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Interview with Margot Kelly-Basford about her dental career and approach to patient care
We sat down with Margot to learn about her unique journey in dentistry and what drives her passion for patient care in Brisbane's inner north.</>
"I Started as a Dental Assistant 26 Years Ago"
Tell us how you started in dentistry.
I began as a dental assistant 26 years ago in Sydney. I was young and honestly didn't know much about dentistry, but I was drawn to the healthcare aspect of it. I completed my Certificate III in Dental Assisting and Certificate IV in Dental Radiography, which gave me a solid foundation. What I didn't expect was how much I'd fall in love with the patient interaction side of things. Over the years, I naturally progressed through different roles - from dental assistant to receptionist, then treatment coordinator, and eventually into practice management. Each role taught me something different about what patients really need.
"Two Years in London Changed Everything"
You spent time working overseas. How did that shape your approach to dental care?
In 2004, I spent two years working all over London - private practices, government clinics, hospitals. It was eye-opening. I gained experience across all disciplines of dentistry and saw how different systems approach patient care. But what really changed my perspective was volunteering in West Timor, delivering dental treatment to remote villages. When you see people who have no access to basic dental care, often in emergency situations, it puts everything in perspective. It reinforced my belief that dental health isn't a luxury - it's fundamental to overall health and quality of life.
"I Studied Massage Therapy for a Reason"
You mention having qualifications in kinesiology and remedial massage. How does that influence your work with Hamilton patients?
I've always been fascinated by biology, physiology, and how the human body works as a whole system. I studied kinesiology and earned a diploma in remedial massage because I believe we should have a wholistic approach to teeth and mouth as part of our overall health. When someone comes in with TMD (temporomandibular disorder) or chronic pain, I can see connections that might not be obvious at first glance. The jaw connects to the neck, the neck to the shoulders, and so on. This broader understanding helps me guide patients toward treatments that address root causes, not just symptoms. I've seen practices where it feels very transactional. Patient comes in, gets treated, pays the bill, see you in six months. That's not how we operate.
"Chronic Pain Cases Are My Passion"
What type of dental patients do you find most rewarding to work with?
I'm most passionate about helping patients understand their treatment and overall oral health through education. But if I'm being honest, I'm especially drawn to two types of cases: chronic pain patients and cosmetic cases. With chronic pain patients, there's often a complex puzzle to solve. These are people who've been suffering, sometimes for years, and traditional approaches haven't worked. When we can help someone who's been dealing with constant jaw pain finally find relief, it's life-changing for them. We see a lot of patients who've traveled from across Brisbane looking for TMD solutions. Cosmetic cases are rewarding in a different way. I love helping patients understand their full mouth rehabilitation or cosmetic crown and bridge treatment plans. Seeing someone's confidence transform when they can smile freely again - that's what makes this work meaningful.
"Most Patients Don't Understand Their Treatment"
How do you approach patient education, especially for complex dental cases?
Many patients come to us feeling overwhelmed, especially when they need extensive work. My role is to break down complex treatment plans in a way that makes sense to them. I want them to understand not just what we're doing, but why we're doing it. I've found that when patients truly understand their oral health and how it connects to their overall wellbeing, they make better decisions about their care. They're also more likely to maintain the results long-term.
"Dentistry Never Stops Evolving"
You mention ongoing education. What drives that continued learning?
Dentistry is constantly evolving, and I believe in staying current. I've done extensive continuing education in practice management and orthodontics. My interests include early intervention orthodontics, sleep-disordered breathing, and the latest approaches to TMD treatment. But beyond the technical side, I'm always learning about how to better support patients emotionally. Dental anxiety is real, and understanding how to help people feel comfortable and informed is just as important as the clinical knowledge.
"Live Music and Two Cats"
What do you enjoy when you're not providing dental services?
I love to travel - it keeps me curious about the world and different approaches to life and health. I'm a big fan of live music, and I enjoy socialising with friends. But honestly, some of my favorite time is just being at home with my two cats. There's something grounding about that quiet time that helps me bring my best self to work each day.
"We're Not Just Fixing Teeth"
What excites you most about working as a Hamilton dentist?
What I love about our Hamilton practice is that we can truly take that holistic approach I mentioned. We're not just fixing teeth - we're helping people improve their overall quality of life. Whether it's helping someone sleep better by addressing their airway issues, or giving someone back their confidence with cosmetic work, we're making a real difference. The fact that I can combine my clinical knowledge, my understanding of the human body as a whole system, and my passion for patient education - all in service of helping people feel better about themselves - that's what gets me excited to come to work every day.
