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.

____________________________________

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

____________________________________

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.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠___________________________________

C O N T A C T

Email: erica@thegraduatedentist.com