6 minute read
Introducing Our New President
Dr Amit Gurbuxani
With a long-held passion for public health, Dr Amit Gurbuxani is determined to use his new role as ADAWA President to make meaningful change.
From a family of doctors and engineers, ADAWA’s new president was determined to follow his own career path. Despite knowing little about the profession, he soon realised that dentistry was his passion and his vocation. “Very soon, I realised a couple of things I really enjoyed,” Dr Amit Gurbuxani explains. “One was being able to interact with people on a day-to-day basis, forming long-term bonds. I also enjoy the dynamic environment of dentistry, with its influx of new technology, improved techniques and the precision that is required when working within the oral cavity. Not to mention the excitement evoked when achieving fantastic clinical results. “Another facet of dentistry that I really enjoy is the multiple roles that must be played; you are not only a clinician, but also a confidant, a friend and sometimes even a son or grandson for some of my older patients.” After completing his studies in India and working there for a few years, Amit decided he wanted to further his education. This ultimately led him to move to Australia in 2009. Amit was awarded a full scholarship from the Australian Government, which saw him complete his Master’s in Dental Public Health at The University of Western Australia. For Amit, public health has been a long-held passion. “When I was practising dentistry in India, after probably my 150th denture, I realised I was only treating the effect but not the cause,” he recalls. “If you want to solve a problem it is important to change the mindset. You must start educating people – why are they not saving their teeth? In India, people only go to the dentist when they have a toothache, as overall oral health is very low on their priority list. “The public health aspect is something that made me passionate about coming here and learning how things were different in developing and developed countries. I found that despite India and Australia being so different, access to oral health is one of the common problems faced in both countries.” While doing his Master’s, Amit also sat his Australian Dental Council (ADC) Exams. “Once I finished the ADC exams I started working at the Dental School, which was probably one of the best things that has happened to me,” he says. “This placement exposed me not only to the public health system but also the essential component of multidisciplinary management to achieve the most optimal patient outcomes. It gave me a first-hand experience of the benefits of working with a variety of skilled general dentists and great dental specialists. “During that time, I also started working in private practice; I wanted to see how different dentistry was in the private and public sectors and this understanding was important to me,” he adds.
“When I started working at Mi Dental, I understood that the dentistry was the same, but the demographic of patients and the values towards oral health were different. That led to my next pathway of wanting to increase my involvement with ADAWA – I was motivated by what I could do to contribute and bring about change. As ADAWA plays such a big role in the oral health of our community in WA, I wanted to be involved.” Fortunately, Amit happened to be sharing an office at OHCWA with someone quite familiar with the ADAWA council, our own Dr David Hallett. “David was the ADAWA President at that time and he was kind enough to chat with me about council,” Amit recalls. “I had to stand for election, and I was nominated into the council. I remember one perfect piece of advice which David gave me: ‘Two ears, one mouth. Hear them all and listen.’ For the first year, I think I barely said a word at meetings; I was trying to observe and listen to everything from the passionate people on council.”
Getting to know Dr Amit Gurbuxani
The ADAWA presidency can be one that is timeconsuming; as such, Amit has rearranged his private practice schedule to ensure that he has sufficient time for his new role. “My patients know that I wouldn’t let them down, so I have employed another dentist to ensure timely and continued care,” he says. “At the university, I have also reduced the number of clinical teaching sessions I partake. At the same time, I am probably going to take a page out of David’s book and additionally work on ADA matters in the early mornings when things are quiet, and only my dog, Zia, will give me company,” he laughs. Amit says he endeavours to continue to build a strong dental community and uphold the ADA banner by being inclusive of all our members voices while advocating on issues impacting the dental profession in WA. “After having to stand for the first presidential election in 15 years, I am truly grateful that the members of our association have supported and put their faith in me to guide the association during these unknown times,” he says. “We need to work as a team to ensure the advancement and continued strength of the profession. This can only happen if we are open, honest and transparent as we proceed into the future. “I am honoured, as I believe I may be the first ADC President of ADAWA, and I hope this helps ADC graduates feel further connected to our association. We are so blessed to be given an opportunity to practise our profession in this wonderful country and we should be grateful.”
His family
Amit is married to oral medicine specialist, Dr Janina Christoforou. “ADAWA played a part in us meeting,” Amit reveals. “We were both rostered on at the same time at the Pregnancy and Children’s Expo and this was our first meeting.” He smiles and says, “She really thought I was a nerd at that first encounter, as all I asked her about was dental materials. It’s then that I realised that she also tutored at the Dental School. “It was when she disappeared (on leave from the school) for a month that I realised, I missed seeing her smiling face. Her grandfather had been diagnosed with oral cancer and later cardiac issues, so she had taken a month off to look after him. I thought, in this day, for someone to not just care for their parents but to go beyond and above to look after their grandparents was a real attribute. I finally mustered the courage to ask her for a coffee.” Their Greek-O-Indian wedding was an event in itself, especially as Amit left the celebrations midway through to attend the UWA dental students’ graduand ceremony. “As the final-year co-ordinator, I knew I had to be there for my students,” he says, laughing. “I am just lucky it wasn’t the world’s shortest marriage.”
Outside of dentistry
“I enjoy camping and the occasional kayak down the river in the early morning when it is nice and quiet. We like adventure sports – anything that gives an adrenaline rush. I would love to do skydiving one day. “Drone photography has become my new hobby,” he adds. “Janina bought me a drone for our fifth wedding anniversary, and for the entire first year, I wouldn’t let it go off the flight safe mode,” he admits. “I was nervous, but I have become more confident, and I believe we live in a beautiful country, with exceptional flora and fauna. I love photographing nature at its best. I believe in initially treading carefully until I have gained experience and confidence to take larger strides.”
