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Sophie McGregor
Dental hygienists and founder of Gift Me Again
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Still thinking about that side hustle? Further insights from a hygienist with multiple careers By Melanie Aley
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n this edition, I continue exploring the concept of multiple careers in our profession. I see so many posts on social media from dental hygienists and oral health therapists asking “What else can I do?” While many of us love our dental careers, we can crave new and varied experiences – it’s okay to want to expand your knowledge and skills in other areas, and it certainly doesn’t mean you have to give up your day job – for many people it means they find even more enjoyment and joy in their work! I thought it was worth chatting to another one of our members to share their experience embarking on a side hustle. For the second part of this series, I interviewed Sophie McGregor, a dental hygienist who is also a small business owner for Gift Me Again.
Dr Melanie Aley (nee Hayes) is a dental hygienist who has enjoyed a diverse career in clinical practice, teaching, research and management. She has a Masters of Education majoring in Career Development, and after working in multidisciplinary roles, is now an Associate Professor and the Bachelor of Oral Health Program Director at the University of Sydney.
Tell us about your multiple careers. I have practised dental hygiene since 2009 and have spent time in both private and specialist practices, demonstrating, lecturing, helping to set up a new dental practice, dental practice marketing and practice management. I started my small business Gift Me Again in 2020. The business offers a range of handmade eco-conscious gifting solutions – handmade fabric gift bags, party-favour bags, reversible gift baskets and blackboard gift tags hit the mark for gift wrap without the guilt. All products are created to be re-gifted, reused, upcycled or treasured. My gift bags are carefully designed to sit flat when full and are perfect for wrapping oddly shaped gifts. No longer is there a need for sticky tape, sharp scissors or extended time spent wrapping. ‘New’ gift bags are made from 100% cotton fabrics, sourced only from Australian suppliers. A small and everchanging range of gift bags made from reclaimed fabrics is also available. What made you embark on your “side hustle”? Although I enjoy working in the dental industry and in particularly improving patients’ perceptions around dental care, I have always been drawn towards having a variety in my working week. I have found that day-in/day-out clinical practice can be very emotionally draining, and my hobbies outside of work tend to revolve around very solo pursuits, including being creative. I have always had a love for sewing and as I’ve grown older and started a family of my own I’ve become more conscious about my environmental footprint. Alongside my efforts to manage and reduce my workplace’s clinical waste, I was finding
