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Dr Melanie McAlpine is well-known in dental circles, so it might surprise some to find out that dentistry wasn’t always on her radar. She initially studied Science at university. “I met a lot of great fun people who were applying for Dental School; that was how it worked in my day,” she recalls. “It sounded like a good idea, so I thought I would apply for dentistry too. Some of those people are still amongst my best friends, so I guess it was a real sliding doors moment.”

She considered it a real honour when she was then invited to return to university to undertake her speciality. “As an under-graduate I had always been interested in the problem solving and biological complexities of periodontics,” she recalls. “Then when you add in the need for excellent hand skills, surgical procedures as well as the psychology of managing chronic disease, it becomes one of the most fascinating areas of dentistry with a significant cross over into systemic health.”

Melanie will be presenting The Halitosis Pathosis: Diagnosis, Prognosis and More, along with Dr Amanda Phoon Nguyen in June to discuss all things orally odorous. They will cover what a dental professional should know in this interactive lecture on the causes of halitosis, pseudohalitosis, possible systemic contributors, further investigations required, and red flags. They will conclude by summarising their best management tips for this condition.

“Everyone suffers from halitosis occasionally, but for some people it can be persistent, debilitating and socially embarrassing. Hopefully participants will take away how to approach the subject with patients, without embarrassment, know the biological factors to look for and then when to start considering it might be something else."

Melanie is a seasoned lecturer and says as someone with a deep passion for periodontics, people with passion generally love to talk about their topic. “I also accept that I can’t treat every patient,” she adds. “If I can inspire other health professionals to know what to look for and simple things to teach their patients to prevent or minimise disease, then it’s better for everyone. Periodontics can be a very dry subject, until you start deep diving. Coming up with creative ways to communicate how to understand the diagnosis and management of periodontal disease is a challenge I greatly enjoy. It’s always motivating when I see lecture attendees engaging because they hear a fresh approach to a supposedly dry topic.”

Melanie says she loves connecting with patients, engaging them in the diagnostic process and planning what that particular individual needs to work towards their own health. “I believe in personalised periodontal programs, and for patients to be the master of their own health with support from a hand-selected team of trusted professionals,” she adds. “Right from the initial consultation, the patient has to know that I am on their side, without judgement. Each patient has an inherent susceptibility to periodontal disease; it is not all their fault. We aim to give patients hope, as well as maintain a comfortable and functional dentition for life. It’s definitely a team sport though!”

As well as running her private practice, and a busy lecturing schedule, Melanie is an active member in local and federal societies, including the Australian Society of Periodontology, The Royal College of Dental Surgeons, and Women in Dentistry. When asked how she juggles her commitments, she says not very well. “There are a lot of balls, constantly in the air and sometimes one or two get dropped, usually my family and friends,” she says. “I have a mental exercise where I literally ‘switch hats’ between work and home and the gym and socialising, but the boundaries are
not always firm enough."

Melanie also volunteers with Healing Smiles and encourages others to give back as well. “The women who put together the Healing Smiles program have created an extraordinary opportunity,” she says. “The extensive work that has gone on behind the scenes is unseen and impossible to comprehend. Creating the framework for referral, treatment and administration is a huge undertaking that has been done very well. The best patient outcomes will be achieved if we use the resources that are available, rather than reinventing the experience every time we do pro bono work. The least I can do is support the program to ensure its success, and contribute some of my knowledge, skills and time to those less fortunate. I’d like to leave the world in a better place and contribute something to society as a whole, rather than focus solely on what’s good for me.”

When asked about her future plans, Melanie says the last few years have been difficult. “It’s going to be a time of practice growth as we are chronically understaffed,” she says. “I’m looking forward to engaging another hygienist and teaching them to be part of a specialist periodontal practice. My assistants could also do with some assistance. I am also the regional co-ordinator for the International Team for Implantology (ITI) so we have a very exciting year ahead bringing back interstate and international lecturers. I’m currently in the process of streamlining the program and hope to see a greater contribution to implant education from specialists using the existing educational frameworks and resources. The study clubs are a fabulous way to interact openly in small group discussion, whilst the larger evening seminars will be bringing in lecturers not seen before in Perth.

“Most importantly I need to focus on creating time for my own mental and physical health so I can support my family through the high school years,’ she adds. "I’m sure we will have plenty of ups and downs, but if I’m not OK, I can’t help anyone else.”

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5 minutes with Dr Melanie McAlpine

What three words best describe you?
Passionate. Ethical. Extroverted-introvert.

If you weren’t in the dentistry field, what would you do for a living?
I don’t really know that there is any better combination of art and science, psychology, medicine, teaching and learning that provides a good income, than Periodontics. I’m extremely lucky to have landed where I did, and the opportunities are still endless. In my fantasy life though, I’d be the captain of a superyacht or a snowboard instructor.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
You will generally find me down a remote 4WD track in my bathers and bare feet, with all my cameras and an emergency bottle of wine in the boot of the car. Or I might be on a snowboard, underwater, on a boat, basically anywhere that people are not.

What is your favourite book?
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. I still love the story, but I’m also motivated by the thought that no matter what is behind you, kindness, hope and growth can still be part of your future.

Is there anything people might be surprised to learn about you?
I’m into Olympic weightlifting. I hope I can manage a 100kg deadlift later this year. I don’t have enough time to commit to the sport to really progress, but it builds incredible shoulder stability, thoracic mobility and keeps me “work fit”. The really surprising thing is how many different pairs of shoes I have bought to support my “habit”.

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