A lifetime of devotion

DHAA Life Member Wendy Dashwood tell her own story of a career that spans 40 years

FROM THE TIME I was five, I was interested in dentistry and began my dental career as a trainee dental nurse in February 1969 (yes the Summer of 69 – one of my all-time favourite songs and when man walked on the moon, seen on a black and white TV with aluminium foil extensions on the “rabbit ears” antenna in the Prosthetic Department of the Dental School at the Royal Adelaide Hospital). After completing my studies, I worked there until 1971 going into a private practice where I had my first experience of being part of the Flying Doctor Services dental run, flying into isolated parts of SA.

In 1974 I was offered by my dentist to study dental hygiene at Guys Hospital in London, but I wanted to travel first. While travelling overseas in 1975, I worked as a dental assistant in London and completed further study, upgrading my dental nurse qualifications to be able to work in northern Canada where my then boyfriend and now husband is from.

Making the social pages of the DHAA Hygiene Mirror in 2003

On returning to Adelaide, I was fortunate to be selected to study dental hygiene in 1977, run then by the Department of Further Education based at the Dental School in the Royal Adelaide Hospital. I was in the third training group (10 students per year were accepted).

After graduating in 1978, I worked at a general private practice in the Adelaide Hills before moving to Canberra where dental hygiene practice for the ACT was undergoing legislation to be passed through parliament. At that point in time, SA was the only state where hygienists were able to register and work. I was the first registered hygienist in the ACT and from there dentists in Canberra began employing overseas hygienists as there were still only around 30 new SA hygiene graduates, most working in Adelaide. These overseas hygienists, many of whom have now called Australia home, worked with me to establish the ACT branch of the DHAA.

Other states followed on with more training programs and a few Canberra dentists sponsored their dental nurses to study in Adelaide and return. Our numbers began to grow and soon we were running professional development days and seminars. The support we had from our employer dentists was amazing, attending our PD days (mostly to boost numbers at our insistence) and support our sponsors and trade but also because we had wonderful camaraderie.

I was the first registered hygienist in the ACT – from there dentists in Canberra began employing overseas hygienists

Wendy Dashwood with DHAA President Cheryl Dey at the Brisbane ISDH in 2019

I worked in private general practice in Canberra from 1980-1987 before moving to Yass to raise my family and start a horticultural business with my husband, where we still are today.

In 1989 I recommenced part time dental hygiene work in Canberra and started working at Yass Valley Dental in 2003.

I have worked closely with Valmar, a support agency for clients with physical and intellectual disabilities, living independently and in group homes, having attended dental courses specifically for carers and running seminars for carers and clients to assist with their home dental care.

I completed the Aged Care Certificate 3 at Yass TAFE to have more understanding of the ongoing care and the needs of the aged, as dental hygienists step up to be more involved in the dental and health care of the aged. I am currently working with aged care patients, pre COVID-19, holding a regular dental clinic at Yass Valley Aged Care for preventive care as well as screening residents with emergency dental issues prior to attending the dental surgery. I am also a board member at Yass Valley Aged Care and volunteer screening visitors during this COVID-19 period.

Working with children and (stuffed) animals

Throughout my career I have been involved in many aspects of the DHAA – serving on the ACT executive board and as a committee member and state representative at a national level (including being editor of the Bulletin). Travelling to national and international symposia with my hygiene “buddies” was an important part of my career as it kept me stimulated and wanting for more knowledge as I fine-tuned my interests ending up with recognising the need for more input into aged care health.

I retired from clinical practice a year ago but maintained my clinic at Yass Valley Aged Care (until COVID struck). Right now, I am still helping as a locum in Yass and regularly visiting residents to assess their issues and arranging appointments.

I have seen so much change in my 40 years of dental hygiene and enjoyed the ride immensely. It’s very hard to give up.

Life membership is voted on by the board and awarded to members who have made significant and enduring contributions to DHAA Ltd.