Tuesday 1 July 2008

A bite of success

as posted on thestaronline

By ANNE HASLAM

A dental prosthetist finds pleasure in putting smiles on people’s faces.

DENTAL prosthetist V. Rama Rao has a lot to smile about. Twelve years ago, as a struggling dental technician in Manjung, Perak, he endured taunts for making “false teeth” and teased with the nickname “Doktor Gigi”; today he is a soughtafter dental professional at one of the largest dental facilities in Western Australia.

Rama’s fortunes took a turn when the dentist he was working for migrated to Perth and persuaded him to follow suit. Not knowing what the future held for him, the young Rama put in his application to migrate. It was a whirlwind process and before he knew it, he was on the plane to Western Australia.

Little did he realise at the time the huge business potential for cosmetic dentistry in Australia, and the demand for the expertise of dental technicians.

Today, Rama, who is known as a dental prosthetist, heads a team of 18 dental technicians at Emergency Denture Repairs, which is prominently listed on the cover of the Australian yellow pages.

As the branch manager at Maddington, one of five surgeries in Perth, Rama supervises work using the latest high-technology dental prosthetics. It is a multi-million dollar business as implants and cosmetic dentures can cost anything from A$5,000 (RM15,600) to A$25,000 (RM77,800) apiece.

Describing himself as a kampung boy with humble beginnings who attended a Tamil primary school, SRJK (T)/Telegu in Kampung Kayan, Sitiawan, he is sometimes bewildered by the success he has attained in Australia.

“I can’t believe that the path opened so easily for me to make good in such a short time. I was just fulfilling a need as people here are becoming more aware of dental cosmetic surgery.

“It makes a lot of difference to have a good set of teeth and being able to smile confidently,” he said, adding that clients come from all over the world and across Australia as prices are comparatively cheaper in Perth.

When it comes to teeth, Rama has quite a few stories to tell.

He recalled how frantic one lady was when she chipped her front tooth a day before she was supposed to meet a prospective suitor and his parents.

“She pleaded with me to get her implant done immediately and I had to comply as it was an important meeting for her,” he said.

Then there are the amusing, but unfortunate, tales of the elderly forgetting where they had placed their dentures or accidentally flushing them down the toilet. But Rama takes his work seriously and constantly upgrades his skills. He has taken courses in implantology and other prosthetics subjects, even emerging as one of the top students.

“There is a lot of precision and skill involved in implants, down to the perfect colour match. Technologies are also fast changing with better techniques such as screw-on implants being introduced, so one has to keep up with the advances,” he said.

Because of his skill and professionalism, Rama is much sought after by clients, including dentists.

His work is quite laborious, from taking measurements and impressions to the wax stage and cosmetic fitting, but Rama is passionate about his work. He often takes his work home to the lab he has set up to meet the numerous demands.

Rama, who aspired to be a dentist but could not afford it, said a dental technician course could be a stepping stone into the profession.

After school, Rama did a short apprenticeship at the Sitiawan Dental Surgery, following which he enrolled at the Dental College of the Faculty of Dentistry at Universiti Malaya in 1981 for a year.

For the next three years he continued his studies at the Dental School in Penang and did a short stint at the Lumut General Hospital where he gained valuable experience in fixing mouth splints on accident victims who had suffered broken or dislocated jaws. He later worked full-time at the Sitiawan Dental Surgery before moving to Australia.

Because he enjoys his work, Rama finds it stress-free and on the weekends this amiable man spends time with his 13-year-old daughter or entertains friends around the swimming pool of his comfortable bungalow in Langford, south of Perth.

Rama has toyed with the idea of fulfilling his childhood ambition of becoming a dentist, but for now, he is satisfied with the lucrative income and good life he is enjoying. The “Doktor Gigi” now has the last laugh.

as posted on thestaronline

Friday 27 June 2008

Animal Protection Society Of WA Inc

as posted on their blog

Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Hi everyone...well, the new Animal Protection Society Veterinary Day Clinic for the APS dogs and cats is almost finished....it is going to look absolutely smashing when it is finished and then we can start on the carpark....wow....we are going to be so "with it"....wont know ourselves will we.
Everything is going along ok at the Refuge though we are still in dire need of volunteer Cat Carers and Dog Carers. These are people who would actually be in charge on their day of volunteering, able to rehome our beautiful furry babies - the cats and dogs, answer the telephone, attend to customers plus check on the general welfare of the furry babes in our care. It would also be of great help if you would assist any volunteer who has come along to clean the dog or cat areas where our precious bundles are presently residing. Do you not know of anyone willing to give a helping paw!? It is interesting volunteer work...never a dull moment...and you would be helping precious bundles of fur find new loving homes...something that gives you a lump in your throat every time it happens...and every time it is still a wonderful moment to wave them off and pray they have a fantastic "forever" home. SO....anyone interested? You can do either a full day or half a day and yes, we wont throw you in at the deep end but will assist with some training....COME ON....don't you have some spare time through the week or perhaps at weekends, for we are open seven days a week. Phone the Refuge on 9398 6616 if you are interested...bring a friend if you wish...all are welcome...but telephone between 10am and 4pm or send an email to info@animalprotectionsociety.westnet.com.au and we can give you more information.

Lots of lovely kittens are available and seeking new loving homes....such pretty kittens too....plus there are many lovely older cats also seeking new loving homes. Between the hours of 10am and 4pm you can come along and meet them all...see the beautiful faces and watch their funny antics.....so cute!

24 Gorgeous dogs are also seeking new homes, some need training, some just want to sit by your side or go for a gentle walk, some want to run and play...all so different with different personalities just like us humans! How about coming along and taking a dog for a walk if you cannot give one of them a home....they need to be taken for a walk every day if possible, just to take the boredom out of the day, so - if you have a spare half an hour...come along and the Dog Carers shall be quite happy to meet you and have you meet our woofers - any time between 8.30am and 3pm.

Just like to say Thank you to Maddington Bunnings for the great donation of a mop and bucket, screwdrivers and small gardening tools. Pretty terrific of them to do this for the APS, so again, thank you very much indeed.

Christmas is looming and we are going to have a Christmas stand at a shopping centre at the end of this year as a fundraiser so we are asking for donations of home made items, home made cards, scarves, babies clothing....anything knitted, sewn, handmade....anything people would buy as a Christmas pressie that we could sell...all would be greatly appreciated. If you cannot drop off your donation to the Refuge then phone the refuge to see if a volunteer is able to pick up. Asking now so we can all get knitting, sewing and getting the ball rolling - so thank you in advance if you are able to help!!

Bye for now, enjoy the rest of your week and take care...thank you woofs and purrs from the furry residents of the Animal Protection Society.......bye

as posted on their blog

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Thankyou for your enquiry. Council meetings are conducted under the provisions of the City of Gosnells Standing Orders Local Law 2003, a co...