Jacquie Biggar

Jacquie Biggar’s (’02) career journey in dentistry and how her Loreto education taught her about the value of opportunities

This month, LOSA has asked for Jacquie Biggar, a graduate of 2002, to share with us her Dentistry journey since leaving Loreto. From studying dentistry in Adelaide to working in private practice in Sydney, Jacquie identified a gap in the market for offering dentistry services to aged care facility residents; so established Senior Dental Care. Read all about Jacquie’s incredible journey below and how her Loreto education taught her about the value of opportunities and gave her the confidence to say yes!

Jacquie in her own words:

“When finishing school at Loreto in 2002, I wasn’t sure where my aspirations laid. I landed in Dentistry a few years after graduating when I accepted a job as a receptionist in my local private practice. After working on the front desk for a few years, I was offered a traineeship in dental assisting, an opportunity that would lead me to where I am today. It wasn’t long into my traineeship that I realised I needed to be the clinician in the room, I loved the clinical side of Dentistry. Learning from extremely knowledgeable and experienced Dentists it was here I really established my love for the Dental industry.

From here I was accepted into Advanced Diploma Oral Health and went on to complete the Bachelor of Oral Health degree at Adelaide University to expand my scope of practice. Working in private practice and the special needs unit at the Adelaide Dental Hospital, I gained invaluable experience that I am forever grateful for, but Sydney was calling… I moved to Sydney in 2015 and continued to work in a private practice, not long after I was approached to join the Academic staff at Sydney University teaching the clinical side of Periodontics (gum disease), another opportunity I wasn’t expecting. I love my role as a clinical educator, it allows me to pass on my tips and tricks I have learned along the way to students that are so eager to learn.

Always needing more, I started my own mobile dental business that has a preventative dental approach and focuses in providing access to aged care facility residents. I wanted to bridge the gap between preventative services and invasive treatment for these people in a way that is affordable and accessible…. so Senior Dental Care was established! Owning a business is very much a challenge in itself, however one I love facing every day.

My involvement with the Dental Hygienists Association Australia has also been a career highlight that stemmed from a short conversation with one of my mentors 10 years ago. I have held positions such as SA President, SA Vice President, NSW State Chair and now National Chair for Professional Development. Volunteering gives me a sense of giving back, and I’m proud to have been selected for these roles.

Reflecting on all my career highlights, they have all stemmed from a small opportunity. I think for me, Loreto taught me about the value of opportunities and gave me the confidence to say yes.”