Dedicated to helping

Canterbury is full of inspiring stories from locals who are dedicated to helping where they can, using their skills and passion to do so. One such story is that of Dr Donna Batchelor, a local orthodontist and philanthropist making real change in her community and the lives of many. Georgia Summerton chats to her about her recent accomplishment and impressive career journey so far.

With decades of service to the New Zealand Dental Association under her belt, Donna Batchelor has never been afraid of going the extra mile for her community. She was recently awarded the NZDA Service Award for 2022, a great recognition of her outstanding contribution and volunteer spirit through service and commitment.

The ceremony was held at Te Pae a few weeks ago, and Donna says it was an honour and absolute surprise to win amongst such excellent nominees. When hearing more about Donna’s story, it is clear to see that receiving the service award was well deserved.

Originally from Southland, Donna trained in Dunedin before making the move to Christchurch in 1991. For her, dentistry just makes sense, and the same is true for many of her loved ones. “We have four dentists in the family, and I’m married to a dental technician! I’m blessed to have found a profession I really enjoy.”
A remarkable 23 of Donna’s patients have, with her encouragement, gone on to become dentists. And 41 of her other patients now work as dental technicians, therapists, assistants, or hygienists. So how does one person have such an influence and impact on so many?

“I think it is just encouraging people in that direction, and just planting the dental seed,” Donna explains. “I’ve had patients come along and look at what we are doing. There are quite diverse things people can get into in dentistry, for example, forensics – there is a whole forensic side of the Dental Profession which is really different and interesting. It’s about not letting it be limited, people worry it’s going to be too hard or too difficult.”

Finding a career you really enjoy is not something everyone gets to experience, and since Donna herself has found that, she hopes to continue to help others do the same.

“I talk to a lot of teenagers, and I tell them you have to find the thing you know you can do each day and enjoy. I also let them know that they have to like people to do dentistry! You have to care about what you do. I was lucky to have had fabulous mentors, so it’s just being an ear for people, and a source of information.”
Donna’s service continues outside of her orthodontic practice, some of that time spent as a part of an exciting PhD Research team at the University of Canterbury.

The research team is looking at longitudinal effects of head injuries in school pupils playing contact sports – a cause very close to Donna’s heart.

“I come from a background of lots of sport in my family. My Dad was the first All Black to be diagnosed with neurological damage from sport. It is always something I have had an interest in, and during my career, I have had many discussions with patients who might have had injuries, so I’ve always had a keen interest in this subject.”

For years Donna has been involved in working with rugby players, making mouthguards for the Crusaders amongst other teams. Through this connection, she heard about the study that would be starting soon and was asked to be involved.

The study, supported by Canterbury Medical Research Foundation, will follow two junior rugby teams over the 2022 and 2023 seasons. All players will wear mouthguards fitted with sensors to record the speed and acceleration of impacts.

A videographer will capture play to ensure mouthguards are measuring collisions rather than players biting down. Players can choose whether to wear the headgear or not – allowing researchers to look at the measure of protection. A study like this has the potential to change the future in New Zealand sport.
Donna has worked with Canterbury Rugby for over 31 years – a relationship that has seen over one million dollars of free mouthguards support children playing rugby in this community.

As sport is such a core part of Kiwi culture, it is the hope to make it as safe as possible that inspires Donna.

“I’ve always been encouraged to play a lot of sport, to be able to take away some of the risk factors would be great,” Donna says. “If you don’t start somewhere, it never happens.”