Congratulations to GV Health Dentist, Damon Velakoulis, who has been nominated for Herald Sun’s Best Regional Dentist Competition!
Damon began his student placement at GV Health, after obtaining a Bachelor of Science Degree and a Doctor of Dental Surgery at Melbourne University.
Now, Damon is employed as a full-time dentist at GV Health.
“Working at GV Health is my dream job,” he said.
“I loved the professional environment here and all of the Dentists and Dental Assistants, so it was a smooth transition from placement to working full-time,” he said.
Growing up in Melbourne, Damon said the move to the Goulburn Valley was a welcome change.
“Working in a rural healthcare service is a great way to start your career,”
“All of the patients here are lovely and rural people in general are very easygoing,”
“For me, it never really feels like coming to work here; I just feel like it’s easy to come in and speak to people and just have a normal conversation,” he said.
As well as working at GV Health, Damon works at Rumbalara’s Dental Clinic in Mooroopna one day a week, supervising dental students.
“Damon is brilliant, he’s got such a rapport with the patients- he’s just a delight,” said senior dental nurse, Faith Johnston.
“He always tries to do the maximum amount of work in the short time that he has to save patients coming back and saving them fuel money,
“I can’t speak highly enough about this young man,” she said.
After completing his placement at GV Health, Damon said the choice to work within the health service was a no-brainer.
“Throughout my placement, I had a lot of support from GV Health, especially from the Dental Assistants who are all very supportive and highly experienced,” he said.
“I recommend anyone beginning their career in healthcare move to a rural area because it is a fantastic way to start a career and you gain a lot of experience.”
