Hazel Cameron RDH. started work as a dental nurse way back in 1978 in a very busy nhs dental practice in Hawick. She qualified as a dental hygienist with award in 1981, returning to the same practice to work on qualification. While working in Hawick, Hazel also worked part time in two other practices in the Scottish Borders (Jedburgh and Selkirk), always as their first ever hygienist. 24 years ago, she joined up with Teviot Dental, an innovative double award winning independent practice, and set up their preventive periodontal care programme. The practice became the first Scottish Border's Implant referral practice, so invaluable experience was gained in maintenance care of the patient with dental implants. Hazel rigorously keeps up to date with continuing professional development and the understanding of periodontal disease and its treatments as they evolve, with especial interest in the systemic illnesses now associated with periodontal disease, the list grows year on year. Hazel's commitment to her profession enabled her to become 'Chair Person' of the British Society of Dental Hygienists & Therapists Scotland.
Hazel's enthusiasm for periodontal care, (yes, she's passionate about gums!) has only increased over the years. The connection now made between active gum disease, and systemic illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, a form of pneumonia, possibly low birth-weight babies, septicaemia, and recently bacteria from active gum disease have been identified in tumours of the spleen and lower bowel. Chronic inflammation in the body (such as in chronic periodontal disease) is now being implicated in the possible acceleration of Alzheimer's and dementia. Covid 19 was a recent addition. You would not want to be on a ventilator with active periodontal disease!!! - It has never been more important to have a healthy mouth.
Hazel genuinely has a love of working with people, nervous or otherwise and never loses that enormous satisfaction of seeing an unhealthy mouth become healthy. Asked why she still enjoys her work, she replies "It's the person behind the mouth that makes it all worth while"
Married, a granny , with three grown up children having flown the nest, she relishes the opportunity now to meet, greet and treat patients from other areas of the Borders. When not working, she can be found with her nose in a book, walking her rather old dog Minnie(though to be honest, at the age of 16 - 112 in human years, the old *girl is carried now rather than walking), SCUBA diving in Scottish waters, swimming inside and out and watching rugby. (*Minnie min-pin, 1998-2014) Now walking my Grand-dog Kobe, a daft wee Jackshund. *** 'geology takes up more of my time now that I've got a little more free time"
Hazel is delighted to work within Teviot Dental Practice, a double award winning practice, working alongside expertise such as one of Europe's leading implantologists Dr. John Cuccio, (now retired), Dr.Gareth Lavery - Dr Stephen Bonsor, both tutors in advanced restorative Dentistry and Dr. Christiane Wassmuth-Gibbs, who in addition to general dentistry, offers cosmetic facial rejuvination treatments,eg. botox. / facial fillers and also cosmetic orthodontic treatment, 'Invisalign'. This is an incredibly friendly, patient orientated, small independent family run dental practice. Hazel is fortunate indeed to be a part of this innovative dental environment, as are our patients!
http://www.teviotdentalpractice.com