Retirement closed the chapter on a long and distinguished career for Clara Ellert as a dental therapist and educator. Her retirement was celebrated by friends and family at the Prince of Wales Centre on November 11. It was an evening of sharing memories and laughter while socializing over appetizers and drinks. A display table provided guests with a glimpse into Ellert’s remarkable 42-year career. There were photo albums with snapshots of her visits to schools, along with her academic degrees and honours.
“Few people dedicate themselves as much to the job than Clara,” commented Wanda Ogle, a nursing colleague from Five Hills Health Region. Ellert herself recounted her rise through her career, which parallels the development of dental nursing in the province. “My career has been amazing,” she stated.
Ellert graduated from the University of Saskatchewan in 1975 in dental therapy. It was only the second graduating class of dental nurses at that time. Back in the 1970s, there was much less specialization in medicine than encountered today. This occupation later came to be known as a dental therapist, Ellert explained. A decade later when the province phased out the school dental program, the profession underwent another transformation into dental health education.
Ellert began her dental career in private practice at My Dental Centre in Assiniboia. “I learned so much there,” she said. During the last phase of her career, she spent 23 years in public health as a dental health educator in the Five Hills Health Region. “It was an honour to serve as dental health educator,” Ellert noted.
“Clara made the best of every situation,” said Jenn Pituliy, who emceed the evening. “She has the gift of making everyone feel comfortable.” The broad cross-section of guests attending the evening bore this out, including public health colleagues, nurses, and those in private practice as well as dental patients.
While Ellert loved her job and all of the patients that she encountered, she found most delight in working with children. Album after album of photographs with children at schools underscore this point. She also took pleasure in visiting the Hutterite colonies where she was warmly welcomed. Many of the children knew Ellert as the “tooth fairy” or “Mrs. Tooth”.
In recognition of her dedication to the dental health of children, the Assiniboia Childcare Services presented her with a gift. The children of ACS made their favourite “tooth fairy” her a piece of art.
Part of her work with the dental program took Ellert on long road trips to schools and communities across the southwest. The “crazy roads” and being stranded during snow storms are just some of the memories that she will fondly recall. Throughout all the years and changing duties, Ellert credits her family, friends and public health coworkers for their support.
In a humorous and partly symbolic way to end the program, Ellert passed on the “tooth fairy” wand to Pituliy as a gesture of passing the torch to the next generation of dental educators. Ellert will be missed in dental public health. She spent the remainder of the evening reminiscing with friends and guests.
