All smiles as Liz celebrates 40-year milestone

Oral health therapist Liz De Silva is one of more than 500 Townsville HHS staff who will celebrate an incredible 9000 collective years of service over the next month at the health service’s annual length-of-service awards.

Liz, who is celebrating a monumental 40 years of service this year, embarked on her dental career in 1979 after two years of on-the-job training at the Townsville HHS’s Cambridge street facility.

“Once I completed my training I was transferred up to Cairns to start my career,” Liz said.

“Since then I’ve worked in Innisfail, Mackay, Charters Towers and completed the past nine years here in Townsville.”

Liz she had seen a number of changes to oral health services during her 40-year tenure.

“When I started with Queensland Health oral health therapists were issued with three, crisp white dresses that we had to wear with stockings,” Liz said.

“But despite the conservative uniform, there was no protective clothing like gloves, glasses or disposable gowns necessary when we treated a patient.

“When we treated children in the school dental van a parent would sign a consent form and then we completed all the examinations, cleans and operative procedures without a parent present.

“When I speak with other dental therapists who’ve been in the business this long, we often laugh when we look back on how relaxed things used to be.”

Liz said infection control and safety were two of the biggest changes.

“We now must wear protective clothing whenever we are treating a patient, and we employ robust sterilising procedures,” she said.

“There’s also a big focus on continuing our education to ensure we stay up to date with our registration.

“The changes that have been introduced have definitely been for the better.”

Having travelled throughout North Queensland during her career, Liz said oral hygiene had improved.

“Townsville is lucky as it has fluorinated water; when I started in Cairns I’d say one in every five patients was a tooth extraction because of decay,” she said.

“Now, there’s a much bigger focus on prevention, with education starting from the moment a baby gets their first tooth.”

Liz said she never thought oral health would be such a long-term career path.

“I originally wanted to go to art college; however, my parents encouraged me to do oral health instead,” she said.

“I initially thought I would go back to art but oral health has given me plenty of variety, particularly being able to travel throughout North Queensland.

“The next step for me is retirement; but not for a few years yet!”

Townsville Hospital and Health Service Board Chair Tony Mooney said he was proud that the health service had so many long-serving employees.

“This year 16 of our staff are celebrating 40 years with the Queensland Health, and one is celebrating 45 years,” he said.

“The organisational and industry knowledge they carry with them is invaluable, and we are incredibly lucky to have so many people passionate about the care they provide.

“Congratulations to everyone who is celebrating a milestone year of service this year; we are grateful for your ongoing commitment to your communities.”