Dr Brian Delgado: Finding Balance Between Dentistry and the Farm
In partnership with Gate Dental Clinic Galway.
Dentistry stood out because it not only fit my interest in science, but also allowed me to work with my hands, something I’ve always enjoyed. So it really encompassed everything that I really wanted to do.
At this stage of my life, I really enjoy having the time for my patients. I actually have the time to spend with them, and I’m proud of the work I do because of that. It’s not a rushed kind of job anymore.
There has been a big revolution in the digital side of dentistry in the last decade, and I really enjoy working with computer-aided design and manufacturing technology in the practice. I spend a lot of time on that now, but it hasn’t taken away from my love of oral surgery. I still carry out complex extractions and difficult wisdom teeth cases regularly, especially for nervous patients.
Cases that really stand out to me was from a charity trip I did in Morocco. We ran a pop-up dental clinic in a place called Mhamid, just outside the Sahara. In the two days we probably saw 40 to 50 patients. The appreciation on their faces was just amazing. And it was something that I would never forget. Some people had travelled hundreds of kilometres because they heard there was a dentist in town.
From teeth to sheep
I grew up around horses. My dad had a real passion for them, and that rubbed off on me. When I moved to Ireland, my father-in-law had a farm, which brought everything together. After he passed away, my wife took on the herd, and we slowly started growing our own little farm.
I definitely find dentistry more stressful than farming. The farm can be stressful too in its own way, but you’re out in the open and your mind is somewhere else, so it’s actually quite refreshing for the mind.
A lot of people say they’d rather spend time with animals than with people. To those people, I say – get sheep, and you’ll soon change your mind! I’ve always liked animals and enjoy spending time with them, but honestly, it’s easier to treat people than farm animals most days.
Balancing family life on the farm with work
On the weekends, we’re usually out in the fields. My wife handles the morning checks during the week when I’m working, but on weekends I get the kids and the dogs out and we do the rounds together. It’s a nice way to combine farm work with family time.
I’m a big believer in maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Dentistry can burn you out if you let it. Cutting back to four days a week has really helped. I’ve got Fridays off now, so I get to do school runs and spend time with my kids.
Photography by Sean McCormack
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