Lisa Dunn

I have been a DA for 7 years, working in private practice in Hobart. I became involved with RAHC in October 2009 and my first placement was to Elcho Island working at the Ngalkanbuy Clinic.

 

To say it was an 'eye-opener' would be the understatement of the year!  I had no idea about Indigenous anything, let alone the state of their health, and specifically the state of their dental health.

 

But, right from my first day, I just loved it!  The work we do within the communities is so needed and very much appreciated, and that sense of appreciation is shown in numerous ways. Since that placement, I have done 5 others, including going back to Elcho Island two more times.

 

I have just returned from Groote Eylandt, and it by far has been my most enjoyable placement.

 

We ran the dental clinic Mon-Thurs, at Angurugu Health Centre, servicing patients from the Indigenous communities of Angurugu, Umbakumba, and Bickerton Island. On Friday, we set the clinic up at the Alyangula Health Centre and attended to patients  on a 'fee-paying' basis, ie. as per a 'normal' clinic. This was a unique thing for a remote placement, but I felt it worked well and served the needs of all of the community, plus the $ made go back into the community, to bring the next dental team out.

 

The facilities and services available to you as part of a remote team, are unlike any other I had experienced, and in fact it wasn't really 'remote' at all, as we had access to supermarket, shops, banks, recreation centre, 5 star resort (I know, the hardship of it all), swimming pool and we had a car available to us for the weekends!

 

For me, the best way to get the 'best' out of your placement, regardless of where it is to, is to immerse yourself in what's going on, be open and receptive to what's going on around you, and take up any invites exended your way.

 

I can not fault the RAHC team in anyway, shape or form. I think they all do a tremendous job, in what must be a very challenging arena.

 

If you are thinking of getting involved in remote work, have a good long look at yourself first, but then take the leap and sign on - you won't regret it.