Newcastle NSW - Luc Evans BDS (Cardiff)

Age

36

Career history before Australia:

In 1996 I graduated from dentistry at Cardiff University. I initially joined Dentist Job Search at that time but perhaps foolishly, I went on to do a Medical Degree in Birmingham. Once I had become a doctor (graduated with Honours), I went on to become an Emergency Registrar in Port Macquarie (on the East Coast of Australia) from 2004-2005, but had to return to the UK to complete my surgical exams (MRCS).

Whilst in Port Macquarie, I decided that I loved where I was, but not what I was doing work-wise. I then realised that dentistry in Australia could allow me a better lifestyle than medicine, so soon after returning to Wales, I decided to come back again to Australia in January 2007 to work as a dentist.

Previous job in the UK:

I worked for two years as a junior in maxillo-facial surgery after Vocational Training in dental practice.

Where are you working currently?

I am currently working in Newcastle in NSW. Newcastle is about 1.5 hours drive north from Sydney along the coast.

What are the advantages of where you currently live?

Newcastle is a small-ish city, the streets where I live and work have a really cosmopolitan vibe, with lots of cafes and fun stuff to do. The place and climate is very conducive to an outdoor lifestyle - several great beaches and 2 huge ocean baths. I often having a morning run, followed by a dip to cool off and then its just a 15 minute bike ride to work.

Sport is huge here. The soccer team, the Newcastle Jets, have just been crowned Australian champions. The Newcastle Knights, a rugby league team, have several Australian international players. I maintain my link with medicine as the team doctor to one of the local rugby union teams.

Live music is big here too and there are local gigs on most nights of the week. World-renowned bands play at the bigger venues - the Stereophonics (from South Wales) are due in early May.

The Hunter Valley, which is a major wine-producing area, is just up the road. Just recently I went to see Lionel Ritchie and Elton John perform in open-air concerts the vineyards.

Other Australian tourist sites are also nearby including the beautiful Port Stevens and Nelson Bay.

What are the advantages of working where you do?

The hours are quite flexible - I generally have Friday afternoon and Monday off, and work 830-5pm for the rest of the week. Private practice in Australia is generally high-tech.

What does your average day consist of?

I see an average of 8-10 patients per day. I have more time with each patient than I did in the UK, the time pressures are less. With my surgical background, I get to do a fair amount of implants and would like to build this side of my work. The practice is well-known for crowns and bridges and we have a broad range of patients, who are generally pretty laid back and pleasant.

How did you take the plunge and work in dentistry in Australia?

My first exposure to Australia was on a rugby tour back in 1991. When I was here then I thought it would be a great place to come back and spend some time.

I got that chance doing my emergency registrar time in Port Macquarie and it was then that I decided that I needed to come back here to live on a more permanent basis.

How did you go about getting a job in Australia?

DJS helped me in the process. I found out about DJS through the BDJ back in 1996 when I was first contemplating coming to Australia and had even registered and completed all the forms back then. When I came back around to the idea all of 10 years later, I just picked up where I left off.

Any regrets?

I would have loved to haven been in Wales when we recently won Rugby Union's 6 nations Grand Slam! I was over here when we won the last one too, so that's another reason for me to stay! Other than that I just wish I would have made the move sooner.

If you are interested in having an Australian experience like this one, contact Dentist Job Search at www.djs.com.au / info@djs.com.au