adds. “It is a real team effort and a great feeling to help people who would otherwise remain in pain or without teeth because of their circumstances.”
Allie is currently volunteering at two clinics at St Pat’s – a homeless/disadvantaged patient clinic and a new dedicated indigenous patient clinic between which she alternates her time whilst at St Pat’s.
“The people I am seeing are trying to their lives back on track and are on waitlisted to do so,” Allie says. “When it is their turn, they show up as they are highly motivated to move forward with their lives. One of the biggest obstacles for them getting back into the workforce and move forward is the condition of their teeth or lack thereof and being unable to smile. The combination of pain, lack of teeth and poor nutrition results low self-esteem contributes the ongoing cycle of homelessness. If we can overcome these issues by providing high quality, timely dental care we can help these people get back into society and that is what makes it all worth it to me.”
Allie says the treatment she provides at the centre includes restorations, extractions, prevention education, dietary and smoking cessation counselling. She adds that like private practice, volunteering is building a good rapport with your patients. “When I see my indigenous patients, there is initially just a lot of listening to their stories, gaining insight to their particular circumstances and establishing trust,” she explains.
“Many of these patients don’t see anyone except their carer each day and are happy to come in, sit, have a chat and then get treatment. “Once those relationships are established, the treatment takes care of itself,” she says.
When asked about the rewards of volunteering, Allie says: “It may sound cliche but being part of making a big difference in someone’s life with the skills you’ve obtained over the years is remarkably rewarding. Just remember that in another lifetime that could be any one of us sitting in that chair with little hope – so we should make it our duty to give back on some level.”
If you are a dentist considering volunteering your skills and time, Allie says:
“Just try it. Sign up and go in for one day. There is no obligation to continue if it isn’t what you expected. At St Pat’s, you can work one day a week, a month, a year and change your dates if other commitments demand – just try it.”
“We have all the facilities, materials and staff to work, and it is a real honour to be able to help those less fortunate. I think most people who are in the health sciences come from a place of desire to help people. This is just the next step. I feel volunteering has make me a better dentist and a better person. I am so fortunate to be part of the team at St Pat’s.”
To enquire about volunteering at St Pat’s, contact Debbie McLeod (Health Clinic Coordinator at St Patrick’s Community Support Centre) [email protected] or https://stpats.com.au/dental/#contact
