Page 47 - RADC 2017

and quality of services and products is very different to Europe and, therefore, you need to alter your ways of working to suit. And finally, you will probably be the only non-Bruneian on your camp. There is not one person I have seen who has found the transition and the initial feeling of isolation easy to cope with.
But there is huge reward. Clinically, the breadth of treatment is huge and there is opportunity. I have been able to implement improved cross infection standards RBAF wide through leading a drive to get the Dental Assistants up to an NEBDN standard. It is also really rewarding to introduce western dentistry to someone who has been used to extractions and GIC. You have the opportunity to exercise
in the jungle and learn about how other nations war fight, and the soldiers you work with are largely keen and interested to learn.
Socially, the loan service community is tight, functioning in the way that service people do when they are in a small corner. The socials are regular, appropriately camouflaged for a Muslim country and excellent in quality. The ex-pat life involves hashing (jungle running),
boat clubs, hotel memberships and all the trappings of a 1970’s lifestyle.
The crowning glory must be the travel. If you want to visit South East Asia, and further, the flights are cheap and regular. Borneo is also on your doorstep. Cambodia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Sabah, Sarawak, Sipidan, Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Thailand, Japan, Indonesia are ticked with Bali., Komodo, Myanmar, New Zealand, Australia, Vietnam and Bhutan in planning. It’s at your fingertips if you want it.
So, in summary, this job takes a little bit from you, however, it offers so much back. As we watch the draw down in Germany come to a close, and our opportunities for travel dwindle, this is one as a Corps we need to fight to keep.
My advice: Grab it ASAP because you don’t know when it might be gone.
DC Lumut team at the end of Movember – Maj Obligatory skiing photo – even on a posting to the Scott (aka Burt Reynolds) appears to have eaten tropics the Scott’s will sniff out snow!
the lower limbs of his team!
Maj Scott’s look of shock the moment he realised he didn’t receive the dress code memo
jungle environment). The importance of keeping cool was highlighted with a quick dip in a waterfall. Lessons of Flora and Fauna followed and thankfully the Dental team were on hand to advise that despite its abrasive qualities, sugar cane was NOT recommended as a substitute toothbrush.
Despite the deafening noise of insects and animals, a surprisingly restful night in the hammock was had. No spiders, scorpions, snakes or leeches launched an attack so we managed to escape with our dignity intact.
On return to the dental centre, whilst regaling the rest of our team with tales of the trip, it transpired that none of our civilian members of staff had ever been in the jungle despite living in Brunei for 3 years.
This was soon rectified by the arrival of a new practice manager, Cpl Limbu, who
quickly set about arranging a team building trip to Ulu Temburong National park.
Back into the jungle we went. This time the whole dental team travelled via traditional long boats up the Temburong River before climbing up to a tree top canopy walk, offering views across the Primary rainforest. Relief from the heat came with a tubing
trip back down the river, finished off with a local Malay lunch on the riverbank. It was definitely the most adventurous dental team building day I have done so far!
A posting to Brunei offers a whole new set of opportunities such as these. Other opportunities include extensive travel, good housing, schools and facilities and a great working environment where you are fully involved with the resident Gurkha community.
It also offers a whole new set of challenges to test and stretch individuals and families due to the distance from loved ones, the different culture and extreme environment. Like any assignment, you get out of Brunei what you put in. If anyone would like to find out more about a posting to Brunei then please get in touch.
RADC BULLETIN 2017 45