Crafting smiles with a passion
With a lifelong interest in health sciences and a love for artistic craftsmanship, dentistry became the perfect blend of both passions for Dr Honeybone. After five years of study on the Gold Coast, he found his ideal career and is now the owner of one of Canberra’s leading dental practices.
Tell us about your career path. What led you to where you are?
I have always had an innate interest in health sciences and how the body works, as well as a love for using my own hands to artistically craft something others could appreciate. Dentistry, unbeknownst to me, was a perfect combination of these passions. Through a mix of luck, circumstance, and the appeal of spending five years studying on the Gold Coast, I was fortunate to find myself in the ideal profession for expressing my skills and passions. I was also fortunate to have a few excellent mentors, including the previous owner of Mawson Dental Care, who laid strong foundations for both the clinic and myself.
Tell us about your organisation and your role within it.
Mawson Dental Care is one of Canberra’s top destinations for comprehensive dental care, offering everything from routine treatments to complex procedures. Our team is made up of 20 lovely people who all have a desire to work towards a great outcome for our patients with a heavy focus on empathetic care and high-quality preventative treatment. Dental patients are often affected by anxiety towards dental care and the costs associated, which can be quite debilitating for them. We aim to provide transparency, emotional support, and a positive patient experience. This has led us to double in size over the past five years to become one of Canberra’s leading practices.
What is the most rewarding part of your job? And the most challenging?
The most rewarding part of my job is also the most challenging. The genuine relationships that develop within the practice—with both patients and team members—are incredibly fulfilling, often feeling more like family dynamics than professional connections. However, as the practice has grown, it has become more difficult to maintain those close relationships with everyone in the workplace, making it the most challenging aspect as well. It has taken a lot of trial and error to balance maintaining our existing close friendships while welcoming many new members into our work family.
Can you share some of your favourite resources/influences that have had an impact on your career?
The most positive and impactful influences on my career have been a combination of spending my early years focused on extensive learning and self-development through leadership courses and books. Later in my career, I sought guidance from experienced support businesses and mentors who were in positions I aspired to reach, and I made every effort to place myself in situations where I could learn from them.
What are your thoughts on mentorship and its role in career growth? Have you had any mentors who have been particularly influential?
I strongly believe that the quality of mentorship a person receives is directly related to their growth and success. It’s essential not just to receive mentorship, but to seek it from multiple mentors with different belief systems and backgrounds. This allows you to learn from their strengths and weaknesses while also helping you identify the type of people you want to surround yourself with, minimising the risk of being influenced by the wrong individuals.
What advice do you have for those looking to advance their careers?
In this day and age, with more opportunities than ever before, the allure of instant fame or fortune through social media or other ‘shortcuts’ often distracts many from the substantial opportunities available to them. Those willing to stay the course must put in the work, focus on mastering the basics, form connections, and be patient with the slower progress they may experience early in their careers. This can be challenging when it feels like peers and everything around them are moving faster. However, individuals must also ensure they don’t become stagnant, stuck, or too comfortable; they should always seek growth opportunities and remain ‘under the pump’.
What are the most important attributes for succeeding in the workforce?
Resilience and fortitude, paired with a clear goal, are key to career growth. Success isn’t a smooth ride, and setbacks can make or break you. Those who exceed expectations know why they work hard and use failures as learning opportunities, rather than letting them shake their confidence or drive them to give up.
When you’re not at work, where can we find you?
During the winter months, my family and I chase an adrenaline rush on the snow slopes or by skateboarding around Canberra. A goal for this summer is to catch more waves—wish me luck! As a business owner, a typical day ends at the gym, working on my powerlifting skills, which helps me unwind after intense days at work. Family is everything to me, and I absolutely cherish my downtime from the demands of running a business. Spending time with my partner, kids, and the rest of my family is valued above all.
