With around 8000 children hospitalised annually for dental surgery — each costing about $4000 — Ayers’ work offers vital relief. Referrals to the free programme can be made by dentists, GPs, nurse practitioners, and specialists.
Katie Ayers is a notable example of how expertise, passion and an altruistic approach can intersect to help others.
High praise indeed from Braemar Charitable Trust in acknowledging the specialist paediatric dentist’s contribution of 50 free surgeries for children in need.
Ayers supports the trust’s Community Surgery Programme under which some eligible children receive free dental surgery. She donates her time to provide surgeries for children who may face a long wait time in the public health system and who require more complex treatment. Her surgeries are performed at Braemar Hospital with some anaesthetists also donating time, and the trust funding supplies, drugs and other consumables.
Ayers has been a medical trustee on the charitable trust board for many years and on the trust-owned Braemar Hospital board since 2021.
The milestone was acknowledged with a citation and a certificate during a recent Braemar Group dinner for specialists, credentialed to work at Braemar Hospital.
Trust chair Vicky McLennan said there were many youngsters who have vastly improved dental health today thanks to Ayers’ attention and the trust’s support.
She is a Fellow of the Association of Dentistry International in recognition of her New Zealand and international services to dentistry; a member of the Royal Australian College of Dental Surgeons and holds a Fellowship at the International College of Dentists.
She is also a life member of the New Zealand Dental Association for her years of work in the dental community and recently became president of the Australasian Academy of Paediatric Dentistry.
Ayers has a strong charitable streak, not only donating time to Braemar Charitable Trust, but also over the years to Smiles for the Pacific Charity and the Trinity Koha Dental Clinic.
Katie Ayers, left, has provided 50 free dental surgeries and was thanked by Braemar Charitable Trust chair Vicky McLennan. Photo: Supplied.
