Bernie Shaw

During the day as a dentist, I carry out quite a few different types of dental treatment for patients. The most common being checkups and cleans, and occasionally patients need X-rays as well to help diagnose little problems. I often refer patients for a large X-ray, called an OPG. That’s done in a neighbouring suburb. That OPG is often used by dental specialists, such as oral surgeons, if they need to remove a difficult tooth — a bit too difficult for something that I’m comfortable doing myself.

Most of my appointments. besides checkups, cleans and X-rays, are also fillings. I’m very meticulous and perfectionist with my fillings, and I rarely have any trouble coming back from patients. I’m very proud of my work that I do. As well as fillings, I’m getting teeth looking nice, and comfortable and working well. Occasionally, a patient might need a tooth removed if it’s beyond help, so I’ll do that as well.

I’ve been a dentist for 34 years, so very experienced at taking out some difficult teeth. Today, for example, after lunch I did a root canal for a patient. He had a toothache, and we cleaned out the nerve in his lower molar. He was keen to keep the tooth, so we did the first visit of the root canal. That was a big appointment, but he’ll be a lot happier tonight. He was in quite a lot of pain last night, and couldn’t sleep from the toothache.

I’m about to see a family of four — mum, dad, and two boys — for their annual checkup. So, that’s sort of my day. I get on very well with my patients. They seem to like coming here, and I do love my job very much.