A number of dentists and specialists begin their careers in the dentistry profession as dental therapists and assistants. We spoke to members about their experience.
What first attracted you to a career as a dental nurse and hygienist?
I first worked in a dental surgery at the age of 16 and loved the work and interaction with people. I worked as a dental nurse from 1977 until 1985. My husband and I migrated to Australia in 1983 and I attended Curtin University and after TEE at night school and completed the Associated Diploma in Dental Therapy in 1988. I lasted in that job only until 1991 as I was bored and needed more of a challenge, and I wanted to be my own boss. I then enrolled into Science at UWA after passing Chemistry TEE and finished with my BDSc in 1997.
How do you believe your background as a dental nurse has benefited you as a dentist (not only during your studies but also as your work as a dentist)?
l always felt that dentistry was my vocation and having the dental nursing background helped immensely especially since English is not my first language and there was a steep learning curve just with terminology. It also helped with running a business since I’ve managed this as a nurse prior to the tertiary studies. As a boss I understand the challenges faced by staff and I treat my girls like they are part of my family. I literally went from university straight into my own country surgery and I’ve just clocked up 25 years still very much enjoying the profession. In reality, I will need to find a successor in the next few years as I would hate to sell to a corporate entity. This town has been lucky to only have had two dentists in 63 years and I owe it to my community to find the right person to step into my shoes. I look forward to mentoring a young professional for a fabulous work-life balance away from the big smoke and stress of city life.
What would your advice be to a dental nurse considering studying dentistry?
I would encourage any dental assistant/nurse and hygienist/therapist to trust in his/her ability and give dentistry go. The reward is amazing and fulfilling.
What first attracted you to a career as a dental therapist? Can you tell me about this journey? Why did you decide to study dentistry?
I had an interest in dentistry from the age of about six-years-old when I sustained significant dental trauma. I knew at that age I wanted to become a dentist but wasn’t confident I could make it. I later went to do work experience at a dental clinic. I never formally trained as a dental nurse but found it a good way to practice skills whilst studying Dental Therapy. I enrolled in dental therapy as I wasn’t sure I could commit fully to five years of dentistry so I figured this was a pathway to obtain the experience that could be useful if I wanted to study further. But if I didn’t want to progress to dentistry, I still had a job in the dental field.
How long were you working as a dental therapist before you decided to study dentistry?
By the time I finished Dental Therapy I knew I either wanted to study dentistry for the variety of work and autonomy, and I didn’t want to work as a dental therapist forever. I worked as a dental therapist whilst studying science to enter dentistry and then the actual dental degree. Working as a therapist worked well at allowing me to practice before I was in first year dentistry.
Were the dental staff you were working with as a dental therapist supportive of you studying dentistry?
The staff I worked with over the years were encouraging of me becoming a dentist but there were significant figures that felt dental therapists should not or could not ever become dentists. There were barriers that had to be broken down and expectations of me were different to other undergraduate entry students, luckily Dr Iris Messmer had made a significant impact.
Do you believe your background as a dental therapist has benefited you as a dentist (not only during your studies but also as your work
as a dentist)?
Dental therapy taught me patient skills and competency as an individual and to this day I use the paediatric clinical management strategies I developed. Often as a therapist you don’t have a nurse, so you learn to be very organised.
Why did you decide to specialise? Did this wealth of experience in different areas of dentistry has helped
you as a specialist?
I decided to specialise as I wanted to choose the area of dentistry that I found the hardest and master it. I figured if I found it hard so would other dentists thus there would always be a need and endodontics is a great skill, we all need to have to maintain patients’ natural teeth.
I feel the experiences I have had made me see things from a different perspective, having experienced different roles in different practices and this gives you a unique insight. My nurse always says I can still do all the jobs in the practice efficiently, which is apparently annoying! I felt like I had gone back to previous days recently when the power went out and I found myself hand mixing IRM – it still is like riding a bike. The experiences help when I need to teach someone various roles within the practice as you have done it yourself and can see what the role entails from both sides.
My experiences have shaped me as the practitioner I am. These experiences have helped me think outside the box and apply principles learnt as not much in specialist endodontic practice comes out of a textbook, so the more varied cases and practices you work in, the more insight you gain, which makes you become a better practitioner.
What first attracted you to a career as a dental therapist?
I was nearing the end of Year 12 and really wanted to study dance at university. It was a new concept then! My Dad was against it, so being a normal teenager I didn’t apply for anything. My high school guidance counsellor suggested speaking with the visiting School Dental Therapists who were doing
a recruitment drive, so I did. I had never once considered working in a field dental or medically based, but I loved it as soon as I started.
How long were you working as a dental therapist before you decided to study dentistry?
I worked as a School Dental Therapist for five years before studying Dentistry.
Why did you decide to study dentistry?
Whilst I loved the work, at the end of three to four years I was feeling limited by my scope of treatment, and I wanted to be able to provide comprehensive treatment for my patients.
Were the dental staff you were working with as a dental therapist supportive of you studying dentistry?
I worked as a Dental Therapist with ACT Health. They, the Senior Therapists and Dentists, were very supportive of me furthering my studies.
How do you believe your background as a dental therapist has benefited you as a dentist (not only during your studies but also as your work as a dentist)?
When I studied Dental Therapy it was a certificate course, so I received no credits in units for my Dental degree. Obviously already knowing how to sit, speak with patients, knowing the teeth numbers etc all helped in my studies. However, the depth of knowledge of the Dental Degree was a lot more in-depth and I really enjoyed gaining so much extra knowledge. After graduation it was definitely easier for me to work with children than others may have found. I also found communicating and delivering treatment plans with patients, carers and parents much easier. Time management was also a lot easier than some of my peers found in the beginning.
What would your advice be to a dental therapist considering studying dentistry?
If you love what you are doing stay where you are – Dental Therapy is a great profession. However, if after a few years you feel limited and can’t imagine doing those same things for years to come – go and study dentistry. Your background knowledge will hold you in good stead and you won't look back!
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