New dentists ready for action

Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) has welcomed five new dental interns who have joined Westmead Hospital’s Centre for Oral Health.

The interns will undertake a 12-month program in Western Sydney and rural communities.

Westmead Hospital Centre for Oral Health head of department Dr Phillipa Wenderoth said the diverse group of budding oral health practitioners bring a wealth of experience.

“Some of our interns have already performed traditional dental work in animal shelters and volunteering in dental missions overseas,” Dr Wenderoth said.

“At Westmead Hospital, the interns will gain experience in general and specialist areas including emergency dental and treating patients who present with dental trauma, facial swellings, cancer, and are due for organ transplant.

“The experience they will gain will benefit them greatly in their careers and boost their confidence to treat more complex patients either in public or private practice.

“They learn from our best and most qualified senior clinicians, many of whom have who have more than 25 years’ experience.”

The Westmead Centre for Oral Health is a state-wide specialist oral health service and is one of two major teaching facilities for the Faculty of Dentistry of the University of Sydney.

Inner Sydney resident and dental intern Dr Ashley Broughton is new to Western Sydney after moving from Orange recently.

“The pace in Sydney is a lot faster than in the country,” Ashley said.

“I’ve wanted to be a dentist since I was a child. I used to visit my dad’s dental practice in Adelaide and watch how he manufactured crowns.”

Ashley is now creating his own career path and following his father Dr Alan Broughton’s footsteps in the dental field.

Alan is well-known to the Westmead Centre for Oral Health as he has worked at the hospital for more than ten years as a mentor and examiner for the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (RACDS).

The Pulse recognised Ashley’s resemblance to Married at First Sight (MFS),  Sam.

When asked whether people comment on the likeness, he said he gets a few remarks but he won’t be getting any neck tattoos or feature on TV anytime soon.

For information about Westmead Centre for Oral Health, visit: http://www.wslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/Oral-Health