Our Members
Dr. Adriana Perez was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela. She is one of the registered specialist orthodontists working in Auckland.
In 2008, Adriana graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery from Santa Maria University in Caracas, Venezuela. After graduation, she worked in Venezuela in private practice, at the Orthopaedic Children’s Hospital (Dentistry/Orthodontics unit), and as a lecturer in the National Experimental University of the Armed Forces.
In the year 2011, she moved to Argentina to specialise, gaining the Specialist Orthodontist degree from the University of Buenos Aires in 2013. While in Argentina, she worked as a part-time lecturer at the Orthodontics Department in the University of Buenos Aires, private practice, and at the Craniofacial Unit in the Paediatric Hospital Garrahan, looking after cleft lip newborn, children, and adolescent patients.
Adriana is a Spanish speaker. In her spare time she likes going to the beach, travelling, socialising with friends, playing video games, cooking, and going to the gym.
Ali is proud to call Hamilton home having completed the majority of his schooling in the mighty Tron, including his intermediate and secondary school education. He undertook his tertiary studies at the University of Otago from 2001 till 2006, during which he maintained close ties with family and friends in the Waikato region. After completion of his dentistry degree, Ali spent a year in Hervey Bay, in Australia, before returning to his beloved Hamilton to work as a private dentist.
Ali’s 9-year journey through tertiary education and love affair with the South has finally come to an end having recently completed the orthodontic postgraduate course at the University of Otago. He is now looking forward to using his skills and experience in servicing and giving back to the community he calls home – the Waikato. Ali also undertakes work in Rotorua and the Whakatane.
Ana is a full time Orthodontist and joined Nelson Orthodontics in 2018. She is a registered orthodontic specialist with the Dental Council of New Zealand and is a member of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons, New Zealand Association of Orthodontists (NZAO), New Zealand Dental Association (NZDA) and is certified with Australasian Orthodontic Board.
In addition to private specialist practice, Ana works as part of the multidisciplinary team through Nelson Hospital and Hutt Hospital which manages various craniofacial conditions such as cleft lip and palate. She also volunteers on the committee for the Wish for a Smile Foundation which is a trust that provides free orthodontic treatment across New Zealand for families who would be unable to afford orthodontic care. Ana also acts as an examiner for the University of Otago and does regular presentations both locally and in New Zealand.
Ana just loves seeing people smiling wider and with more confidence as they go through their orthodontic journey. She enjoys all aspects of orthodontic treatment for teenagers and adults, clear aligners and combined orthognathic surgery cases.
When she’s not working, Ana loves spending time with her two kids and husband Adrian and getting outdoors. She also loves doing ceramics and has a small studio at her home.”
Andrew attended Otago University graduating as a dentist in 1980 and subsequently worked as a house surgeon at Auckland hospital and in private practices in Auckland and the UK. He returned to Otago University for a further 3 years study graduating with his masters degree in orthodontics in 1990 and completing a fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons. He has since been in specialist orthodontic practice in Nelson with a branch practice in Blenheim and works as part of the Hutt hospital cleft palate team.
Andrew has been a past secretary of the local branch of the NZDA and the NZAO and has been involved with other NZAO subcommittees.
Andrew Marriott is a registered specialist orthodontist with the Dental Council of New Zealand and is a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons of England and the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons.
Andrew is a passionate founding trustee of the FORENZAO trust which raises funds for orthodontic research in New Zealand.
Andrew is originally from Cardiff (UK) and gained his dentistry degree from Bristol University in 2004. After emigrating to New Zealand and working as a dentist he was fortunate enough to be offered one of the two or three places each year to study orthodontics at Otago University. Three years of full-time time study later he gained a Clinical Doctorate degree in orthodontics to enable him to register as a specialist orthodontist with the Dental Council of New Zealand. He is a fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons and is a member the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. Andrew is also a member of the NZ Association of Orthodontists and is certified by the Australasian Orthodontic Board, which requires regular ongoing assessment of his treatments to ensure that they are up to date with the latest orthodontic standard of care.
Andrew gained experience by working as an orthodontist at specialist practices in Auckland before moving to settle in Hawke’s Bay in 2015. Currently, as well as working at his practice in Taradale, Napier, he also works with Dr. Kirsty Skidmore at Hawkes Bay Orthodontics in Havelock North, and with Dr. Katherine Thompson at KT Orthodontics in Gisborne.
Andrew is passionate about orthodontics and is focused on achieving the best treatment outcome possible for every patient. Outside of orthodontics Andrew enjoys nothing more than spending time with his young family.
Ann has been a full time orthodontist for 16 years and started Hill Road Orthodontics in 2007.
She is a registered specialist orthodontist with the Dental Council of New Zealand.
She graduated and completed her postgraduate degree in Orthodontics from Nair Dental College of Mumbai University in 1996. After graduating from the university, she spent some time as a lecturer in Orthodontics, in her alma mater, Nair Dental College, before moving to the private sector.
When she moved to Auckland in 2000, she worked in Papakura, Clendon and Manurewa, before joining Dr Michael Schulze’s practice in 2005, eventually taking over the practice in 2007. She has focused exclusively on Orthodontics since then.
She is a member of the New Zealand Dental Association (NZDA), and a full member of the New Zealand Association of Orthodontists (NZAO). She is also a member of the Wish For A Smile Trust, a charitable trust set up and run by the NZAO, as part of a group of orthodontists who have provided free orthodontic treatment to more than 400 deserving young New Zealanders whose families would otherwise be unable to afford orthodontic care.
Moving to Auckland was driven by Ann and her husband’s desire to raise their lovely daughter in this beautiful country. Outside of work Ann enjoys flower arranging, mosaic art, stained glass works and is a keen gardener and baker.
Dr Anna Meyer grew up on the North Shore in Auckland. She completed her undergraduate dental degree in 2005, graduating with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery with Distinction at the University of Otago. She then worked as a general dentist in Wellington before moving Australia to undertake her specialist orthodontic training through a Clinical Doctorate Degree at the University of Melbourne.
Upon graduating in 2011, Anna received the Australian Society of Orthodontists’ Elsdon Storey Award for her research thesis. She also was the recipient of the esteemed Milton Sims Award for academic and clinical excellence; this is only the second time since the inception of these prestigious awards that they have been won by the same person.
While in Melbourne, Anna worked as a specialist orthodontist at both the Royal Melbourne Dental Hospital as well as in private practice. During that time she gave lectures at the University of Melbourne and at Australian orthodontic conferences. After 10 years in Melbourne, Anna and her husband made the decision to come home to New Zealand to raise their two young children in this beautiful country. Anna can speak fluent Mandarin.
Azza is a specialist orthodontist working at Shakespeare Orthodontics in Epsom and Takapuna, in Auckland. In 2009, Azza graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery with Credit from the University of Otago. She worked as a Dental House Surgeon at Auckland, Greenlane and Middlemore Hospitals; and as a Dental Officer at Sydney’s Westmead Hospital. Before commencing her specialist training, she held a part-time Professional Practice Fellow position at the Faculty of Dentistry, while working as a dentist in private practice.
Azza graduated from the University of Otago with a Doctor of Clinical Dentistry in Orthodontics. She passed examinations to gain memberships into the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons and the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. Azza is also certified with the Australasian Orthodontic Board (AOB), and is a member of the New Zealand Association of Orthodontists (NZAO), and the New Zealand Dental Association. Currently, she is the AOB Convenor for New Zealand members, holds a role on the NZAO Executive, and is part of the NZAO Wish for a Smile Trust team.
Azza’s area of research interest is hypodontia. She has presented about this topic at the European Orthodontic Society Congress, and at the International Association Dental Research ANZ Scientific Meeting; and has been involved in the publication of numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals.
Betty received her Bachelor of Dental Surgery from Otago University in 2003, before working as a Dental House Surgeon in Dunedin and then as a General Dentist in Palmerston North & Wanganui. She completed a Clinical Doctorate in Orthodontics at Otago in 2009. She is a Member with the both the Australasian and Edinburgh Royal Colleges of Surgeon.
In 2010 she established her own private orthodontic practice based in New Plymouth and servicing the Taranaki Region.
Bhavia completed her Bachelor of Dental Surgery from Otago University in 2001 and worked for Queensland Health in Cairns, Australia before returning to general dentistry in private practice in Auckland. She then went on to complete her Masters in Orthodontics at Otago, graduating with Distinction in 2006 and at the same time gaining the MOrthRCEd qualification with the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh.
Having spent three years in specialist clinic in Albany, Bhavia set up Pukekohe Orthodontists in 2009, to provide the region with specialist, professional treatment. She has now set up new rooms in Karaka as part of an exciting new building development for provision of better access to service for her patients.
Bhavia is currently a registered member of the NZ Association of Orthodontists, NZ Dental Council, and Member of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (MRACDS) and Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) Edinburgh.
Much of Bhavia’s life outside work revolves around being a mum to her 4 beautiful daughters.
BDS, MDS with Distinction (University of Otago), MOrthRCS (Edinburgh).
Wellington born and educated, Bhavik is a qualified specialist Orthodontist offering his services to the greater Wellington Region.
Bhavik lives in Lower Hutt with his wife, Vanessa and daughters, Alyssa and Aria. Bhavik has always loved children and this is evident in his professional but fun manner when working with children and his ongoing philanthropic support of children charities throughout the Wellington region.
Catherine graduated with a BDS from the University of Otago in 2010. She worked at Waikato District Health Board as a Maxillofacial House Surgeon and in private practice before returning to Otago to undertake her Doctorate of Clinical Dentistry in Orthodontics.
Catherine is a member of:
-The New Zealand Dental Association (NZDA)
-New Zealand Association of Orthodontists (NZAO)
-The D3 Group for Developmental Dental Defects
Outside of orthodontics, Catherine enjoys travelling, reading and spending time with her family.
Dr Charlotte Hurst is a Specialist Orthodontist at The Orthodontic Hub Mount Maunganui and The Orthodontic Hub Papamoa.
Charlotte has undergone extensive training in Orthodontics. Born and raised in Cornwall, UK, she graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery from Cardiff University in 2015.
After completing her 5-year undergraduate dentistry training, she worked as a dentist and gained extensive clinical experience in general dental practice (NHS and private), Maxillofacial Hospital Dentistry and Community Dentistry. She then undertook her 3-year full-time specialist orthodontic postgraduate training at The University of Otago in Dunedin. Whilst there she earned an award for the Best Clinical Case.
Charlotte has completed further examinations to be awarded Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow (MFDS RCS Glasg) membership as well as specialist membership to the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (MRACDS). She is an active member of the New Zealand Association of Orthodontists. Charlotte holds a special interest in Molar Hypomineralisation.
Her doctoral thesis investigated the impact hypomineralisation has on affected children, their caregivers and orthodontic practice. She has presented research and clinical orthodontic topics nationally and internationally and enjoys sharing her expertise on hypomineralisation with the dental profession. Additionally, she has published academic research in leading international peer-reviewed journals.
Charlotte provides customised orthodontic treatment plans. She uses the latest braces and Invisalign products, modern digital technology and up-to-date scientific evidence to provide high-quality clinical outcomes – to ensure your orthodontic journey is seemless.
Charlotte, having grown up on the coast in the U.K., dedicated much of her youth to horse eventing and triathlons. While deeply passionate about orthodontics and her patients, she also enjoys the activities (and better weather) Papamoa and Mount Maunganui have to offer.
Born and bred in Christchurch, Chrissy graduated in Dentistry from the University of Otago in 2003. She furthered her studies at the University of Melbourne, where she obtained a Doctorate in Orthodontics. She returns to Christchurch from working privately at Pure Orthodontics in Melbourne and publicly at the Royal Melbourne Dental Hospital where she has also been teaching orthodontics to dental students. Chrissy is passionate about working with her patients and getting to know them. She gets a great deal of satisfaction reflecting on the patients she has treated and the beautiful outcomes she has helped to achieve. She remembers the difference orthodontic treatment made to her as a teenager, and enjoys coming in to work knowing that she’ll have the same positive impact on her patients’ smiles. Chrissy is married to Sonnie, and they have two young children Ben and Anna.
Chrissy is a member of the New Zealand Dental association and New Zealand Association of Orthodontics as well as the Australian Society of Orthodontics, the Australian Orthodontic Board, the Australasian College of Dental Surgeons and the Edinburgh College of Surgeons. She regularly attends conferences, seminars and courses to keep up to date with new procedures.
Dr. Claudia Bachmann graduated from the University of Erlangen/Nuremberg 1993 with a Masters degree in Dental Surgery and a PHD. After working a year and a half as a dentist she undertook postgraduate orthodontic specialist training in Nuremburg and Munich from 1995 until 1998.
Claudia opened her own orthodontic clinic in Germany which she ran successfully with her husband Lutz for 12 years. The family moved to New Zealand with their three young children in 2009 and took over a small practice in Albany, Auckland. Claudia and her husband Lutz moved the practice into new premises in 2010.
Coreen graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery from Otago University in 2008. She worked as a private dentist for 4 years before going back to Otago to specialise in Orthodontics. Coreen has an evidence-based approach in orthodontics and is passionate in educating and caring for her patients.
She is currently a member of the NZ Association of Orthodontists, NZ Dental Association, World Federation of Orthodontists, and an international member of the American Association of Orthodontists. She is also certified with the Australasian Orthodontic Board.
Dan graduated from dentistry in 1997. He worked in Hutt hospital for three years before going on his OE to the UK. He returned from London to study Orthodontics at Otago finishing his Orthodontic specialisation in 2008 with a Doctor of Clinical Dentistry and Memberships in Orthodontics from the Edinburgh Royal College of Surgeons and the Australasian College of Dental Surgeons.
After completing his orthodontic training, Dan was fortunate to gain a position in a 2-year Fellowship (advanced training position) at Boston Children’s Hospital in the USA. He graduated with a Certificate of Cleft and Craniofacial Orthodontics from Harvard University School of Dental Medicine.
Originally from Nelson, Dan now lives in Devonport with his partner Nina, two daughters and a shaggy dog. Dan and Nina are keen kitesurfers.
Danielle is a specialist orthodontist registered with the Dental Council of New Zealand. After graduating with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery from the University of Otago in 2013, she spent four years as a general dentist within several hospitals in the Auckland region, and in both private and community-based clinics in Hawke’s Bay. Her love of orthodontics took her back to Dunedin for a further three years of clinical and research-based study to graduate as a Doctor of Clinical Dentistry in Orthodontics in 2020.
She enjoys all aspects of clinical orthodontics, especially the positive impact a beautiful smile can have on both children and adults’ lives. She is a member of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons, the New Zealand Association of Orthodontists, the New Zealand Dental Association, Te Ao Mārama (NZ Māori Dental Association), and is an orthodontist for the Wish for a Smile Trust.
David is a specialist orthodontist at Takapuna Orthodontic Group (TOG). After graduating as a dentist in 1999 from Otago University with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) he worked as a dental house surgeon at Greenlane Hospital and Middlemore Hospital from 2000-2001. He then spent the next two years as a dentist in Auckland, followed by another two year period in Invercargill as a dentist.
He then returned to Otago University in 2006 and graduated with a Doctor of Clinical Dentistry in Orthodontics (DClinDent (Orth)) in 2008, which allowed him to register as specialist orthodontist in New Zealand. A month later, he passed membership examinations held by the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons in Orthodontics and the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in Orthodontics. David is a committee member of the New Zealand Association of Orthodontists.
Divya grew up in Wellington and moved to Dunedin to study a Bachelor of Dental Surgery. She graduated from Otago and worked as a dentist for four years – initially at Wellington and Kenepuru Hospitals before moving to Auckland where she worked in both community and private practice. Divya returned to Dunedin to complete three years of specialist orthodontic training (Doctorate in Clinical Dentistry – Orthodontics), graduating in 2018.
Divya gained a Membership of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (in orthodontics). She is a member of the New Zealand Association of Orthodontists (NZAO) and the New Zealand Dental Association (NZDA).
In addition to private specialist practice, Divya has worked at Hutt Hospital since 2019 as part of the multidisciplinary team which manages various craniofacial conditions such as cleft lip and palate. Divya enjoys all aspects of orthodontic treatment for teenagers and adults, combined orthognathic surgery cases and clear aligners.
When she’s not working, Divya enjoys spending time with her family, including husband Sri, toddler Arnika and their two dogs Archie and Charlie.
Donna completed her undergraduate dental training at Otago University in 1996. She spent 6 years in general dental and hospital practice in Auckland, London and Melbourne before entering the University of Melbourne Doctor of Clinical Dentistry Specialist Orthodontics training programme in 2003. After completing the 3 year training programme in 2005, Donna practiced in London, United Kingdom for three and a half years in private specialist practice.
Donna returned to Auckland and has been in practice since 2010. She is also a visiting specialist orthodontist at a general dental practice in Manurewa. Donna is also a member of the Australian Society of Orthodontists, the New Zealand Dental Association and Auckland Dental Association.
Fiona is a specialist Orthodontist in Dunedin. She works in private practice and at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago. Fiona graduated as a dentist in 2012 and worked in Levin before returning to the University. There, she completed three years of specialist orthodontic training. Fiona has been the Editor of the New Zealand Association of Orthodontists’ newsletter and is certified with the Australasian Orthodontic Board.
Fiona is a fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons in General Dental Practice. Additionally, she gained specialist membership in Orthodontics with the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons and the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh.
Fiona teaches orthodontic graduate students and undergraduate dental students part-time, and has a craniofacial anomaly clinic within the Faculty of Dentistry.
Fiona is a specialist orthodontist in New Lynn, Auckland. After graduating as a dentist in 1991 from Bristol University (England) she worked in hospitals and general practice. Having gained fellowship at the Royal College of Surgeons, England, Fiona completed her three year specialist degree in Orthodontics at University of Otago in 1999.
Fiona has been in practice as an orthodontist in Auckland and Oxford. Fiona initially joined the practice in New Lynn in 2004 which she took over in 2005. She is a member of World Federation of Orthodontists, New Zealand and Auckland Dental Associations.
Dr. Gareth Benic is a New Zealand trained Specialist Orthodontist. He graduated from the University of Otago and set up The Orthodontic Hub in Mount Maunganui, Tauranga.
Located next to Mount Maunganui College, The Orthodontic Hub is a convenient location for patients based in Mount Maunganui, Tauranga and Papamoa, however services the greater Bay of Plenty region.
Gareth also operates a Whakatane branch practice out of East Bay Dental on Simpkins Street so as to provide better access to orthodontic services to the local Whakatane population, as well as families from surrounding areas such as Opotiki, Edgecumbe and Kawerau.
The Orthodontic Hub provides modern orthodontic treatment to patients of all ages. The Orthodontic Hub is fully digital, offering the latest in orthodontic technology and techniques to ensure great care and an outstanding experience for patients. Striving to maintain high clinical standards, treatment is based on current evidence and best practice.
Gareth is a member of the New Zealand Association of Orthodontists, The Australian Orthodontic Board and the American Association of Orthodontists. He has published in the academic literature in peer-reviewed journals and regularly attends local and international orthodontic conferences to keep up to date with any advances.
