About.

We believe in a quality approach to dental care, with an emphasis on prevention and long term dental and oral health. With every patient having unique and specific dental needs our empathetic team works hard to provide excellent treatment outcomes. Combining the use of the best new technologies and a wealth of experience, our aim is to have you leave feeling informed, happy with your smile and your oral health status. 

Meet Us.

Our highly trained team at Wānaka Dental pride ourselves on working together to provide a comfortable, informed, and efficient dental experience. We look forward to meeting you!

  • Simon graduated with a BDS from the University of Otago, before working in Wellington and then settling in Wānaka.

    He finds that the most rewarding aspect of being a dentist is helping people to overcome fear by building trusting relationships, caring, and striving to provide a pain-free experience. 

    Simon loves to share knowledge with patients and takes a holistic approach to lead them to good health. 

    He enjoys all aspects of dentistry and has special interests in nitrous oxide sedation, oral surgery, and traditional gold dentistry. 

    Outside of the clinic, you’ll find Simon exploring the mountains biking, climbing, and skiing.

  • Caoilfhionn qualified with Honours from University College Cork Dental School and Hospital in 2021.

    She worked in both private and public practices in Ireland before relocating to Wānaka in 2023. 

    While in UCC, Caoilfhionn was awarded the Morris Dental Award for best student in Fixed Prosthodontics, the DMI Ltd Award for highest overall mark in Restorative Dentistry, and the British Society for Restorative Dentistry Clinical Case Award for the best Final Year Restorative Case. 

    Caoilfhionn provides treatment in all aspects of general dentistry. She takes a minimally invasive approach to treatment planning and is committed to creating a calm and welcoming environment for all patients, especially those who are nervous. Caoilfhionn has a keen interest in aesthetic dentistry and has completed further training using clear aligners and anti-wrinkle treatments. 

    Caoilfhionn spends a lot of her free time in the mountains either hiking, skiing or climbing.

  • Having qualified in the eighties with a BDS from the University of London, Jo kickstarted her career by working as a House Officer in Hospital Maxillofacial Surgery Units. This surgical experience held her in great stead when moving into general practice. Further study in NZ led to a diploma in Periodontics being awarded from the University of Otago in 1998.

    Jo’s passion for periodontics coupled with restoring worn teeth back to their natural form has largely evolved from following the preventive approach. Regular advice from the dental team has proven to reduce unnecessary emergencies and high costs. Where teeth have been neglected and need a new lease of life Jo also enjoys the challenge of creating a new smile to match an individual’s personality and facial profile.

    Jo has a commitment to excellence and strives to continuously update her knowledge by regular attendance at seminars and peer group meetings. Wanaka has been a second home for over 25 years and having sold a practice in Auckland she now looks forward to spending more time here hiking, skiing and playing tennis.

  • Oral Health Therapist and co-owner Olivia originates from Dunedin, spending lots of time in Wanaka as a child she briefly attended MAC before graduating in 2010 from the University of Otago with a Bachelor of Oral Health. Olivia is a highly trained oral health therapist who is committed to helping ensure your teeth remain healthy and improving the overall oral health of the local community.

    Regular oral hygiene visits are essential for maintaining a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums, enabling you to avoid unnecessary restorative dental treatment. Olivia has a gentle yet meticulous manner and a passion for working with and educating children, she is responsible for treating our adolescent patients providing check-ups, hygiene and restorative work where needed for patients aged 13-18 years old.

    Outside the practice you’ll find Olivia taking part in a variety of outdoor pursuits including skiing, hiking, mountain biking and pilates. Olivia loves making the most of Wanaka's beautiful landscapes.

  • Lesley joins our team with over 25 years of experience in dental hygiene. Originally from Canada, her gentle nature, empathetic and bubbly personality has made even the most nervous and anxious patient feel comfortable and safe in the chair. Lesley is not only passionate about improving the oral health of every patient she treats but she also loves educating them and giving them the tools to be able to care for their own teeth at home. 

    Lesley has recently returned to New Zealand after living and working in Germany for over two years. Here is where she honed her skills by specialising in periodontal treatment on a daily basis. Treating gum disease and saving people’s teeth has always been her passion. 

    Lesley also loves treating younger patients so that she can instill a passion for optimum oral health at an early age with a fun and inviting manner. 

    The beauty of New Zealand and its mountains, lakes and ocean pulled her away from Canada as a young adult and this is where she has spent the majority of her career, here in NZ.

    When Lesley is not at work, you will most likely find her swimming in the lake or tramping and cycle touring around the Southern Alps of NZ. She also loves to run crazy distances and has now run 55 marathons including Boston and Berlin, competed in 10 Ironman triathlons around the world, including Challenge Wanaka.

    She looks forward to meeting and caring for her Wanaka Dental patients.

  • Dr Tony Dey our co-founder and Auckland based Cosmetic Dentist is now treating patients in Wanaka Dental!

    Tony grew up in Dunedin attending OBHS in the 90's. He partnered with Olivia Raffils to create Wanaka Dental in 2016. He has busy cosmetic focused practices in Auckland doing 100's of veneer cases but has always wanted to spend more time back in Otago Snowboarding and Mountain biking.

    Dr Dey focuses on digitally supported bespoke smile design, including porcelain veneers, clear aligner teeth straightening with QD Active Aligners, 3D scanning, cosmetic bonding, gummy smile treatments and dental implant treatment.

  • Brittany is an Oral Health Therapist who graduated from the University of Otago Dental School in 2019 and moved to Wanaka in 2020.

    Brittany takes pride in providing gentle but thorough dental care to all her patients. She strives to ensure she meets the needs of her patients. Working part time at both Wanaka Dental and Community Oral Health Brittany enjoys the broad skill set of providing dental hygiene treatment as well as restorative treatment for 0-18 year olds.

    Outside work Brittany enjoys spending time with her partner and dog, catching up with friends and family, being outdoors, cooking, and relaxing.

  • Paige graduated with a Bachelor of Oral Health Therapy from the University of Otago in 2021.

    She loves the challenge of being in healthcare and educating patients about dental health and its importance.

    Her goal is to ensure that patients leave feeling better than when they walk in with the experience she has provided. She enjoys working with patients to help them gain confidence in their dental health.

    What Paige loves most about her role is that she gets to meet new people every day and she gets to build relationships with patients.

    Outside of work, you'll find Paige with her friends and family, exploring new parts of Central Otago and walking her dog!