The passionate 25-year-old, who works at Tobwabba Aboriginal Medical Centre, was one of 14 recipients of a Rotary Club of Sydney’s Aboriginal Oral Health Scholarship.

As part of this, Kiha completed a certificate III in dental assisting and a certificate IIII in Oral Health Promotion through the Poche Centre for Indigenous Health at Sydney University. 

“I’m passionate about helping my community in many different ways,” Kiha said.  

“Health is a major importance for me. I’d love to work in schools and help kids learn about the importance of healthy teeth and being healthy from a young age.”   

The scholarship was devised by Rotary to promote oral hygiene by developing a state-wide dental assistant training program for Aboriginal people living in regional and remote areas of NSW. 

Recipients of the scholarship receive a laptop computer, internet access, assistance with enrolment and are mentored through their studies. 

On completion, students are then provided with a pathway to a higher education such as Dental Therapy or Dentistry.

Kiha is now looking at enrolling in a degree in Dental Therapy. She said anyone looking to do the scholarship or something similar, should "just do it."

“I’d recommend it to anyone,” she said.

“It was a fantastic way to learn. They make it so much easier for you to do things. The support is great.

“I’m just really thankful to have been given the opportunity.”