The power of many More knowledge, more expertise, more care…

Alastair graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery from Otago University in 1988.

Upon graduating he then worked in Hamilton and London before returning to his home town of Wellington where he worked in dental practice for close to 20 years. Alastair’s last 13 years whilst in the Wellington region was at Coastlands Dental Health on the Kapiti Coast.

Alastair moved to Tauranga in 2012 for the opportunity to join the group at The Dentists, the lifestyle the Bay of Plenty has to offer and to be closer to extended family.

He is a member of the NZDA and enjoys working in an up to date practice with state of the art equipment. Alastair relishes the opportunity to build on his 23 years of dentistry by utilising the latest technology that The Dentists offers which also benefits his patients. His aim is to always provide quality dentistry in a gentle and relaxed environment.

Outside of dentistry Alastair enjoys fishing, boating and family sporting activities.

Graeme graduated at Otago University in 1978 with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery. After two years in general practice in South Auckland, Graeme started travelling, initially working in a mining town in outback Australia. From this isolated part of Australia, he then traveled to London. After a year, he was invited to work in London’s prestigious Harley Street and then went on to buy a Practice there. Practicing in this centre of international excellence for 15 years has increased his experience and learning considerably and has broadened the boundaries of modern dentistry. 

Graeme returned to Tauranga in New Zealand with a young family in 1998 and started his new practice “Harley Dentistry”. In 2018, still passionate about dentistry after so many years, he joined “The Dentists” group. In line with the Group’s emphasis of total well being, he continues his approach of “what is best for the patient”. 

Hi, I am Danny. I graduated BDS with distinction from University of Otago in 2015 and moved to Rotorua in 2016.

I was born and bred on the busy streets of Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia for the past 20 years before deciding to move to Otago to study and pursue a career in dentistry.

I have always believed in the old adage that prevention is better than cure. The philosophy of dentistry has changed over the years from the typical “drill-and-fill” mode to a medical model which emphasises preventative treatment and a more conservative approach. It is very important to me that patients understand the different types of dental diseases and adopt lifestyles and habits that improve their oral health. I have special interests in wisdom teeth extraction with/without sedation and cosmetic rehabilitation. Aesthetics is very important to me as I believe it will open up a multitude of possibilities in life.

Outside work, I live and breathe football, or rather what is known as soccer in NZ. I have supported Arsenal football club since I was 7 years old. Locally, I used to play/train for Rotorua United until I suffered a serious shoulder injury which prevents me from playing competitive games anymore. Nowadays, I often work out my strength at Flex Fitness or completing strava run challenges in the Redwoods and Blue Lake.

Gaius is a recent graduate dentist from the University of Otago and relocated to the Bay of Plenty from Auckland, to join the team in Rotorua.

He is a friendly and passionate dentist, interested in all aspects of general dental practice. He practices minimally invasive patient-centred care with a focus on patient education and prevention to effectively meet the needs of each of his patients. He is striving to create a positive contribution to his community as his passion for dentistry continues to flourish.

Outside of dentistry Gaius loves cooking and exploring different cuisines with family and friends. He is looking forward to discovering everything the Bay of Plenty has to offer.

Ko Te Arawa te waka, Te Arawa te iwi
Mai i Maketū ki Tongariro
Ko Pukemaire tōku maunga
Ko Kaituna tōku awa
Ko Ngāti Whakaue tōku hapū
Ko Whakaue Kaipapa tōku marae
Nō Maketū ahau
Ko Māia tōku ingoa

Maia was raised in Tauranga and Maketu and made the move back to the Bay of Plenty in 2021. She brings to The Dentists a wealth of knowledge surrounding health, having completed a Bachelor of Science and Post Graduate Diploma in Pharmacology (Distinction) prior to a Bachelor of Dental Surgery, and is published in The Journal of Public Health.

Maia is a gentle dentist who focuses on education and prevention so patients can take charge of their oral health and achieve their oral health goals. Maia always aims to create a non-judgemental and safe environment for patients and particularly enjoys helping anxious patients overcome their fear of the dentist.

Since gaining her Bachelor of Dental Surgery from Otago, Maia has become a Forensic Dentist for the Waikato Bay of Plenty region. She has also developed a special interest in cosmetic dentistry, periodontics, and oral surgery.

Maia devotes her time to ongoing study and is a member of the New Zealand Dental Association, Te Ao Marama, New Zealand Society of Forensic Odontology, New Zealand Institute of Minimally Invasive Dentistry, New Zealand Society of Endodontics and the New Zealand Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

In her spare time, Maia enjoys horse riding, pilates, and is a student at Te Reo Purapura and the local Korean Language School.

Mia was born and raised in Malaysia and moved to New Zealand in 2015 to continue pursuing her dental career at the University of Otago. Since graduating from dental school in 2017, she has worked in Whangarei, Waikato regions and Auckland before moving to Rotorua. She appreciates the experience of working in the diverse areas of Aotearoa, which has shaped and enhanced her professional and personal development.

Mia believes oral health is fundamental to lifelong well-being. The privilege of empowering her patients to take control of their oral health has motivated her to continually improve her clinical knowledge and skills as a dental clinician.

She has enjoyed all aspects of general dentistry with a special interest in biomimetic dentistry, which aims to conservatively restore damaged teeth and replicate their natural-like strength and function.

Outside of work, thanks to the beautiful sights Rotorua has to offer, she loves to explore those fantastic walking tracks and enjoys being surrounded by nature.

Hello, I'm Maryam Al-Adawi. Originally from Oman, and moved to New Zealand in 2018 to start my dental Journey. I graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery with distinction from the University of Otago.

My philosophy in dentistry revolves around the principles of prevention and conservation. Beyond just creating beautiful smiles, my primary focus is on preserving the overall health and longevity of your teeth.

As your dentist, I am deeply committed to providing a gentle and compassionate dental experience while upholding the highest standards of excellence. Through continuous education and training, I remain at the forefront of advancements in dentistry, integrating the latest techniques and technologies to ensure optimal outcomes for my patients.

When I'm not in the dental clinic, you'll often find me in the kitchen, refining my baking skills and experimenting with different cuisines. I also enjoy crocheting as a creative outlet and rejuvenate myself with refreshing hikes in nature. 

I look forward to seeing you in my dental chair!

Hi, my name is Aishah.

I was born and grew up in China. I moved to New Zealand to pursue my dream of becoming a dentist. Since I have had a bad dentistry experience when I was young, I became determined to be a better dentist myself. I want to help people that are suffering due to their teeth, and help them experience positive dentist treatment and re-learn to trust dental health professionals. I know how important it is as a dentist to meet patient’s expectations and want help you reach lifelong well-being through better oral health care.

I’m interested in all aspects of dentistry. I am dedicated to provide a patient-centered, high-quality dental services and to help you smile more confidently.

Hi, my name is Arjuna Rajasingham. I’m proud to be born and bred in Rotorua.  I graduated from the University of Otago with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery in 1999.  

I am grateful to write that I am happily married to Jade and she has given me two beautiful children, Yuvani and Zev. I love the outdoors and have taken it upon myself to learn the great New Zealand past time of Hunting. I am also a bit of a motor head and enjoy jumping on or in anything motorised.  

I bring to ‘the dentists’ a wealth of knowledge from all my extensive training in all disciplines of dentistry from all over the world. I have developed a special interest in the field of facial aesthetics, which involves Botox, Facial fillers and non-surgical facelifts. 

I firmly believe in ‘the dentists’ motto “Oral health is fundamental to lifelong well-being” 

So, I not only keep your teeth healthy and give you a beautiful smile, but I will teach you how this is linked into your overall health and longevity. 

I am a member of the New Zealand Dental Association, New Zealand Dentists Orthodontic Society, New Zealand Institute of Minimally Invasive Dentistry (founding member), New Zealand Society of Sedative Dentistry and The World Congress of Minimally Invasive Dentistry (lifetime member and diplomat). I have now completed my 3-year residency in Full Face Orthodontics and achieved a diploma from London City University in Orthopaedic and Orthodontics. I am also a member of the Australian society of dentofacial orthopaedics. I am proud to have been admitted as a fellow of the International Congress of Continuing Education in Dentistry and I have a fellowship pending in the prestigious Pierre Fauchard Academy. 

I regularly travel nationally and internationally forever trying to increase my knowledge and skills in dentistry so I can pass this expertise on to your treatment. 

Dr Adam Durning And I are the directors of The Dentists Dental Group. 

Hello, my name is Bodon (Yitao). I was born in China. I grew up in the hospital due to my father’s profession and because of that I was exposed to different areas of healthcare. When I was 15, I moved to New Zealand for high school. After being inspired by my cousin who is a dentist in Australia, I headed down to the University of Otago to complete my Bachelor of Dental Surgery.

I enjoy all aspects of dentistry. I believe dentistry is not only about teeth, but also a foundation of health. It helps patients improve their life quality and gain confidence. I aim to provide patient-centred, evidence-based, and stress-free dental treatments. 

Outside of work, I enjoy playing basketball and watching NBA. I am a big fan of Lakers.

Brian is a University of Otago graduate of 2015 and has previous work experiences at Masterton and Napier. He is competent in all aspects of dentistry with special interests in root canals, extractions and restorative crowns and bridges. He is a firm believer that dental visits can be consistently pleasant and stress-free.

Brian is consistently seeking to improve himself with the latest technology and dental advancements such as 3D scanners and lasers. Originally from Malaysia, he is fluent in both English and Malay.

‘Beyond acceptable. I aim to consistently provide high quality, comfortable dentistry where patient’s goals and expectations are understood and met. My believes are to always deliver honest dentistry where everyone is able to have informed choices, be educated and provided a treatment plan suited to all budgets.

A bit about myself, I enjoy a balanced lifestyle and am proud to call Taupo home. You would find me during my free times at the gym, swimming or busy cooking! Come and say hello!’

Hi, my name is Colette. I was born and grew up in Malaysia. I am a Class of 2015 graduate of the University of Otago with Bachelor of Dental Surgery. Coming from a multicultural country, I am fluent in English, Mandarin, Cantonese and Malay.

I am proud to call New Zealand my second home. It is a beautiful country and I have enjoyed every bit of my time here. It is my 6th year working in Taupo and I am grateful to beliving in this beautiful town and privileged to serve the growing community. I firmly believe that prevention is better than cure and oral health is fundamental for lifelong well-being. I have a passion to provide the best oral health care formy patients, understand their needs, making dentistry more pleasant and helping anxious patients to overcome their fear to get the best care possible. My goal is to put a smile on all the patients when they walk out of the surgery!

I am a huge foodie. Outside work, I like to bake and cook, experimenting new recipes or trying new restaurants. I also enjoy travelling and hiking, exploring both old and new places.

Sharleen graduated from the University of Otago with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery. She was born in Taiwan and moved to New Zealand at a young age. Having a friendly and outgoing personality, she enjoys travelling and interacting with people from diverse backgrounds. Some of her best overseas dental experiences include placement in Fiji, oral surgery in IOA Sao Paulo Brazil, and clinical attachment in Taiwan hospital oral maxillofacial department.  

Sharleen attends courses and conferences frequently to constantly expand skills and keep up with the latest technology. She is a member of the New Zealand Dental Association, New Zealand Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, New Zealand Institute of Minimally Invasive Dentistry, and the New Zealand Society for Sedation in Dentistry. She is also a certified laser tongue-tie practitioner, and has completed her 3-year residency in Full Face Orthodontics.

Sharleen is proud to deliver the dentistry which helps patients regain their confidence in smiling, enjoyment in eating and achieving good oral health. Using a gentle and holistic approach, she aims to provide the most comfortable, high standard care to help patients overcome dental fear.

Outside of work Sharleen enjoys tramping, diving, and listening to podcasts while cooking.

Hello, my name is Zaiyou but you can call me Zai (rhymes with pie). I was born in China and moved to New Zealand with my family when I was 6, so I consider myself a Kiwi. The combination of having a weird fascination with teeth and having braces in high school inspired me to study at the University of Otago where I completed a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (with First Class Honours).

I am interested in all aspects of dentistry ranging from fillings to root canal therapy.  But what brings me the most joy is working together with my patients to achieve healthy teeth and a confident smile. I aspire to always deliver quality and holistic care, and to break the negative stereotypes of a dental visit. 

I’m an avid volleyballer (indoor and beach) and love travelling outdoors to discover sights never seen before. Having been raised in a Chinese and Kiwi background, I am fluent in both English and Mandarin. Aside from dentistry and volleyball, you’ll find me eating food, going on road trips and working out in the gym. I can talk to you about all of these things, quite often while your mouth is full, so you can’t talk back.

Hi, I’m Adam. 

I studied dentistry right here in New Zealand at our very own University of Otago. I received my degree in 1990 and moved to the lovely environs of Wanganui. I consider it a privilege and take great pride in knowing I will provide a lifelong service to the Whanganui community and find it difficult to express the gratitude I have of now treating the children and grandchildren of my original patients from so many years ago. 

I am happily married to Stephanie who is a practice nurse and we are the proud parents of three children, Anna, Finlay and Luca. I love the outdoors and am an avid fisherman, hunter, skier and love riding motorcycles. 

I am passionate about taking an all-encompassing approach to dentistry and oral health and to achieving the best outcomes possible for my patients. I firmly believe that oral health is a vital component to our overall health and well-being and have dedicated myself to this philosophy and the advancement of dentistry throughout New Zealand. 

Over the years I travelled extensively abroad to study and attend many courses. I am a life member and Diplomat of the World Congress of Micro Dentistry and graduated Dux in a 2-year Mini Orthodontic Residency Program. The insights, knowledge and skills I obtained resulted in me becoming the first accredited Australasian Clinical Laser Trainer and I developed a training program designed to pass on these modern dental techniques to dentists back home in New Zealand as well as Australia. During this period, I travelled extensively lecturing internationally. Because I was so actively involved in the rapid increase and utilisation of modern technology and techniques within Dentistry, I identified a need for a formal structure and organisation within the field and I consequently founded the New Zealand Institute of Minimal Intervention Dentistry in 2002.  

Over the years I expanded my horizons and am now a Co-Director of the Dentists Group which is a group of like-minded dentists who have our patients interests at the heart of everything we do. 

I grew up in Levin before moving to Dunedin to study Dentistry. 5 years in the cold was enough to convince me to move closer to home, so I made the move to Wanganui.

Working at The Dentists has been very rewarding, with plenty of opportunities to learn and grow. It has also been very rewarding seeing the improvement we can make in peoples lives through their oral health.

I am a member of the New Zealand Dental Association and the New Zealand Institute of Minimally Invasive Dentistry, and am constantly striving to better myself and the outcomes I can provide for all patients.

Outside of work you can find me digging up dirt at a golf course near you.

Wellington is the place I called home before moving to Dunedin to pursue my studies in dentistry. After graduating from Otago University with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery, I spent over a year practising in the Wairarapa Region. I am now proud to be part of the wonderful team at The Dentists Wanganui.

I love getting to know my patients and problem-solving to find personalised treatment options. I strive to be gentle when providing dental care and to make dentistry as understandable as possible.

Outside of the clinic, I can be found swimming, running, or hiking through New Zealand’s beautiful trails. I also enjoy a good jam session on the guitar or drums.

Hi, I’m Jino. I was born in Christchurch but spent my childhood growing up in Oamaru where I could always be found kicking a ball around at the local football fields. I then spent 5 years at the University of Otago where I obtained my Bachelor of Dental Surgery with Distinction and found my passion for oral surgery.

I focus my efforts on making your appointment stress-free and straightforward so that we can make the right decisions to get you to the smile you deserve.  I take pride in my work using the latest techniques and technology to deliver the highest quality service possible but what gives me the most satisfaction is seeing the difference a pain free and beautiful smile can make in the lives of my patients.

I believe in a preventative strategy to maintaining oral health but understand that sometimes circumstances can result in things going unchecked. So, whether you’re looking to stay on course or get back on the track come see me I can’t wait to meet you. 

Dr Mark Huang came to live in New Zealand from Taiwan in 1995 to pursue a better education and living environment and is “exceedingly satisfied with the opportunities New Zealand has offered”.

Mark graduated from Otago University in 2004 and even though he had no family or friends in Wanganui, he decided to move here because he wanted the opportunity to work with Dental Lasers in one of the most up to date practices in New Zealand. Mark believes in regular check-ups, early detection of decay and minimally invasive treatment. In the past three years Mark has been treating patients with I.V sedation, micro air-abrasion and CEREC (computer aided porcelain restorations). He enjoys the efficiency and quality treatments the laser technology brings.

Mark says “I am very thankful for the technology. There is no comparison to the treatment this technology provides. The dental laser especially has enhanced my performance and has helped me to treat my patients in a less invasive and more comfortable way”.

As a proud Whanganui local, returning home was a no-brainer for me. Family and the incredible community that Whanganui brings were both significant factors after graduating from the University of Otago, Bachelor of Dental Surgery.

I enjoy practicing in all aspects of general dentistry and I firmly believe in preventive care. I am dedicated to a gentle and comfortable dental experience and work closely with my patients to achieve the best outcomes.

Outside the clinic, you'll often find me exploring new places or playing various sports including golf, football, badminton, and tennis.

I'm thrilled to be back in Whanganui and ready to reconnect with familiar faces and meet new ones too!

Sue graduated from the University of Otago in 2015. Born in Malaysia, she is able to communicate fluently in English, Malay, Mandarin and Cantonese.

She enjoys partnering with people, especially to improve their oral health and appearance. Her passion lies in the restorative and oral surgery sector of the profession.

Driven by a simple work ethic, Sue treats her patients with care, as she would to herself and her family.

Outside of the practice she spends her time exploring nature, trying new cooking recipes, snowboarding, practising yoga and looking at dog memes.

Tony graduated from the University of Otago in 2015 with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery. Born in Taiwan and moved to New Zealand when he was 14. He attended Auckland Grammar School before heading down to Dunedin for dental degree. He enjoys all aspects of dentistry and has special interest on dental prosthetic, root canal treatment and cosmetic dentistry.

Tony believes modern dentistry is about patient comfort and quality service. He aims to provide the best care to all patients with latest technology. He attends courses frequently to keep up-to-date with the latest dental technology and clinical research. He also has publications in the Journal of Dental Research, Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry and Journal of Dental Education.

Tony is a member of New Zealand Dental Association and New Zealand Institute of Minimal Invasive Dentistry.

Outside dentistry, he enjoys basketball, biking and travelling.

Malaysian-born Mei Ironside graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery from the University of Otago and she has also completed her Graduate Diploma of Digital Orthodontic Treatments (AU & UK accredited).

In sunny Hawke’s Bay, she met her now husband, Matt who is the assistant pastor at a local church and they are here to stay. Driven by her primary values of integrity, gentleness, and genuine care, she is passionate about her mission to empower you with healthier, more functional, and more confident smiles utilising advanced technologies. She is also committed to lifelong learning to develop and hone her skills to deliver patient-centered outcomes at the highest levels of care, quality, and comfort.

She firmly believes in a holistic and preventive approach to dentistry. Learning the latest technologies has allowed her to deliver crowns in one day, perform minimally invasive fillings using air abrasion technology, design smiles with laser and deliver dentures in fewer visits.

These innovations have led her to her growing passion in Full Mouth Rehabilitation, Clear Aligners and Implants. She is a certified Spark and Invisalign provider and is certified in IV sedation. She has also completed her implant surgical training at California Implant Institute and her fellowship with Australian Implant Academy .

Beyond dentistry, she loves spending quality time with family and friends, reading books, listening to podcasts and biking. On Sundays, you will find her with a camera at church capturing photographs for their media.

I am very excited to be part of the friendly team of fantastic clinicians at The Dentists, Taradale. My focus is to provide high quality dental care to our community using the latest technology and techniques including 3D scanning (CAD/CAM), Air Abrasion and Laser treatment.   

Growing up on a farm near the village of Puhoi, just north of Auckland, my interest in dentistry was sparked during orthodontic treatment. The satisfaction and confidence I gained was life changing.   

Early detection and prevention of oral disease is my passion. With a good home care routine and regular professional support, I believe everyone can have strong, beautiful teeth and a smile that will last a lifetime.   

Continuing education is vital, so I regularly attend conferences, overseas training courses and professional online lectures. I am a member of the New Zealand Dental Association, NZ Society of Sedative Dentistry and the Institute of Minimally Invasive Dentistry. I am a certified Invisalign provider, DSD resident in surgical Implant placement and currently completing a 3-year post graduate Diploma in Full Face Orthodontics.  

After spending eight years as a Sea Scout, achieving both Chief and Queen Scout awards, I have developed a love of being in the great outdoors, tramping, camping, sailing and scuba diving. Additionally, I enjoy training in martial arts including Aikido, Taekwondo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.