How the Australian Indian Dental Association became a movement of unity, pride, and purpose among Indian Australian dentists.

From a modest dinner conversation to a nationwide community of more than a thousand dental professionals, the Australian Indian Dental Association (AIDA) has grown into a symbol of empowerment, integrity, and shared heritage. What began as an exchange of ideas between three dentists in a Sydney restaurant has since evolved into a movement that celebrates identity, fosters mentorship, and advocates for a stronger, more inclusive dental fraternity across Australia.
It all started one evening when three dentists of Indian origin found themselves discussing what was missing. “We realised there was a gap — a missing link between the professional dental community and the wider Australian society,” recalls one of the founding members. “A space where dentists of Indian heritage were not always heard or recognised for the skill and integrity we bring to the profession.”

That conversation soon turned emotional. Each had felt that absence of connection at some point in their long careers — between fifteen and twenty-five years of practice in a country that had become home. From that shared sentiment emerged a call for change — one rooted in belief, unity, and purpose. The spark that evening ignited a quiet revolution that would become AIDA.
Among the early torchbearers of this vision were respected practitioners such as Dr Ved Berani, known for his commitment to clinical excellence and leadership within the BUPA Dental Advisory Panel, Dr Dipen Shah, a periodontist whose Daintree Family Dental Clinic in Wodonga reflects his dedication to community care, and Dr Anup Shenai, whose advanced implantology expertise and mentoring spirit helped shape AIDA’s educational and professional development goals. Their collective experience, spanning public health, private practice, and academia, provided AIDA with both credibility and character — the professional wisdom to lead and the empathy to unite.
At the heart of the association lies a profound appreciation for heritage. “India is a land of extraordinary diversity,” one committee member reflects. “Here in Australia, that diversity becomes our greatest strength. We stand together guided by values of family, togetherness, support, growth, and upliftment.”
Those values are best captured in AIDA’s guiding philosophy: G.I.V.E. — Growth, Inspiration, Vision, and Empowerment. Among these, empowerment has become a defining thread. “For many of us, the early years were about survival — finding our place in a new land,” a senior dentist explains. “Now our purpose is to help the next generation dream bigger, lead with confidence, and take pride in who they are.”
Beyond professional advancement, AIDA has built something deeply human — a sense of belonging. Dentistry, despite its rewards, can be an isolating profession. The hours are long, the focus intense, and the conversations with peers too rare. AIDA has become that safe harbour where Indian Australian dentists can share their stories, seek guidance, and know they are part of a family. “This brotherhood — this tribe — is about support, friendship, and solidarity,” says another member. “It is about reminding every member that they have a family away from home.”

Today, AIDA’s vision stretches far beyond community building. With more than two thousand Indian-origin dentists now practising in Australia, the association seeks to represent their collective voice at national policy tables. Its leaders imagine a future where AIDA plays an active role in shaping dental health policies, advocating for cultural understanding, and strengthening the bridge between Australia’s dental institutions and the vibrant Indian Australian community.
“Our experiences as first-generation migrants taught us resilience,” says a committee representative. “Now we want to turn those experiences into advocacy and progress — to speak for those who may not yet have a voice.”
In its essence, AIDA stands as more than an organisation. It is a living testament to gratitude — to giving back to a country that has offered opportunity, and to nurturing a professional community grounded in empathy and excellence.
From that fateful dinner table in Sydney to a nationwide network united by purpose, AIDA continues to remind its members of one timeless truth: when people come together with shared vision and heart, they can transform not only their profession but also the community around them.

By Tonee Sethi