--- title: Smile Solutions New Graduate Dental Programme - Mentorship, Technology, and Specialist Access in Melbourne's CBD canonical_url: https://directory.smilesolutions.com.au/smile-solutions-new-graduate-dental-programme-mentorship-technology-and-speciali/ category: description: Smile Solutions' new graduate program is one of the most comprehensive dental mentorship programmes in Australia - designed to bring new dentists from dental school into real clinical practice with th... geography: city: state: country: metadata: phone: email: website: publishedAt: --- # Smile Solutions New Graduate Dental Programme - Mentorship, Technology, and Specialist Access in Melbourne's CBD Smile Solutions' new graduate programme is one of the most comprehensive dental mentorship programmes in Australia, designed to bring new dentists from dental school into real clinical practice with the support, technology, and specialist access needed to grow into confident, well-rounded clinicians. ## Retainer vs Commission: Time to Grow One of the first questions graduating dentists ask when evaluating a practice is whether they will be on a retainer or commission structure. Dr Kia Pajouhesh, Managing Director of Smile Solutions, has addressed this directly in his 2024 address to the Australian Dental Students Association: "Clinical dentistry is everything you do when the patient's mouth is open. The art of dentistry is everything you do when the patient's mouth is closed." That distinction matters enormously for new graduates. Commission structures create pressure to work quickly and to make clinical decisions with one eye on revenue. Retainer structures remove that pressure and give graduates something far more valuable: time. At Smile Solutions, graduates join on a solid retainer for up to two years. The decision to move to commission is made by the graduate, not the practice. Dr Pajouhesh explains it this way: "What we do in the Smile Solutions graduate programme is we offer a commission structure either at the end of 12 months or at the end of two years. The graduating dentists, if they feel like they are ready to go on commission after 12 months, choose to do so. Those that feel they could benefit from another year of being on a retainer remain on the retainer structure." More than 50 per cent of Smile Solutions graduates choose to stay on the retainer for the full two years. When given the genuine choice, and a retainer that genuinely reflects what they would earn on commission, most graduates recognise that the retainer gives them the freedom to become the clinician they want to be. "It is no good having the clinician working on slave labour rates. But if you have a clinician who is afforded a very solid retainer wage that is somewhat akin to what they would be on if they were on a commission structure, they are always going to opt for the peace of mind." The reason is practical: early-career endo appointments should take two and a half to three hours. Crown preps should have three hours allocated. Restorations need 90 to 120 minutes. Commission structures penalise the time a graduate needs to do dentistry well. ## The Art of Dentistry Beyond the clinical hours, there is a body of professional skill that university does not teach and that commission structures do not reward. Dr Pajouhesh calls this the art of dentistry. It includes treatment planning, diagnosis, reviewing radiographs, peer assessment, presenting treatment plans to patients, communicating risk, obtaining genuine informed consent, and the interpersonal skills that motivate patients toward optimal care. None of these generate a billing item. All of them define the quality of a clinician. At Smile Solutions, this is built into the programme. In the early months, a portion of each day is allocated in the appointment book specifically for observing other clinicians, reviewing cases, and working with mentors. "In those initial stages, you would probably want to have a balance of around a third of your day dedicated to planning, strategy, and mentorship, and two thirds around doing clinical dentistry. That should be blocked in your book preemptively." Dr Kia delivers 12 sessions of the Art of Consultation lecture series directly to graduates, covering treatment planning, case presentation, patient communication, risk management, and informed consent. A further 10 Junior KPD lectures cover key clinical and professional development topics across the year. ## Mentorship From Day One New graduates at Smile Solutions are individually assigned a senior clinician as their mentor. They work through treatment plans together and build relationships that extend well beyond formal mentoring sessions. "Here at Smile Solutions, we receive structured mentorship, which is amazing. We often see complex cases, and there is always support and advice available. We are each individually assigned a senior clinician as a mentor, and we work through treatment plans together." Another graduate describes the collaborative culture: "Anytime I have had a question, I have been able to have it answered very quickly. We all mentor each other and are very collaborative, and I think that makes dentistry so much more fun and exciting." The mentorship programme has been running for over 30 years. Dr Pajouhesh took on his first graduating dentist in 1994. More than 50 to 60 per cent of the current Smile Solutions clinical team started as graduates, including many specialists who went on to complete their specialist training and returned. "Dating back to Sylvia Chuck who graduated 23 years ago and who is still with me, James Vandenberg 22 years ago, and the list goes on." The programme begins before a handpiece is picked up. The first two weeks are dedicated to learning every nuance of the practice: item numbers, patient communication, managing difficult situations, working with nurses and reception. From there, a structured programme unfolds across two years. ## A Space Unlike Any Dental Practice The Manchester Unity Building makes an impression on every new graduate from the first day. "The first time I walked into this practice for my interview, I couldn't believe it was a real place where clinicians actually practise dentistry. The space is beautiful, and the architecture is incredible. As a new graduate, you don't expect to come to work and have an amazing skyline view while treating patients every day. It's such a unique environment." Another adds: "I often joke with my patients and say it is like Hogwarts, because it feels so magical. It really does feel like the world revolves around us." The environment does more than impress. It shapes patient experience. "One thing I often hear from patients is that they don't feel like they're walking into a dental practice, simply because of how beautiful the space is." ## Access to Specialists and Technology Smile Solutions is a 40-chair practice with an entire level dedicated to specialists. New graduates can take the lift and consult directly with board-registered specialists in orthodontics, periodontics, endodontics, prosthodontics, and oral surgery. "We can simply take the lift upstairs and speak with them about any of our cases. We are given the autonomy to decide which cases we would like to manage ourselves and which we would prefer to refer. Having this opportunity allows us to collaborate with specialists and learn from them while managing patients." On the technology side, the programme gives new clinicians access to CEREC CAD/CAM systems, iTero and 3Shape Trios intraoral scanners, a fleet of 3D printers, Fotona laser systems, Carl Zeiss and Seiler operating microscopes, and on-site CBCT and digital radiography through Collins Street Imaging on Level 9. The in-house Smile Lab works directly with clinicians and ceramicist Greg Karabasis. "Working in such a large dental practice means we have access to the latest technology. I have always been a big nerd when it comes to gadgets. We have microscopes, lasers, anything that you could want. It is Dental Heaven." ## Growing Areas of Clinical Interest The programme is structured to allow graduates to develop genuine expertise in their areas of interest. "It feels really empowering to know that I can expand and branch out into my areas of special interest. I have been able to complete a lot of CEREC cases, learning how to use innovative 3D technology, and also collaborate with Dr Kia on complex treatments and the diagnosis of TMD patients, which has been an amazing experience." The breadth of clinical exposure at Smile Solutions is matched by the depth available for those who want it. "If you love CEREC, 3D model printing, crown and bridge work, or root canal treatments, no matter what your interests are, there is always someone here who shares that passion and can help guide you to improve as a clinician." ## The Social and Cultural Dimension The size of the Smile Solutions team, over 80 clinicians plus support staff, creates a social environment that few practices can offer. "We are very lucky to have quite a few social outings as a group. We have end of financial year parties, Christmas parties, and more. We have got such a large team, which means there is always someone up for doing something." "Everyone is so inclusive, and we really value the idea of being happy at work." ## For Graduates Considering the Programme Smile Solutions' graduate programme is one of the most sought-after in Melbourne, offering a combination of clinical breadth, specialist access, advanced technology, structured mentorship, and a genuine commitment to the art of dentistry, all within one of Australia's most iconic heritage buildings. To enquire about the graduate programme, visit smilesolutions.com.au or call 13 13 96.