Local work, local study, local career
A newspaper job ad, a Certificate III and a decision to give university a go have taken Rockhampton’s Jasmin Dwyer from dental assistant to qualified Oral Health Therapist, without ever having to leave her hometown.
Jasmin had no dental experience when she applied for a dental assistant position at a local specialist practice. She quickly discovered she had found an industry she enjoyed.
“I gained an interest in the dental industry and thought it was something I would enjoy doing as a career,” Jasmin said.
That job became the starting point for an education journey entirely through CQUniversity.
Jasmin completed a Certificate III in Dental Assisting before deciding she wanted to take the next step and study the Bachelor of Oral Health.
Having been out of school for several years, she wasn’t sure how to make the transition into university.
“I did wonder if my OP was still valid when considering applying for the Bachelor of Oral Health but then heard about STEPS through a friend,” she said.
STEPS gave Jasmin a way to return to study, rebuild her academic skills and then transition directly into the Bachelor of Oral Health.
She graduated with distinction in 2025 and is now working as an Oral Health Therapist at Bolsover Dental while also working one day a week at CQ Oral Surgery.
For Jasmin, the fact that she could complete the entire pathway in Rockhampton has made a real difference.
“I grew up here in Rockhampton and was fortunate enough to be able to complete my whole education journey here,” she said.
She was also able to continue working at Bolsover Dental while studying, meaning she entered her new career with an established workplace, support network and understanding of the local community.
“Studying and working locally in my hometown has given me a unique advantage,” Jasmin said.
“Being familiar with our community's specific health needs and challenges also helps me to deliver tailored, continuous care to our patients from day one.”
Jasmin said her time at CQU gave her the opportunity to put her learning into practice through the CQU Health Clinic, outreach activities and external placements.
“The friendships and memories I’ve made throughout this journey will always be a major highlight,” she said.
“I thoroughly valued the hands-on learning at the CQU Health Clinic, the outreach opportunities, and the diverse external placements.”
Now, it is the opportunity to give back that Jasmin enjoys most about her career.
She loves helping patients understand their oral health and feel less anxious about visiting the dentist, while also sharing what she has learned with the wider community.
She recently visited a local daycare to talk with children and parents about developing good oral health habits and will soon return to the high school she attended to speak with students.
For Jasmin, the journey from VET to higher education has also reinforced the value of simply taking that first step.
“Everybody starts somewhere. A VET qualification can act like a foot in the door to an industry you may end up loving and eventually build a professional career in,” she said.
For a young Rockhampton woman who once answered a newspaper job advertisement with no dental experience, the path has come full circle – from dental assistant to CQU student, to qualified Oral Health Therapist caring for her own community.
