Graduate Dentist Program
Start your career with confidence in Hervey Bay
The step from university to clinical practice is one of the biggest in a young dentist's career. It can also be one of the most daunting. At Lakeside Dental Spa, our Graduate Dentist Program is built to bridge that gap — giving new and recent graduates the mentorship, clinical exposure and genuine support they need to grow into confident, capable practitioners.
Unlike a large corporate group where you can feel like just another number, here you'll be mentored directly and personally by Dr Khaled Shahin, an experienced clinician who works across general, cosmetic, implant and orthodontic dentistry, all under one roof. You won't be left in the deep end. You'll be guided, supported and encouraged every step of the way.
Why choose the Lakeside Graduate Program?
We believe new graduates do their best learning when they feel safe to ask questions, take their time, and develop without the pressure of targets or quotas. Our program is designed around exactly that philosophy.
One-on-one clinical mentorship
- Personal, in-practice mentoring from Dr Khaled Shahin throughout your first 12 months
- Hands-on guidance with diagnosis, treatment planning and case discussion
- An experienced clinician beside you for complex or unfamiliar cases — never left on your own
- Direct exposure to advanced procedures including implants, All-on-4, sedation and orthodontics
A supportive, pressure-free environment
- No KPIs, daily targets or financial pressure
- Set your own appointment durations — take the time you need to do quality dentistry
- A balanced, varied appointment book to build both your experience and your confidence
- A friendly, close-knit team that genuinely wants to see you succeed
Real clinical breadth
- Strong, steady patient demand from day one
- Exposure to a wide mix of treatments — general, cosmetic, implant, orthodontic and children's dentistry
- Work with some of the most up-to-date technology available, all in a single modern practice
- Build a broad, well-rounded skill set early in your career
Professional development
- Support towards your continuing professional development (CPD) requirements
- Mentoring in the practical, business and patient-communication skills university doesn't teach
- A clear pathway to grow with the practice as your skills and confidence develop
A career and a lifestyle — welcome to Hervey Bay
Choosing where to start your career is about more than the practice you join. It's about the life you build around it. This is where Hervey Bay is hard to beat.
A climate made for the outdoors
Hervey Bay enjoys a warm, subtropical climate with more than 300 days of sunshine a year and mild winters. It's the kind of place where an early surf, a morning walk along the Esplanade, or an afternoon on the water is part of everyday life, not just something you do on holiday.
Far lower cost of living — the same, if not greater, earning capacity
Here's the part most graduates don't expect. You can earn as much as you would in Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne — often more, thanks to strong patient demand and less competition — while your cost of living is dramatically lower. Housing in particular is a fraction of capital-city prices, which means home ownership is a realistic goal far earlier in your career. Your income simply goes further here, so more of what you earn stays in your pocket and contributes to the lifestyle you actually want.
World-class nature on your doorstep
Hervey Bay is the gateway to K'gari (Fraser Island), the largest sand island in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site, just a short ferry ride away. It's the whale-watching capital of Australia, with humpbacks visiting the bay every winter. Noosa and the Sunshine Coast are an easy drive south, and you're surrounded by calm, beautiful local beaches perfect for swimming, paddling and fishing year-round.
A thriving town with everything you need
Hervey Bay is a growing, vibrant regional city — not a sleepy country town. You'll find excellent schools, modern shopping, a university campus, a regional hospital, great cafés and restaurants, and a welcoming community. It's family-friendly, safe and relaxed, with all the amenities of a larger city and none of the congestion.
Easy access to Brisbane
When you do want the big city, it's never far. Brisbane is roughly a 3.5-hour drive south, and Hervey Bay Airport offers direct flights to Brisbane and Sydney — so weekends away, family visits and city trips are simple and stress-free.
Who we're looking for
We welcome applications from new and recent dental graduates who are:
- Registered (or eligible for registration) with AHPRA to practise in Australia
- Passionate about patient care and committed to doing quality dentistry
- Keen to learn, grow and make the most of genuine one-on-one mentorship
- Ready to enjoy an outstanding career and lifestyle in one of Queensland's best coastal locations
Overseas-trained graduates with qualifications recognised in Australia are encouraged to apply — we're happy to talk through the process of relocating and settling into the Hervey Bay community.
How to apply
- Register your interest using this form, or call us on (07) 4191 4787
- We'll arrange an informal chat to learn about you and your goals
- Meet Dr Khaled Shahin and the team, and tour the practice
- Receive and accept your formal offer
- Begin your Graduate Dentist Program — and your new life in Hervey Bay
“The more you understand, the more confident you will feel about your dental treatment.”
— Dr Khaled Shahin
The same philosophy we bring to our patients, we bring to mentoring the next generation of dentists.
