Dr Nicola Hughes Dentist - Darwin City Medical Centre The founding doctors at the Darwin City Medical Centre have been operating a general practice with a full range of medical services since 2008.
Having always wanted to expand the practice to include dentistry, they opened their doors to incorporate City Dentists (NT) in 2010. Dr Nicola Hughes joined the team as resident dentist in July 2011. Here, she talks about the passion she has for her field: Tell us a little bit about yourself: “I was born and grew up in Belfast, where I did my training and qualified as a dentist at Queens University. I came traveling to Australia as a student, and absolutely loved it. I always thought I would come back here, and three years ago I decided to give living in Australia a go, and I’m still here!” What made you decide on dentistry as a career? “I always had a passion to want to help people and improve their lives. Dentistry appealed to me because not only do you provide a service to the public, but it’s also a hands-on career. It’s a very good career for a woman to have, as the hours are more sociable than the medical profession, and you can be a lot more flexible, especially if you have a family.” What are some of the challenges you face in your role? 50
December 2013 | DarwinLife Magazine
“I treat a lot of patients who have anxiety, or a fear of coming to the dentist, so it can be a challenge communicating with them. I pride myself on creating a very calming environment so patients can relax and feel more at ease. The job is also more physically demanding than people think, and you can spend a lot of time in uncomfortable positions while carrying out procedures that require a high level of precision and dexterity.” What are the highlights of your job? “When a patient comes in with pain and you are able to relieve it, it’s very rewarding. It’s also an amazing feeling being able to work with patients to educate them on the importance of oral health. I also love working as part of a team, and an advantage of this practice is working alongside the medical doctors and nurses. Patients can come here and get their medical and dental check-ups done under the one roof.” What attributes do you bring to the role? “I’m genuinely passionate about dentistry and I enjoy continually educating myself and learning about new techniques and technology. I also have a great deal of patience
for people, and take the time to make sure patients are comfortable and feel at ease.” How do you enjoy spending your time outside of work? “I enjoy travelling, and taking advantage of how close to South East Asia we are. During the dry season I make the most of what is happening around town, and also enjoy weekend or day trips to places like Kakadu, Litchfield or Berry Springs. Darwin is different to anywhere I have ever lived before, so to have all this on my doorstep has changed my life in a way I never thought possible.”
City Dentists (NT) and Darwin City Medical Centre Suite 1/71 Smith Street Darwin Ph: 8941 0369, 8941 0373 W: www.citydentistsnt.com.au