Dr Patrick McCallister BDS (Birmingham) who is living in Brisbane, Queensland

What brought you out to Australia?

At the tail end of 2009, I sold my 30 year old practice and for the first time in a long time, I had the opportunity to have an adventure. I had a clean slate and wanted a fresh start and a new adventure.
I knew I didn't want to stay in the UK and had a feeling in the back of my head that Australia was the place to go.

After making a few enquiries, I headed to India for a four week holiday, after which I made my way to Australia. I had never been to Australia before and visited Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

I contacted Dentist Job Search regarding the process to move to Australia and very quickly they got me in touch with some practices interested in employing me. In not too long, DJS introduced me to a practice in Brisbane where I found myself compatible with the principal and the practice as a whole.

I went back to the UK, quickly packed up my life, organized a 457 visa through DJS and started work in early July.

How is practicing dentistry different in Australia?

Practicing dentistry is much more relaxed in Australia. Even though I was in private practice in the UK, there is still a massive difference.

In the UK, patients are always trying to push you on price. Average Australians expect dentistry to be a premium service and expect to pay a premium price for it.
I find that you have time to see patients properly here and don't have to chase the clock. I take 45 minutes to do a New Patient Exam. I can sit down and discuss and plan my comprehensive cases with my patient. And quite often I will be generating a large treatment plan. This extra time taken usually means that the treatment stage is easier, as there are no surprises for anyone!

Also, the Australian patient seems to be more discerning, so you can have a more intelligent conversation with your patient about dentistry. It is a very comfortable operating situation, which is win-win. AND I am remunerated well for it, even by UK standards.

Why Brisbane?

Brisbane itself is a very vibrant, city. I believe it is THE hot spot in Australia. The civic services are excellent, the Brisbane River is lovely. It is a comfortable, relaxed city that is small enough to walk around, but just big enough to get lost.

As a new-comer, I felt that Brisbane would be an easier city to find my feet and build a new social life relatively easily.
I have been all around the world and feel I am in a position to assess places. I can't think of a better place to live than Brisbane.

What are your plans for the future?

Of course, I will go back to visit people, my mother and brother and other family, but I have no plans to go back to live in the UK. With Skype, my mother and I can catch up regularly, almost in person!

I am really happy with my fresh start and adventure. I am very very comfortable and happy here.

Last words for the UK dentist:

If I was 24-25, and I had recently graduated as a dentist into the current NHS system, I would feel depressed with the way things work. I certainly can't see it improving in the near future.
Australia may seem like a long way away- but it is nothing really. There is a very healthy practice situation in Australia and it is the healthiest place in the world economically-as it has not been tainted by the global financial crisis.

I am 55, I love practicing dentistry here. If I can make the move at this age, it is possible for anyone.