“In pursuit of a successful career as an oral health therapist, I intend to practice the insight and learnings I have acquired throughout the last two weeks in Eyre Peninsula. I have learned that I can choose to feel and act towards certain things in life. Accordingly so, I have acknowledged that I have full control of how I choose to navigate my own career trajectory. My career is important to me and I would like to make it a reflection of my work ethic and commitment to deliver the best healthcare within my capacity. I can do this by becoming more proactive with what I am passionate about. I would like to strive towards better professional networking skills, better critical thinking skills, and better self-awareness. I want to develop genuine trust and rapport with my patients and build onto the community I work with. Moreover, a better understanding of patient-practitioner relationships, oral health status, the oral healthcare system as well as access to care can promote and hopefully support better health equity and cultural competence within the healthcare industry. I am aware of the impact I can make as an oral health care worker and have more perspective on the gaps and barriers within the industry especially prevalent in rural locations. I can envision myself working in rural Australia at some point in my career and would like to positively affirm that my presence can and will make a difference.”

“The study tour to Eyre Peninsula has enabled me to observe, perceive, consider and appreciate the career rural communities have to offer for oral health professionals. As a result of this experience I am confidently able to say that I have realised the potential to excel in the career pathway being a part of a rural community and will definitely be looking to come back after the formal completion of my education. This program has provided me an insight of what my personal lifestyle as well as career lifestyle will look like in rural and I could ask for nothing more. It is a program that everyone should embark on to experience the teamwork, communication, personal and career development (that) an individual searches for whilst completing their education."

“I attended three rural networking night sessions by Dr Cindy Dennis over three weeks. These sessions were eye-opening. Coming from zero experience of what rural means, these sessions challenged my assumptions and I realised that rural life and metropolitan life are more similar than i thought! I had assumptions that rural dentistry would mean outdated chairs and equipment but at some clinics, it looked better than what we have in the city. It also made me realise how important it is to start making those professional connections now while we are in dental school to help us out in the future whether it be for advice when we are stuck on a case or if we need guidance for finding jobs. I learned a bit more about myself too in that I would get most out of my career if I had purpose going into work everyday. I highly recommend this workshop series to those who don't know anything about rural because you might be surprised that rural dentistry might be a potential career choice for you."

“I attended a workshop series for undergraduate dentistry and oral health students by Dr Cindy Dennis on rural health and workforce. The sessions were eye opening and very informative. To start with I thought rural health was associated with limited opportunities in terms of social and professional development. I learnt that this is a self limiting perspective. It made me realize that it is important to have a curious, optimistic and proactive mindset when exploring unfamiliar career prospects and the workshops helped me on why and how to have such mindsets. I recommend that all future health professionals to participate in these sessions to ensure they have a healthy and holistic engagement with rural career opportunities.”

"I attended the three Adelaide Uni Rural Oral Health Workshops by Dr Cindy Dennis on the 30th of July, and 6th and 13th of August 2020. The sessions were incredibly insightful and eye-opening. I had never considered working rurally because I didn't realise all the benefits that came along with it. I think it's very important to at least be educated in all your options before you close yourself off. I learnt that rural oral health professionals can develop their basic skills quicker and may have better relationships with their patients and even better working conditions/equipment available than their metro counterparts! I'm now seriously preferring to work rurally after I graduate and I'm attending all the rural oral health opportunities I can find. If you've never considered working rurally and have never attended an information night/talk on it, especially held by Dr Dennis (who is extremely passionate and understands the student perspective very well), I strongly recommend to do so!"