58 Years of Caring for Patients
After 58 years of caring for patients, teaching and practising dentistry, Dr Margaret Preston is retiring.
It is with mixed emotions that we announce the retirement of Dr Margaret Preston, who will be concluding her remarkable 58-year career in dentistry at the end of November 2026.
For many patients of East Keilor Dental, Dr Preston has been much more than their dentist. Over the years, she has cared for generations of families, watched children grow into adults, and formed countless lasting relationships with the people of our local community.
Her decision to retire marks the end of an extraordinary professional journey.
An Outstanding Career in Dentistry
Dr Preston graduated from the University of Melbourne in 1968 with an Honours degree, and achieved the remarkable distinction of being the first female dux of the dental course.
Her commitment to dentistry did not end with graduation. Throughout her career, Dr Preston has maintained a strong interest in continuing education, undertaking courses both in Australia and internationally across many areas of dentistry. She has always been committed to keeping her knowledge and clinical skills current, and to providing her patients with thoughtful, carefully considered care.
Dr Preston’s career has also included a significant commitment to teaching, allowing her to share her knowledge and experience with generations of dental students and colleagues.
In recognition of her long-standing contribution to the profession, Dr Preston was also among the recipients of the Australian Dental Association Victorian Branch 50-Year Membership Award in 2019.
A Long Association with East Keilor Dental
East Keilor Dental has been caring for the local community since 1976, and Dr Preston has been an integral part of the practice for approximately four decades.
Over that time, her clinical experience and skill, exceptional knowledge and genuine concern for her patients have become an important part of the character of our practice.
Dr Preston has always believed strongly in the importance of prevention and maintaining good oral health throughout life. Her professional philosophy has centred not simply on treating dental problems, but on helping patients understand their oral health and encouraging them to maintain their teeth for a lifetime.
Dr Preston’s Message to Her Patients
Dr Preston has written the following message to the many patients she has had the privilege of caring for throughout her career:
“Having completed a wonderful 58 year career in both teaching and practising clinical dentistry, I have made the very difficult decision not to renew my dental registration when it becomes due at the end of November.
I have loved working with you all and have never taken your support for granted. I feel privileged to have been allowed to be a part of your lives and to have been able to assist you in achieving good dental health which is so important for good general health.
I will miss you all, but now that I have reached my sunset years I feel it is time to embark on the new adventure of retirement, together with my husband.
I thank you all, wish you well and commend you to the gentle, caring and capable hands of my colleagues at East Keilor Dental Clinic.”
Thank You, Dr Preston
On behalf of everyone at East Keilor Dental, we would like to thank Dr Preston for her extraordinary contribution to our practice, our profession and, most importantly, to the thousands of patients she has cared for throughout her career.
Her knowledge, experience, kindness and dedication have left an enduring mark on East Keilor Dental, and her contribution will be remembered with enormous affection and respect.
While we will certainly miss having Dr Preston here, we are delighted that she is looking forward to this next chapter of her life and wish her and her husband and their entire family every happiness as they embark on their new adventure together.
Thank you, Dr Preston, for 58 wonderful years of dentistry.
