Maroochydore QLD - Dr Cara Johnson BDS (Cardiff)

Age

32

From

UK

Graduating university

Cardiff University in Wales

Previous job in the UK:

I graduated in 2002, did my vocational training and then started working doing children's dentistry at Cardiff Dental School. After that, I went on to work in oral surgery in South Wales and Plymouth for about 18 months. It was hard work, but very interesting!

How did you end up in Australia?

I came out to Australia originally on a working holiday visa on my own. I used this time to travel around Australia, doing locum work to finance the travelling. There were plenty of other young dentists in these jobs, so I was able to make new friends. I ended up working for the government in Westmead Hospital in Sydney, the Blue Mountains west of Sydney, then up in Cairns in North Queensland. Whilst up in Cairns, I did some government clinic work and I would also get flown up to Cape York on the very top of Australia with the Flying Doctors to work in some remote (mostly Aboriginal) clinics for about 4 months. It was a real eye-opener. I also did my PADI diving certificate in Cairns, which is near the Great Barrier Reef - it was a dream come true.

After my working holiday visa, I knew I wanted to live in Australia, so I went back home to Cardiff to prepare my family and pack up. In my time back in Cardiff, I really missed Australia, the lifestyle, weather and people. My friend recommended I get in touch with DJS, and the rest is history.

Where do you now work in Australia?

I currently work in a private practice in Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast QLD. I have been back in Australia for 2.5 years and at this current job for 2 years.

Describe your current dentistry work:

It is a private practice, doing general dentistry. My hours are about 7:30am-5pm, but I only work 4 days a week. Compared with my friends in the UK, I see fewer patients a day - about 15, as opposed to between 30-40 in the UK. This time means I can talk to the patient and find out their treatment needs and get to know them, and they get to know me too. There is a much more 'community' feeling and a much slower pace.

What are the advantages of working where you do?

There is an overall more relaxed lifestyle in Australia. People like to make the most of their free time and the warm evenings. It has such a lovely climate - as the name Sunshine Coast would imply! It is very beautiful and I am able to swim at the beach pretty much right through winter. A couple of years ago I did my bronze medallion for lifesaving. I learnt all about the sea and rips and how to save people (and got to wear a funny hat). The climate means it is much more pleasant getting fit outdoors - running along the boardwalk, bootcamp held on the beach - I couldn't do any of this back where I used to live (or it wasn't quite as enjoyable).

What does your average day consist of?

After work hours, I will probably head to the gym in the evening, or meet friends for a spot of tennis or a swim. There is always something to do of an evening. I have made lots of friends through my job and through their friends. There is a large community of young professionals in the area.

What visa are you on?

I am on a 457 visa sponsored by DJS. It is a great way to come out here and have flexibility to move around the country and change jobs. There are many interesting places in Australia - rural and in more cosmopolitan cities, I've enjoyed it all.