Smiles all round as Narrogin dentist Dr John Morgan achieves significant milestone

Narrogin dentist John Morgan has achieved a significant milestone, marking 50 years as a practising dentist, 40 of them spent serving the community of Narrogin.

“I always had an interest in having a country practice and the opportunity to work in Narrogin arose at a conference I went to when a colleague mentioned there was a vacancy here if I was interested,” Dr Morgan said.

“I was interested so I came — that was way back in 1983.”

Dr Morgan was born in Perth and raised in Subiaco, finishing his studies in 1973. His first placement with the WA Government had him touring regional areas in a van.

“After I graduated I was seconded to the Government, where I worked for three years, doing dentistry through places like Lake Grace, Hyden, Ravensthorpe, Newdegate, Mumballup,” he said.

“We’d be out on the road for 11 months of the year.”

Dr Morgan married in 1975 and moved to England with his wife, where he continued to practise dentistry while enjoying the opportunity to explore Europe.

Arriving back in Australia in October 1978, Dr Morgan again worked for the Government at Boulder Clinic in Kalgoorlie.

Five years later, Dr Morgan and his family moved to Narrogin, where he has practised ever since.

“I always have enjoyed working in the country,” he said.

“It’s a nice life, a good place to bring up children, and I enjoy meeting the people — country people are very good, very loyal, and there’s more variety of work in the country than there is in a city practice.”

Dr Morgan has seen a lot of changes take place in dentistry during his 50-year career, mostly because of technological advances.

“The biggest change would be implants,” Dr Morgan said.

“When I first graduated, at different times it was talked about, it has revolutionised dentistry. Being able to use implants in place of dentures is truly revolutionary. The other revolution has been in relation to digitisation, digital radiography — it’s become so easy to use.”

Other positive changes Dr Morgan has seen have been a decrease in calls to respond to dental trauma, and a greater level of dental hygiene throughout the community.

“We don’t seem to get as many call-outs anymore for people with dental trauma — trampolines were the worst,” Dr Morgan said.

“Good dental health affects your general health. It’s important, and it comes back to quality of life.”

While Dr Morgan sold his Narrogin practice in 2017, he is enjoying staying on as an employee.

“I would like to thank the people of Narrogin for their support, it’s been a privilege,” he said.

“It sounds like I’m retiring — I’m not retiring — it’s a wonderful community here and I’m happy to continue on.”