Queensland veterinary nurse Maggie Burley has joined the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) Global Dental Committee, marking the first time a veterinary nurse has been offered such a position on this committee.
Ms Burley has been involved in veterinary nursing for close to 15 years. During this time she has developed a career interest in dentistry, completing additional training with a Diploma of Veterinary Nursing (Dental) and the Veterinary Technician Specialty (Dentistry) which she achieved in 2018, becoming the first Australian veterinary nurse to enter the US-based Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians.
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“During my career, I’ve had the opportunity to study, observe and assist in advanced dental procedures with vets in both Australia and in the USA, in both specialty and general practice, and I will be forever grateful for their support and guidance. As an active member of the Veterinary Nurses Council of Australia, being Secretary of the Queensland Division and Chair of the Australian Veterinary Nurse and Technician Registration Scheme Disciplinary Committee, I am very proud to say that I am a member of the WSAVA Global Dental Committee”, said Ms Burley.
With a passion for veterinary nursing education, Ms Burley sees her inclusion on the Global Dental Committee as recognition of the valuable role that veterinary nurses and technicians play in the management and care of the dental patient, the education of clients in the good oral health of their pets, and as an integral member of the veterinary health care team.
“The WSAVA Global Dental Guidelines were officially published in July this year. It is the role of our Committee to promote those Guidelines and further expand the knowledge of veterinary dentistry on a global scale. For me, this is also an opportunity to promote the vital role of veterinary nurses and technicians in animal dental health care”, said Ms Burley.
Veterinary Nurses Council of Australia Board Director Janet Murray sees Ms Burley’s new role as a massive step in the right direction for the profession. “I am so excited for Maggie! She is a leader in the dentistry field and a role model for many vet nurses across Australia, and now representing on a world stage is just such a fantastic accomplishment both for Maggie personally and for all veterinary nurses. It is so important that our veterinary nurse voices are heard, we can offer substantial input and play important advocacy roles”, said Ms Murray.
For more information about the WSAVA Global Dental Committee, click here.