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Professor Alexander Holden was a teacher when Dr Edward Waters started dental school. Almost a decade later, what began as a mentor-protégé relationship has evolved, and now the pair are workplace colleagues. By John Burfitt
With a PhD in mathematics and having enjoyed an academic teaching career, Dr Edward Waters decided in 2017 to change direction and commenced dental studies at the University of Sydney. One of his lecturers was Professor Alexander Holden who has mentored Dr Waters since his graduation in 2021 as he’s established his career in dentistry.
Today the pair work together at Sydney Dental Hospital—Professor Holden as the head of specialist services and a clinical professor with the University of Sydney, and Dr Waters as a clinician and lecturer.
Professor Alexander Holden
“When teaching, you always remember those students who are either completely disengaged from the subject or completed engaged—and Edward was the latter. I remember the first time I took note of him was in an ethics and professionalism class when he was asking all these really interesting questions. Part of the joy when teaching is being challenged and Edward kept asking questions. I also remember he never missed a single session.
“Edward was an unusual case as he had come into dentistry later; he already had a PhD in mathematics and had a successful career as an academic as well as his theology studies. He clearly had come into dentistry for all the right reasons and wanted to be of service as a health provider, and it is clear he’s gifted intellectually and academically.
“But he also had a curiosity about always exploring just a little more to see if there were better solutions. I remember one of the last sessions we did together in his final year in 2020—a session about complaints management—and Edward was again asking some really testing questions. I remember looking at him thinking, ‘We won’t be saying goodbye; he will be back’.
The way Edward and I see dentistry is very similar and I think that adds to our ability to work together so well. He’s empathetic and attuned to the human side of both healthcare as well as general life.
Professor Alexander Holden
“It was no surprise after graduation when he returned as a casual clinical educator and later as a lecturer. That was when we became colleagues. With a man of this intellect, it often felt like we were just speaking as colleagues all along.
“It’s always nice to be called someone’s mentor, but in Edward’s case, I think I have just been a good sounding-board for him to bounce ideas off.
“Last year when I decided it was time to hand over the professional practice component within the DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) program at uni, Edward was the obvious choice and has been very clear in how he wants to take it forward. I have remained with him teaching, but the difference is he’s now the one giving me the direction as he has his own vision for this.
“The way Edward and I see dentistry is very similar and I think that adds to our ability to work together so well. He’s empathetic and attuned to the human side of both healthcare as well as general life. It’s nice to collaborate with someone like that on something we both have a shared passion for.”
Dr Edward Waters
“I was late to dentistry as I followed a few other paths first. I completed an applied science degree at the University of Melbourne and then a PhD in mathematics at the University of NSW, and also did some work in medical education, before studying theology at the University of Eastern Finland. I became a deacon within the Orthodox Church in 2014 and was ordained a priest in 2022.
“After graduating with my PhD, I was a senior academic in the University of Notre Dame Australia’s medical school and deciding whether to study medicine or dentistry to develop my academic career. Some wise mentors said as I knew what it was like to be on the other side of dentistry, that’s where I should head. So I enrolled at the University of Sydney in 2017.
“In the professional and ethics classes, I found something of a kindred spirit in Alex. I told him early on about my own academic background, and he responded, ‘In that case, we will be colleagues very soon’.
In the professional and ethics classes, I found something of a kindred spirit in Alex. I told him early on about my own academic background, and he responded, ‘In that case, we will be colleagues very soon’.
Dr Edward Waters
“As a student, I had various classes Alex taught throughout the four-year degree and he did challenge me, but it was more about him wanting me to think about issues in depth, so I was more justified in my approach. We are both a bit unconventional and have a much broader view of dentistry than it just being a technical field.
“After graduation in 2021, he continued as a mentor with my journey into clinical practice. I had some questions around the clinical environment, and he was always free to talk. In time, he became more of a confidante and trusted advisor.
“These days we work together at Sydney Dental Hospital and often set aside specific time to workshop ideas. At Sydney uni, I took over coordinating professional practice teaching within the dental program from him last year, and Alex has remained on the teaching team.
“I am developing my own ideas about content, and he has given me good advice. With us changing roles and coordinating some of his teaching, I sometimes do feel like I have a bit of imposter syndrome, but he is very validating. What has made the connection between us work is a shared interest in the profession and its history, ethics and values. There’s a lot of fantastic dentists who are interested in the technical side but it’s rare to find someone like Alex who is as passionate about the role of the philosophy of the profession and the ways that continues to evolve.”
