About us

Stuart graduated from Edinburgh University in 1986 and worked in Bristol and Jersey before moving to NZ in 2014 working in Christchurch, Nelson, Greymouth and Wellington before settling in Tauranga. He commutes from Tauranga to Wellington and Taupo every month, where he has orthodontic lists; he tries to avoid extractions where possible and is an advocate of functional appliances in growing adolescents, where the jaws do not match. He holds a Diploma in Orthodontics and is currently studying for his Masters in Orthodontics. Stuart has also been trained in Fibre-Bond build ups. This allows patients to have 1 appointment for immediate , composite based, veneers, crowns, bridges and splinting of wobbly teeth at much lower cost than alternative, traditional crowns and bridges. Stuart has taken part in mentoring young dentists throughout his career and informally mentors fellow dentists in general practice and orthodontics and is proud to be involved as a mentor on the NZDA mentoring scheme helping young NZ dentists. Stuart is constantly looking for the best dental materials and products to use on patients, to give the best and longest lasting results.

UK National Winner: Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh surgical skills competition 2019. A graduate of Newcastle University in the UK, David has has gained a broad range of experience in general practice, and during his postgraduate training and further employment in an oral and maxillofacial surgery major trauma department in the UK. During this training, he treated adult and paediatric emergency facial trauma patients, as well as pre-planned dentoalveolar cases under local and general anaesthetic and assisted with major head and neck cancer operations, including composite free-flap surgery. While working in hospital he completed his Membership of the Faculty of Dental Surgeons (MFDS) exams through the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. He has worked in conjunction with multiple medical and dental specialties within a large UK NHS hospital environment, often treating patients with complex medical histories. He places an emphasis on giving a full range of options to patients and providing them with information on the probable long term impacts both on their oral and general health. He moved to Tauranga in 2022 and intends to bring his surgical experience back into general practice and to pursue his outdoor hobbies.

Tim likes to work with people that have a fear of the dental environment, to be able to empower to overcome their fears and provide a safe, comfortable environment for everyone. Tim is still serving in the New Zealand Army as a Captain in the Army Reserves. This role sees him manage the Reserve Medics for the upper North Island and help implement their training while encouraging and enabling their career development. While in the Regular Army Tim was deployed in 2004, 2006 & 2007 to Afghanistan, The Solomon Islands and Korea. Tim moved to the Bay of Plenty in 2016 with his young kids Tarquin (10) and Asterix (5). When time allows, his hobbies are: football (soccer), cycling, the outdoors and pretty much anything that involves water. Tim is continually extending his qualifications having graduated with a Grad Cert in Adult Therapy in 2023, this allows him to extend his scope of practice to be able to treat adults. Tim has also entered into the world of Cosmetic Injectables and is extending his practice in this area, this includes Botulinum Toxin A (Botox®) and Dermal Fillers - Having a background in facial anatomy places Tim perfectly for delivering Cosmetic appearance treatments. Tim strives for a natural subtle result result using the most up to date techniques and products.

April grew up in Whanganui before heading to Dunedin where she studied at the University of Otago.  After moving to Auckland for her final year, April graduated with a Batchelor of Dental Surgery in 2021.  She has now settled into and enjoying the Bay of Plenty. April’s friendly manner and compassion helps her to build good relationships with her patients. This is important to April as she wants her patients to feel comfortable and relaxed.  April focuses on patient centred care by involving her patients in the treatment planning process.  April has a gentle, holistic and evidence-based approach to dentistry.  April ensures she educates her patients so that they’re equipped with right tools to improve their oral health even once they’ve left the dental chair. When not in scrubs you can find April outdoors, playing sports, at the beach or spending time with family and friends.

Originally from Palmerston North, Jenaya travelled to Dunedin to complete her dental training at the University of Otago. She graduated with her Bachelor of Dental Surgery in 2018 and decided to trade in the cold south for the sunny Bay of Plenty. Jenaya aims to be friendly and approachable with the goal of making dentists seem less scary. She endeavours to make patients feel as comfortable as possible in the dental chair through her relaxed manner. She aims to ensure her patients are well educated and well informed by ensuring they feel comfortable enough to ask any questions or voice any worries. She enjoys getting to know her patients and building relationships with them so learn to become more at ease when attending the dentist. Jenaya enjoys all aspects of general dentistry and the variety that comes with it and loves the feeling of giving people their confidence back with a new smile. Outside of the dental surgery, Jenaya can be found playing hockey, enjoying the outdoors with her dog Peppa, and spending time with family and friends.

Mark graduated from the University of Otago School of dentistry in 1982. He has always had an interest in oral surgery , completing his clinical attachment at the Royal Melbourne Dental Hospital in Oral Surgery. Mark started placing implants in 1992 and has completed over 10,000 surgical cases. In 2000 he restricted his practice to oral surgery and dental implants and gained registration with the ACC as a specialist dental implant provider. Mark has regularly taught oral surgery to new dental graduates for the New Zealand Dental Association as well as lecturing on dental implant treatments both in New Zealand and off-shore. As well as his implant practice Mark has completed studies at the University of British Columbia gaining a certificate in Forensic Odontology. This qualification has been used assisting both the NZ Police and NZDF in victim identification through dental records. Concurrent to his dental practice, Mark has pursued a career in the NZDF and is a senior dental officer with the rank of Major. He has been involved in multiple off-shore deployments usually around the Pacific and South East Asia providing humanitarian aid. He has three children and currently lives on his farm in Rotorua.

As a Dental Prosthetist at Lakes Dental, I run clinics in Whakatane and the Waikato region, including Hamilton and Cambridge. My passion for working with my hands began early, from building computers to fabricating a race-ready 50cc go-kart in high school. These skills have served me well in my profession, where precision and craftsmanship are key.

Now, I’m focused on blending my hands-on experience with advanced digital workflows to improve patient outcomes. By integrating cutting-edge technology, I aim to streamline processes and deliver the best possible care for every patient.

Colette has dedicated her entire career to dental assisting, with extensive experience both in the UK and here in Tauranga. For over 12 years, she has been an essential part of our team, helping care for patients with her warm personality and expert skills. Always quick to greet you with a friendly smile and a cheerful laugh, Colette has an incredible ability to put even the most anxious patients at ease. Despite her playful reminder not to confuse her with the mother from Bates Motel, Colette's nurturing and kind nature shines through in everything she does.

Outside of work, Colette is a devoted mother and grandmother, doting on her six grandchildren whenever she gets the chance. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors—whether at the beach, walking, or cycling. However, after a recent biking mishap, we’ve begun staging a friendly intervention to ensure she stays safe on her cycling adventures!

One of Colette's more unique hobbies includes mowing lawns and water-blasting, and we’re certain that the same precision she brings to these activities translates to her meticulous care in cleaning and sterilizing instruments at the practice. Her passion for life, both inside and outside of work, is truly inspiring, and we’re lucky to have her as part of our team.

Helen Ferguson is the heart of our practice and the glue that holds everything together. As our receptionist, she is often the first friendly face our patients see and the go-to person for anything and everything. Whether it's scheduling appointments, answering questions, or helping patients navigate their treatment plans, Helen does it all with warmth and efficiency. Patients love her for her helpful nature, and her ability to make everyone feel welcome and at ease is truly unmatched. With Helen at the helm, you can be sure everything runs smoothly, and you're always in good hands.

Lisa Duncan has transitioned from a rewarding career as a midwife to becoming a vital part of our dental practice. As one of the owners, Lisa plays an integral role in the smooth day-to-day running of the business. Her background in healthcare, coupled with her Certificate of Dental Assisting, ensures that she stays informed of the latest best practices in dental care, allowing her to contribute both operationally and clinically.

Lisa’s natural compassion, attention to detail, and leadership help create a welcoming and well-organized environment for both patients and staff. She brings the same dedication to the practice that she did to midwifery, making sure our team delivers the best care possible.

Outside of work, Lisa enjoys spending time outdoors with her family and their dogs. She’s also an avid cook who loves to unwind by preparing meals and sharing them with loved ones. Her blend of healthcare expertise, business acumen, and warm personality makes her an invaluable member of our team.