A third-generation dentist, Karnataka-born Girish Basavaraj came to Townsville in 2007 straight after studying dentistry in India. Unlike most immigrants, Basavaraj did not come for “the better life”. He was strangely fascinated by the idea of creating his own brand—far from the shadows of his father and grandfather.

“When I was a student of dentistry, people would relate to me as ‘oh you are so and so’s son or grandson’. I thought ‘hang on’ I am losing my identity,” he says, with a laugh.

Not that Basavaraj, who studied at the well-known Bapuji Dental College and Hospital in Davengere, Karnataka, was not proud of his lineage. But he could see questions on identity surging through his mind. “When I was completing my Masters in Paediatric Dentistry in 2005, I thought I need to create my own brand.”

Coming to Australia was an option, one which was not easy but accessible. So while working as a senior lecturer at a private dental school in India, Basavaraj successfully obtained his licensure as a General Dentist in Australia by qualifying in the Australian Dental Council Exams (ADC) in 2006-2007.

At that point, Basavaraj recalls his father telling him, “Now that you’ve proven you are smart and finished your exams, come back to the family clinic.” But he wanted to explore Australia and told his father he would return in five years. It has now been over 15 years since Basavaraj made the move and he has a career that is catapulting ahead in Australia.

Once he moved to Townville in Queensland, Basavaraj tailored a well-planned career trajectory successfully completing a hands-on Implant certification program with Brenner Implant Institute, Sydney, under the highly experienced trainer and clinician, Dr. Dan Brener in 2011. He also became a member of Australian Society of Implant Dentistry (ASID), The Australasian Academy of Dento-Facial Aesthetics (AADFA), The International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI) and The Implant Prosthetic Section of the (ICOI).

The beginnings in Townsville, like any new migrant experience, was lonely. “When I landed, I didn’t know anyone,” he says. But Basavaraj got into employment straightaway as a dentist with one of the main practices, a dental corporation and stayed there for five years.

“There was no room for growth and flexibility. So, I quit and looked for a place in Townsville where I could set up my own practice,” he says.

But with limited opportunities in Townsville, Basavaraj discovered Charters Towers, about 120 km from Townsville, from where a lot of patients came to Townsville. Fortunately, at the time a medical practice came up for renting. He would start his first clinic Toothcare Wecare in 2012.

2015 proved to be a hectic year for Basavaraj. His daughter was born that year and he made two more acquisitions. In April, he took up another dental practice Healthlink in Townsville and in November, when the oldest dental practice in Charters Towers was put up for sale, he acquired that too. “Today I run three dental practices with eight dentists in the group who work under me,” says Basavaraj.

No doubt, successful dental practice occurs when skill and patient understanding intersect. But the start was not easy, admits Basavaraj. As a brown doctor in a predominantly white Australian town, Basavaraj says he faced a lot resistance the first two years. “To be honest, there was a curiosity and scepticism about the college I graduated from, whether I could speak English well, and so on.”

He particularly recalls a lady patient in Townsville, who looked at him and said, ‘I don’t want to get my treatment done here, can I leave?”

But Basavaraj chose not to dwell in those experiences. “I was focussed on attracting the right people around me. You can’t please everyone, so I kept working on the ones who trusted me. That kept me going. I also understand people were not exposed to a lot of migrants in the town then,” he says.

Through consistently providing quality dental treatments, adhering to ethical practices, establishing relationships within the community, and supporting local sports and events, Basavaraj was able to cultivate his brand over a span of approximately four years. Reflecting on this journey, he credits his involvement in the community as a vital factor in building a bridge of trust with his patients.

Today, Basavaraj is also an active member of the bourgeoning Indian community in Townsville. He has been a member of the team that set up the Sri Siddhi Vinayak Cultural Centre Townsville, that aims to “enhance Hindu cultural, educational and spiritual experience for all in diverse Hindu community in North Queensland and integrate the cultural experience with the wider Australian community”.

Five years ago, the Ganesha Temple opened its doors as part of the cultural centre, and it has since become a popular attraction, drawing in a footfall of 200 on special occasions.

“The local people are also embracing us openly; they’ve started to realise that we work hard and are here to give them the best.”

Clearly, individuals like Basavaraj are playing a crucial role in strengthening the multicultural fabric of Australia by promoting unity and coherence among diverse communities.

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