A roving dentist for the Flying Doctor, Dr Steve Hill says delivering oral health to some of the most remote and regional communities across Western Australia is a highly rewarding job.
Working for the Flying Doctor in WA as a roving dentist is a dream come trust for Dr Steve Hill.
Delivering dental care services to some of the most remote communities across WA combines his passion for health equity in the regions and exploring some of the State's most breathtaking landscapes.
It's a stark contrast to working as a full-time dentist in the city.
Steve says the nature of his job as a roving dentist is unique, varied, rewarding and he feels lucky to see so much of regional and remote WA.
His patients are located in the remote communities of Warburton, Wiluna, and across the Midwest and Kimberley regions of WA.
No one shift is ever the same with Steve using a range in modes of transport to access his patients.
This includes a 4WD, the RFDS' dental van and a small light aircraft (his favourite) - which is used to fly into Warburton at 10,000 feet from Jandakot Airport and offers the best aerial views.
Steve said after nearly six years in the job, he's used to seeing the same people when he visits remote towns and enjoys building rapport with his patients.
Highlights for him include interacting and seeing local artists at work.
"This one time, one of my patients offered to take me out mud crabbing," he says.
"I got my welllington boots on and we drove out and filled our buckets with beautiful crab and he even cooked it on the fire for me. That was special."
Some of Steve's favourite landscapes include the view from Elephant Rock in Kununurra, the Bungle Bungle Range in Purnululu National Park and stretches of red dirt outside Warburton.
