Professor Raymond Williamson joins the high calibre of WA Dental CPD presenters this year, presenting the Catch Up in Karratha and Hands-On Extraction courses.
Professor Raymond Williamson has a long-standing reputation as a respected Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, with qualifications including BDS (Sydney), MDSc (UWA), PhD (UWA), FRANCDS (Aus), FFDRCS (Ireland), FDSRCS (England), FRACDS (OMS) and FICD.
He worked at UWA and Royal Perth Hospital for 35 years, and as a member of the Specialist Medical Team for the Wallabies Rugby Union team, Western Force Rugby Union team and the WA Reds Rugby League team.
Raymond returned to Perth in 2021 after spending several years in Northern Ireland, where he was the Head of Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Radiology at Queens University and Queen Victoria Hospital in Belfast. Since settling back in Perth, he has joined The Church OMS Clinic and The Park Private Hospital, Mt Lawley.
When asked what initially drew him to study dentistry, Raymond reveals his grandfather was a dentist. The decision to later specialise in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery was made because he saw OMS as providing a greater opportunity to deal with patients’ facial problems.
As well as his extensive background as an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Raymond’s resume is intriguing. “I have also trained in Underwater Medicine, Sports Medicine and Archaeology,” he says. “I was a Royal Australian Navy Commander, now retired, and worked as a Dental Officer and Navy Diver.”
Additionally, Raymond has worked as an Archaeologist in Egypt, Mexico and Central and South America. “I worked seasonally for many years as part of the Macquarie University Egyptian Excavation Team on a site called Qift, north of Luxor, Egypt. I have been a member of the Ancient Egypt Society of WA since it started 26 years ago.”
With his wealth of knowledge, it isn’t surprising that Raymond is a popular educator. “Teaching has been my life’s career as I enjoy the interaction with students of all levels and passing on my extensive knowledge and experience,” he says.
Raymond will be presenting (along with Drs Lisa Bowdin and David Hallett) at Catch up in Karratha on July 9, speaking on two topics – flap design in oral surgery and interpretation of radiographs.
He will also be one of the presenters for the popular Hands-On Extraction course on July 22 – a course that allows participants the opportunity to extract a variety of teeth on human cadavers, with an oral surgeon looking over their shoulder. “Removal of teeth is an important skill required by dentists and as extractions are less often carried out these days, many dentists are keen to reinforce their skills,” he says.
“Life is a lifelong learning experience, and this is the importance of continuing education and the value of keeping up-to-date with new techniques and revision of tried-and-true dental skills.”
Which three words best describe you? Polymath, Pragmatic, Fit.
If you weren’t an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, what would you be doing for a living? Full-time Archaeologist.
What is your favourite book? Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean Auel.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? Keeping fit, reading and being a handyman
What future plans are on the horizon for you? Continue to swim my three kilometres a day and continue to travel extensively.
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