OUR   STORY

Located in a funky old villa right in the middle of Bank St, we've prided ourselves on our friendly,
attentive, and personal care for our Whangarei community since 2002.  

OUR   T E A M

Meet our passionate, caring, and dedicated team.

Dr Asi Cohen
Since qualifying from the University of Otago in 1994, Asi has crafted beautiful smiles in Whangarei.
Asi set up Smilecare Dental Studio to make general and cosmetic dentistry a scare-free, non-judgmental and even enjoyable experience for Whangarei.
A founding member of the NZ Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Asi believes in striving for healthy tooth preservation while enhancing patient smiles.
Having completed additional training in implant surgery, orthodontics and digital smile design Asi's passion lies in harnessing complex modern technology to enhance the patient experience.
Asi is a committed Lions Club member, Volunteer fire fighter, model railway engineer, fisherman, and a water-sport enthusiast in his spare time.

Dr Amritpal Syan

Amritpal qualified in 2017 from Cardiff University, United Kingdom.

She then chose to embark on further post-graduate training by taking up a number of roles in hospital and the community, learning further skills in managing patients with more complex medical histories, conscious sedation, oral surgery & restorative dentistry.

She is particularly passionate about providing the best care possible and ensuring patients feel at ease.

In 2024, she decided to live out her dream and move to New Zealand. In her spare time, she loves to hike, scuba dive and garden.

Christine - Hygienist
We are proud to have Christine as our experienced dental hygienist and oral health therapist. Christine has earned glowing praise by patients for her gentle manner, attention to detail, and commitment to delivering outstanding oral care.
Christine's dedication to health and wellness extends beyond the dental chair. As a certified yoga instructor, gym enthusiast and marathon runner she brings a holistic approach to her work, emphasising the importance of overall well-being.
Her passion for mindfulness and movement allows her to connect with patients on a deeper level, helping them feel at ease while promoting healthy habits for a radiant smile and lifestyle.

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Dr Gurnam Aulakh (UK-registered Oral Surgeon - Specialist Registration in NZ Pending)

Dr. Gurnam Aulakh brings a wealth of surgical experience to Whangarei. While he currently works primarily at Whangarei Hospital, he also consults as an independent provider from Smilecare Dental Studio for private cases.
 
Having qualified as a dentist from King’s College London, Gurnam gained extensive experience across UK dental and maxillofacial units, including Oral Medicine at The Royal London Dental Hospital and Oral Surgery at Guy’s Hospital. He later completed Oral Surgery Specialist training in Yorkshire, UK.
 
His services include surgical and non-surgical extractions of wisdom teeth (including coronectomy), complex extractions, cyst removal, biopsies, and more.

Referrals are welcomed from general practitioners. All patients will receive appropriate follow-up communication post-treatment.

Ann - Practice Manager
Ann is Smile Care’s Practice Manager. She takes great pleasure in being an integral part of such a professional and enthusiastic team.

Vania - Dental Assistant
Vania is an integral member of Smile Care’s dental assistant team. Vania has mastered making patients feel comfortable. She thrives on turning a dental-phobic person into a fearless dental disciple.
Outside work, Vania enjoys home life with her family, the Northland coastline, rugby and baking up a storm.

Awhi - Dental Assistant

Awhi is passionate about patient's healthcare and smile care. She enjoys fitness and family fun.