Dentist Celebrates Fifty Years In Same Practice
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- Published: Wednesday, 15 June 2022 23:22
- Written by Peter Ingle
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At a time when more and more dentists look to early retirement and there is much talk of exit plans, one dentist has well and truly bucked the trend.
Specialist orthodontist, John Sawyer, has just celebrated an amazing fifty years working at Croydon Orthodontic Practice. One of the exclusive group of practitioners with a GDC registration that begins with the number 4, John qualified in 1969, well before the majority of today’s GDC registrants were born. After completing his Masters in Orthodontics in Australia, he returned to the UK and answered an advertisement in the BDJ. In John’s words, “The rest as they say is history!”
This was a very different world for orthodontics, with consultants in hospitals, very few specialist orthodontists and the majority of work carried out by GDP’s. At the time the majority of payment was delayed until cases were completed, so John and many of his contemporaries also worked as GDP’s to make ends meet.
Asked how he feels going into the practice after 50 years, John explains, “I love working with the kids – that hasn’t changed. 50 years may sound a long time but it has flown by.” He also mentioned some of the satisfaction that many ‘stay put’ dentists, enjoy, “it is not uncommon for me now to treat the grandchildren of some of my first patients – that makes me feel a little mature but also delighted to have helped 3 generations of the same family.”
Clearly there have been big changes over the course of his career and John highlighted improvements in photography and imaging. And there is one substantial benefit that has come with time, as John says, "You also have 50 years of learning to fall back on.”
Many tributes have been made by patients that John has treated over the last 50 years. One of particular interest to dental professionals will be that from Specialist Orthodontist Bushra Ahmad. Dr Ahmad said, “I can still remember my first consultation with you and how you made me confident in my 14 year old self. As I came to make decisions about university and career choices I remember coming to speak to you about dentistry as a career. You gave me so much encouragement and support, you facilitated so much to make everything easier for me. I remember the week I spent with you seeing how you loved what you did and your passion. I remember being enthralled and hoping to be able to sustain the same.”
“Fast forward 11 years and I came to meet Tim in the hope of a job in South Croydon. I was absolutely bowled over when you walked into the surgery. The best bit…..you were exactly the same. Still passionate about what you did and enjoying yourself thoroughly along the way. You became a good friend and colleague, a most wonderful mentor and confidante. And, over all these years, your passion and commitment never wavered and you still remained a source of inspiration to me.”
Like many dentists John is creative outside the practice being a keen amateur guitarist and painter, although it seems unlikely that he will have more time to spend on these anytime soon. As Practice Principal and Owner of Croydon Orthodontic Practice, Tim McDonogh commented, “I have worked with John for more than 30 years and have known him all my life. This is a very special moment which comes with an immense amount of gratitude. I grew up with John as he worked alongside my father and he is an integral part of the success of the practice today.
We look forward to many more years of John looking after our patients and here’s to another 50 years of helping Croydon smile!”
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