Embracing health care, engineering and artistry
Meet: Harrie Suthendran, Doctor of Dental Surgery
"I am privileged to be surrounded by researchers, educators and clinicians: dentists, specialists and surgeons, within the hospital and community. I am continually inspired by the many brilliant clinicians that are impacting patients' lives and progressing dentistry forward"
Harrie started his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) at the Melbourne Dental School in 2017, after completing a Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Waterloo back home in Canada.
Dentistry combines Harrie's passions for health care, engineering and artistry. The Melbourne Dental School's reputation of producing well-rounded clinicians via teaching evidence-based dentistry, attracted Harrie to the DDS program.
"Dental school is a time for professional growth as well as personal growth; there will be many opportunities to learn and develop as a dentist," said Harrie.
"I am privileged to be surrounded by researchers, educators and clinicians: dentists, specialists and surgeons, within the hospital and community. I am continually inspired by the many brilliant clinicians that are impacting patient's lives and progressing dentistry forward."
Harrie is is an active volunteer outside of class. In addition to volunteering for Open Day and The Teddy Bear Hospital, he also plays basketball and soccer for the Melbourne Dental Students' Society.
"Dental school is a time for professional growth as well as personal growth...The harder task is to develop as an individual, as this plays a role in the type of professional you will become. It is important to be social within the Faculty and community. Many students maintain a balanced academic-life schedule."
For Harrie, the highlight of the DDS program has been the clinical exposure built into the course.
"Based in a hospital at the heart of Melbourne, you get clinical exposure to a diverse patient population from an early point in the degree. Treating patients from children to elderly with varying medical backgrounds helps develop and refine knowledge taught in lectures and clinical skills learnt in laboratories."