Local dentist achieves PhD Self-heal using a smartphone

live in our subconscious mind up to 95 per cent of the time, patterns and actions are often repetitive and can work against us, as we often make the same decisions or have the same thoughts.

“With Pho-toi (pho, short for photography and toi, the Maori word for art) photographing images of how we are feeling and how we like to feel, takes us more into the present moment and the conscious mind.

AFTER sinking her teeth into eight years of study, a local dentist has completed her PhD.

Tewantin Family Dental owner and dentist Dr Arosha Weerakoon recently graduated with her PhD from The University of Queensland (UQ).

Arosha said she started her PhD with UQ in 2015 so graduating was quite a milestone.

“A lot of my patients in Cooroy were aware of my studies and they were always so supportive.

“I studied how the mineral and collagen in our teeth change with age, and developed a new technique to compare different filling materials from each other.

“My thesis title was ‘Dentine, Adhesive Interfaces & Physiological Ageing.’”

Arosha said she would like to thank her family, especially her husband Rob (who also works at Tewantin with her), son James, family and friends.

“I would also like to acknowledge my old work family at Cooroy Dental Surgery, particularly Dr Rick Robinson and his wife Linda Robinson, Dr Leesa Auckett, Dr Bronwyn Ahern and Dr Andrew Robinson and Julie, Vicki and Rebecca for their support and generosity.”

A TEWANTIN woman has written a book that helps people change the way they look at an issue through ‘photographic representation’.

Jackie Hillegers, a creative arts therapist and counsellor, said the book came about because she wanted to help reduce mental illness in her community while incorporating her greatest love which was photography.

“I started photographing weddings and families back in the film days and have used photography as a means to express myself in everyday life, as well as using it daily with my clients.

“What I did not realise is just how powerful it was as a healing tool for others. I combined my knowledge, successful practices and experience to write a book on how to self-heal by using your smartphone.”

Jackie said because we

“Pho-toi not only helps you see your issue in a healthy new light but it also creates new neural pathways to help rewire your brain.

Jackie’s book Pho-toi, The Art of Photographic Expression is currently being used in schools, with NDIS clients, and for neuro-divergent clients, There are two copies available at the Noosa Library and it is also available for purchase in print and as an e-book on Amazon.

“I am also available to speak about this exciting new way of healing in schools, businesses or groups. You can contact me through my website pheatherine.com.

“We use our phones 24/7, so why not put them to good use.”