Dentist ‘ here to stay ‘

KATINA CURTIS

KIAMA'S newest dentist said he wants to stay in the job for a long, long time.

Phillip Yew started working for the public dental clinic in Kiama Hospital in June, having been in the field for over 20 years.

He said he had worked in the local area for about eight years before going elsewhere, but decided he really liked Kiama and wanted to come back.

"I've lived around this area for the last ten years or so," he said. "Hopefully I'm staying in this job for a long, long time. It's a lovely spot, lovely people."

He has been in the public sector most of his working life and said he found it very rewarding in terms of patient health.

But, he said, there were sometimes frustrations in not necessarily being able to give every treatment patients requested because of limited facilities.

"I'm very pleased because most of the patients I have seen or treated seem quite pleased with what we're doing here," he said.

Dr Yew said in his practise he prefers to put an emphasis on educating patients, saying it was "extremely important".

"Most dental problems people suffer are totally preventable but people didn't get treatment early," he said. "It's a real satisfaction when you can get patients to look after themselves."

As for the waiting list, he "wouldn't say it was extensive, but generally we can't just go ahead and provide all treatment".

But he was quick to add that people with serious problems, such as acute swelling or inflammation would be treated "very, very quickly".