Meet Dr Tiffany Chen, periodontist and Founder of The Cusp Collective. Here she talks about establishing a social enterprise empowering women in dentistry and the importance of building your village.  

What is your current role and how did you get to be there?

I am a periodontist, and although I told my parents I didn’t want to be a doctor because I didn’t want to study for exams for forever, I ultimately ended up completing 10 years of tertiary study to get here anyway! When I am not in clinic, I spend all my time working on The Cusp Collective.   

How does your work contribute to the field? 

The Cusp Collective is on a mission to foster meaningful and empowering connections with women in dentistry. Every project and decision is guided by the need for easy access to expert knowledge in non-technical skills, and for a safe and uplifting space where women can be vulnerable and candid about their challenges and successes.   

What is a project you would love to get off the ground or a skill you would like to develop, if you had the opportunity? 

In addition to our annual conference, this year we are also launching a podcast in May (Dental & Meaningful), an accountability buddy program, and a qualitative research project to better understand the pain points and needs of our community, as the feminisation of this industry occurs at a rapid rate. It’s a big year!  

What are your loves outside of work?

My family is my true North. We love spending time outdoors, in our vege garden, with the chooks, out on the mountains, by the beach, in the snow, everywhere. Any time with friends also fills my cup immensely, as does a good book, yoga sessions and rainy days.   

What is one piece of advice you could pass onto others following their own career in health and medical research sector? 

 Build your village, nurture the foundations, make it strong, then aim for the impossible goals. Honest communication is always, always, key – with others and with yourself.