Written by Sirwan Nasir Hajo
At 56, I finally decided to follow my dream of being a dentist. After years in the hospitality industry and graphic design, serving others and leaving something behind became my calling. Currently, I am in the first year of a Bachelor of Health and Medical Science, and I hope to receive an offer for Dentistry in 2025. This is not merely going to be a piece of paper; it will be an opportunity to give back to rural and Indigenous communities that get denied dental services.
Why Dentistry?
What really intrigues me about dentistry, though, is that it is both a career and a service to the community-something which very few other fields are capable of offering. Many fields, such as corporate business, operate solely based on profit, while dentistry allows me the opportunity to make a living while directly improving people’s lives.
Dentistry allows much better mobility and flexibility than medicine does, not requiring a lot of medical equipment but rather you are bringing whatever tools you may need to the underserved areas. It’s also highly transferable across borders and relies less on language, making it easier to work internationally. One day, I hope to join Doctors Without Borders or the Flying Doctors to take dental care to remote communities around the world.
It is a luxury to care for your teeth, and even more so for those in the rural lands, since most of them live toothless, unable to afford any treatment. I want to change that and provide accessible, affordable care to those who need it most.
Support and Balance
The support from Charles Sturt University has been invaluable. My teachers in Biology and Chemistry helped me and encouraged me at every step, while the Charles Sturt call centre guided me through the challenges of returning to studies. I can see that such support makes me feel not alone in this way.
Balancing family, work, and study is challenging. My wife works full-time while I work part-time to contribute financially. We’ve both made sacrifices, but it’s all worth it for a better future. For me, dentistry is about living a simple, balanced life where I can support my family while helping others.
Tips for Mature-Age Students
If you’re considering a career change, here are some tips that have helped me:
- Be Mortgage-Free: Try to pay off your mortgage before starting full-time study. Fewer financial pressures mean more focus on your education.
- Use Public Transport: This saves money on petrol, insurance, maintenance, and carpark fees.
- Cut Back on Unnecessary Spending: Quit smoking, cut down on drinking, and focus on home cooking and healthy living to save money and stay energized.
- Live Modestly: I live in a small granny flat to keep my rent low, allowing me to focus on my studies.
- Avoid Expensive Gadgets: I use a $150 phone with a $35 plan, avoiding the high costs of new Apple products.
- Limit social media and TV: Cut distractions and only use social media for essentials, like finding study resources or buying used items.
The Road Ahead
My dream is to get accepted, relocate to a rural area, and stay in a small farmhouse where I can study and graduate to eventually serve the community. I am academically ready according to university requirements, and physically and mentally prepared to take this step. After graduation, I will stay in a rural area and continue helping the Australian community and Indigenous people; a majority of these people usually miss out on every important kind of care. I always loved the peace and attachment associated with rural life, and now I am prepared to create some real difference there. While awaiting an interview and university offer, I wish the university would open a pathway for people like me to serve the Australian community.
Final Words: Never Too Late to Study
Age doesn’t matter when it comes to following your dreams. As I complete my first year in the Bachelor of Health Science, I’m finding the challenge and rigor of preparing for dentistry unlike any other study. Dentistry is a highly competitive field, with a vast pool of domestic and international applicants, It may be a less chance or not at all , but I’m staying positive and focused. I am keeping positive and focused. Hopefully, my efforts and plans will be rewarded sooner or later. My goal is to reach out to rural communities and serve as a proud Australian, driven by a deep love for my country and a calling to make a difference through my career. I hope to bring comfort, care, and compassion to those who need it most, fulfilling my dream to give back to the land and people who have shaped me.
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