Coming back to practice
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on August 24, 2016 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/PHYLLIS MOORE
Charles B. Aycock High School graduates Dr. Amy Batten, left, Class of 1994, and Dr. Emilee Quinn Pilkington, Class of 2008, have both returned to their hometown to practice dentistry. Their offices are part of "the complex" known as Wayne Dental Clinic, on Wayne Memorial Drive.
Two graduates of Charles B. Aycock High School have returned to their hometown as practicing dentists in "the complex" known as Wayne Dental Clinic on Wayne Memorial Drive.
Dr. Amy Batten, a 1994 honor graduate, is in solo practice, taking over for a retiring dentist in 2002.
Dr. Emilee Quinn Pilkington, valedictorian for the Class of 2008, became the fourth member of a practice in June, when Dr. Dwight Smith retired.
Both said they knew early on that dentistry was where they would wind up.
Dr. Batten said she had worked after school in a dental office as soon as she was able to get a worker's permit. Her mother had been an office manager in a dental office, providing additional exposure to the field.
"I knew I wanted to do something in health care or something that was helping people," she said. "I knew that was part of my calling, I won't say exactly ministry, but to help people in a public job, that I would probably do something in health care."
Dr. Pilkington also had a familial connection to the profession, with an aunt practicing near Raleigh.
"Then when I got to college, that's when I kind of did more of my shadowing experiences and I really kind of got to see the ins and outs of how it worked," she said. "I just really thought it would be something that I liked to do.
"I really liked that you see people, not always when they're sick. You get to see people when they come back for their periodic exams and you get to really know families and get to see them grow up. I really like that aspect of it as well."
Dr. Batten attended East Carolina University, earning a bachelor's degree in chemistry, before continuing in the dental program at UNC-Chapel Hill. Married to Mark Bryan, vice president of human resources at E.J. Pope and Son, they have two children, ages 5 and 7.
"I practiced seven years before I had a child," she said. "I knew for sure that I wanted to come back to Goldsboro and practice here.
"I didn't know what the options would be at the time. I didn't know right away that I wanted to be in solo practice. That's just the way the best opportunity worked out at the time."
One challenge, she said, is that state law requires she be physically present in order to operate as a solo practitioner. With eight employees, she explained, if she takes a day off that means eight people don't work that day.
Dr. Pilkington, married to her high school sweetheart, Thomas Pilkington, a teacher in Princeton, also attended ECU, receiving bachelor's degrees in biology and chemistry. She graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill school of dentistry this past May.
"My husband and I are both from Goldsboro. We grew up here and that was the goal to get back and be in a private practicing setting," she said.
The women said recently that they have adjusted easily to the privilege of being called "doctor."
"It was quite an achievement and it was rewarding," Dr. Batten said. "You establish those (honors) as you go through life, even the high school diploma.
"It's rewarding to know that you had struggled for four years, got a license and are going to practice. It's wonderfully rewarding. I don't think about saying 'doctor.' It was just the reward."
Others are more cognizant than she is, she says. Staff may mention it if a patient fails to acknowledge the title. And there was the situation where a friend felt awkward using the formality.
In contrast, it can also be humorous practicing in the same community where you grew up, Dr. Pilkington said.
"I did a filling on one of my teachers the other day," she said. "That was an interesting experience, just to be on the other side."
The women enjoy different aspects of the job.
"I guess my most favorite thing would be that I can grow up with the patients," Dr. Batten said. "Following them through time, then being able to go through things like someone in severe pain, they can leave knowing that I can help them."
"I think the thing I enjoy most is crowns -- we can mill and design the same day, make the crown in the office," Dr. Pilkington said. "The thing that I probably don't like the most is extractions. I just hate when somebody has to lose a tooth. But it's rewarding as well (because) that tooth is causing them a lot of pain.
"I enjoy all restoration. I enjoy treating children. But I enjoy treating very elderly patients as well."
Another role they favor is that of educator.
While Dr. Batten has more opportunities to do that, since she sees both children and adults, Dr. Pilkington still has occasions to talk about oral hygiene.
"I love to show people X-rays," Dr. Pilkington said. "I love that aspect of it, teaching people about their health.
"I love being able to teach them about that and then just improving hygiene, how oral care is connected to all types of good things."
Recent reports about whether flossing is necessary, or even beneficial, have generated a lot of buzz in the profession.
"You're approached with it several times a day," Dr. Batten said, the most vocal being from her own staff. "It raises so much talk."
She said she maintains the importance of flossing -- to prevent tooth decay, for gum health and other health issues improved by doing it daily.
"But honestly, most people say that they're adamant about flossing," she said, encouraged that the public is smart enough to recognize that.
Both women are members of the N.C. Dental Society. Dr. Batten previously served a stint as a vice president, and sang the praises about the Wayne County Dental Society as well as the Wayne Dental Center.
"We operate as a town home association," she said of the latter, appreciative that she has not felt any competitiveness among the area practices. "Maybe because it's my hometown. I think we have quite a friendship here."
"That's one thing that drew me back home," Dr. Pilkington said. "I don't ever want to feel like I'm selling dentistry."
During dental school, which was highly competitive to get in, each said they could tell early on who cared and who was pursuing the profession for the money.
"Do you want to make money or is your main motivation to help people?" Dr. Pilkington said. "I think for both of us, we want to help people."