Dental hygienist Tara Pile shares the twists and turns that have led to a life-changing career in oral care.
Life is full of unexpected turns, and my journey has certainly been anything but conventional.
What started with a RAF career in avionics engineering and a daft bet with a colleague blossomed into a series of unique challenges and opportunities that led me to become a dental hygienist travelling the world and serving in some of the most interesting and unexpected roles imaginable. My story is one of transformation, resilience and always seeking the next adventure.
After completing my dental hygiene training, I had the chance to serve at several different RAF bases. The RAF gave me an unparalleled sense of purpose and camaraderie that I hadn’t experienced before. It was an environment that required discipline, precision and quick thinking – traits that I had developed over my years in avionics engineering.
While stationed at various locations, I most enjoyed working overseas, and being part of an international military organisation was eye-opening. It broadened my perspective on how the world works and how much we depend on each other for peace and stability. It was a fulfilling chapter in my career.
New challenges
Unfortunately, in 2015 the entire dental hygiene branch of the RAF was made obsolete, and we were all forced to take redundancy.
Rather than allowing this setback to define me, I decided to embrace a new challenge. I worked for a while in a Dutch dental practice, an experience which added to my growth. I learnt a new language, adapted to a different cultural environment, and applied my skills in a completely different way.
After a short period and looking for another new challenge, I decided to emigrate to Kenya with my horse, traveling halfway around the world to start a new life. I ran a farm in the bush, about 40 minutes from my nearest neighbour, surrounded by wildlife and the Kikuyu tribe. The setting was serene, and while I was living a dream of sorts, I quickly realised that running a farm in such a remote area came with its own set of challenges.
Unfortunately, I found my love for animals stopped me selling my animals for meat, so the farm became a large petting zoo! As much as I loved the experience of being so close to nature, I knew deep down that my true passion still lay in dentistry.
Making an impact
So, after some reflection, I opened an outreach clinic in the local cottage hospital. My mission was simple: to make a real impact on the community’s dental health. I worked with the clinical staff to ensure that, just because the gloves didn’t look ‘noticeably dirty’ after a patient, they still needed to be changed.
These small but vital lessons in infection control were essential, and I felt proud to be able to improve the practice of dentistry in a community where resources were often limited.
The highlight of my Kenya adventure was treating a patient who had undergone jaw reconstruction after being speared by a buffalo – a story that not many people live to tell. Despite their traumatic experience, this patient was more concerned with the staining on their anterior teeth! It was a humbling experience that reinforced just how important our work is, no matter the background or circumstances.
Back in uniform
After five incredible years in Kenya, I returned to the UK seeking yet another challenge. I rejoined the services, but this time in the Royal Navy – a move that felt like a return to a life I couldn’t quite leave behind.
Joining the Royal Navy as a dental hygienist was a whole new adventure. It was clear to me that I thrived in uniform, so the Navy felt like a perfect fit. But then came COVID-19 which forced isolation, and I was quickly deployed onto a ship for my first taste of life at sea.
Within three months, I had to adapt to a completely new lifestyle, learning how to navigate the intricacies of life aboard a moving ship, while simultaneously treating patients in the most unpredictable of environments. The learning curve was steep, but my abs – thanks to all the ships movement – were in great shape!
One of the most memorable moments came during a ‘cross decking’ mission, during which I was tasked with transferring from one ship to another to provide dental care. In the middle of the ocean, I was told to climb down the outside of the ship with my dental bag on my back.
‘I wouldn’t cross-deck in this weather,’ they warned me. I had to wait for the right time, jump into an inflatable military dinghy and bounce across the ocean. On reaching the other ship, I was winched up the side. From that day on, I was known as ‘Combat Hyg’!
‘One heck of a ride’
After my service ended, the idea of going into a ‘normal’ 9-5 dental practice felt like too much of a routine. So, I decided I would start the first ever mobile dental hygienist caravan in the UK. It was a bold move, but one that felt right for me.
I’m proud to say that I successfully launched my mobile dental hygiene service, complete with my very own caravan. Now I can continue my mission to make dental care accessible to more people, while embracing the flexible lifestyle I’ve always longed for.
Looking back on my unconventional journey – from avionics engineer to dental hygienist, from the RAF to the Royal Navy, and from the bush of Kenya to the UK’s first mobile dental hygiene caravan – I am grateful for every twist and turn. Each experience has taught me invaluable lessons in resilience, adaptability and the power of embracing change.
So, as I sit here with Flossy ready to hit the road for the next chapter, I can’t help but smile. This journey has been one heck of a ride – but I know the best is yet to come.
Read more from the National Dental Hygienist and Dental Therapist Day campaign:
- Why patient awareness is more important than ever
- Unlocking the power of therapy-led care
- From prevention to policy: the power of dental hygienists and therapists.
With thanks to our sponsor, NSK.
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