Amanda Fennessy

Amanda Fennessy, a dental therapist from rural Victoria has recently completed a three-and-a-half month RAHC placement in Katherine.

 

Amanda was interested in working with Indigenous children and getting the chance to extend herself professionally so she became involved with RAHC. During her placement in the rural centre of Katherine, Amanda filled an important role in the local community by assisting to deliver much needed dental therapy services.

 

Amanda found the work interesting and diverse as she faced different challenges every day.  She also learnt many additional skills throughout her placement including how to cope independently away from family. 

 

Amanda says, ‘I did have minimal social life while I was away, which meant I sometimes felt a little lonely, but daily computer contact through Skype with my husband helped me deal with that - this was very important and enabled me to focus on my work.’

 

The environment Amanda was working and living in was extremely hot during the time of year she undertook her placement but living conditions in the area were satisfactory.

 

One experience Amanda shared with RAHC, was the overwhelming affection and trust shown to her by the young Indigenous children. Many children would visit Amanda uninvited for days at a time at the dental clinic and find her in the supermarket or the street on weekends. The most rewarding moment for Amanda during her placement occurred on her last day when she completed treating all the children in an entire primary school, by 3.30pm. Amanda says, ‘I feel incredibly valued and as though I have made an important contribution.’

 

Like many other RAHC participants, Amanda believes the RAHC initiative is benefiting Indigenous communities and she feels that the dental therapy services she provided has helped educate the local population to be more aware of their own oral care.

 

When asked if she has any advice for others considering a RAHC placement, Amanda responded, ‘Give it a try, you have nothing to lose and a lot to gain. I feel privileged to have had the experience.’