Why Did I Become A Doctor South Africa
Why Did I Become A Doctor South Africa
The Dentist Who Never Wanted to Be One: Dr. Alasdair McKelvie's Remarkable Journey
This is a conversation I never expected to have such emotional weight.
Dr. Alasdair McKelvie has been the voice of reason for thousands of South African dentists facing their most difficult professional moments. As Head of Dental Services, South Africa at Dental Protection, he's the person practitioners call when everything goes wrong.
But Alasdair's journey to this role was far from planned. Originally wanting to be a pilot, then failing to get into medical school, he reluctantly entered dentistry - and discovered both his passion and his calling.
In this deeply personal interview, recorded at the SADA Congress in Durban during his final visit to South Africa in his professional capacity, Alasdair shares:
- How a single malpractice case transformed his approach to dentistry
- What it's really like being the person dentists call in crisis
- The profound differences between litigation in the UK vs South Africa
- 23 years of clinical wisdom and 16 years of member protection
- Why healthcare professionals need other healthcare professionals in their corner
This conversation captures the end of an era. When Alasdair finished speaking at the congress, hundreds of dentists rose in a spontaneous standing ovation - a fitting tribute to someone who accidentally became a dentist, deliberately became excellent at it, and ultimately found his true calling in protecting others who chose the same path.
For healthcare professionals navigating their own challenging moments, this is both inspiration and practical wisdom from someone who's seen it all.
🎙️ Why Did I Become A Doctor shares honest, unscripted conversations with doctors, dentists, healthcare professionals, and other inspiring individuals who are shaping the future of healthcare and beyond.
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