A Northern Ireland dentist now living in Scotland, who also volunteers on a lifeboat crew, has been awarded a major accolade by her profession.

Jane Paterson, who is originally from Ballynahinch, has been named Scotland’s Young Dentist of the Year.

Since graduating in 2012, Ms Patterson has worked at the Torwood practice, operated by Clyde Munro Dental Group, in Inverness. The practice location means patients come from afar; one patient from Inverness who moved to Oxfordshire even combines dental visits to Jane with a holiday in their former home area.

She collected the Young Clinician of The Year award at the Scottish Dental Awards held in Glasgow. “It was such a lovely surprise to be nominated and then shortlisted,” said the Co Down native.

“On the night I couldn’t believe I’d won. I knew some of the other people in the category – they were all very strong contenders and I thought I had little chance.”

Ms Paterson, who is studying for a master’s degree in restorative dentistry, also finds time to volunteer on the RNLI’s Kessock Lifeboat as part of a 16-strong volunteer crew, supported by 10 onshore volunteers. 

Pictured: Jane Paterson with Kerra McKinnie of the Scottish Building Society, sponsor of the Young Dentist of the Year award

Tags: Jane Paterson, Lifeboat Volunteer, RNLI, SDAwards, Young Dentist of the Year 2019