DR HANY AZIZ BEING A CHANGEMAKER OF OUR TIMES
Some people adapt to change. Others question it, shape it and become part of what comes next.
For Dr Hany Aziz, founder and principal dentist of Oral Health & Beyond Collective, being a changemaker has never been about being different for the sake of it. It is about having the courage to ask a simple but powerful question:
“Can we do better?”
Across more than 25 years in dentistry, that question has helped shape Dr Hany’s approach to his profession, his patients and the future of healthcare in regional Queensland.
Curious by nature and never entirely comfortable with the idea of “this is how it has always been done,” Dr Hany has built his career around looking beyond the obvious — exploring the connections between the mouth, breathing, oral function, development and a person’s broader wellbeing.
“I’ve always been someone who doesn’t fit neatly into a box,” Dr Hany said.
“I’m progressive in my thinking. I believe we should keep learning, keep questioning and remain open to a better way forward.”
Change Begins With Curiosity
More than 15 years ago, an interest in clear aligners sparked something much bigger.
What began with an exploration of tooth alignment developed into questions about why teeth and jaws develop the way they do. That curiosity opened the door to a broader consideration of muscles, oral function, jaw development and breathing patterns.
For Dr Hany, it changed the conversation from simply asking “What are we treating?” to “Why is this happening in the first place?”
That shift in thinking became central to his philosophy.
“Prevention is better than cure,” he said. “When we recognise concerns earlier, we have an opportunity to understand what is happening and consider what may support that person’s development and long-term health.”
Looking Beyond the Teeth
The opening of the Mackay clinic in 2016 represented more than business growth. It created a place where Dr Hany could continue developing a broader approach to dental care — supporting patients through different stages of life, from infancy through childhood and into adulthood.
Today, Oral Health & Beyond Collective is guided by connection, care, professionalism, proactivity and commitment.
But for Dr Hany, one principle remains fundamental: listening.
“One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned is the importance of listening,” he said. “People tell you far more than their symptoms. When you take the time to understand their story, you begin to see a much bigger picture.”
A patient may arrive concerned about grinding their teeth, discomfort, alignment, feeding, oral function or breathing. The symptom may be what starts the conversation — but Dr Hany believes it should not necessarily be where the conversation ends.
“Sometimes what we see first is only one piece of the puzzle,” he explained. “My role is to ask questions, investigate and try to understand what may be contributing to it.”
Progress Requires Courage
Being a changemaker also means being prepared to explore ideas before they become commonplace.
Dr Hany has been at the forefront of incorporating laser technology into his approach to dentistry since 2013. His early adoption of laser treatment reflects a philosophy that has followed him throughout his career — to keep exploring, keep learning and embrace technology where it can broaden the possibilities of patient care.
For Dr Hany, being a changemaker means not waiting for innovation to become conventional. It means being willing to explore what comes next.
Over the years, Dr Hany has continued to introduce new approaches, services and technologies into his practices while expanding his knowledge beyond conventional dentistry.
That philosophy is reflected today across Oral Health & Beyond Collective, with areas of focus including airway-focused dentistry, oral dysfunction, clear aligners, children’s oral development and hospital-based dental care.
The Collective has also embraced emerging technology, including the introduction of NovoTHOR photobiomodulation technology through NovoGen.
Technology is a tool. Knowledge gives it purpose. Listening gives it direction. People give it meaning.
The Moments That Change Us
Every changemaker has a moment that reminds them why challenging convention matters.
For Dr Hany, one of those moments came more than a decade ago when a three-and-a-half-year-old boy was brought to the practice after his family had spent years searching for answers.
The child could not speak and relied on liquid nutrition.
The experience and the changes Dr Hany observed following care had a profound impact on him, creating a connection that has continued well beyond the clinic. More than a decade later, Dr Hany maintains a lifelong relationship with the patient and his family — a bond that remains a powerful reminder of why this work matters.
“Seeing the changes in that little boy made me realise how important it was to keep asking questions,” Dr Hany recalled. “It reinforced for me that sometimes we need to look beyond what is immediately in front of us.”
It became more than a memorable patient encounter. It became a defining moment.
A reminder that behind every appointment is a person. Behind every symptom is a story. And sometimes, behind one unanswered question is an opportunity to change the direction of a life.
A Changemaker of Our Times
Our world is changing rapidly.
Technology is transforming healthcare. Patients are becoming better informed. Different health disciplines are increasingly recognising the value of collaboration, while our understanding of the connections within the human body continues to evolve.
Dr Hany believes healthcare professionals have a responsibility to evolve with it.
Not to abandon what has worked — but to remain brave enough to question what could work better.
For him, the future of dentistry is not simply about treating teeth. It is about connection.
Connecting oral health with function. Connecting breathing with development. Connecting professionals with one another. Connecting technology with human care. And, above all, connecting with the person sitting in the chair.
That is where meaningful change begins.
“Being a changemaker isn’t about believing you have all the answers,” Dr Hany said. “It’s about remaining curious enough to keep searching for them.”
After more than 25 years, his motivation remains remarkably simple:
Keep learning. Keep listening. Keep questioning. And never become so comfortable with convention that you stop imagining what could be possible.
What does being a changemaker mean to you?
“Being a changemaker means having the courage to remain curious. It means continuing to learn, listening to the people around you and being prepared to challenge conventional thinking when there may be a better way forward.
Change doesn’t always begin with a grand idea. Sometimes it begins with one person, one conversation and one question that nobody thought to ask.
For me, being a changemaker is about leaving something better than you found it — and inspiring others to believe they can do the same.”
CHALLENGE CONVENTION. INSPIRE POSSIBILITY. CREATE MEANINGFUL CHANGE.
Oral Health & Beyond Collective
Oral Health & Beyond Collective brings together KIDS, DentalCareXtra, Snoring Laser Care and NovoGen under one shared philosophy — looking beyond individual services to consider the connections between oral health, breathing, function and overall wellbeing.
Together, they represent the Collective’s vision:
“Connecting Whole-Body Wellbeing Through Oral Health & Airway Function.”
