The Dental Head Start Podcast

The Dental Head Start Podcast


FEATURE #73 – Marathoning Dentistry, Endodontic Training & PhDs with Dr Aovana Timmerman

July 17, 2022

Hosted by Erica Hwin



If there’s one thing I took away from this episode with Dr Aovana Timmerman, it is that dentistry is a marathon not a sprint. It takes discipline, persistence and a consistent pace to maintain motivation and prevent burnout. 



In this episode, we talk to Dr Aovana about what it is that drives her passion for continuous learning and growth in dentistry, and the parallels our profession has with physical activity. We reflect on her journey as a general dentist for 10 years, before undergoing endodontic specialist training, research and why she’s now chosen to undertake a PhD. 



Dr Aovana is a fantastic role model and really instills confidence in young dentists that there is so much potential for us to do great things – we just have to chase it!



Dr Aovana Timmerman

Aovana graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Science from the University of Melbourne in 2001 and after completing her fellowship with the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (RACDS) in 2010, she continued with her specialist training obtaining a Doctor of Clinical Dentistry in Endodontics. Aovana was awarded the Graduate Certificate in Clinical Teaching in 2019, then conferred Membership in Specialist Dental Practice discipline of Endodontics in 2021. She has been actively involved in endodontic education since 2011 and currently examines DDS students at Melbourne Dental School as well as dentists in the Membership (GDP) program for RACDS and Australian Dental Council. Aovana also works part-time in private practice at Collins Street Specialist Centre while pursuing her PhD in Endodontic Education at the University of Melbourne and has published research in both local and international peer-reviewed journals.



RIPE Global

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In this exceptionally difficult time for our profession, we need to look at the silver lining. With time, we can work on ourselves and work on our dentistry. And what better way then with RIPE Global



In a market flooded with online content, RIPE Global sits head and shoulders above the rest. Enjoy some of the most useful yet professionally created online content anywhere in the world, for just $59AUD/month.



Benefits include



  • Access to over 200 hours of lecture recordings and clinical videos.
  • Phone, email and chat support
  • 4 Dentistry Fundamentals courses per year (valued at $1075). (Restoration Fundamentals is an example of this style of product.)
  • 4 Exclusive Live and interactive Q&A sessions per year (valued at $10K)

My crown prep workflow is modelled on Lincoln’s video from the academy 3 years ago! This will change your practicing career.



Get 30% off the membership for life – Use the code “Headstartripe” 



Dental Practitioner Support

Dental Practitioner Support is the first national 24/7 telephone and online service to support dental practitioner health and wellbeing in Australia.



The service is free, confidential and independent. Remember, good practice involves seeking support when you need it. Dental practitioners can call and speak to an experienced team ready to provide advice on a wide range of issues, including mental and physical health, workplace issues and general wellbeing.



Call them anytime you need, and even save the number in your phone so that it’s there on the day that you need it.



1800 377 700 or visit the website www.dpsupport.org.au



Principle Practice Management Software 

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Cloud based dental software, rethought from the ground up for 2021 and beyond. Finally, an intelligent platform that optimises every process and workflow from scheduling to treatment planning to account management.



Designed for intuitiveness, Principle offers seamless interconnectivity between patients, appointments, staff, tasks, notes, meetings, labs and more. This means fewer clicks, fuller books, faster communication, nothing slipping through the cracks and greater business transparency. 



Principles of best practice embedded in software design to keep your team lean and your time productively occupied.


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