ORIGINALLY from Wales, dental hygienist Katie Goodall moved to Lyme Regis with her family when she was nine, attending the Woodroffe School. She studied for her hygiene qualification at Cardiff Dental Hospital and now lives in a small village outside Bridport with husband Gary and their two cats, and works at Lyme Bay Dentistry in Lyme Regis.
WHAT attracted to you to a career as a dental hygienist?
When I first moved to Bridport I started work as a dental nurse and absolutely loved the job. I think I was destined to have a job working with people. I wanted to be the one treating rather than assisting and immediately began investigating career paths for dentistry. I went back to college, gained my dental nursing qualification and then applied for Cardiff in 2007. In 2008 my dream came true and my hard work had paid off when I was offered a place at Cardiff.
WHY did you join the team at Lyme Bay Dentistry?
When I first qualified I worked for a number of practices but soon realised I wanted to be able to give my patients quality time and not to mention work in the town I grew up in. I'm extremely privileged to work alongside the experienced and knowledgeable Dr Phillip Bennett. Lyme Bay Dentistry offers me room to progress in my job role, the ability to take on more responsibility and extend my knowledge base.
WHAT are your responsibilities as a dental hygienist?
My responsibilities as a hygienist are to ensure that patients’ dental hygiene regimes are efficient and effectively maintained by myself. A dental hygienist can scale and polish teeth amongst other more complex procedures. I can also perform the following under the prescription of a dentist; take impressions, whitening treatments, administer local anaesthesia and take radiographs. A dental hygienist can now treat a patient under a new directive called direct access, which means a patient can make an appointment to see me without having a referral from a dentist. This makes it much easier for me to treat those who want to come to Lyme Bay Dentistry just for their dental hygiene appointments - all are welcome.
HOW important is dental hygiene?
My friends and family will be able to answer this even better than myself! I can't help but take my job home with me and I'm always being asked questions, my husband rolls his eyes pleading don't get her started! On a serious note dental hygiene is paramount for a healthy smile, healthy body. Longevity is the top of most patients priority list these days. Gum disease is caused by the body's response to plaque and bacteria in the mouth, the cleaner the mouth is the less bacteria available to contribute towards not only gum disease but decay. The cleaner you keep them the longer you keep them! 95 per cent of the population are susceptible to gum disease and everyone notices a lovely smile.
WHAT do you enjoy about the job?
I love getting to know my patients and building up rapport with them. Making a difference in someone's life and improving their health is paramount to me. Not many people realise the impact dental hygiene has on our health.
WHAT are your personal interests?
I love socialising with my family and friends and particularly love dining out! I like to exercise and have recently taken up running and completed Plymouth half marathon this April with my husband. I also enjoy Zumba at least once a week. My favourite pastime however is going on holiday!
WHAT do you like about the local area?
I can't imagine not living by the sea and I just think we are so lucky to live in an area where people pay to come on holiday. I feel like I am on holiday every day. This summer has been exceptional and I have taken every opportunity to sit on the beach during my lunch hours.
WHAT would you do if you won the Lottery?
It depends how much but I think I'd buy myself a nice house and then take all my friends on the holiday of a lifetime! I love teeth so much I think I'd even carry on working.
WHICH three guests would you invite to your dream dinner party?
Jimmy Carr because I think he's hilarious and could entertain us all, Kylie Minogue because I think she's fabulous I've been a fan since I was little, and David Beckham just to see what all the fuss is about!
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