In response to NSDA’s recent call for submissions, Dr. Mailman, a retired dentist in Halifax, responded to with an idea to profile another side to the profession – retired dentists and their experiences.
We would like this to be an ongoing section in our magazine, as this publication is for you, our members, and your stories spanning all moments in time in your career from your time in dentistry school to what you take on next once you decide to lay down your instruments. These stories are of great interest to those in the profession in your home province! See below if you know someone who would be great to profile or you yourself would like to share your experiences and story. We would love to hear them.
We hope you enjoy the first Spotlight!
Dr. Mailman is a very humble man, while dedicating his life to making sure others have a healthy mouth and teeth, his response to me asking him to be our first Spotlight was, “No, no, you need someone every one knows and is more deserving than me.” After he finally agreed to tell me his story, nothing could be further from the truth. A devoted family man, loving husband and pilot (in his spare time!), his grin when talking about the possibly of this new section (and of course his daughters, Michelle and Laura) lit up the boardroom of 210 Waterfront Drive in Bedford.
So, who is Dr. Mailman?
Kim Mailman graduated in 1984 from Dalhousie School of Dentistry in Halifax. He had been practising 35 years when he decided it was time to move on and open the next chapter. He has fond memories when looking back at his studies, describing Friday nights at the Dental House on Coburg Road as some very fun times. While it wasn’t all fun and games in school, he shared that his most significant professor who had an impact on him in school was Dr. Ed Spracklin. Dr. Mailman describes him as a quiet, competent person who always seemed to respect students, and provided great orthodontic information.
Married for 37 years, his wife became an integral part of his practice, with him admitting, “I had the ideas but she did the work to make it all actually happen.” Barb was a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA). Dr. Mailman worked in Shelburne, Lockeport, and Barrington, and, eventually, owned his own practice with many associates.
Dr. Mailman now resides in Hammonds Plains with his wife. One of his daughters, Michelle, is a commercial pilot and the other, Laura, is a pharmacist and pharmaceutical drug rep. He has dedicated his time outside of his family to serving the community, serving meals at Souls Harbour Mission and working as a patient advocate in the Emergency Department at Cobequid Hospital. He also loves boating in Halifax Harbour and, up until recently, was a private pilot of a Cessna 172, taking to the Nova Scotia skies by air instead of on four wheels for weekends away from home.
When asked for his advice to those entering the profession he shared, “Have fun in your daily activities as a dentist… It will come to an end before you know it! Retirement is good, but working as a dentist is great.”
He also imparted some wisdom advising that planning for retirement is key. “Plan a lot and then double what you think you need to be secure.”
On a final note, he shared words of encouragement with those who choose to dedicate their lives to caring for others. “Make sure you balance your own health and well-being with that of your patients. Do not lose sight of that.”
Dr. Mailman’s plans for the future? Since beating prostate cancer, he takes nothing for granted and is hoping to indulge his love of travel, seeing the world, and, most importantly, wintering in sunny Florida!
Thank you, Dr. Mailman, for taking the time to share your experiences and advice with the profession.
Are you a retired dentist embarking on your next great adventure? We would love to hear from you and share your story! Reach out to Samantha, NSDA’s Communications Manager, at communications.nsda@bellaliant.com.
