A 9-month structured program to help connect early-career dentists with experienced professionals

Pick up new skills and clinical tips from experienced dentists, who are eager to pass on their experience to new members of the profession.

A mentoring relationship is one that is built on trust, in which there is an exchange of knowledge, experience, and goodwill.

Learn more about the program 


How can mentors help?

  • Act as a source of information and insight
  • Suggest relevant options regarding career development or strategies for achieving professional goals
  • Recommend possible resources to improve specific skills
  • Help the mentee solve professional challenges in their working life
  • Discuss issues of professional ethics skills
  • Discuss workplace related issues and options for how these may be addressed

This program is not about the mentor finding a job for the mentee.


“I enjoyed participating as a mentor in the 2023 ADAQ Art of Mentoring program. 
The ADAQ team sent out regular communications, training materials and support to ensure we have a positive experience with our mentees.
I especially Ioved how we have the opportunity to grow as a mentor and a leader while connecting with younger professionals in our community. ”

Dr Grace Sha |2023 Mentor


Mentoring Program FAQs

 

What are the benefits of the program?

For Mentees:

  • Experienced guidance and support in the profession
  • Excellent networking opportunities
  • Receiving feedback and developmental guidance
  • Identifying professional growth and career planning

For Mentors:

  • Contribute back to the profession
  • Stay abreast of emerging issues relevant to the profession
  • Further development of mentoring skills such as listening, asking questions, guiding, providing feedback, communication and interpersonal skills

When do applications close?

Applications open 29 January 2024

Applications close 1 March 2024

Who is eligible for the program?

To join as a mentee, you must meet the following criteria:

  • New graduate (0-5 years post-graduation from an Australian University)
  • Financial Member of ADAQ
  • Registered to work in Australia
  • Currently employed full-time or part-time in Queensland
 

To join as a mentor, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Relevant work experience as a Dentist in Queensland (6 + years post-graduation)
  • Financial Member of ADAQ
  • Registered to work in Australia
  • Currently employed full-time or part-time in Queensland

Mentors are volunteers and therefore pay no fees.

 

What's involved?

The ADAQ Mentoring Program is a 9-month program commencing in March 2024.

Mentors and mentees will be matched according to application details and are encouraged to attend all Webinars hosted by ADAQ.

During the program, mentors and mentees will be expected to be in contact at least monthly.

Mentees and first-time mentors will also be expected to complete Art of Mentoring program training online to prepare them for their mentoring relationship. Acceptance into the program is conditional upon your commitment to completion of the training.

During the program, you will receive frequent communications from ADAQ, giving you helpful tips and information about mentoring and access to other relevant materials available for supporting mentees.

During and at the end of the program you will be invited to provide feedback to ADAQ about your experience.

Program Materials

Once you apply and are matched, all the materials you need will be available for you online. If you have materials you would like to share with others, you can also post these up.

The online program administration platform will allow you to communicate with the program coordinators and access resources.

How does it work?

Mentees and mentors will be required to complete an application form to assess their eligibility for the program against a set of criteria. Mentors and mentees will be matched according to their application details, experience and goals.

Members who are not successfully matched will be able to participate in future programs.

FAQ's

1. How long will the mentor program run for? 

The 2024 program will run 9 months from early March to Mid-December.

2. Are there costs involved? 

Mentors are volunteers and pay no fees.

3. How many people can participate in the pilot program? 

A maximum of 50 mentees matched with 50 mentors. So, hurry if you want to take part!

4. Why do you need me to provide so much information on my application form? 

The information you provide will help us ‘match’ the right mentee with the right mentor, based on experience, skills and what you both want to achieve from the pilot program.

5. When will I know if I’ve been successful, and if so, who I’ve been matched with? 

Once you have uploaded your profile, we will contact you to confirm whether you’ve been accepted into the program and who has been selected as your mentoring partner.

You will hear from us by early-mid March.

6. What will I have to do if my application is successful? 

If your application is successful, you will be asked to complete a one-hour online training. The training will help provide you with the knowledge and skills to have a successful mentoring relationship.

The dates and timings of these sessions will be communicated to participants once they enter the program.

It will be up to each mentee/mentor pair to establish their own timetables for their one-on-one meetings, which should probably take place at least monthly throughout the program.

7. Will discussions between mentees and mentors be confidential? 

Absolutely! Great mentee/mentor relationships are based first and foremost on trust. Your participation in the program is confidential and you will agree with your partner how you will handle confidentiality between each other.

I was part of the program last year. Can I join again this year?

Yes. If you are a mentee, you will need to fill out your application completely again. If you are a mentor, you can log in and your application will be there. You will just need to submit it.

What if I am not selected?

The 2024 Pilot program is only available to 50 mentees.

We will endeavor to match all mentees that apply, provided that we have a suitable mentor. Some mentors may not be matched if their expertise/ experience is not suitable for any applicants. If we don’t have a suitable match for a mentor, we won’t pair you for the sake of putting you in the program.

For more information

Contact the ADAQ E-Mentoring Program Manager, Darren Tredgett at 07 3252 9866 or [email protected]

Timeline

29 Jan 2024
Applications Open

1 March 2024
Applications Close

Week of 4 Mar 2024
Successful applicants (mentees & mentors) notified.
Unsuccessful applicants notified.

Week of 11 Mar 2024
ADAQ notifies successful applicants of their match

15 March 2024
Program starts

Week of 16 Dec 2024
Program ends 


Join the 2024 Mentoring Program as a mentor or mentee.

 

Applications now open