There comes a time for many of us as we approach our late twenties where we start wondering... should I be settling down? Should I be starting a family? How do I balance career growth, relationships, and family without feeling like I have to sacrifice one for the other?

It's a conversation I've had many times with friends and colleagues, and when you're in the middle of it, it's often hard to see the other side.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr Shahana to explore exactly that. After stepping away from clinical dentistry for over a decade to raise three children, she shares how she intentionally continued to grow through every season of life. From completing a Masters in Creative Writing and Journalism, to studying neurolinguistics and applied neuroscience, undertaking an MBA in healthcare strategy, and eventually returning to dentistry as an implant clinician, FIFO dentist, mentor and educator, her journey is anything but conventional.

We talk about embracing different seasons of life, why growth doesn't stop just because you're away from the clinic, and how the experiences that shape us outside of dentistry often become the very things that make us better clinicians within it. It's a conversation about ambition, identity, communication, and trusting that your career doesn't have to follow a straight line to become something extraordinary.

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O P E N U P

a communication course for the contemporary dentist​We don't get to do the dentistry we want to by learning more dentistry. We get to do it by helping our patients understand why it matters, and by overcoming all the little barriers we put in our own way that stop us from properly showing up.

Learn how to build genuine connection and trust with your patients, and lead them with clarity and conviction.

22-23 August 2026, Melbourne

⁠REGISTER HERE⁠ - limited spots

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P A R T N E R S

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠JS Medical & Dental Finance⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The JS Medical & Dental finance team specialises in both residential and commercial lending tailored for medical and dental professionals. They are a completely independent broker, working for you not the bank, and are dedicated to finding the best options for you unique situation. Whether you're looking to buy a house, a car, a practice or to pay off that year long CPD course, JSMDF offer comprehensive advice to suit your short and long term plans.

⁠⁠⁠Sherrin Partners Financial Advisers⁠⁠⁠⁠

Sherrin Partners specialise in financial planning for healthcare professionals, so they understand the unique challenges in our industry and know how to help us grow, manage and protect our wealth. That way, we can focus on doing what we do best - looking after our patients - while they help secure our financial future and protect our greatest asset: ourselves.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dental Protection Limited⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Whether it be patient complaints, regulatory issues or disciplinary proceedings. Dental Protection has you covered. Their expert team understands the demands of clinical practice and offer colleague-to-colleague support and advice, including a 24/7 emergency helpline. With an abundance of risk management resources from podcasts and webinars, to magazines and CPD courses, Dental Protection has your back through any unwanted scenario.

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C O N T A C T

Email: erica@thegraduatedentist.com

In a profession like dentistry, people don’t always realise just how physically taxing it can be. One of the best pieces of advice I got early in my career was simple: protect yourself - especially while you’re young, fit and healthy, because you never know what might happen.

It’s easy to think we’re young and invincible, but I’ve heard way too many stories - sporting injuries, back spasms, hand and shoulder injuries. I’ve even heard of someone sneezing and putting their back out. And just like that, you could be out of work for months.

That’s why things like income protection, trauma cover or total and permanent disability insurance are so important. It’s about having that security and peace of mind - knowing you have a back-up plan if something ever stops you from working.

And I couldn’t have asked for anyone better than Kris Chand at Sherrin Partners Financial Advisers to look after me. Kris is my personal insurance broker and financial adviser, and I’m genuinely grateful for the time he spends getting to know me and my goals, and for explaining things to me in a way that actually makes sense.

Kris and the team specialise in financial planning for healthcare professionals, so they understand the unique challenges in our industry and know how to help us grow, manage and protect our wealth.

That way, we can focus on doing what we do best - looking after our patients - while they help secure our financial future and protect our greatest asset: ourselves.

This information is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. It does not consider your personal objectives, financial situation, or needs. You should consider whether this information is appropriate for your circumstances and consult a licensed financial advisor before making any decisions.