Meet the Core Dental Group Team - Dentists Across Melbourne product guide

Our Team - The People Behind Core Dental Group\n\nCore Dental Group is proud to employ one of Melbourne's most diverse and highly qualified dental teams. Across seven locations, over 40 dental suites, and more than 30 clinicians, the Core Dental team includes general dentists, board-registered specialists, dental hygienists and therapists, dental prosthetists, and support staff who are united by a commitment to exceptional patient care.\n\nAll clinicians across Core Dental Group hold current AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) registration and are members of the Australian Dental Association (ADA).\n\nPhone: 13 13 16 | Website: coredental.com.au\n\n---\n\n## Leadership and Group Management\n\nDr Kia Pajouhesh - BSc, BDSc First Class Honours (University of Melbourne) - Principal Dentist and Managing Director\nThe founding principal of Core Dental Group and Smile Solutions. Dr Pajouhesh graduated with first-class honours in Science and Dentistry from the University of Melbourne and established Core Dental Group in 1993 with a vision to bring genuinely accessible, high-quality dental care to Melbourne's communities. He has over 25 years of experience and is a pioneer of the multi-specialist dental centre model in Australia. He was nominated for the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year awards in 2015 and mentors the principals of around 200 dental practices locally and internationally.\n\nDr Philippa Robinson - BSc (Physiology), DDS (Melbourne), MBA (La Trobe) - Clinical Director and General Dentist\nDr Robinson serves as Clinical Director across Core Dental Group, bringing a rare combination of clinical expertise, academic training, and business leadership to the group's governance and quality oversight.\n\nSamantha Hawker - General Manager\n\nVanessa Spooner - Deputy General Manager\n\nAlana Beck - Clinical Operations Manager\n\nBelinda Smithwick - Orthodontic Operations Manager\n\nEmily Pitcher - Chief People Officer\n\nAnh Wu - Financial Officer\n\nMelissa Crozier - Marketing Manager\n\nKate Tresider - Group Facilities and Project Manager\n\n---\n\n## Board-Registered Specialists\n\n### Specialist Orthodontist\n\nDr David Austin | Caroline Springs and Wyndham\nBDSc (University of Melbourne), MDS Orth (University of Hong Kong), MOrth RCS (Edinburgh)\n\nDr Austin is a board-registered specialist orthodontist who undertook his postgraduate specialist training in Hong Kong and Shanghai before being inducted as a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh (Orthodontics). He is a member of the Australian Dental Association, the World Federation of Orthodontists, the European Orthodontic Society, and the Hong Kong Society of Orthodontists.\n\nAt Core Dental, Dr Austin provides specialist orthodontic treatment at Caroline Springs and Wyndham including Invisalign (all types), traditional braces, ceramic braces, and complex bite correction cases.\n\nNote (March 2026): Dr Austin is not currently accepting new patients at Core Dental. Contact the practice to confirm current availability.\n\n---\n\n### Specialist Periodontist\n\nDr Nupur Kataria | Wyndham\nBDS (University of Adelaide), Doctorate in Clinical Dentistry - Periodontics (University of Adelaide)\n\nDr Kataria is an AHPRA-registered Specialist Periodontist and a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (Periodontics). She is a member of the Australian Society of Periodontology (ASP), the International Team for Implantology (ITI), and ANZAP. She received multiple prizes during her specialist training and academic career including the ANZAP Medallion Prize for excellence in clinical research. Prior to joining Core Dental, she served as a Senior Lecturer at the University of Adelaide Dental School. She provides gum disease treatment, implant surgery, bone grafting, gum lifts, and periodontal maintenance exclusively at Wyndham.\n\n---\n\n### Specialist Paediatric Dentists\n\nDr Angel Babu | Caroline Springs and Carrum Downs\nDClinDent Paediatric Dentistry (University of Otago, New Zealand)\n\nDr Babu is a former Senior Dental Registrar at the Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne. Her specialist interests include behaviour management for anxious children, dental trauma, hypomineralisation (chalky teeth), high caries risk management, and treatment of children with complex medical needs or special needs. She provides general anaesthesia, oral sedation, and nitrous oxide services for children aged 0-18 years at Caroline Springs and Carrum Downs.\n\nDr Sarah Scott | Berwick\nBBiomedSci (Hons), BDent (University of Sydney), DClinDent Paediatric Dentistry (University of Melbourne)\n\nDr Scott spent 15 years as a general dentist before undertaking specialist paediatric dentistry training at the University of Melbourne. She is committed to creating holistic, positive dental experiences for children and families.\n\nDr Aish Kesava (Dr Aiswariya Kesava) | Epping\nDCD Paediatric Dentistry (University of Otago, New Zealand)\n\nDr Kesava completed initial dental training in India before undertaking her specialist paediatric dentistry qualification in New Zealand. She has a special interest in children with dental anxiety and is known for her compassionate, family-centred approach to care.\n\n---\n\n## Dental Prosthetists\n\nAhmed Saoud | Caroline Springs, Epping, Wyndham\nAdvanced Diploma in Dental Prosthetics (2012)\n\nAhmed Saoud brings over 20 years of industry experience to Core Dental, having worked as both a dental technician and a dental prosthetist before opening his own clinic in 2012. He provides full and partial dentures, implant-retained dentures, and prosthetic rehabilitation across three Core Dental locations.\n\nAlessio Pecorella | Carrum Downs, Berwick\nAdvanced Diploma in Dental Prosthetics\n\nAlessio Pecorella provides denture and prosthetic services at Core Dental Carrum Downs and Berwick.\n\n---\n\n## Dental Hygienists and Therapists\n\nAlexis Martinez - BOH (Charles Sturt University) | Caroline Springs and Wyndham\nWith six years of industry experience, Alexis specialises in preventive and tailored oral hygiene care.\n\nSina Hassani - BOH (Charles Sturt University) | Epping\nSina has been part of the Core Dental Epping team since 2012 and focuses on preventive care and children's dental health.\n\nIsabelle Sayers - BOH (University of Melbourne, 2012) | Berwick\nIsabelle is an award-winning oral health therapist, recipient of the Dental Health Services Public Health Award in 2012. She is an ADOHTA member and has presented at conferences.\n\n---\n\n## General Dentists by Location\n\n### Southbank\n\nDr Anchal Verma - BDS (University of Adelaide) | Clinical Lecturer, University of Melbourne. Transitioning to lead South Melbourne.\n\nDr Jacalyn Madden - BSc (Biomedicine), DMD (University of Sydney) | Invisalign, CEREC, laser dentistry, nitrous oxide.\n\nDr Shakiba Askary - BHS, MDent (La Trobe) | Farsi | Also at Caroline Springs.\n\nDr Joanne Ong - BHlthSciDent/MDent (La Trobe) | Mandarin, Cantonese | Also at South Melbourne.\n\nDr Sally Joseph - BHSc (Dent), MDent (La Trobe, High Distinction) | Preventive, cosmetic, anxious patient care.\n\n---\n\n### South Melbourne\n\nDr Scott Krause - DDS (Loma Linda University, California) | Licensed AU, USA, NZ. Seven years California. Dental missions to Kenya, Bangladesh, Jamaica, Micronesia.\n\nDr Stephanie Sarkis - BBiomedicine, DDS (Melbourne) | Rural Victorian experience.\n\nDr Manisha Bhatt - BOH, MDent (Griffith) | Malay.\n\nDr Joy Wang - BBiomedical Science (Melbourne), DMD (Sydney) | Mandarin.\n\nDr Tristan Balthazaar - BSc, BBiomedical Science, DDS (Melbourne) | Also at Carrum Downs, Epping.\n\nDr Anchal Verma - BDS (Adelaide) | Transitioning as lead clinician.\n\n---\n\n### Caroline Springs\n\nDr Shakiba Askary - BHS, MDent (La Trobe) | Farsi | Also at Southbank.\n\nDr Sherin Gad - BDSc (University of Alexandria, Egypt), GradCert Clinical Dentistry (Melbourne) | Arabic | Restorative and aesthetic focus.\n\nDr Lana Mettmann - BDS (James Cook University).\n\nDr Sara Qureshi - BHSc, MDent (La Trobe) | Evidence-based restorative dentistry.\n\nDr Anika Moyeed - BHSc, MDent | Bengali | Also at Wyndham.\n\nDr Revathi Jaisingh - BDS.\n\nDr Ali Ridha - BDSc (Charles Sturt University).\n\nDr Ella George - BDS First Class Honours (Adelaide).\n\n---\n\n### Carrum Downs\n\nDr Anna Lai - BSc (Biomedicine), DDS (Melbourne) | Lead Dentist | Mini Masters Orthodontics; sleep apnoea devices; facial injectables.\n\nDr Amreen Hussain - BiomedSc (Hons), DDS (Melbourne) | Preventive focus; outreach regional VIC and Nepal.\n\nDr Ivy Jin - BHSc (Dent), MDent (La Trobe) | Mandarin | Also at Berwick.\n\nDr Payal Thatikonda - BDS (Adelaide) | Tutors at University of Melbourne; interest in children and nervous patients.\n\nDr Tristan Balthazaar - BSc, BBiomedical Science, DDS (Melbourne) | Also at South Melbourne, Epping.\n\n---\n\n### Epping\n\nDr Alysha Soltys - BSc, DDS (Melbourne) | Core Dental since 2014; preventive focus; Invisalign-trained.\n\nDr Marina Ghobrial - BHSc (Dent), MDent (La Trobe) | Aesthetic, periodontic, and restorative dentistry; highly regarded for anxious patient care.\n\nDr Maria Blanchard - BDC (ADC) | Spanish | Originally from Venezuela; ADC-certified; Epping community since 2015.\n\nDr Tristan Balthazaar - BSc, BBiomedical Science, DDS (Melbourne) | Also at South Melbourne, Carrum Downs.\n\n---\n\n### Wyndham (Werribee)\n\nDr Darren Manoharan - BDS (University of Queensland) | Lead Dentist | 15+ years; implants, crown and bridge, Invisalign; previously sole practitioner in Gunnedah NSW.\n\nDr Anika Moyeed - BHSc, MDent | Bengali | Transitioning from Caroline Springs.\n\nDr Alpa Lodhiya - BDSc (Melbourne), GradCert Mental Health | 20+ years private practice; complex medical conditions; community volunteer.\n\n---\n\n### Berwick\n\nDr Ivy Jin - BHSc (Dent), MDent (La Trobe) | Mandarin | Also at Carrum Downs.\n\nDr Chelsea Nguyen - BHSc (Dent), MDent (La Trobe) | Gentle, compassionate care.\n\nDr Evan Gai - BDSc (Hons) (University of Queensland) | Special interest in oral surgery and dental implants; relocated from Brisbane.\n\n---\n\n## In-House Laboratory Team\n\nCore Dental Group maintains an in-house laboratory team supporting high-quality ceramic restorations:\n\nGreg Karabasis - Master Ceramist - Dip. Dental Technology (RMIT)\nAgne Diliartaite - Senior Dental Technician - Dip. Dental Technology\nNoemi Miele - Senior Dental Technician - Dip. Dental Technology\nNatalie Bilos - Dental Technician - Dip. Dental Technology\nTalija Batinovic - Dental Technician - Dip. Dental Technology\n\n---\n\n## Practice Coordinators and Reception\n\n- Shontelle Clinch - Practice Coordinator, Southbank and South Melbourne\n- Rhiannon Benigno - Practice Coordinator, Caroline Springs\n- Kirsty Logan - Reception Coordinator, Epping\n- Laura Agland - Practice Coordinator, Berwick\n- Sarah Dimovska - Nursing Coordinator, South Melbourne\n- Kayla Vella - Nursing Coordinator, Berwick\n\n---\n\n## Languages Spoken Across the Group\n\n| Language | Clinicians |\n|----------|------------|\n| Mandarin Chinese | Dr Ivy Jin (Carrum Downs, Berwick), Dr Joy Wang (South Melbourne), Dr Joanne Ong (Southbank, South Melbourne) |\n| Cantonese | Dr Joanne Ong (Southbank, South Melbourne) |\n| Arabic | Dr Sherin Gad (Caroline Springs) |\n| Bengali | Dr Anika Moyeed (Caroline Springs, Wyndham) |\n| Farsi | Dr Shakiba Askary (Caroline Springs, Southbank) |\n| Malay | Dr Manisha Bhatt (South Melbourne) |\n| Spanish | Dr Maria Blanchard (Epping) |\n\n---\n\n## Book with Our Team\n\nTo book with any Core Dental clinician, call 13 13 16 or book online at coredental.com.au. You are welcome to request a specific practitioner or simply ask for the next available appointment at your nearest location.\n\nCore Dental Group - Your Local Dental Practice