26 February 2025
Meet the 2024 ADAVB BOQ Specialist CPD Bursary winners
As we mark a decade of collaboration between the ADAVB and BOQ Specialist on the delivery of the bursary program, we are proud to see the impact that this important partnership continues to offer to members.
The ADAVB and BOQ Specialist Bursary program provides recognition and funding for professional development to dental practices and recent dental graduates who demonstrate a commitment to excellence and quality learning. The bursaries facilitate ongoing professional development with a monetary grant to spend on CPD and training.
This year, we are pleased to announce that Dr Safinah Hambali and her team at Northvale Dental have been awarded the Practice Bursary of $10,000, consisting of $8,000 to be applied to CPD and training programs, and $2,000 to be applied to ADAVB CPD courses. Dr Margaret Tran has been awarded the Recent Graduate Bursary and will receive $5,000 to be applied towards ADAVB CPD courses, with Dr Megan Walker receiving the runner-up prize of $2,500 for ADAVB CPD.
We spoke with these worthy recipients to find out how the bursaries will assist with their professional knowledge and the operations of their practices.
Dr Safinah Hambali and the team at Northvale Dental - Practice Bursary recipients
How did you feel when you found out that your 2024 ADAVB BOQ Specialist CPD Practice Bursary application had been successful?
The team and I were humbled to be selected to be recipients of this year’s Bursary. It is a great achievement for our young practice who value our great team dynamics and always strives to deliver a great patient experience together. Winning the bursary means more opportunities to further our knowledge as a team, and this will strengthen our communication and bond.
How will you use the grant to benefit your practice?
We’re hoping to use the grant to improve on what we offer to our patients, including ensuring our standards of infection control are up-to-date, learning more about how we can assist patients who experience anxiety and protecting their teeth, and learning about the latest evidence-based dentistry to provide better treatment outcomes for our patients at Northvale Dental.
Dr Margaret Tran - Recent Graduate Bursary recipient
How did you feel when you found out that your 2024 ADAVB BOQ Specialist CPD Recent Graduate Bursary application had been successful?
Very excited to have received the BOQ Specialist Bursary as it will be a massive help to me especially as I am working rural and attending CPD courses is quite difficult as it involves travelling 2-3 hours just to get to Melbourne, or 4+ hours if interstate. This helps with overnight accommodation, leave from work and food for the day. I was very grateful to the ADAVB, as I have been working with them over the years both as a student and a dentist in various committees and I have seen the great things they offer.
How will you use the grant to benefit your practice?
This will help the practice I am currently working in, Goulburn Valley Dental Group, as it will help me to become a better clinician with all the newfound knowledge I gain from these CPD courses, and so my patients will reap these benefits. Thank you to the ADAVB and BOQ Specialist for helping young clinicians like myself who are trying to find their feet in the dental world. CPD can be quite costly for new and recent graduates, and initiatives like this really help put our financial stresses at ease so that we can focus on becoming better clinicians.
Dr Megan Walker - Recent Graduate Bursary runner-up
How did you feel when you found out that your 2024 ADAVB BOQ Specialist CPD Recent Graduate Bursary application had been successful?
When I found out I was successful in receiving the ADAVB Recent Graduate Bursary, I was absolutely thrilled and deeply grateful. It was such a rewarding moment, especially after all the hard work and dedication I’ve put into my professional development so far. Knowing that my efforts have been recognised not only gives me a great sense of accomplishment but also motivates me to continue striving for excellence in my practice. I’m excited for the opportunities this bursary will bring and how it will help me grow as a clinician and as part of my community.
How will you use the grant to benefit your practice?
This bursary will have a profound impact on my practice. It will allow me to focus more on my professional development without the financial burden that often comes with continuing education. The additional training I’ll receive will enhance my ability to provide care in the areas that are of great need in my practice, such as paediatrics and sleep apnoea. By advancing my knowledge and skills in these areas, I will be able to offer more effective, patient-centred care that focuses on prevention and early intervention. This will improve both the quality of care and patient outcomes in our community.
For the Practice and Recent Graduate winners, the ADAVB BOQ Specialist Bursaries are a chance to set themselves up for future success, establish themselves in the industry, and make sure their practice delivers the best possible experience for patients.
The ADAVB BOQ Specialist CPD Bursaries recognise and support dental practices and recent graduates who are committed to quality learning through continuing professional development, and we extend our sincere congratulations to Dr Hambali, Dr Tran, and Dr Walker, who exemplify this dedication to the profession.
